First Fork Festival at Sinnemahoning State Park

 

This Saturday October 11th is the return of the annual First Fork Festival at Sinnemahoning State Park! First Fork Festival celebrates the history and culture of the First Fork Sinnemahoning Valley, highlighting local authors, artists, craft makers and artisans.  Surrounded by glorious fall color at Sinnemahoning State Park, this event draws over 1000 visitors each year and it all goes down from 11:00 am-3:00 pm at the Wildlife Center grounds on Park Road.

Featured Local Food

First Fork Festival will feature several local food vendors featuring rice bowls & cheese steaks from Red Horse Grill, flatbread pizza and burgers from Out of the Box Stellar Foods, Texas Style BBQ from Smitty’s Eat-N-Shack, and an assortment of hot soups from the Sinnemahoning Ladies Auxiliary. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a maple milkshake from Son’s of Dunn Family Farm or a baked good from Dempsey Homestead Sweets. Last, but not least, our local Scouting America Troop 524 will have their fresh cider & funnel cakes.

Live Entertainment

Sinnemahoning State Park is excited to welcome Van Wagner back to the stage at First Fork Festival for 2025. Van Wagner will be performing a program of songs and stories about Pennsylvania History and natural beauty. Van is a forester, a high school agriculture teacher, and an award-winning musician / song-writer. Swing over to the main stage for Van Wagner’s set at 12:00 PM.

Artisan Craft Vendors

A diverse group of over 20 artisan craft vendors will be in attendance selling everything from handmade candles to fiber arts to wood crafts. Whether you are shopping for yourself or getting a jump on your holiday shopping there will be something for everyone at First Fork Festival.

Cash Sales Only

As we do not have a public wifi connection at the park and there is no cell service, First Fork Festival vendors will only be able to do cash sales. Make sure you visit an ATM on the way in so you can support our local food and craft vendors!

Educational Activities for the Whole Family

Children, adults, and families can participate in several interactive educational activities staffed by local historians, conservation districts, and PA DCNR Educators. Try your hand at lumberjack skills, learn about archeology, and even play historic games such as horseshoes & bocce ball.

Former Residents & Their Relatives Invited to Share Their Stories

Local author PJ Piccirillo is compiling a living history project to rediscover the lost communities of the First Fork Valley. In conjunction with a planned 2026 walking tour of the locations and remains of farms, homes, businesses, and schools displaced by George B. Stevenson Dam, he is writing a companion booklet. The booklet will include anecdotes and photos depicting life in the valley. PJ invites any former residents or their relatives with first or second-hand experience of life in the valley to visit his table near the center’s information desk to share stories he may research and incorporate into the tour and booklet.

Park Traffic Patterns Will Shift Temporarily

The entrance and all parking for First Fork Festival are at the Wildlife Center. Park road will be designated as one way from the North Entrance to the Wildlife Center. All vehicles exiting the festival will follow Park Road to the campground. No vehicles will be permitted to access the festival from the campground or 40 Maples Day Use Area.

*********************************

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a Disability, please contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks at 888- PA-PARKS (voice) 888-537-7294 (TTY) 717-558-2711 (local or international TTY) 800-654-5984 (AT&T Relay Service).