When is the PA Firefly Festival?

Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29 from 7 pm to Midnight. Subscribe to the PAFF Newsletter at Pafireflyevents.org to get early notification of the online registration links.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

PLUG IN and GLOW ON!


The Pennsylvania Firefly Festival (PAFF) seeks volunteers from Forest County and nearby communities – whether year round residents or regular, seasonal camp folk – to join in an effort to learn more about one of the true wonders of our region:  the enchanting firefly.
PAFF offers a fun way to explore our big Forest County backyard, the Allegheny National Forest, as well as an opportunity to learn more about some of the 15 species of fireflies identified by researchers in Forest and Butler counties in 2012.
There are two main ways to plug in.  First, if you have limited time for involvement, come be part of the 3rd Annual Firefly Festival on Saturday, June 27.  By day, this family-friendly celebration of the firefly features music, food, educational exhibits, and hands-on activities. By night, of course, there are fireflies. Second, if you are interested in science and are a regular in the area, consider registering as a “Citizen Scientist” with the national Firefly Monitoring Program run by the Boston Museum of Science.
Whatever kind of questions you might have about fireflies, you can probably get an answer at the 3rd annual PA Firefly Festival in Kellettville, where we are pleased to announce that firefly expert Dr. Denise Piechnik from Pitt-Bradford will be on hand to speak with attendees about fireflies. Call 814-463-7606 to sign-up if you are interested in volunteering in one of the following areas:
One-day ways to participate:
  • ·        If you like to read aloud, we have firefly books to read to children. Sign up to read a children’s book! (Commitment: 10-20 minutes). Readings are on the hour, 12 noon – 5pm
  • ·        If you like to hike and plan to stay into the night to observe fireflies, sign up to visit a firefly viewing area by day, and then return with a chair at night to sit and watch the fireflies.  Be the ‘anchor’ for a group of firefly watchers.  (Commitment: half hour daytime, two hours nighttime).
  • ·        If you like arts and crafts, take a turn at the craft table where we have fun and easy crafts for kids. We supply the materials.  (Commitment: one hour or more).
  • ·        If you are familiar with some of the forest roads in the Allegheny National Forest, sign up to lead a car caravan to some of the best viewing areas in the forest:  Beaver Meadows, Hearts’ Content, Kelly Pines and along Forest Roads 536 and 137.

Longer term participation in the Citizen Science Project, an especially good choice for those who have fireflies in their own backyard, or near where they live:
  • ·        Get registered at the Boston Museum of Science website www.mos.org/fireflywatch
  • ·        Once per season, fill out a habitat sheet about the surroundings where you make observations
  • ·        One evening per week throughout the summer, check your area for fireflies, for about ten minutes.
  • ·        Report your findings at the MOS Fireflywatch site.


·        Time commitment – as little as 20 minutes per week for the summer – or as long as the fabulous wealth of educational resources at the Fireflywatch site holds your attention!

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