Fall is the perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy all that is happening. The forests are at their finest with colors galore, the elk are bugling, and the weather has cooled.
The next few weekends are loaded with great activities and events. The only difficult thing is deciding where to start.
Autumn Leaf Festival
Leaves of Blue and Gold: Celebrating Clarion University’s 150th Anniversary
Saturday, September 30 to Sunday, October 8
This nine-day international award-winning festival attracts more than 500,000 people to the Clarion area.
Events and entertainment include carnival rides and amusements; the renowned Clarion Hospital Tournament of Leaves Parade on Saturday, October 7; the Northwest Savings Bank Antique Tractor Show on Sunday, October 8; the Community First Bank and Clarion University Cultural Nights and more.
Some events require registration but there is no admission charge for most of the chamber’s events.
For the full schedule of events, click here. For more information, call the chamber office at 814-226-9161, email events@clarionpa.com or visit ClarionPA.com.
Bugle Corps Elk Watch at Sinnemahoning State Park
Friday, October 6, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 7, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday, October 13, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 14, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Join the excitement in the First Fork Valley! Search for the herd of cows and calves as they move through the valley or the bull elk as they go about the business of defending territory and finding mates.
Binoculars and scope available for use with help from park staff and volunteers. The Elk Watch station will be set up where elk are active. Call the park office at 814-647-8401 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. or look for signs for the day’s location.
Wildlife watching is unpredictable. The park makes no guarantee that elk will be present at the viewing area at the time of the watch. A sample of elk antlers and elk hides, along with pictures and other elk information will be provided.
For more information, call 814-647-8401, email SinnemahoningSP@PA.gov or visit SinnemahoningStatePark. Check them out on FACEBOOK.
Acorn History, Harvesting, and Preparation
Saturday, October 7, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Acorns have been consumed in the Northeastern U.S. for centuries, well before the colonization of Europeans. Join Adam Haritan from learnyourland.com for a program that will cover acorn gathering tips (how to separate the good from the bad), differences between red and white oak groups (important for processing), several leaching methods, drying and storing methods, nutritional benefits, and more!
The program begins at the Fire Tower Parking Lot.
For more information call 814-744-8407, email CookForestSP@pa.gov or visit CookForestStatePark.
Guided Interactive Trail Hike at Woodring Farm
Saturday, October 7, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 8, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Join the PA Game Commission on a hike through prime elk habitat, including a beautiful vista view. You will learn all about wildlife habitat and how the PGC manages it. This hike is very interactive with many props including antlers, skulls, and sounds.
For more information, call 570-398-4744 or email pgc-ncregion@pa.gov.
Foxburg Fall Art, Wine, and Food Festival
Sunday, October 8, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
This festival is an essential part of a Foxburg Fall. There will be artisans, crafters, make & take, vendors, children’s face painting, a 50/50 raffle, a Chinese auction, and lots of great food.
Music will be provided by the Richard Eustice Band from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Mitchell Bell will entertain on guitar and vocals from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
For more information please call 724-659-5701, email info@foxburgfestival.com or visit http://gofoxburg.com/festivals/foxburg-food-art-and-wine-festival
Mahoning Shadow Shuffle 1/2 Marathon, 10K & 5K Race
Saturday, October 14, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Beautiful out and back flat course race on the gorgeous Mahoning Shadow Trail along the Mahoning creek. Fall foliage at its best.
Bring your dog with you on a leash. The first canine finisher in each race will win a prize.
Register ONLINE HERE or download and mail the application HERE.
For more information call 814-371-7768, email MahoningShadow@hotmail.com or visit MahoningShadowTrail.org.
First Fork Festival at Sinnemahoning State Park
Saturday, October 14, Noon to 5:00 p.m.
Celebrate the history and culture of the First Fork Sinnemahoning Valley with local authors, artists and artisans showcasing their talents amidst a backdrop of full autumn color in the Pennsylvania Wilds.
Festival entertainment will include live bands, interactive local history and interpretive exhibits.
Scheduled demonstrations will feature local artisans and talented crafts-people showing off their skills and discussing their artistic processes.
Discover how artisans turn wood on a mini-lathe, clean and decorate gourds, and make felted products from wool.
For a schedule of festival events or for more information about programs at Sinnemahoning State Park call 814-647-8401, email SinnemahoningSP@pa.gov or visit SinnemahoningStatePark. Check them out on FACEBOOK.
Sherman Memorial Lighthouse Tour
Saturday, October 14, Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Held only six days this year. Self-guided tours of this beautiful six story structure.
As you climb the spiral staircase, see Sherman Family memorabilia, lighthouse collectibles and finally a beautiful view up and down the Allegheny River from the balcony circling the top.
Can’t climb all those steps? There is a free video viewing of the lighthouse construction shown continuously in an adjacent, handicapped accessible building.
Contact Jim McGuire at 814-755-3672, via email at jrmcguire@verizon.net
or visit http://www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/tionesta/page-6.php
Fire Tower Historical Tour at Cook Forest State Park
Saturday, October 14, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please bring your binoculars to the Fire Tower for an historical tour of Fire Tower #9 conducted by park volunteers, Kelley and Al Bilotto.
Take a breathtaking view from the box at the very top of the Fire Tower and learn how it operated. The tower will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For more information call 814-744-8407, email CookForestSP@pa.gov or visit them ONLINE.
For trip planning, including places to stay, places to dine, and other things to do in the Great Outdoors Region, go to VisitPAGO.com
“The Great Outdoors,” sponsored by the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors, is a weekly blog by exploreClarion.com’s Scott Shindledecker. Plan your next outdoor adventure at VisitPAGO.com or call (814) 849-5197 for more information.
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