The 17th Kinzua Bridge State Park "Fall Festival" will be held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15-16, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, rain or shine. Vendors will be set up in the wooded picnic area by the pavilion again this year. There will be more than 55 art, craft and food vendors and live musical performances. Most entertainment will take place in the pavilion. Events on Saturday will begin at 1 p.m. with opening ceremonies, followed by continuous music by local and regional musicians.
Saturday: 1 p.m., Opening with National Anthem- Linda Schneider from Mt. Jewett
Followed by remarks from the new Kinzua Bridge State Park/Bendigo Complex Manager, Mitch Stickle about future development at the State Park.
Unveiling of the first installation of the engraved bricks for the Commemorative Pathway. Orders for the engraved bricks can be made during the Fall Festival at the Kinzua Bridge Foundation's tent or by contacting them afterwards via website or telephone. This will be an on-going campaign to raise money for further improvements at the State Park.
Nikky's Dance Studio students will be performing "It's Kind Of Fun To Do The Impossible"
2 p.m., John Mead, acoustic guitar, Cassie and Joe, Detroit Pilgrims, Joel & Band
Bluegrass in the Park Back by request Grover & The Nighthawks
Sunday: 1 p.m., returning special guest vocalist Mackenzie James McGuire
Allegheny Mountainaires Traditional Square Dancing for all
2 pm.., ZEM ZEM cars
3 p.m., Festival Host Band with area's legendary country entertainer Darrel Goodman along
with several guest musicians Brian Burt Guitar, Mary Ann Burggraf Fiddle, Loretta Howard Vocals, Kory Parr Guitar, Hazel Rae Kelly Vocals.
All entertainers perform at the Fall Festival as a benefit for the Kinzua Bridge State Park.
There is a great variety of art and craft vendors including: photography, hand-made jewelry, embroidered products, knitted and crocheted goods, candles, painted wood crafts/toys, bird feeders, cloth items, Avon and spa products, scrapbooking/card making items, chain saw art, books, decorative home products, wood turned bowls, paintings, printed stationary, T-shirts, woven baskets, and purses. A large selection of food will also be available such as beef on wick, chili, italian sausage and philly steak sandwiches, chicken fingers, pulled pork, hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, sweet corn, French fries, cookies, scones, cinnamon rolls, Amish-made goods, cotton candy, snokones and kettle korn. On Sunday, a chicken barbecue will be available by the Mt. Jewett Volunteer Fire Department.
The PA DCNR State Park staff will feature activities such as apple cider pressing, leaf waxing, and candle dipping. There will be face painting by Painted Vail Face and Body Art. Horse and pony rides will be available across the parking lot by the McKean County Wranglers 4-H Club. The McKean County SPCA will also attend with shelter animals available for adoption. Handicap parking will be available. The Area Transportation Authority is providing the Trolley for shuttling visitors to and from the parking areas. Admission to the event is free.
Kinzua Bridge State Park was designated as "State Park of the Year 2012" by the PA Parks & Forests Foundation. To help celebrate this accomplishment, Festival goers can acquire a historic wooden nickel for a $1 donation at the Foundation tent. Only 1,000 printed for this one time collectable item.
The Kinzua Bridge Foundation, Inc. is the sponsor of the Fall Festival. The Foundation is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the Kinzua Bridge, the promotion of its historical and cultural significance, as well as, the further development of the adjoining State Park. Since the partial collapse of the Viaduct on July 21, 2003, the foundation has been raising money to make improvements at the State Park. Projects being considered for funding by the Foundation include: the construction of a new pavilion with a stone fireplace; a gazebo; an outdoor amphitheater; and landscaping of the grounds, once the location of the visitors center is determined by the state. Contributions/donations can be made to the Kinzua Bridge Foundation, Inc. c/o Hamlin Bank and Trust Company, 34 Fraley Street, Kane, PA 16735.