UPDATE: UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO SHORT STAFFING OF THE BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT WERE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT, IT HAS BEEN CANCELED. THE ENDLESS MOUNTAINS HERITAGE REGION WILL BE CONDUCTING ACTIVITIES IN AND AROUND VOSBURG NECK STATE PARK ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30. VISIT www.EMHeritage.com FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Northeast and Central Pennsylvania is home to scores of businesses and organizations that provide services, products, and programs that meet the needs of recreationists and pique the curiosities of those wanting to know more about how the region grew into a place that offers both amazing history and adventure. The Endless Mountains Heritage Region (EMHR) will celebrate that rich diversity with the first ever Endless Mountains Outdoor Heritage Expo from Friday to Saturday, Sept. 29 and 30 at the Wyoming County Fairgrounds in Meshoppen.
“We currently have dozens of vendors committed, but we still have room for more,” said EMHR executive director Cain Chamberlin. “This is a unique opportunity for outdoor recreation and heritage organizations, businesses, and agencies to demonstrate how they fit into the Region and help us fulfill our mission.”
The cost for participation – $50 for businesses and $25 for non-profit organizations and agencies – is nominal, but the opportunities are endless. “Whether your entity engages with the public with the outdoors, manages public lands or trails, promotes our regional history, or sells outdoor recreational gear, this Expo is for you,” Chamberlin stated. Several of those already registered will conduct product demonstrations during the event, have merchandise available for purchase, or host an activity onsite or nearby.
Vendors invited to the Expo include river outfitters, bike shops, ski shops, sporting goods stores, park and trail organizations, hunting and fishing clubs, historic preservation and outdoor recreation agencies, and more.
Admission is free for the public, members of which will also have the opportunity to participate in a guided hike at the new Vosburg Neck State Park, educational programming, and a guided paddle of a nearby stretch of the North Branch Susquehanna Water Trail, which was nominated by the EMHR and voted Pennsylvania’s “2023 River of the Year” through an online contest hosted by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds & Rivers. The Outdoor Heritage Expo is the culmination the EMHR’s celebration of its 25th year serving Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties.
The deadline for vendor registration is Monday, Aug. 7. Camping at the fairgrounds is available to those coming from out of the area on Thursday and Friday nights for an additional $30. There are also options for camping at local campgrounds and lodging at several local hotels. Sponsorships are also available at three levels, with benefits to sponsors increasing incrementally. While vendor space at the Expo is focused on outdoor/heritage businesses and organizations, sponsorships are available to all companies.
Current participants include the Bradford County Tourism Promotion Agency, DCNR/Vosburg Neck State Park, DCNR Bureau of Forestry/Loyalsock and Pinchot State Forests, Endless Mountains Outfitters, Endless Mountains Primitive Outdoorsmen, Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, District 9 Trappers Association, Keystone Trails Association, Rail Trail Council of NEPA, The Outdoor Insiders, PA Fish & Boat Commission, PA Route 6 Alliance, Penn State Extension Master Gardeners, Ski Shack, Stoney Point Camp, Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Susquehanna Kayak and Canoe Rentals, Trout Unlimited, Tunkhannock Chapter DAR, and Wyalusing Valley Museum.
The Endless Mountains Outdoor Heritage Expo is being sponsored by The Outdoor Insiders and funded in part by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, and the Wyoming County Room Tax Fund. All forms for vendors and sponsors, as well as camping, lodging and insurance information can be found online at www.emheritage.org under the “events” tab or by sending an email to sschools@emheritage.org.