Major milestone

75th Anniversary celebration set for Chapman State Park

Chapman State Park will be hosting a celebration for its 75th Anniversary on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the park at 4790 Chapman Dam Road, Clarendon. The event will be filled with fun events, educational activities, vendors, and plenty of memories.

The main area of the event will be centered around Pavilions 2 and 3, the beach house, and parking lot 3, with additional events happening at the Dam and at Pavilion 5, the mooring area.

Pavilion 3 will host the main information booth and the ranger station. There will also be local organizations, a slideshow with historical photos of the park, and a guest book for everyone to sign. Pavilion 2 will be filled with educational activities from organizations such as DCNR Forestry, PA Game Commission, AHUG, and the Warren County Conservation District.

The beach and day use area will have a variety of activities hosted by state park

educators including a historical lumber skills demonstration, historical games, and an

archery open shoot. Parking lot 3 will have various vendors set up, a chainsaw carving

demonstration, as well as a few local vehicles for a touch-a-truck style event.

The Mooring area will be the launching point for a guided kayak paddle led by staff

from the Allegheny Outfitters. The paddle will launch every hour, on the hour starting at

10 a.m., with the last launching at 3 p.m. This is free with limited seats available for each paddle. Guests can sign up at Pavilion 5 starting at 9:30 a.m.

A craft show will begin at 10 a.m. and run until 3:30 p.m.

Smokey the Bear will visit the Beach House Stage at 10:30 a.m.

The Friends of Chapman will also be hosting their annual Rubber Duck Race by the

dam starting at 11 a.m. Ducks may be reserved at any point at their booth up until the

race begins. You can reserve a duck for a $5 donation.

Also beginning at 11 a.m. is old time string music by the Speckled Band will play at the Beach House Stage.

The guided paddle launches will begin at noon at Pavilion 5, with additional launches at 1 p.m., 2 and 3.

Smokey the Bear will make another visit at 1:30 p.m. at the Beach house stage, followed by event remarks, special presentations by park staff, the friends group, local politicians and the Warren County Fair Queen Court at 2 p.m. There will be cake provided by Shurfine.

The Warren Cycle Shop will hold a gravel bike ride at 2:30 p.m. All are welcome to bring bikes to join at pavilion 5.

A hot dog booth sponsored by Ace Hardware/Oneida Hearth and Home and Kondaks will be on site to fundraise for Friends of Chapman. The Warren County Visitors Bureau will provide a shuttle bus for traveling around the park.

Sponsors include Ellwood Crankshaft Group, Ace Hardware Oneida Lumber, Oneida Hearth & Home, Kondak’s Community Market, Warren’s Hometown Market, and Warren County Visitors Bureau.

The Friends of Chapman are the non-profit group of volunteers who run events, participate in clean ups, and fundraising and utilize donations to improve things in Chapman such as the new Jr Ranger Program, and the accessible kayak and canoe launch and courtesy dock.

The Friends of Chapman State Park is a Chapter of the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization -- contributions to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. No goods or services were received in exchange for this contribution. The official registration of the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free within Pennsylvania 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Funds raised are used directly to enhance the park's natural resources, improve public infrastructure, and expand community programs.

For more information, contact the park at chapmansp@pa.gov or by calling 814-723-0251.