Figures Available For Fairs, Festivals

Two friendly leaf-shaped characters will be making the rounds at local fairs and festivals as well as welcoming visitors at the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau Welcome Center in Bradford.

These characters, which are actually life-size, stand-up, leaf-shaped figures, have a circle cut out for faces, so people can poke their heads in and get their picture taken. The adult-size cutout is a leaf with an acorn on top. The child’s version is an acorn with the top of the nut shaped like a hat.

“We are very excited about our new ‘employees,’ said Linda Devlin, executive director of the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau. “They are going to be great ambassadors for tourism in McKean County. I think visitors, both young and old, will enjoy taking their pictures with the leaf cutouts as a reminder of visiting the Allegheny National Forest.”

A set of the leaf characters is available for use at local fairs, festivals and events, courtesy of the “Fun with Trees & Leaves” program from the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau. The leaf figures are loaned at no charge. An application form must be filled out and those borrowing the leaf figures are responsible for transporting them to and from events. Reservations to utilize the figures must be made at least one week in advance. The figures will be loaned on a first come, first served basis.

This program is one aspect of the “Fun with Trees & Leaves” program which is designed to promote our region as a fun, family destination for leisure travelers and group tour operators. When used at fairs and festivals and other special tourism events, attendees who snap a photo are encouraged to share their photos with family and friends and to upload their photos to the bureau’s Facebook account.

For educational group tours for children ad adults, the Kinzua Bridge State Park interpretive personnel will be offering a tree identification program at the park. A free packet of leaf trading cards is available through the ANF Visitors Bureau for groups scheduling these tours in advance through the bureau. The cards highlight eight different trees and leaves that grow within the Allegheny National Forest region.

This program is funding by the ANF Visitors Bureau, the official tourism promotion agency for McKean County, and by grant funding from the Lumber Heritage Region. Partners in development of the educational leaf cards and stand-up figures include the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Allegheny National Forest and David Nene Design.

The leaf and acorn cutouts are currently welcoming visitors to the region at the ANF Visitors Bureau’s Welcome Center at 80 E. Corydon St., Bradford. Those interested in reserving the leaf and acorn cutouts may call the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau at 800-473-9370.