Celebrate the Bloom
BRADY TWP — For the second year, Jennings Environmental Education Center will hold its Celebrate the Bloom festival.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Miranda Crotsley, programs coordinator, said the main point of the event is to get people to explore the center's 20-acre prairie, which is the easternmost prairie in the United States and features numerous uncommon flowers.
“The prairie is one of the most unique areas in Pennsylvania and in this region,” Crotsley said.
The event is designed to show off the 20-acre prairie during its peak bloom period, which is late July to early August. During this time, it lights up to feature bright purple, orange and white flowers.
“It's starting to bloom,” Crotsley said.
She said that people are really attracted to the bright colors of the prairie, its rare flowers and the wildlife.
“It's just a very peaceful kind of place to be,” Crotsley said.
She said the event, which was held for the first time last year, also is meant to bring a more conventional festival to the center, which mostly holds educational programs.
“We didn't really have an event in the summer,” Crotsley said.
Guided walks through the prairie will be available, and Crotsley said that people are free to walk through it on their own as well.
There will be 15 food and craft vendors at the event. Last year, the event had 10 vendors.
The event will feature several demonstrations, including one on honey extraction, one featuring live reptiles and amphibians and one on natural dyes. Five musical acts will play throughout the day.
Last year, the event had several workshops that required registration. Crotsley said these were not hugely successful, so they will not take place this year.
The event brought in about 300 people last year. Crotsley said the center is hoping for about 500 people this year.She said the event will be held annually, and there are early discussions about turning it into a two-day event in the future.Parking will be available at the center and at the Old Stone House, with a shuttle available. If both areas are full, parking will be available at Slippery Rock University or Slippery Rock High School, with a shuttle provided.For more information, visit celebratethebloom.wordpress.com or www.facebook.com/CelebrateTheBloom.
WHAT: Celebrate the Bloom festivalWHEN: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. SaturdayWHERE: Jennings Environmental Education Center, Route 528, Brady TownshipCONTACT:www.facebook.com/CelebrateTheBloom
