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Northwestern Pennsylvania is beautiful any time of the year, but in the summer months the area’s true beauty shines through.
And it’s not only the beauty of nature that can be seen, but also what can be discovered in the many happenings and events held throughout the area.
There is an endless supply of fairs and festivals, outdoor and historical attractions, as well as arts and entertainment options within an hour’s drive of campus.
Some of the area’s attractions are listed below, and many websites such as ‘PA Great Outdoors’ and ‘visitpa.com’ give more in-depth details of everything ‘northwestern Pennsylvania’.
The local Chambers of Commerce (Clarion, Venango, Brookville and Franklin) house a wealth of information both online and via printed materials that can help in mapping out your local getaway.
Fairs and Festivals
Fourth of July celebrations are held in many municipalities, including Clarion’s annual ‘I Love Clarion’ day set for Sunday, July 3 at Clarion University Memorial Stadium.
Attractions includes food vendors, musical performances, a donation drop off for soldiers serving abroad, and a fireworks display at dusk.
Other Independence Day celebrations include the Wolf’s Corner’s Fair that runs from June 28 through July 4, and the St. Joseph 4th of July Celebration in Lucinda, both found in northern Clarion County.
Fireworks lovers can get their fix at the many local displays including Clarion, Corsica, New Bethlehem, Cranberry, Oil City, Franklin and Wolf’s Corners.
County fairs are the mainstay of rural America and are in great abundance locally. From animal displays to cooking and baking competitions to yummy fair food, these mid- to late-summer, local county fairs have something for everyone.
- The Jefferson County Fair is held from July 17 through 23 at the fair grounds near Brookville.
- The Clarion County Fair runs from July 24 through 30 at the Redbank Valley Municipal Park near New Bethlehem.
- Venango County holds its fair from August 6 – 13 at the fairgrounds outside of Franklin.
Outdoor Activities
Because of the many waterways and lush forests, the Clarion area is a great place to enjoy everything nature has to offer.
There are several famous walking trails that intersect through a number of counties, especially the North Country Trail, Longfellow Trail and Baker Trail.
For the birdwatchers and wildlife lovers, there are many species of animals readily available for viewing from these trails or from your car including birds, chipmunks and squirrels, white tailed deer and raccoons, as well as the exquisite and somewhat reclusive elk (found in Benezette).
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Several parks and recreation areas, such as Cook Forest and Clear Creek State Parks and the Allegheny National Forest provide a variety of ways to enjoy nature, including camping, picnicking, swimming, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, boating, waterskiing, fishing, and more.
Mini golf courses and family fun parks with go carts, water rides, arcades and other family-oriented activities abound in the area.
A more hands-on approach to nature can be found in horseback riding, at the many stables that cater to riders of all ages.
If you’d rather watch others do the riding and roping, then the annual Kellettville and North Washington rodeos may appeal to your inner cowboy.
Many people love visiting zoos to get close to wild and exotic animals. Large and small zoos are nearby including the Pittsburgh and Erie Zoos, Living Treasures Animal Park in Mercer County and Farmer’s Inn near Brookville.
If golf is your game, there are several 18- and 9-hole courses within 50 miles of Clarion, including Clarion Oaks Golf Club located off of Route 68 near the Clarion Mall and the Foxburg Golf Course and Country Club, one of America’s earliest golf courses still in operation today.
The Foxburg Golf Course and Country Club houses The American Golf Hall of Fame where visitors will find a priceless collection of golf clubs and other exhibits depicting the 400 year history of golf.
Arts and Antiques
Northwestern Pennsylvania is home to many talented artists who display their creative side in their own studios, shops and art galleries, and by hosting art and craft workshops and classes.
Clarion University is home to the University Art Galleries, and features many prominent artists’ work throughout the year.
The Sawmill Center for the Arts in Cooksburg is well known as a hub for local artisans, with a full slate of events held during the summer and fall months to highlight local and regional talent.
If you enjoy searching for antiques and gently used treasures then the many local antique stores, consignment shops, flea markets and yard sales make for a great summer outing.
And if the pursuit of historical attractions and landmarks is more your style, several museums, historical locations and landmarks dot the countryside, and can be unearthed by taking a road trip on the local highways.
The birthplace of the oil industry, Drake Well, is within an hour’s drive in Titusville. Or hop on the Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad for a close-up experience of the history of oil.
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Entertainment and Musical Theater
Many options exist for an evening of entertainment from live theater productions, to singers and musicians performing at eateries, to indoor or outdoor movie theaters showing the latest feature films.
This year, Clarion University’s Summer Theatre is presenting Godspell and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown at its Little Theatre in Clarion.
The Sawmill Theatre in Cooksburg offers productions of mystery, comedy and major Broadway musicals performed by northwestern Pennsylvania theatre groups from May through mid-September.
The Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts (ARCA) is located in historic Foxburg, and hosts a variety of performers throughout the year.
The Clarion University Theater at Suites on Main North shows recent release movies and is open to the public.
Both the Clarion and Cranberry malls have multi-theater movie complexes, and Brookville is home to the Moonlight Drive-In, one of the few remaining open-air drive-in movie theaters still in operation.
Shopping and Dining
Whether shopping on Main Street in Clarion or elsewhere or visiting the Clarion, Cranberry or Premier Outlet Mall in Grove City, there is something for everyone.
And no trip is complete without a stop for food and beverages at one of the many restaurants, breweries, wineries and distilleries located throughout the tri-county area.
Local growers provide fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and baked goods at the many farmer’s markets held weekly in Clarion, Brookville, Oil City, Franklin and Tionesta.
If you enjoy adventures big and small, then Clarion is the place to be this summer. And it’s obvious that there is no end to the many things to see and do in and around Clarion, especially now.
Why not take advantage of what our beautiful area has to offer and plan an outing or two? You’ll be glad you did.