Press release from the USDA Forest Service, Allegheny National Forest
The USDA (United State Department of Agriculture) Forest Service is inviting the public to participate in a day of celebration to commemorate one hundred years since the establishment of Allegheny National Forest.
Part of the celebration on September 24, 2023, at Twin Lakes Recreation Center will include food trucks and vendors, ceremonial tree planting, ceremonial cake cutting, gathering items to place in a time capsule, guides hikes and history walks, live music, and remarks from officials.
As part of the time capsule activity, forest staff are collecting small flat items, three by five inches or smaller, that illustrate the history and character of the Allegheny National Forest. Items will be placed in a time capsule to be opened in 50 years at a public ceremony in September of 2073. Examples of items that will be accepted include photographs, postcards, stickers, letters, sketches, or poems.
To contribute to the centennial time capsule, please bring your item to the Allegheny National Forest Centennial Celebration at Twin Lakes Recreation Area on Sunday, September 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Image: The pavilion at Twin Lakes Recreation Area, near Wilcox, Elk County
More information about planned activities and the celebration is available on the ANF website.
Festivities will begin at 11:00 a.m. with food trucks, beverage vendors, history displays, kids’ activities, and more happening all day long. The opening ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. featuring prominent speakers, a cake-cutting ceremony, and a centennial tree planting to signify another 100 years of growth.
The event will include live music from headlining bands TakeSolo at 3:15 p.m. and One Last Breath at 5:00 p.m., and from acoustic musicians at various times throughout the grounds. Admission is free to this family-friendly event that also includes guided nature hikes, guided history walks, an expo of organizations, face painting, and appearances by Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl.
PDF flyer event schedule: ANF Twin Lakes Centennial Celebration Schedule of Events
The celebration at Twin Lakes Recreation Area is the signature event for a weekend of exciting opportunities that include the ANF100 Juried Art Exhibition at the Crary Art Gallery, ANF on Film: A Hunter’s/Angler’s Guide to ANF at the Struthers Library Theatre, and the Jakes Rocks Trail Fest at Kinzua Beach. ANF partners and local businesses have sponsored additional activities to encourage your enjoyment of the forest including a 100-mile Hiking Challenge, a 100-mile Paddle Challenge, a Centennial Geocache Trail, and more. Information on these activities is available on the ANF website.
Detailed event schedule
Schedule is also available as a downloadable PDF.
All day long!
• Partner and vendor exhibits
• Food trucks
• Beer and wine vendors
• Buskers – acoustic musicians
• CCC and forest history exhibits
• Centennial item store
• Guided nature hikes (TBA)
• Guided Twin Lakes history walks (TBA)
• Scavenger hunts
• Geomeet with geocaching
Demonstrations 1-2 p.m. and 4-5 p.m.
• Face painting and activities for kids
• Centennial time capsule – Share a few thoughts and leave your mark on history
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Live music – Iris Heather, acoustic musician
12:30-1:15 p.m. – “Allegheny National Forest: The Keystone in Penns Woods” presented by Edgar Brannon, Director of Grey Towers National Historic Site, retired
1:30-2:30 p.m. – Opening Ceremony with invited speakers (additional speakers may be scheduled)
• Land Acknowledgment
• President, Friends of Twin Lakes – Laura Funaki
• Forest Supervisor, ANF – Jamie Davidson
• Associate Chief, Forest Service – Chief Angela Coleman
• Regional Forester, FS Eastern Region – Gina Owens
• Congressman, PA 15th District – Glenn “GT” Thompson
2:30-3:00 p.m. – Centennial cake cutting ceremony
3:00-3:15 p.m. – Centennial tree planting
3:15-5:00 p.m. – Live music – Take Solo, American bluegrass
5:00-7:00 p.m. – Live music – One Last Breath, new and classic rock
About the USDA Forest Service – Allegheny National Forest:
Established in 1923, the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) is Pennsylvania’s only National Forest. Situated on the Allegheny Plateau, the forest is comprised of 514,029 acres in the northwestern corner of the state. The slogan “Land of Many Uses” captures a vision of a healthy, vigorous, working forest that provides timber and wood products, watershed protection, access to underground minerals, ties to cultural history, a diversity of wildlife habitats, and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities — not only today but in a sustainable way so future generations can enjoy these benefits.
