Allegheny Outfitters celebrates 20 years Saturday
Allegheny Outfitters celebrates 20 years Saturday
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The heartbeat of the upper Allegheny River, Allegheny Outfitters was established in 2006 as a modest canoe and kayak livery, and has grown into the premier hub for outdoor recreation needs in Warren County. The veteran-owned business is celebrating its 20th anniversary, Rooted in the River: A 20-Year Celebration of Community this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
Warren's identity includes the Allegheny River as a gateway to the Allegheny National Forest. As the vital regional anchor in Warren, Allegheny Outfitters has provided thousands of people the opportunity to travel the 107-mile river each summer.
What started out with some beat-up vans and secondhand gear, turned into dreams come true for Allegheny Outfitters. For owner Piper VanOrd and her staff, exploring and educating others on the river and forest is all they needed. As the business grew, so did its physical footprint. In 2019, the company moved into its current flagship location at 20 Clark Street in Warren, merging its boat rental operations with a dedicated retail space. The transition did more than just expand their floor plan -- it created a dynamic communal space that strengthened the bond between the outfitter’s staff and the local public.
Managing a fleet of nearly 200 canoes and kayaks, VanOrd views her business as a vital piece of a larger puzzle driving economic growth in downtown Warren and the surrounding region. As the only outfitter remaining along a 77-mile stretch of the river, VanOrd and her team are recovering from a demanding, high-traffic summer season.
Navigating a weather-dependent industry is inherently challenging -- a reality highlighted by a stark contrast to the 2022 season, when unfavorable conditions forced the livery to close operations for 62 days. Reflecting on the resilience of her small crew of 11 staff members, VanOrd emphasized how fortunate she is to have exceptionally good people who collaborate seamlessly under pressure.
In celebration of this milestone, the community is invited to gather at Allegheny Outfitters to experience a visual storytelling about community. Reflecting on the memories collected over the years, the event honors the meaningful connections made with nature and people. Taking a look at the past with the trials and triumphs of a small business in rural Pennsylvania, the anniversary marks a time for members of the community with a welcoming space in which to share about the adventures of the past and those planned for the future.
Beginning at noon and lasting until 3 p.m., Warren-based author, Ta Enos, will be signing copies of her best-selling memoir, "Proudly Made: A Story of Reinvention in the Big Woods and Small Towns of the Pennsylvania Wilds." The book has earned national recognition across literary, civic, and author circles, including a Governor's Keystone Award, a Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Honorable Mention winner, a Silver Book Award from the Nonfiction Authors Association, a Book of the Year finalist in the Independent Authors Network, Longlisted for Book of the Year by the Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia, and a 2025 Sunny Award winner for being a top-selling and impactful title among Sunbury Press' 18 imprints and more than 1,700 titles.
The day will conclude with attendees who wish to continue the celebration of wilderness by making their way to the downtown historic Struthers Library Theatre to watch the 2026 World Tour Paddling Film Festival. Viewers will be inspired by the collection of short films. The schedule runs from 7 through 9 p.m. The first half will show the following short films: "1000 Miles To Tuk," "How to Self-Rescue on a Paddleboard," "Patso," and "A Little Bit Different."
An intermission will take place at 8 p.m. and the second half will show "Riverbound – The Storybook Has Just Begun," and "Gabon Uncharted." Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $13 for students and seniors.