NEW FESTIVAL LOCATION:  The DATC Festival (Duncannon Blast) has moved around the corner from our previous Cumberland Street location due to a traffic detour.  We’ll still be right next to the fire company but now we’re on High Street between Cumberland and Ann streets.  You can zoom in to the DATC Festival map for a detailed look.

FESTIVAL INFORMATION: Saturday, June 21st, prepare for a great day with friends and family.  The festival is coming together quite well thanks to the efforts of our wonderful volunteers and generous contributors.  Six different clubs are sponsoring hikes in the Duncannon area on the morning of the festival so pick one that’s right for you and enjoy Duncannon’s unique natural resources.  We have about 50 vendors composed of hiking clubs, local businesses, public service groups, arts, crafts and food vendors.  There will be family-friendly live musical entertainment during the festival, thanks to the Appalachian Music Conservancy.  We’ll have Smokey the Bear to raise fire prevention awareness and a variety of presentations throughout the afternoon covering topics such as backpacking, live raptors, photography, Perry County history, birds of Duncannon and veterans hiking the Appalachian Trail.  Vendors have donated over $500 worth of prizes to be raffled off to lucky festival attendees, get one free ticket and be sure to buy more to increase your odds of winning.  Thanks to the Susquenita Middle School, we’ll be giving out super-cool laser engraved commemorative tokens to anyone donating $5 or more to the DATC.  We’re expecting a large turnout so we’ve provided multiple parking locations throughout the town as well as regular on-street parking, please be courteous and park only in designated areas or where it is legally permitted.  This festival couldn’t happen without great people like yourself so bring your friends, family and associates to the 3rd annual Duncannon A.T. Festival to show your support for the Appalachian Trail!

FESTIVAL QUICK LINKS: General Info • Attractions • Hike Info • Presentations • Raffle Prizes • Commemorative Tokens • Parking & Directions • Festival Friends • Join the Fun • Mission Statement

MILES FUND GRANT: The DATC is fortunate to be a proud recipient of a Miles Fund Grant from the Mountain Club of Maryland.  Special thanks to Mike O’Connor of MCM for his helpful insight and guidance!

DUNCANNON OUTDOOR CLUB HIKES:  On Saturday, June 21st hike a slower paced 1.14 mile easy-terrain hike through woods and fields on mostly wide paths. This Scavenger Hunt Hike is for the whole family, especially young children ages 5 and up. Try to find as many things as you can to check off your scavenger list. Meet at the Cornerstone Christian Church Duncannon at 9:00 am. Call 834-9216 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.

NEW ARTICLES ON THE DATC WEBSITE: Check out these interesting new articles:

• DOC Pink Lady Slipper Hike
• DOC Bird Hike At Wildwood
• Free Food for Thru-Hikers in Duncannon
• Haldeman Island Hike Recap
• Vernal Ponds and Jefferson Salamanders Hike
• Feeling Blue? Try This… (bluebirds)
• Ashes to Ashes

NEXT MEETING: The Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community Advisory Committee will hold its next meeting Wednesday, June 11th at 6:30 PM in the Duncannon Municipal Building located at 428 N. High Street.  An RSVP is not required but it’s greatly appreciated.  Our agenda will focus on promoting and putting the finishing touches on the Duncannon A.T. Community Festival.

JOIN US OR HELP LEND A HAND: Anyone who would like to be involved with the DATC, offer guidance or influence its policies is welcome to attend our meetings. You might find a volunteer opportunity that suits you in any number of fields such as: planning our next 2014 DATC Festival, fundraising, supporting the Duncannon Outdoors Club, learning about Appalachian Trail maintenance and inspiring people to enjoy outdoor activities in the Duncannon area.