Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Set in the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, just 45 minutes north of Pittsburgh, the small town of Ellwood City used to be a late 19th century industrial boomtown filled with steel mills and limestone quarries. The now sleepy town has moved away from its industrial roots, however. Today, Ellwood City is home to an array of green spaces and culturally relevant landmarks, including three city parks and examples of ornate Victorian architecture.
Ewing Park, Ellwood City's largest public green space, is home to a host of recreational facilities, including basketball and tennis courts, baseball fields and walking trails that cut through wooded areas situated along the Connoquenessing River. There’s also the Veteran’s Memorial Pool, a public swimming pool open from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend, and a large castle-themed playground. Set high in the hills of Ellwood City, Stiefel Park features sports facilities, including softball and soccer fields, and an 80-foot-long outdoor concrete hockey rink.
The Ellwood City Farmers’ Market is held each Saturday morning from June through October. The market showcases goods and produce from local farmers, bakers and artisans. On occasion, the market also includes live musical entertainment. The Ellwood City Festival is a three-day event held in early July, typically starting around the Fourth of July. The festival, which takes place in Ewing Park, is home to over 200 arts and craft booths and more than 30 food and beverage vendors. The festival also includes a 10K race, live music and a juried art show.
Ellwood City Public Library is home to over 52,000 books and other materials. The facility hosts special events throughout the year for kids and teens, including interactive storytelling sessions, creative writing groups, family-friendly film screenings and puppet shows. Adult-oriented activities at the library include knitting groups and book club discussions. Each September the library hosts the annual Storytelling Festival in Ewing Park. In addition to storytelling sessions geared toward little ones, the event includes other family-friendly activities such as face painting and balloon art.
True to its name, the Red Barn Players, Ellwood City’s resident theatrical troupe, performs inside a rustic red bar. From June through October, the company mounts a new show each month, including musicals, dramas, mysteries and comedies. Past productions have included “The Sound of Music,” “Barefoot in the Park,” “Arsenic and Old Lace” and “The Music Man.” The Ellwood City Historical Society operates a museum that details the city’s storied past. The small museum has exhibits pertaining to local industry, such as a Railway Express Wagon and glass manufactured in the area in the late 19th century. The society also hosts discussions on regional history.