Category Archives: Announcements

General news announcements from DATC.

Fall 2023 Dust Off Duncannon

Help spread the word for the 2023 fall “Dust Off Duncannon” event.

They’re raising funds to do cool things like this “mural park” in the town square:

The Perry County Economic Development Authority is currently looking for businesses and locals to help “sponsor” various things like a food dish, a raffle basket, or tailgate games. If interested, please send the following information to: Perry County Economic Development Authority, (Memo: Tailgate), 9 West Main Street, New Bloomfield, PA 17074.

We hope you enjoy this event and help improve Duncannon, PA.

Duncannon Appalachian Trail Festival Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts at the festival this year will include 5 stations so come and use your talents to create! There is something for all ages!

BAMBOO HIKING STICK

Once again this year you will have the opportunity to make your own bamboo hiking pole using paint pens for colored designs and your choice of feathers, yarn or beads. Even the younger kids up to and including adults can engage in this activity.

WING FLAPPING BUTTERFLY

Decorate and construct a butterfly with markers, paint pens, glitter, and straws that actually enable the butterfly to flap its wings!

WACKY HATS

There will be 9 different hats you can choose from that are already cut out and ready to decorate with markers or glitter. Maybe you would like to decorate a castle, flamingo, monster, skeleton, palm tree, frog, bee, bug or glasses hat!

OPOSSUM

How about making an opossum out of a sock, pipe cleaner, stuffing, felt, foam, and googly eyes! This craft requires the use of a glue gun so children wishing to make an opossum must know how to safely use one. One low heat glue gun will be available for usage.

You can also make some crafts from the past! Back from the past we have the Lightening Bug Nightlight, Campfire Nightlight and Bear Bank. Hurry while supplies last as these are leftovers,

Hope you can make the festival on June 17th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. See you there!

New Info in AT Kiosk on Inn Road

It’s hard to take in all of the information found in this little image, but the 40″ tall version greeting visitors entering town from Cove Mountain is much easier to read when seen in person. Thru-hikers and visitors can quickly learn about Duncannon’s unique geography, history and relationship with the Appalachian Trail while referring to a map displaying local resources. We tried to fit as much interesting information into the limited space that was available.

Please leave a comment to let us know what we got right or what we missed.

Vendors Wanted

The Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community is seeking more new vendors for our Appalachian Trail Festival happening on Saturday, June 17th between 10 AM and 4 PM. If you’d like to be a vendor, if you know somebody who might like to be a vendor, or if you know a community group that might be interested in taking part in the festival; please visit our vendor application page for more information.

Volunteers Wanted!

Do you like free things? Do you like helping people? How about free T-shirts and helping people in your own community? The Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community is looking for volunteers to help us with the 2023 Appalachian Trail Festival on Saturday, June 17th between 10 AM and 4 PM.

To join the fun, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Deb Takach to pick out your shirt and let us know when you’re available to help. Deb can be reached via email at volunteer@duncannonatc.org.

2023 Duncannon Appalachian Trail Festival – June 17th

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2023 A.T. FESTIVAL!

Join us on the Appalachian Trail in Duncannon between Cumberland and Ann streets Saturday, June 17th from 10AM to 4PM for great family-friendly fun. We’ll have hiking and outdoor clubs, live music, food trucks, arts & crafts vendors, and free craft projects for kids. Visit us at the DATC booth to learn more about the Appalachian Trail, the communities that help support it, and how it can benefit you. See you there!

Duncannon Outdoor Club Hikes At Ricketts Glen This Summer

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This summer the Duncannon Outdoor Club ventured up north to hike the 7.2 mile falls trail loop at Ricketts Glen State Park. We started at the bottom of the mountain to Waters Meet where we headed up the northeast branch of the falls trail.

The crew at Waters Meet

If you have never been to Ricketts Glen you must put it on your bucket list. There are many hiking trails, a great lake, beach, campsites, RV hook-ups, cabins, and lots off wildlife. Forget about your phones as there is no internet or phone access providing a great opportunity to focus on nature.

Following are some pictures to give you an idea of the beauty this park has to offer.

Once at the top of the northeast falls trail we turned right onto the Highland Trail, a very interesting relatively flat trail which meanders between large rock formations, where we stopped for lunch.

All in all it was a great day as we headed down the other side of the falls trail back to the start.

So, if you are looking for a great park to enjoy the outdoors, Ricketts Glen comes highly recommended. With 13,050 acres and 22 beautiful breathtaking main falls it is a “Got to See” jewel in the counties of Columbia, Luzerne, and Sullivan in Pennsylvania.

Be aware that it is a very popular state park requiring one to plan ahead., Cabin rentals go very quickly and must be made well in advance. Campsites are more readily available.

Hike Hawk Rock At Your Own Pace

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Did you ever want to hike up Hawk Rock but were afraid you wouldn’t make it or the kids couldn’t handle it?  Or, were you afraid of holding other hikers up?   Back by popular demand, you now have a chance to hike Hawk Rock at variable paces and levels on Oct. 19th.   The hike leader will be the last person up and back providing the opportunity for friends and families of all levels.  Distance is 1.5 to 2 miles.  Elevation is 700 ft. with some rocks and steep rock steps.  We will meet at 9:00 am. at the Duncannon Recycling center, Watershed Dr.  Call Deb at 717-395-2462 or email at dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.

Hike Hawk Rock At Your Own Pace – National Hiking Day

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Did you ever want to hike up Hawk Rock but were afraid you wouldn’t make it or the kids couldn’t handle it?  Or, were you afraid of holding other hikers up?

National Family Hiking Day is Sept., Sat. 28th and a chance to hike Hawk Rock at variable paces and levels. The hike leader will be the last person up and back providing the opportunity for friends and families of all levels.  Distance is 1.5 to 2 miles.  Elevation is 700 ft. with some rocks and steep rock steps.  We will meet at 9:00 am. at the Duncannon Recycling Center on Watershed Drive. Call Deb at 717-395-2462 or email at dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.

Day Hike At Ricketts Glen State Park

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On Sat., July 13th come on a day trip and hike the falls at Rickets Glen State Park for an average paced 7.2 mile hike on moderate to strenuous terrain.  We will look for summer flowers as we hike up the mountain by the Northeast Falls Trail, across the Highland Trail and down the Southwest Falls Trail.  You must have appropriate footwear as the falls trails are wet and slippery. This hike has many steps and some narrow trails.  Pack a lunch, water, and camera for some great pictures.  Hiking poles are encouraged.  Please reimburse drivers 10 cents per mile for the 190 mile trip.  Meet at the Clarks Ferry Bridge Rte. 147 AT parking at 8 am.  Call Deb at 717-395-2462 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.