Hermitage
Around Hermitage
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Town and around · Pennsylvania · 108k people
Hermitage
Locals say Shenango Valley · “The Valley”
Where the Shenango flows through hills and history.
CrimsonGold
Welcome to the Shenango Valley! Whether you're here for the river, the racing, or just a good pierogi, you'll find a friendly community that loves its sports and its parks. Make yourself at home and join the conversation.
Clubs for Hermitage
No clubs for Hermitage yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Hermitage. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Hermitage. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Buhl Park Large community park with a lake, golf course, and walking trails.
- Shenango River Lake U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir for fishing, boating, and picnicking.
- Grove City College Historic campus known for its distinctive architecture and the Little Red Schoolhouse.
- Westminster College Liberal arts college in New Wilmington with a historic hilltop campus.
- Sharon Speedway Dirt track hosting stock car races on weekends.
- Outdoors Fishing on Shenango River Lake
- Outdoors Hiking the Shenango River Trail
- With kids Playgrounds at Buhl Park
- With kids Boating on Shenango River Lake
- Evenings Steelers watch parties at local bars
- Evenings Friday night high school football
- Locals love Diners
- Locals love Riverfront parks
Through the year
- Mercer County Fair July County fair with rides, food, and livestock shows.
- Sharon City Fair August Community festival with games, food, and live music.
- Greenville Area Community Days June Summer celebration with vendors, entertainment, and family activities.
- Sharon Speedway Racing Season April-September Weekly dirt track races from spring through fall.
- Buhl Park Summer Concert Series July-August Free outdoor concerts in the park during summer.
The Shenango Valley has a four-season climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. The best times to be outside are late spring and early fall. Best: Late spring and early fall are ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “The Valley”
- Local term for the Shenango Valley area.
- “Sharon City”
- How locals refer to the city of Sharon.
- “Buhl”
- Short for Buhl Park, a common meeting spot.
Getaways
- Youngstown Urban attractions and dining just across the state line.
- Meadville Historic downtown and Allegheny College.
- Oil City Oil heritage sites and riverfront trails.
- Akron Larger city with museums, parks, and the Cuyahoga Valley.
Local flavour
Rooting for Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL), Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB), Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), Cleveland Browns (NFL)
Eat and drink
- Pierogies Common in western Pennsylvania.
- Haluski Cabbage and noodle dish.
- Pepperoni balls Popular in the region.
- Chipped chopped ham Associated with Isaly's, a nearby chain.
Where people go
- Diners Classic small-town eateries.
- Riverfront parks Along the Shenango River.
- Covered bridges Several in Mercer County.
Heritage and traditions
The Shenango Valley takes pride in its hardworking steel‑town heritage, tight‑knit communities, and the natural beauty of Buhl Park and the Shenango River Lake.
This time of year in Hermitage
- Fall foliage in the Shenango Valley October October brings brilliant colors along the river and hills.
- Greenville Apple Festival October October event with cider, pies, crafts, and a parade.
Say it like a local: “redd up” — to clean up
Festivals
- Shenango Valley Italian Festival August Held in August in Sharon, celebrating Italian heritage with food, music, and processions.
- Greenville Apple Festival October October event with cider, pies, crafts, and a parade.
- Grove City Christmas Parade December December parade with lights, floats, and Santa.
- New Wilmington Old-Fashioned Christmas December Historic town with carols, horse-drawn wagon rides, and a tree lighting.
- Mercer County Historical Society Heritage Day September September living history demonstrations at the museum.
Landmarks with a story
- Buhl Mansion Victorian mansion in Hermitage, now a bed and breakfast.
- St. Stanislaus Kostka Church Historic Polish Catholic church in Sharon, with a strong ethnic community.
- St. Joseph's Church Italian parish in Sharon, known for its feast day celebrations.
- The Sharon Armory Former National Guard armory, now used for community events.
- Grove City Historical Museum Exhibits local history and industry.
- Greenville Historical Society Museum Preserves the town's industrial and railroad past.
Food traditions
- City chicken Breaded pork or veal on a skewer, baked or fried—a western PA classic, often served with mashed potatoes.
- Buckeyes Chocolate‑covered peanut butter balls, a favorite at holiday gatherings.
- Kielbasa and sauerkraut A Polish‑heritage staple, especially at church picnics and holiday meals.
- Italian wedding soup A hearty soup with meatballs and greens, served at Italian family dinners.
- Pizzelles Thin, waffle‑like cookies made with an iron, often during Christmas.
Music and arts
- Polka music Strong Polish heritage keeps polka bands playing at festivals and church halls.
- Italian folk music Tarantella and other traditional tunes at Italian events.
- Community theater Sharon Community Theatre and local groups stage plays and musicals.
- Art guilds Local artists exhibit at galleries and shows in Sharon and Grove City.
A little history
- 1800s Founding of Sharon
- early 20th century Sharon Steel Corporation
- 1960s Construction of Shenango River Lake
- early 1900s Buhl family philanthropy
- 1970s–1980s Decline of steel industry
Rivalries
- Sharon vs Farrell high school football Fierce local gridiron matchup.
- Grove City vs Slippery Rock college rivalry Nearby NCAA Division II schools with a friendly rivalry.
- Steelers vs Browns fan divide Local fans split between Pittsburgh and Cleveland teams.
- Game day Friday night lights
- Game day High school basketball rivalries
- Outdoors Kayaking on the Shenango River
- Outdoors Cross‑country skiing at Buhl Park
- With kids Ice skating at Buhl Park
- With kids Riding bikes on the Shenango River Trail
Residents speak with a Western Pennsylvania accent, similar to Pittsburgh, using 'yinz' for 'you all' and dropping the 'to be' in phrases like 'the car needs washed.'
Only here
- The Buhl Mansion is a bed and breakfast in a Victorian mansion.
- The Shenango Valley has a strong tradition of church picnics with ethnic food.
- The local nickname 'Shenango Valley' is used by residents with pride.
- Drive‑in movie theaters still operate in the area during summer.
New here? A few tips
- Prepare for cold, snowy winters—invest in a good coat and boots.
- Learn to say 'yinz' and 'pop' for soda.
- Visit Buhl Park for a taste of local life; it's the community's backyard.
- Try a pepperoni ball from a local bakery—they're a regional specialty.
- The area is close to Ohio, so you can easily cross the border for a day trip.
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Part of Pittsburgh area
Nearby
Every areaYoungstownOhioSteel‑strong spirit, valley‑wide heart.SalemOhioWhere the Ohio River meets the hillsMeadvillePennsylvaniaWhere the oil boom began and the lakes are calm.Oil CityPennsylvaniaRiver town with a deep history and warm communityClarionPennsylvaniaWhere the rivers run clear and the forests stand deep.AkronOhioBig heart, hard work, and a sweet tooth for Buckeyes.CantonOhioLocal rooms for Stark County.WeirtonWest VirginiaWhere the river bends and the hills hold stories.
Hermitage, PA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.