The inaugural WoodFest kicked off Thursday.
The event intends to draw more awareness to the sustainable future from forests as a resource for a multitude of products.
Events took place at Kronospan in Shippenville and The Hardwood Mall in Emlenton.
According to festival organizer and co-founder, Mike Vereb, “Once you consume the resources of gas and oil, it is gone, but wood is part of a circular economy that regenerates.”
This is one of the deciding factors of why he began planning the festival. He wanted to celebrate one of our local resources and to offer education on its use for a sustainable economy in the future.
Thursday’s locations served to highlight wood products found at the Harwood Mall and waste material, wood chips, that later are shipped from numerous sawmills to Kronospan.
Tyler Hooper, Vereb’s partner in organizing the festival, said that there are around 50 vendors now booked for the three day festival that will be held at the Clarion Mall and the Clarion County Fairgrounds over the weekend.
Events include crafters, artisans and children’s games.
The Lumber Heritage Region and the Allegheny Hardwoods Utilization Group will have educational displays.
The Pennsylvania Woodmobile will also be traveling to Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School to educate kids and will be on location in Clarion on Saturday.
A schedule of events and information for the three day festival can be found at woodfest2024.com.