From Lake Wallenpaupack in the Poconos to Presque Isle State Park in Erie, it’s a weekend for celebrating some of Pennsylvania’s most beloved natural wonders.
It’s also a good weekend for lovers of rodeo, math, and the kind of good old-fashioned family fun you can only find at a state fair.
Let’s take a look at what’s happening across the state:
Discover Presque Isle — Now through Sunday
This annual weeklong showcase for Presque Isle State Park began Monday, but there’s still plenty of fun to soak in on the shores of Lake Erie before the celebration winds down Sunday. The free event features guided hikes, archery exhibitions, lighthouse tours, live music, sand sculpture competitions, and a giant beach bonfire, scheduled for Wednesday evening.
Allegheny Mountain Championship Rodeo — Thursday through Saturday, Forest County
Think rodeo is just a thing that happens in Texas? Think again. The 46th annual Allegheny Mountain Championship Rodeo returns to the Flying W Ranch in Kellettville, Forest County, beginning Thursday. In addition to professional cowboys and cowgirls competing for points towards the National Finals Rodeo, the three-day event features horseback riding, live music, a saloon, and more.
Lake Wallenpaupack Centennial Celebration — Friday through Sunday
Lake Wallenpaupack is celebrating a milestone birthday—100 years old. To mark the occasion, the Poconos lake and the town of Hawley will be hopping with activity all weekend. Events include free boat rides, live music on a floating stage, an ice cream social, a cornhole tournament, and more.
York State Fair — Friday through Aug. 2
The annual York State Fair returns to the York Expo Center beginning Friday with its usual array of livestock shows, live music (including tributes to the Eagles and Jimmy Buffett along with national acts like Brantley Gilbert), rides, food, and more family fun. And this year the fair’s theme is “Fair More, Pay Less,” with eight promotional days offering free or reduced admission.
Math Festival — Friday and Saturday, Philadelphia Convention Center
Math may not be everyone’s idea of a good time. But for those who are into number crunching, data analytics, and the like, this free, family-friendly event (part of the weeklong International Congress of Mathematicians) adds up to lots of fun with interactive activities, games, and discussions celebrating mathematics. There’s also a ticketed panel on sports analytics featuring representatives from local pro sports teams.
