Music, wood crafts, fun planned for Grey Towers Annual Festival of Wood

MILFORD — “Goods from the Woods” is the focus of the 11th annual Festival of Wood at Grey Towers National Historic Site in Milford on Saturday, Aug. 1 and Sunday, Aug. 2. This family-friendly and free event offers a variety of activities and events that demonstrate the many ways to use and enjoy wood in everyday lives.

Unique wood crafts, children’s activities with wood, chainsaw carvings, educational exhibits, live woodland wildlife, beekeeping, films, tree pruning and portable sawmill demonstrations, free music, tree walks and much, much more will be offered on the grounds of the historic estate throughout the weekend. Free parking, a free shuttle and free admission to the grounds makes this a popular and family-friendly annual event.

The event is offered by the US Forest Service, the Grey Towers Heritage Association, the Pocono Arts Council and numerous partners, participants and collaborators.

To commemorate the 150th birthday of Gifford Pinchot, founder and first chief of the US Forest Service, and two-term Governor of Pennsylvania, a special timeline exhibit with never-before-seen artifacts from the historic collection, will be available for viewing.

Craftsmen and artists from throughout the region will exhibit, sell and demonstrate their crafts, all made from wood. Co-sponsored by the Pocono Arts Council, the crafts component illustrates how beautiful objects that we use in our everyday lives are created from wood.

Children’s activities include games and toys using wood and other craft activities. A cross-cut saw activity and visits from Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl also are planned.

Educational exhibits and informational handouts on such topics as beekeeping, Chestnut trees, regional conservation initiatives, will be ongoing throughout the weekend.

Free music with wood instruments will be provided each day.

Demonstrations on tree pruning and a portable sawmill are planned.

A free wildlife show is planned for each day.

The Master Chain Saws of America will demonstrate chain saw carving three times a day, each day.

The new and improved PA Woodmobile will be parked on site for visitors to walk through and learn about all the ways we use wood in our everyday lives.

All three floors of the historic Grey Towers mansion are open for visitors both days; a $5 fee will be charged.

Refreshments will be available for sale.

The 11th annual Festival of Wood is “a celebration of our natural and cultural heritage of wood.” The activities, exhibits and programs are intended to heighten awareness of the many uses of wood in our everyday lives. The US Forest Service and numerous partners are hosting the event at Grey Towers, ancestral home of Gifford Pinchot, who founded and served as first chief of the Forest Service from 1905-1910.

The Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 1 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday Aug. 2. For a schedule of events or more information, call 570-296-9630 or email greytowers@fs.fed.us. A schedule and map of the Festival activities can be downloaded at www.greytowers.org.