Plans for this month’s inaugural Woodfest, which will celebrate Clarion County’s long association with the timber industry, are progressing well, according to event organizers.
“Lumber is the No. 1 commodity exported from Pennsylvania,” organizer Tyler Hopper said in citing the 40 wood-related businesses in the county.
“It is coming together quickly. It has been a work in progress. This is a first-year event and we are adding events almost daily. We wanted to start small and grow from there.”
Events include crafters, artisans and children’s games. The Lumber Heritage Region and the Allegheny Hardwoods Utilization Group will have educational displays.
“We have about 30 vendors for the mall and are still accepting additional vendors,” Hopper said. “The Lumber Heritage group will be doing a photo scavenger hunt as well.”
The Pennsylvania Woodmobile will be at the mall on March 22 and 23. It’s a 34-foot-long trailer that “is a traveling exhibit that provides an interactive experience educating visitors about Pennsylvania’s forests,” according to the state Department of Agriculture. Also at the mall, Kronospan will give away tree saplings on March 23.
The Outdoor Marketplace will be held at Clarion County Park in Shippenville, also from March 22 through 24. Friday activities will begin at 2 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m. The activities on both Saturday and Sunday will start at 10 a.m. and continue until 6 p.m.
“Kathleen Ellwood will be doing the Five Pillars of Health seminar on Saturday in the park’s pavilions,” Hopper said. “There will also be live music in the park as well.”
Events also will be held at other locations.
The kickoff event will be March 21 at the Hardwood Mall, where a tour will be offered. “We expect several local dignitaries will be present,” Hopper said. The Pennsylvania Woodmobile also will be on hand.
The Woodfest 5K Run/Walk will be held at Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday. Registration information is available on the Woodfest website.
Funding for the event has come from the private sector, according to Hopper. “We had one large anonymous donor and a corporate sponsor. This is definitely a grassroots effort.”
For more information, go to www.WoodFest2024.com.