The 7th Annual PAFF Is A Wrap!!

Phew! What a great festival! We topped out at 663 visitors on the counter.  The weather was beautiful during the day and quite a celebration with all the firefly experts, music, food and fun.  The cool night temperatures did not squash the enthusiasm despite the small number of fireflies. Don Salvatore from the Firefly Watch Citizen Science Project had the crowd mesmerized and amazed by the Secret Lives of Fireflies.  Ibiyinka Alao and his interpretive dancers performed an inspired live interpretation of his stories, and showed his animated film "My Fireflies".   It seems everyone got to see at least some fireflies albeit a small show on the ground.  Everyone who wanted to see them got a good opportunity.   All of the guests were so understanding, complimentary, patient and respectful (we are always amazed at how little there is to clean-up after the crowds).  I think this demonstrates how the educational aspect of what we do helps people understand the fireflies and what they are going see (or not see) and why.  We didn't have one person complain or disparage the festival for something we ultimately cannot control... NATURE!

The other big success this year was all the HELP! We ran out of STAFF vests, and by my calculations over 50 people worked at some level from registration, information, exhibitors, presenters, merchandise, vendors, performers, parking, gatekeepers and GUIDES!!  This was by far the BEST group effort to date.  We can't thank you all enough!

This year, we also had the support of researchers from two Universities.  Ms. Avalon Owens and her research assistant Caroline Dressler from Tufts University are spending the summer here in Kellettville studying the effects of artificial lights on wild fireflies.  Dr. Sarah Lower from Bucknell University brought 5 undergraduate students here to study the diurnal fireflies (daytime fireflies) and they also provided support on the Kellettville Bridge that night to answer questions from the Creek Walk fireflyers.  They are all so eager and energetic when it comes to fireflies.  We are very grateful for their help and look forward to many more summers of firefly research here.

Now the good news... The temperatures have warmed up this week.  We are seeing Synchronous Fireflies in the forest once again.  We still have a couple more programs on the schedule at the Tionesta Campground Outflow (reservations are full), and Cook Forest Visitor Center on Friday, June 28.  Don't forget next weekend July 5 & 6 is World Firefly Day weekend.  Go out in your backyard, your nearest forest or farm field and enjoy the fireflies! We hope you will and you join us again next year for more FIREFLIES!