A sig-nut-ure event: Hundreds turn out for Pa. Inaugural Chestnut Festival at Castanea Picnic Grounds
LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Members of the Castanea Township Recreation Committee and township supervisors pose with the Pennsylvania Chestnut Festival’s mascot, Chas Chestnut. They are, from left, Committee Chair Rick Schulz, supervisors John Gradel and Charlie Clukey, committee member Brady Carnahan, supervisor Brandon Coleman and committee member Diana Andrus.
LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Macian Baker and Luke Confer stop for a photo while using the outdoor skate rink at the Pennsylvania Chestnut Festival. The rink was provided to the Castanea Township Recreation Committee by Downtown Lock Haven, Inc.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS There were plenty of artists and vendors at the first ever PA Chestnut Festival.
LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Members of the Castanea Township Recreation Committee and township supervisors pose with the Pennsylvania Chestnut Festival’s mascot, Chas Chestnut. They are, from left, Committee Chair Rick Schulz, supervisors John Gradel and Charlie Clukey, committee member Brady Carnahan, supervisor Brandon Coleman and committee member Diana Andrus.
LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Macian Baker and Luke Confer stop for a photo while using the outdoor skate rink at the Pennsylvania Chestnut Festival. The rink was provided to the Castanea Township Recreation Committee by Downtown Lock Haven, Inc.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS There were plenty of artists and vendors at the first ever PA Chestnut Festival.
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CASTANEA -- Chilly temperatures couldn't stop hundreds of area residents from braving the cold for the Inaugural Pennsylvania Chestnut Festival.
The festival, held at the Castanea Fire Company Picnic Grounds near the Lock Haven City Airport on Saturday afternoon, drew in hundreds of individuals -- and that was just in the first hour.
The festival was spearheaded by the Castanea Township Recreation Committee, which wanted to highlight the connection of the township to the chestnut.
It featured live music, chestnut-based foods and beverages, vendors, exhibitors, portable ice rink and s'mores over outdoor burn barrels provided by Cub Scouts from Troop 711 in Lock Haven.
Committee member Diana Andrus's husband, Mike, even designed and created two large cutouts of the festival's mascot -- Chas -- which offered the opportunity for a photo shoot.
Keeping with the chestnut theme, the recreation committee had 500 roasted chestnuts to hand out to individuals at the start of the festivities. According to Committee Member Brady Carnahan, they ran out of chestnuts within the first hour of the festival.
"We were so packed for that first hour," Committee Chair Rick Schulz said.
Schulz said he and the committee were thrilled with the reception of the inaugural event.
"We're overjoyed. We were hesitant about having a winter event because of weather concerns and whether the public would respond," Schulz said. "We're quite happy with the turnout. We increasingly are seeing people at the booths from outside of the county, too. Which, of course, makes us even happier."
Schulz said about 20 vendors turned out to set up shop inside the Castanea Picnic Grounds facility to sell their products.
"We're hoping to grow more and more each year and focus on the chestnut tree and so forth," he said.
Schulz thanked the support of the Clinton County Commissioners, Clinton County Tourism and the township's supervisors for their support in making the event possible.
He also gave a shout out to the 40 volunteers that helped ensure the event ran smoothly.
"I do sincerely appreciate the efforts of the committee and many of our volunteers that have supported us in making this event successful," he said.
Saturday's event saw musical performances by John Stevens Doubleshot Polka Band along with area favorite Private Stock Trio. Individuals were able to enjoy the live music while perusing various vendors and enjoy a drink from Bald Birds Brewing or Oregon Hill Winery.