EMPORIUM — The 27th Annual Autumn Festival at Sizerville State Park, held annually to celebrate pioneer crafts, skills and foods, will be held from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday.
Local artisans demonstrate their skills and offer some of their creations for sale. For kids of all ages, there are make-it, take-it crafts, examples of old-time crafting such as quilting, tatting, bee-keeping, woodcarving and candle-making, set in the backdrop of northcentral Pennsylvania in the fall.
This year’s event will feature live entertainment throughout the day. Local band Mountain Melodies will perform from 11 a.m. until noon. The band is known for playing a wide range of musical styles, including historic, folk, Celtic and traditional American music.
Beginning at 12:30 p.m., a program entitled “The Value of Wood During the Pioneer Days in Northern Pennsylvania” will be presented by Richard Pawling of History Alive! Pawling will evoke the spirit of 19th century “Wood Hick” Jack Haines as he tells of the value of lumber in that historic period.
From 2 to 3 p.m., Pennsylvania Proud: History Thru Song will perform, presenting information on the history of Pennsylvania and its role as the keystone to America. The program will bring history to life by combining vocal skills with mandolin, guitar, banjo, harmonica and cornet in a style reminiscent of Pennsylvania’s forefathers.
A number of activities, demonstrations and crafts will be available for the whole family, including the most popular yearly attraction, the apple cider press, hard at work making samples for visitors.
The festival will take place on the roadway running through the park, which will be closed to vehicles throughout the event. Sizerville State Park straddles the border between Potter and Cameron counties, and is easily accessible from Route 155, which runs between the towns of Emporium and Port Allegany.
Volunteers are still being sought to help with kids’ activities. Contact the park office at 486-5605 or email sizervilleee@pa.gov to volunteer or for more information.
