Duncannon is one of the few official Appalachian Trail Communities and we are eager to share the pride and enthusiasm of being part of a national treasure. Join us for a family-friendly festival while learning about the Appalachian Trail and other outdoor opportunities in Central PA.
Celebrate the next annual Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community Festival on Saturday, June 18th, 2016. There will be hikes and outdoor activities in the morning and from 10AM to 4PM there will be entertainment, exhibits, presentations and vendors near the town square on High Street between Cumberland and Ann streets.
Quick Links
Attractions • Hikes • Live Entertainment • Raffle Prizes • Vendors • Parking & Directions • Crafts for Kids • Festival Friends • Join the Fun • Mission Statement
Coming Attractions:
- Admission and all presentations are FREE!
- Smokey the Bear will be there to raise fire prevention awareness.
- Live Musical Entertainment throughout the day.
- Live Wildlife Presentation (PA native species).
- Over $300 of Raffle Prizes donated by vendors.
- One Free Raffle Ticket for every attendee! (Children must be accompanied by an adult.)
- Hiking and Outdoor Clubs.
- Food vendors.
- Arts and Crafts vendors.
- Craft Activities for Kids
- Tales from the Trail
- BBQ Chicken served by the Duncannon Fire Company
Take a Hike!
Some hiking clubs at the festival will be leading their own hikes in the morning and they encourage you to join their clubs to participate in local Duncannon area hikes. The following hiking opportunities are open to the public until all available spaces are filled:
Easy – 7:45 to 11:00 – Haldeman Island: In cooperation with the PA Game Commission, this is a leisurely 2.5 mile hike touring the abundant wildlife of Haldeman Island. Located near the confluence of the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers, access to Haldeman Island is usually restricted to provide sanctuary for a wide variety of native Pennsylvania birds, including the iconic Bald Eagle. Sign up early for this rare chance to enjoy an excellent hike lead by the extremely knowledgeable and informative retired PA Game Commission, Land Management Group Supervisor, Scott Bills. This hike is limited to 20 people. Please contact DATC (haldeman-hike@duncannonatc.org) to register. 
Where to park
Difficult – 7:30 to 1:00 – Hawk Rock & Duncannon Tower Loop – Sponsored by the Day Hikers of Central PA, this is a brisk paced 11 mile hike over strenuous terrain with a 700 foot climb in the first mile. We will start and finish the hike at Tubby’s Nightclub and hike on the AT to Hawk Rock. Then we will go down a steep descent and visit the ruins of a lumber mill in the Duncannon Watershed that features a magnificent 50-foot high stone and brick tower (“The Stack”) that is still standing. Hiking poles will be helpful. You must contact the hike leader (dennis-hike@duncannonatc.org) at least two days before this hike to register. Where to park.
Live Music
There will be live entertainment featured throughout the day. Stop by the main stage and enjoy:
11:20 to 12:00: Matt Miskie is a seasoned performer with very broad appeal. He draws inspiration from the landscape of Pennsylvania for his easy-going melodies. From kayaking to a spectacular sunset, Matt’s original work reflects the beauty of the state while also celebrating his closest relationships. His folk-styled lyrical songwriting combines a rare gift of melody with intelligent lyrics and a warm appealing sound that makes for exceptionally enjoyable listening.
12:00 to 12:40: Nondescript Jam Band, It’s a band that jams with things, and stuff, and other things and other stuff. They make noises and you’ll probably even like them. These guys (John and some other guy) have been making sounds come out of their instruments for well over two weeks. People who have heard them play are saying things. Things like, “I heard them.” While others are saying, “Neat.” Don’t miss the only act that starts at noon. Be there!
12:40 to 1:00: Author Wally Miars will tell how he left his world behind to attempt a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. He explains that the hiker’s greatest assets are a great pair of legs, the friends he makes on the trail, and the locals who help him along the way. Wally (a.k.a. Silver Streak) narrates his struggles in a humorous way as he reveals that the world-famous trail is not about a walk in the woods but the people who walk it. Like life, the trail is not about the myriads of peaks, valleys, and ridges, but it is about the unusual and sometimes comical cast of characters who help us on our way.
