Gettysburg Festival

Face-to-Face with America's Most Beloved Presidents

Join Abe, George, Teddy and Thomas when The Presidents of Mount Rushmore takes the stage this June as part of the Gettysburg Festival, a 10-day festival from June 10 celebrating American arts, culture and cuisine.

The Presidents of Mount Rushmore, held Friday, June 17, at 8 p.m. at Gettysburg's historic Majestic Theater, brings together the top historical characters on one stage for a one-of-a-kind presentation and performance on the United States Constitution.

"Gettysburg is so often referred to as a town located at the crossroads of Civil War history; this June Gettysburg is also located at the crossroads of arts and culture," said Festival Executive Director Alice Estrada. "What better place than Gettysburg, an iconic place in American history, to feature all four of these celebrated presidents 'in person' and portrayed by the country's most esteemed talent?"

The audience will learn about the Constitution, the views held by these former presidents and the impact this historic document had on four of America's most revered presidents.

George Washington is portrayed by Dean Malissa, the official George Washington at Mount Vernon and the most sought-after portrayer of Washington on the country. Thomas Jefferson is presented by Bill Barker, who portrays the third president at Monticello, the Virginia home of Jefferson. 

Lincoln is portrayed by Jim Getty of Gettysburg. Known as "America's foremost Lincoln portrayer," Getty has been traveling the world presenting the 16th president to millions. Roosevelt is portrayed by Jim Foote, a New Yorker who's been presenting Roosevelt for more than 30 years and traveling thousands of miles around the country each year entertaining and teaching audiences, including the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site.

For more information about top events in Pennsylvania take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Pennsylvania.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through the Gettysburg Festival website - www.gettysburgfestival.org. 

Fairs and Festivals Round Out Summer Fun in the Allegheny National Forest Region

With the end of summer in sight, there�s one staple yet to come � fairs � and McKean County in Pennsylvania has its fair share of events this month.

The McKean County Fair, held annually in East Smethport nearby to scenic Pennsylvania Route 6, has festivities, rides, animals and food for the entire family, with the week-long events ending on Saturday, August 21. The fair is in its 105th year.

Thursday, Aug. 19, will be Senior Citizens Day � they will be admitted free all day. The main event of the day will be the stock car racing which begins at 7:30 p.m. A Freestyle Motocross Show will wow the crowd starting on Friday, August 20. Then, on Saturday, August 21, there will be a demolition derby.

And don�t forget to try out the food at the fair. But if that fare doesn�t tickle your fancy, make sure to check out the elk jerky that will be available at the Crook Farm Fair August 28 and 29 at 476 Seaward Ave. in Bradford. The Crook Farm Fair runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

This is believed to be the oldest dwelling in the Bradford area and has been restored and furnished in the period of the 1870s.

The Old Time Country Music Festival will run along the same time as the fair. For the kids, there will be a petting zoo, pony rides and a kiddie carnival. There is also a herb garden and walking trail behind the farm for families to enjoy.

For more information about top events in Pennsylvania take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Pennsylvania.

For more information visit the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau website at http://www.visitanf.com/

Two Gettysburg Events on Elite List

Two events in Historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, have been named to an elite list by a renowned organization for group travel.

Both the Eisenhower National Historic Site�s World War II Weekend and the annual commemoration of the Gettysburg Address made the American Bus Association�s list of Top 100 Events for 2010.

The World War II Weekend will be held Sept. 17-19, 2010 at the Eisenhower National Historic Site in Gettysburg. The event features an authentic re-creation of Allied and German army camps, complete with World War II vehicles. More than 200 living historians take part in the annual event. A highlight of the weekend is the World War II style �USO� dance held on Saturday night.

Dedication Day is Gettysburg�s commemoration to the Gettysburg Address. The annual remembrance was designated by a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress. Every Nov. 19th, the town - and hundreds of visitors from around the country � attend a ceremony in the Soldiers� National Cemetery to honor President Abraham Lincoln�s short, but immortal speech.

The event includes a wreath-laying ceremony, keynote speech and recital of the Gettysburg Address. On the Saturday immediately following Dedication Day is Remembrance Day, which features a parade with more than 4,000 soldier and civilian re-enactors and illumination in the National Cemetery, where more than 3,500 candles mark the graves of Civil War soldiers.

For more information about top events in Pennsylvania, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Pennsylvania

For more information about Gettysburg visit the official Gettysburg web site at http://www.gettysburg.travel/

Great Pennsylvania FlavorFest Spotlights Wineries

With food, flavors, and free fun, the third annual Great Pennsylvania FlavorFest� will spotlight area wineries, and so much more, on Memorial Day Weekend May 29 and 30 in Lancaster County.

This tasty feast for the senses will offer some of the region�s finest wineries sampling their vintages, cooking demos by area chefs, specialty foods for taste and sale, master artisans, live music, the Crafty Kid�s area, and free admission & parking.

The FlavorFest will be held on the grounds of the Mount Hope Estate and Winery and is organized in collaboration with the PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau.

In addition to sampling wines and foods, there will be a host of unique PA-based artisans demonstrating their crafts, and local attractions with mascots in tow to highlight the marvelous day trip options in the area. Fun and educational cooking demonstrations and �side dish� talks will be served up by regional and local chefs and vintners. To round out the celebration, a mix of Pennsylvania-based musicians will provide fabulous musical entertainment, creating an �entertainment in the park� atmosphere.

At the Crafty Kid�s area young patrons can get hands-on in exploring Pennsylvania�s culinary and artistic world. They can decorate a t-shirt using locally grown fruit and vegetables, learn about healthy eating options and the food pyramid, create their very own chef hat for helping out in the kitchen, and much more.

Mount Hope Estate and Winery is located on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, Route 72, ? mile south of PA Turnpike Exit 266, 15 miles north of Lancaster and 14 miles east of Hershey.


For more information about top events in Pennsylvania, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Pennsylvania at www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-pennsylvania.html

For more information on the Great Pennsylvania FlavorFest� visit www.parenfaire.com/flavorfest.html