MOUNT JEWETT — Kinzua Bridge State Park has a full slate of events for September, with fall being the signature time of the year for visiting the park.
At noon on Sept. 1, a program will be held about the tornado of 2003. Participants will meet on the skywalk for the brief but informative talk about the devastating tornado that changed history 15 years ago. A question and answer time will be held afterwards.
At 2 p.m. Sept. 1, a “hands on” display on Pennsylvania elk will be presented in the visitor center classroom. Try touching an elk hide, pick up an antler and discover the food an elk usually eats.
At noon on Sept. 2, “Viaduct ‘Ventures” will be presented. See the picture & listen to the story of the local barnstormer who flew his plane under the Kinzua Bridge. This is a short story told out on the skywalk.
At 1 p.m. Sept. 2, a nature walk will be held on the General Kane Trail. The Kane Trail is an easy to moderate one-mile loop. The park naturalist will be along to point out some of the interesting aspects of nature along the way.
The elk display will be available in the visitor center classroom at 2 p.m. Sept. 2.
At noon on Labor Day, a program on the history of the bridge will be presented. Why was it built? Who paid for it? Why was it called an Engineering Marvel? These questions and more will be answered in a brief talk out on the skywalk.
At 1 p.m. on Labor Day, a program will be held on the step fossil. Discover this unique fossil located on one of the steps of the Kinzua Creek Hiking Trail. This is a short walk and brief talk about a fossil that is thousands of years old. Meet at the trailhead near the overlook.
Also in September, the Twin Tiers Camera Club will hold a night-time photo shoot at the bottom of the Kinzua Gorge. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 7 and includes a brief overview of night-time camera basics beginning in the visitor center classroom. This program is limited to ten people over the age of 18. The club is asking for a donation of $35. Call the park to register at (814) 778-5467 to reserve a spot for the program on a first come, first served basis.
The 21st annual Kinzua Bridge State Park fall festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 15 and 16 and will host plenty of vendors, musical talent and demonstrations. There will also be a live Bigfoot calling contest and breathtaking views from the bridge and skywalk. Special Guest Van Wagner, who has a vast knowledge of Pennsylvania’s history and combines that with his songwriting and musical talent to put on a great show, will join the festival this year on Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. For more information about the event call (814) 598-5265.
On noon on Sept. 22 a craft and information session about fall leaves will be held. Maples are just one type of tree that provide us with beautiful colors in the fall. Why do the leaves change color in the fall? Stop in front of the Visitor Center Classroom to learn more.
