Photo by Jessica N. Rex Organizers of some of the upcoming summer events gathered at the Visitors Center recently.

Spring is in the air and summertime is being forecasted with having a super high level of anticipation for upcoming summer events.

Organizers from community events gathered at the Warren County Visitors Bureau recently for the annual planning event to discuss and promote upcoming events. Executive Director Lisa Card said, “One of the things that makes Warren County such a special place to visit and to live are the great events that many great people organize and dedicate so much of their time.”

Those in attendance included organizers from the following organizations: Jefferson DeFrees Family Center’s Touch a Truck, Tidioute Fun Day, Warren County Pride, Warren County Fair, Kinzua Country TANGO, Kinzua Heritage Festival, Warren County Fourth of July Celebration, Music In The Park – Warren PA, Music on the Mountain, Wild Wind Folk Art & Craft Festival, Free Books for Kids Town Children’s Festival, Cornfield 500, Pennsylvania State Championship Fishing Tournament, and ROAR – Revitalization of Akeley/Russell Pine Grove Days. Several of these events are celebrating many years- many are close to 20 years and still others are approaching 100 years.

Here is a preview of some upcoming events:

— Pine Grove Days in Russell will be on May 23. Beginning with the ROAR (Revitalizing of Akeley and Russell) 5K will begin at 8 a.m. for registration, race begins at 9 a.m. The parade begins at 11 a.m. from Woodlawn Dr to Main St. Ending with dancing in the park and fireworks at Larimer Park, this family friendly event should not be missed.

— Jefferson DeFrees Family Center will hold their annual “Touch-a-Truck” on June 6 at Betts Park, 100 Ludlow St., Warren. A day of fun for kids of ALL ages, trucks and vehicles of all shapes and sizes will be present. There is a VIP hour (9am-10am) for those that are sensory sensitive. Tickets are $10 each and are for sale beginning in May. Admission after 10:00am is by donation. Children under 2 are free. Food vendors, children’s activities, photo opportunities, basket raffle, Paint a Car/Smash a Car, ping pong ball drop are some of the available activities on site.

— The nation’s 250th anniversary brings one of the most anticipated events of the year with the Warren County Fourth of July Celebration, in its 78th year. Beginning on June 23, the festivities abound. Even though organizers Bill and Kelly Thompson are not Warren natives, this tradition is something that means a lot to them.

The Thompsons are encouraging Warren residents and businesses to decorate two weeks prior to the Fourth by making the county red, white and blue beginning on June 23. This is a contest with prizes awarded. To be judged, contact Kelly Thompson at 814-688-0094.

“We’re all about the red, white and blue. We’re asking everyone to decorate their porches, their yards, whatever, red white and blue, for this season,” Kelly Thompson said.

New to this year’s July Fourth Celebration include a tethered hot air balloon ride and the “Ultimate Duel Championship Wrestling,” its very first show; both on Friday, July 3.

The Fourth of July Parade will be Saturday at 11 a.m. Entries are being accepted, many of the 37 that have already signed up are first timers. This year’s fireworks are on Saturday, July 4th at 10 p.m. If you would like to donate towards this year’s celebration, donations can be sent to:

Warren County 4th of July Organization, P.O. Box 434, Warren, PA 16365

— Cornfield 500 (named “Cornfield 250” this year) returns to the Warren County list of events for the Fourth of July weekend. Located at 43311 Route 6, Columbus, PA, this family friendly event is excited to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Featuring Mega Truck Shows, Challenger Car Racing and Enduros, MX Freestyle, and Side by Side Racing. The launching of the Baker Hill Tri-County ATV Club will be presented along with bands, fireworks, camping and more. A few things you won’t want to miss this year involve Thrilling Stunts by Doug Lawson Jr. and his team, representing his local MX Track, Mapleshade MX, from Youngsville, PA. There will be surprise guests all weekend as well as the wedding anniversary celebration of the hosts of the show, Blair and Sabrena Miller, who 18 years ago, were CMT’s “My Big Redneck Wedding” couple.

— The Kinzua Heritage Festival, in its 21st consecutive year, will take place this year on August 21-23, held at 4047 Fox Hill Road in Russell. This family oriented non-profit organization has a mission to keep the past alive through the crafts, arts and music of days gone by. lEach year there are many crafters and artisans that come to share their skill and knowledge of what they’ve learned from their ancestors. An auction is done on both Saturday and Sunday with 100% of the proceeds donated to local charities which in the past have included food banks, Veterans groups and schools. Accepting applications for vendors.

Entry to the festival costs $5.00 for Adults, Children 10 and under Free.

— The Wild Wind Festival, the largest arts and crafts festival in northwest PA, will be held on September 12-13. Dating over 40 years since its start, the festival represents over 150 juried artists and brings in anywhere from 7,500 to 10,000 people each year. This takes place at the Warren County Fairgrounds, 371 Barton Run Road, Route 6, Pittsfield, PA.

The Warren County Visitors Center is happy to support and promote these events by reimbursement and pointing visitors in the right direction. Check out the bureau’s website for an ongoing calendar of local events. https://www.wcvb.net/events