1:00 to 2:00: Zoo America Presents Native Pennsylvania Species: Learn about the natural history and beauty of the native animals that surround us. Pennsylvania’s wildlife heritage is presented in a wildly entertaining and exciting program that’s fun for children and adults. Both the common and the uncommon native species of our forests, fields and towns, are highlighted in this wonderfully educational and insightful presentation.
2:00 to 2:40: Brian McPherson is an avid hiker, trail troubadour, and promoter of the Appalachian Trail. He has hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, finishing his 10-yr section hike in 2011. When he hikes he carries his Washburn Rover backpack guitar with him and entertains fellow hikers at AT shelters and hiker hostels with his original songs, a collection of folk tunes he has written about his hiking experiences. He is a member of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club, and the Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community.
2:40 to 3:00: Children’s Parade, all of the children who participated in the creation of Kids Crafts in the Quick Mart parking lot are invited to parade through the festival and up to the stage while showing off all of the cool stuff they made. Drums, rhythm sticks, whistles, bells and other noise makers will be provided. Even adult kids are encouraged to participate.
3:00 to 3:40: CrossCountry, the “Makes You Feel Good Music” group was the result of a chance meeting of long-time Pennsylvania musicians Dave Snyder, Carl Weidenhof, and music newbie (with the voice of an angel) Rebecca Lewis. The harmonies emitted that day and throughout the next year formed the beginning of CrossCountry. They quickly gathered a substantial following whenever they performed. Be sure to check out this local Duncannon band.
3:40PM to 4:00: Raffle Prize Drawing, raffle tickets will be sold for a dollar during the day of the festival and you can get one free ticket (children must be accompanied by an adult) just for stopping by the DATC booth and getting your “Appalachian Trail” hand-stamp. Every ticket offers a chance to win great prizes so be sure to stay until 3:40 when we start drawing tickets. You have to be there to win big!
There’s always something happening on the stage throughout the day. Whether it’s great family-oriented tunes, live animals, tales from the trail, or the allure of free prizes; the Duncannon Appalachian Trail Festival will lift your spirit with its lively festive atmosphere. Don’t miss out on the fun!
Raffle Prizes!
Everyone will be given a free ticket just for showing up at the DATC booth on High Street and getting their hand stamped (children must be accompanied by an adult). The DATC will also be selling raffle tickets to help support the Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community so be sure to increase your odds of winning by purchasing extra tickets for $1.00 each.
Check Out These Great Prizes:
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Vendor List
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Parking and Directions
On the day of the festival, you can park along the streets where it is permitted or you can park in one of the lots shown on the map below.
- God’s Missionary Church Lot
- Old Sled Works South Lot
- Clark’s Ferry Commuter Lot (2 mile scenic hike to festival)
- American Legion Back Lot (walk 330 yards to festival)
- (AFTER 1PM) Blue Ridge Communications Lot
Crafts for Kids
There are plenty of activities to keep the kids happy and entertained so bring them along for a fun day at the festival.
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Children who make any of the above crafts are eligible to participate in a fun and lively parade through the festival that ends on the main stage where they can proudly display their creations. Meet in the Quick Mart parking lot at 2:30 PM to join us for this exciting celebration!
Festival Friends
The following organizations have made significant donations or contributions to help fund the 2016 Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community Festival and we greatly appreciate their help.
- Blue Mountain Outfitters
- Duncannon Borough
- Duncannon Mayor Jack Conrad
- Duncannon Parks and Recreation Board
- Duncannon Supply Company
- Duncannon Quick Mart
- Mutzabaugh’s Market
- This is Duncannon
Join the Fun
We’re looking for volunteers to help make this festival a great day for everyone. Enjoy a fun day outside with your fellow Duncannon enthusiasts.
If you’re interested in being a volunteer at the festival, please contact us for more information.
Why We Do It
The Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community (DATC) is dedicated to promoting, protecting and preserving our outdoor recreational resources for future generations. We implement projects and programs to enhance tourism opportunities for Duncannon as an outdoor recreation destination and we encourage everyone to get outside, enjoy nature and recognize the connection between the health and abundance of the region’s natural assets and the vitality of its communities.
Come out and enjoy a fun day in Duncannon! We hope to see you there!