WESTLINE – An evening of food, music and dancing will once again fuel the future of the Kinzua Valley Trail Club (KVTC) as the 26th annual Moon Dance takes place from 4 to 10 p.m. Sept. 20 at the historic Westline Firehall.

The Moon Dance is the club’s largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds support the club’s ongoing efforts to build and maintain a scenic trail system for people of all abilities.

Moon Dance guests can enjoy a pig roast, homemade dishes and desserts, plus live music from Darkwater Duo. Tickets are $40 per person, and only 200 will be sold. They can be purchased at the Westline Inn or by calling (814) 598-0913.

Attendees arrive at last year’s Moon Dance hosted by the Kinzua Valley Trail Club (KVTC).

Era file photo

The event not only offers a festive evening but also helps sustain a trail system that has grown into a national treasure. The KVTC currently oversees 22 miles of pathways connecting Red Bridge to Guffey, then stretching to Mount Jewett through a shared-use agreement along the old Guffey Trail. From there, adventurers can continue on the Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge (MJ2KB) Trail, which leads directly to Kinzua Bridge State Park.

Club president Don Cummins said trail use continues to rise as improvements are made. Volunteers rehabilitated 6 miles of trail recently, from Westline to Red Bridge.

“Those improvements included ditching, culvert installation and resurfacing,” said Cummins. Other recent improvements have included adding a shelter and picnic table at the Tally Ho trailhead.

“We are also in the process of extending our trail to go under the Tally Ho bridge to access the eastern portion of the trail,” said Cummins. This connection will eliminate the need for those exploring the trails to cross the busy U.S. Route 219.

As an all-volunteer organization, KVTC relies on grants, donations and community support. Cummins expressed gratitude to the contributors, sponsors, members and volunteers who keep the trail system thriving.

The club is an organization that relies solely on grants and financial support from local businesses and private donors.

“They are the reason we can continue on our mission to create a first-class trail system that allows people of all abilities to enjoy the beauty of the Kinzua Valley,” he said.

Those unable to attend the Moon Dance can still support the club by sending donations to KVTC at 31 CCC Road in Westline or online at kinzuavalleytrail.org.