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Period Costumes, Demonstrations, Music and More at Pioneer Frolic Festival in Mercer County, PA

Maurice K. Goddard State Park invites you to celebrate the 16th Annual Pioneer Frolic at the Lake Wilhelm Marina Area on June 23-24, 2018. Pioneer Frolic is a full weekend-long festival celebrating the lives of the early pioneers of Sandy Creek Valley. Showcased are period costumes, demonstrations, music, artisans, a live auction, food, vendors, and an encampment set-up. The community celebration and pioneer workday will focus on the pioneers who settled this watershed in the late 1700s through 1840s and helped clear the land and build their homes in the area.

The hours on Saturday, June 23 are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, June 24, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Demonstrations will include blacksmithing, tanning, spinning, and Dutch oven cooking.

Entertainment and demonstrations on Saturday, June 23:
  • 11 a.m.: music by Bill Wasser
  • Noon: participate in a gold panning demonstration
  • 1 p.m.: Ventriloquist Jimmy Swogger & Friends
  • 2 p.m.: Dennis Murray in period garb will give first person interpretation of pioneer lifestyle
  • 3 p.m.: Mercer County Boys, Bluegrass
  • 4 p.m.: Picks N Hammers, Bluegrass
Photo Credit Audrey Stallsmith

Pioneer church service will be conducted on Sunday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. by the Fairfield Presbyterian Church, the oldest church in the area, established in 1799.

Entertainment, demonstration and auction on Sunday, June 24:
  • Noon: Dennis Murray in period garb will give a first-person interpretation of pioneer lifestyle
  • 1 p.m.: Harpist Alissa Pesevanto
  • 2 p.m.: Live Cresswell Auction

Both days will include horse and wagon rides and a Friends of Goddard book sale. Arts and craft vendors will be on site, and hot food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Admission and parking are free.

M. K. Goddard State Park is located five minutes from I-79. Take Exit 130 to 358 west and follow the signs toLake Wilhelm Road, leading directly to the marina. For further directions or more information, contact the Park at 724-253-4833. Park maps are available at www.dcnr.pa.gov.

Photo Credit: Audrey Stallsmith
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Visit MercerCountyPA
VisitMercerCountyPA is the Tourism Promotion Agency (TPA) for Mercer County, Pennsylvania. We are passionate about promoting Mercer County, PA as a destination for tourists.
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