An unfriendly, generally feared insect brought a very large crowd to the Kinzua Country Tick Fest Saturday to hear experts speak and perform presentations about the importance of tick-borne illnesses and ways to prevent the little critters from invading personal spaces.

The event, organized by the McKean County Historical Society, had more than just the speakers and presentations: they also provided multiple vendors, live music, displays, raffles and more.

“The event went great and was packed with 50 or more people, at least, filling the room,” said Dr. Dick Dryden, who is a tick expert and was a speaker at the event. “I was totally taken by surprise when I saw that the room was filled half an hour before the program even began, and people stayed for the entire day. I thought we would have a lot of turnover, but there was none.”

Even though ticks are a generally feared insect, the chairman and organizer of the event, Gino Lucchetti, did his best to make the day entertaining and fun. He even prepared his own music with tick-themed lyrics that he performed for the crowd at the end of the presentations.

“Gino did a great job of organizing the event and keeping everything in light spirits,” said Dryden.

The event, which was held at the Kinzua Bridge State Park, was sponsored by multiple business, groups and individuals.

One of the most important tips for avoiding ticks this season that Dryden could offer was to make sure to wear long pants while in the woods. Before entering the woods pants should be tucked into socks to keep the tiny critters from climbing up the pant leg and finding an area to latch upon.

Once the time spent in the woods has been completed, it is vital to check the body from head to toe to make sure no tick attached itself; in the case a tick is found it is also vital that it be removed from the body within 18 hours, according to Dryden.

For more tick related information, contact the Pa. Lyme Prevention Program through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.