There are several new events planned for the whole family at the
fifth annual Kinzua Outdoor and Travel Show this weekend at the
Bradford Mall.
Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Diane
Sheeley told The Era this week there will be even more vendors and
exhibitors at this year’s show, and some veterans to the show are
taking out larger spaces for more activities.
The show will run from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday. Admission is free.
Sheeley credited the wide array of interesting and educational
children’s activities to Helen Cummiskey, who coordinated the
children’s presentations.
On Friday, Science in Motion from the University of Pittsburgh
at Bradford will present a program on owl pellets, genes, DNA and
“marker chromatography,” where the children will learn the
chemistry behind the colored inks in magic markers.
On Saturday, “The Giving Tree” program will get the day started
at 10 a.m., followed by programs on insects, basket weaving, the
biology of worms and “Leave No Trace” -ða program by the Center for
Outdoor Ethics from Boulder, Colo., which teaches about outdoor
maintenance and respect for nature.
In the speaker series, presentations on steel head fishing,
cross-country skiing and bobcats will be given Friday. Saturday
will feature programs on gardening, physical fitness, geocaching,
golfing, taxidermy and Pennsylvania forests.
Sheeley said the golfing activity is one of the new activities
this year, featuring a putting green on the premises courtesy of
the Bradford Area Golf Association and Kirk Stauffer, a
professional golfer from Pine Acres County Club.
“We’ve tried to make the programs more interactive,” Sheeley
said. Also, organizers have tried to attract businesses from out of
the area to “compliment the local businesses,” she added.
Back again this year, the Bragging Wall will offer displays of
new and different wildlife. Prizes will be awarded in five
categories: big game, white tail, fur bearer, foul and fish.
“We look for animals native to North America and preferably to
our region,” said Glen Washington, event chairman for the fifth
year. Each entry will be numbered and displayed with the donor’s
name and a brief description. Winners are determined by the
people’s choice. Ballots will be done using money cans.
The Bragging Wall area is monitored to protect the entries, yet
enable the visitors a clear view.
The Pennsylvania Deer Association will sponsor a whitetail deer
antler and black bear measuring. Any legally obtained whitetail
deer mount head, antlers with the skull plate intact, or black bear
can be submitted for scoring. Official judges and capable, but
uncertified judges will be available throughout the two-day
event.
About 85 exibitors/vendors have registered for this year’s show,
Sheeley said. Among them, the Allegheny National Forest Bureau, the
Greater Olean (N.Y.) Area Chamber of Commerce, Enchanted Mountains
of Cattaraugus County, N.Y., Eagle Eye Photography, Bettum’s
Idlewood Family Campground, R&K Marina of Rushford, N.Y.,
American Refining Group, Boy Scouts of America and Olean (N.Y.)
Flags and Banners are returning for their fifth year participating
in the show.
Zippo Manufacturing Co. and W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co.,
the primary sponsors again this year, are also marking their fifth
year at the KOTS.
There will also be a food court at the mall, with vendors from
the Bradford Township Lions Club, Buck’s Pizza, Dairy Queen and
John Williams European Pastry Shop.
For more information, contact the Bradford Area Chamber of
Commerce office.
