CARLISLE, PA (July 28, 2011) - The South Mountain Outdoors 2011 program will feature a Labor Day Weekend full of events that spread throughout the entire South Mountain Region of South Central Pennsylvania from Saturday, September 3rd through Monday, September 5th. Highlights include the McLain Celtic Festival, specialty programming at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Kings Gap Environmental Education Center, Strawberry Hill Nature Center and many more. "We are very excited for visitors to embrace the South Mountain region and get outdoors to experience the natural assets of the area," said Larry Knutson, South Mountain Outdoors Coordinator.
Pine Grove Furnace State Park has released their unique programs for the weekend. Space is limited for the following events; participants must register online, at the park office, or by calling 717-486-7174. For more information on these events visit www.visitcumberlandvalley.com. Events include:
Saturday, September 3 - Bikes and Bagels 8:30am
Start the weekend off right with coffee, juice and a light breakfast followed by a historical bike tour of Pine Grove Furnace State Park. No need to bring your own breakfast, or even a bike, it will be provided! Participants can meet at 8:30am for breakfast and the bike ride, guided by the park educator, will begin at 9:00am. Along the scenic rail trail, participants will rest to discuss the many historic and significant sites. The bike trail, which stretches the length of the park, is mostly level for the entire ride. Total distance will be approximately 5 ½ miles. The breakfast and the program are free.
Saturday, September 3 - Free Kayaking for Beginners 12:00pm
Participants can gain basic kayaking skills with the instruction by the park educator. The group will then take a kayak tour of Laurel Lake, discovering the beautiful flora and fauna that can be seen by boat. Participants should bring drinking water, sunglasses, sunscreen, and clothes to get wet. Personal floatation devices and other essential equipment will be provided.
Monday, September 5, Labor Day - Fish for Free Day 10:00am-3:00pm
Interested in becoming an angler but don't have a license or gear? For only two days in the year, Memorial Day and Labor Day, anyone can fish in Pennsylvania without a fishing license! Pine Grove Furnace State Park is offering free loaner equipment and basic fishing instruction. Fishing rods and tackle are available to sign out for the day with a valid driver's license.
Passport Programs will be available to pick up at all of the participating locations, prior to and during South Mountain Outdoors 2011 and will be available to download and print off of the South Mountain Partnership web site closer to the date. The Passport Program will also contain a map of the region, with a list of participating businesses and program partners that are offering events and experiences around South Mountain. Each time participants visit one of these locations, they should request that their Program Passport be stamped by that location. Before completing their enjoyment of South Mountain Outdoors 2011, participants should leave their Passport at any of the participating locations, so that they will be eligible for a random drawing of prizes donated by participating South Mountain region sites.
This regional event, covering portions of Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties, will offer unique experiences and recreational opportunities for the entire family to enjoy. Stay tuned for more specialty events from participating partners and an online, interactive South Mountain Outdoors 2011 Map, plus more information and updates on the South Mountain Partnership Web site - www.southmountainpartnership.org.
The mission of the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau is to promote Cumberland Valley as a tourist destination, attract visitors to the area, enhance the visitor's experience, and to encourage and promote overnight stays.
The Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau is also part of Pennsylvania's Dutch Country Roads region, the number one visited region in PA, a true vacation destination where country meets city and the past lives side-by-side with the present.
