SUCCESS!!!

Our first annual PA Firefly Festival is complete. The statistics are in and affirm that we had a successful inaugural year.  The initial rough count of attendance is 400, and T-shirt and blue light flashlights sales brought in more than $1100.00!!! Some of the highlights were Radim Schreiber's talk about his photography and passion for fireflies, Cathy Pedler's account of the discovery of synchronous fireflies, Adele Wellman's informative team of experts and "bug" catching, exhibitors and crafts, SWAT Team hotdog sale, and inspirational music by Stoney & Friends, and Joyful Noise.

We want to start by thanking all of the hardworking volunteers, family and friends, who worked so hard this weekend to make this first festival run so smoothly.  We appreciate your time, labor and especially patience as we learned how to run a festival.  We also thank the planning committee, especially Cathy Pedler, Christine Hendryx, Bruce Parkhurst, Laurie Barr, John Stoneman and Paula Hanahan.  These folks are passionate and tireless.  They spent countless hours and traveled to the Black Caddis Ranch monthly for 6 months to plan this event.  We learned a lot about what to do and what not to do for next year.

Finally, we want to thank the following contributors and sponsors who gave faithfully to this new project:
Allegheny Defense Project

Allegany State Park of New York

Allegheny Valley Development

Conscious Corner

Cougar Bob's Kellettville Tavern

Forest Hardware

Fund for Wild Nature

Heartwood

Paula Hanahan & Chris Marburger

Jan Hendryx, D.O.

Hunt and Gather

Huplits Wildlife Grants

Joyful Noise

Barbara C. Litten, Esquire

Jim & Pat Mays

PA Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau

Patagonia

Save Our Streams, PA 

Radim Schreiber

Silkscreen Unlimited

Stoney & Co. 

SWAT

Team Signs II

US Army Corps of Engineers

Vincent Excavating

Joy and Meril Walls (by Mary Connacher)

Whig Hill Store

These individuals and businesses gave support of money or services to something that had never been done before with no guarantee of return or profit.  However, without their support, we would have never been able to host such a successful event.  

We hope that all the visitors and firefly hunters learned something about the variety of species in this forest area, and took the opportunity to observe the spectacular displays we have been talking about. We heard a lot of "oohs, aahs and WOWs!!"  We had perfect weather, and the full moon added to the spectacle of the night sky.  One last note, the fireflies continue to display in and around Kellettville, and you can expect to see them through the next few weeks.  So, be sure you take advantage of the warm summer nights, and get out into the lush dark forest and view a synchronous firefly display.  

10 DAYS TO GLOW ON!!!

We are now observing more firefly activity every day, and the excitement is growing.  We observed fireflies at all of the Kellettville sites on Sunday evening.  They are just starting to emerge, and we expect them to be at peak next weekend for the first annual PA Firefly Festival.  We couldn't be more excited, so now all we need is great weather.

Whether you are coming for the entire weekend or just to enjoy one evening, we recommend that you dress for an evening in the forest, wear sturdy shoes, bring a lawn chair/blanket and use bug repellent.  There will be a fundraising hotdog sale Saturday evening.  Local restaurants, Cougar Bob's Kellettville Tavern and Flying W, will be open, but picnics and coolers are permitted at the festival.

This is a FREE event, but there will be PAFF T-shirts and Blue-light flashlights for sale to support future festivals.  We will even "convert" your personal flashlight to a firefly-friendly blue for a donation.

Check earlier blog posts for more specific details, schedule of events and overnight accommodations.

Remember in the event of severe thunderstorms the events will have to be cancelled.