The Pennsylvania State Grange will be hosting its Second Annual PA Grange Family Festival beginning Thursday, July 21 through Sunday, July 24 at the Centre County Grange Fairgrounds in Centre Hall, PA.

The Family Festival, based in part on the historic “Grangers Pic-nik” begun in 1874 by PA Grange Master Leonard Rhone, is an event planned to include the entire Grange “Family,” everyone from 5 to 95.  It replaced the long-time “Leadership School” sponsored by the State Grange every year. 

Where the Leadership School was intended to teach leadership skills to the officers and members of local Granges, the Family Festival has expanded and this year will include “Something for Everyone” in the Grange Family.  Attendees have the option of tent-camping, RV-ing or staying in a local motel throughout the Festival.  Workshops are being offered for all ages from a “Red Cross for Juniors” for the youngsters under the age of 14 to “Grange 101 – Action!” for teens and young adults to “Stranger Danger for Adults” presented by an area PA State Trooper.

Additional workshops will include “Look at that Tail (PA Game Commission),” “Stranger Danger for Kids,” “History of the Grange Fair,” “Clowns & Kids,” and many more.  Craft workshops will also be presented on “Bird Houses” and “Do Your Own Craft.”  Tours will be available to Penn’s Cave, The Military Museum in Boalsburg and the Deer Pens at Penn State.  A Pampered Chef Cooking Show is also offered on Saturday afternoon this year and is open to the public for a nominal fee of $5.00. 

This year’s Festival theme is “Christmas in July” and attendees are encouraged to decorate their tents and RV’s or wear a “Christmas Costume” Friday night.  Both the Christmas decorations and costumes will be judged and awards presented.  Saturday’s highlight will again be a family Square Dance and Ice Cream Social in the evening.

The Festival begins at 4:00 pm Thursday with registration and continues until 11:00 am Sunday with a final workshop by Dr. Meecee Baker, PA Agriculture Education Coordinator, held after the Sunday Morning Worship Service.  Last year’s Festival drew 160 Grange members and friends.  This year’s registrations should top 175 from early indications.  The Festival is open to Grange members and friends (non-members) of all ages.

The Grange is a family fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of rural America through community service, education, legislation and fellowship.  The Grange includes members of all ages from their Junior Grangers (ages 5-14), Youth Members (ages 14-24), Young Adults (ages 21-35) and Regular Community (Local) members (age 14 and up).  The Grange represents approximately 16,000 Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth.  It is the oldest agricultural and rural organization of its kind in the United States. The National Grange (Patrons of Husbandry), representing about 300,000 members, began in 1867 and the PA State Grange was chartered in 1873.