McConnells Mill hosting Heritage Festival Sept. 27-28
McConnells Mill State Park, located just across the county line in Lawrence County, is hosting its centerpiece event of the year — the 32nd annual Heritage Festival, hosted by the Rotary Club of Portersville-Prospect, on Saturday, Sept. 27, and Sunday, Sept. 28.
The Heritage Festival is a celebration of the namesake of McConnells Mill State Park — the vintage grist mill that served as a commercial center in the area between 1852 and 1928, harnessing Slippery Rock Creek to mill grains into flour.
The vendors, activities and artistic demonstrations on display reflect the time period in which the mill was in operation.
“We have local vendors with handmade crafts, children’s activities, historic games that children may have done back in the late 1800s and early 1900s,” said park manager Dustin Drew.
The mill itself will be open for tours and the festival will also feature live period music, hayrides for children and demonstrations from a Civil War re-enactment group.
Summer may be drawing to a close, but there’s still plenty going on at both McConnells Mill and Moraine state parks throughout the fall, including last-minute chances to catch a ride on the Preston’s Pearl pontoon boat.
Oct. 5: Moraine State Park is hosting a 2.5-mile Full Moon Hike starting at 7 p.m., on a trail that runs along the Lake Arthur dam and spillway. Participants will meet at Pavilion 7 at the McDanels Launch Area on the North Shore.
Oct. 9: Early October is when Pennsylvania’s famed fall foliage is expected to come close to peak color, and park naturalists at Moraine will lead a kayak paddle expedition on Lake Arthur starting at 1 p.m. to give visitors a unique view of the spectacle. Registration is required and opens Oct. 9.
Oct. 11: One Saturday a month, volunteers from the Moraine/McConnells Mill/Jennings Commission bring the old Muddy Creek Oil Well back to life for a living history demonstration of the industry that helped power Western Pennsylvania. History buffs will get a chance to see the old well in action between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Oct. 12: To celebrate North Country National Scenic Trail Day, McConnells Mill is holding a challenging 6.5-mile guided hike through Slippery Rock Gorge starting at 8:30 a.m. The route starts at Hell’s Hollow and ends at Eckert Bridge. There will be a cap of 12 participants for the event. Registration is required.
Oct. 15: A Fall Foliage Cruise on Preston’s Pearl, a pontoon boat, is scheduled for 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park. Seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased online at the Moraine Preservation Fund’s website. Regular cruises on the boat take place Saturdays and Sundays until the end of October.
Oct. 16: Owl enthusiasts are invited on a night hike with the Moraine State Park naturalist in search of owls, starting at 6 p.m. at the Pleasant Valley Launch Area.
