Pennsylvania State Festival

Laurel Festival

(Wellsboro, Pennsylvania)

Adopted on June 15, 1999.

The PA State Laurel Festival is held annually the second weekend through the third weekend in June to promote the community of Wellsboro, one of Pennsylvania's natural wonders - the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, and our state flower - the Mountain Laurel. Events include a pet parade, craft fair, concerts, 10k race and the Laurel Parade. The festival highlight is the crowning of the Laurel Queen.

Organized by the Wellsboro Lions Club, the first Laurel Festival was in 1938 and was the brainchild of Larry Woodin, a Wellsboro businessman who was so impressed with the Pine Creek Gorge, located 10 miles southwest of Wellsboro, that he persuaded the Chamber of Commerce to publicize it as a natural wonder of Tioga County. Through Mr. Woodin's efforts, visitors came to see the breathtaking 50-mile gorge, now known as the "Grand Canyon of the East" or the "Pennsylvania Grand Canyon."

The Laurel Festival continues to grow , and the friendly hospitality of the area has not changed over the years. Visitors are welcome to enjoy not only the fun of the Festival, but also the unspoiled forest land abloom with laurel , and clear bubbling waters - all the natural beauty of Tioga County.

State Laurel Festival
Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
Home of the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania

Contact Info:
Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 733
Wellsboro, PA 16901
Phone: 570-724-1926 Fax: 570-724-5084
E-Mail - or

Adopted on June 15, 1999.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

No. 213 Session of 1999

       INTRODUCED BY BAKER, FICHTER, ARGALL, ARMSTRONG, BARD, BEBKO-
          JONES, BELFANTI, BENNINGHOFF, CAPPABIANCA, CLARK,
          L. I. COHEN, CORRIGAN, DALEY, DALLY, DeLUCA, DEMPSEY,
          DONATUCCI, FAIRCHILD, FARGO, FEESE, FORCIER, FRANKEL,
          FREEMAN, GEIST, GRUCELA, HALUSKA, HARHAI, HARHART, HASAY,
          HENNESSEY, HERMAN, HERSHEY, HESS, HORSEY, JOSEPHS, KIRKLAND,
          LAUGHLIN, LEDERER, LESCOVITZ, LUCYK, MAJOR, MANDERINO,
          McNAUGHTON, MELIO, R. MILLER, PHILLIPS, PIPPY, READSHAW,
          ROBERTS, ROHRER, ROSS, RUBLEY, SAINATO, SATHER, SAYLOR,
          SCHRODER, SCHULER, SERAFINI, SHANER, B. SMITH, STABACK,
          SURRA, E. Z. TAYLOR, WALKO, WOJNAROSKI, YOUNGBLOOD AND ZUG,
          JUNE 15, 1999

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 15, 1999

A RESOLUTION

1 Memorializing the Governor to proclaim the festival held
2 annually during the month of June in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania,
3 as the "Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival."

4 WHEREAS, The first Laurel Festival was held in Wellsboro in
5 1938 and was the brainchild of Larry Woodin, a businessman so
6 impressed with the Pine Creek Gorge located ten miles south of
7 Wellsboro that he persuaded the Chamber of Commerce to publicize
8 the gorge as a natural wonder of Tioga County; and
9 WHEREAS, As a result of these efforts, visitors came to see
10 the breathtaking 50-mile gorge, now known as the "Grand Canyon
11 of the East" or the "Pennsylvania Grand Canyon"; and
12 WHEREAS, Originally organized by the Lions Club, the first
13 festival was held to promote not only the Grand Canyon but also

1 the State flower - the mountain laurel. Events included a
2 parade, circus, block dance, ball and the crowning of the first
3 Laurel Queen; and
4 WHEREAS, The Festival, now sponsored by the Chamber of
5 Commerce, is organized by a committee of devoted volunteers and
6 attracts between 30,000 and 35,000 people; and
7 WHEREAS, Over the years the Festival has undergone many
8 changes. In 1950 the title officially became the "Pennsylvania
9 State Laurel Festival" to indicate the representation of the
10 many towns from throughout this Commonwealth. Various events
11 have been added, including the Pet Parade, the Laurel Princess
12 Program, the Arts and Crafts Fair, the Laurel Concert Series, a
13 10k foot race and the Laurel Classic Bicycle Race; and
14 WHEREAS, Festival visitors not only enjoy the fun of the
15 Festival but also the unspoiled forest land abloom with laurel,
16 majestic mountains and clear streams in the area; therefore be
17 it
18 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives memorialize the
19 Governor to proclaim the festival held annually during the month
20 of June in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, as the "Pennsylvania State
21 Laurel Festival."

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