SLIPPERY ROCK — The annual North Country Trail Conference and Trailfest is coming to Slippery Rock University.

Joyce Appel, the event's coordinator, said the conference, which will be held Aug. 12 to 17, is meant to celebrate a year on the trail, to reach out to local communities so they are aware of the trail and to promote events so people can enjoy the outdoors.

“It's an event we want to be open to everybody and anybody,” Appel said.

She said she is hoping for 400 to 500 attendees.

This is the first time the conference lasts a full six days. Before this, the conferences were three and a half days.

“I told the board that it's time that we're able to do this,” Appel said.

This also is the first time the word “trailfest” has been added to the name. Appel said she suggested this because of the stuffy images that “conference” can bring up.

“People look at the word conference and they think of meetings,” Appel said, noting there is only one official meeting during the entire conference.

The last time the conference was in the area was about 14 years ago, when it was held at Camp Lutherlyn.

SRU will be the home base and many events will be held there, but events will take participants all through Western Pennsylvania, from Wampum to Titusville.

The conference will feature numerous programs and workshops related to the trail and the outdoors, such as hiking, trail maintenance and outdoor survival.

In addition to trail-related workshops, Appel said the conference also offers other programs to keep people who are not necessarily interested in the outdoors involved.

The conference also will feature evening entertainment each night, including a “wiener roast” on Aug. 12 featuring a performance by the Po' Folks Cabaret and a portrayal of an 18th century woman.

“Just so many things that are just fun,” Appel said.

The conference is being held at the same time as the Pyrotechnics Guild International convention, which is being held at Cooper's Lake. Appel said conference attendees will watch fireworks Aug. 16 from Moraine State Park. That evening also will feature a pig roast and a musical performance by the Old Hats.

The conference will end with a banquet on Aug. 17.

Appel said she invited the federal Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, to attend the banquet. Although Jewell's office has not confirmed that she will be there, Appel said her office said the conference still is on her schedule.

“Which means she hasn't said no,” Appel said.

People coming from farther locations will be staying at the dorms and the campground at SRU.

Many of the programs are free, but a few do require a registration fee.

Participants can register for programs online or they can call 866-445-3628. Appel said people can register for as many or as few programs as they would like.

On-site registration also will take place, but Appel said it is best to register in advance.

For more information and for a full list of events, visit northcountrytrail.org/get-involved/special-events/conf.

The trail is 4,600 miles long and passes through seven states from North Dakota to New York.