The ‘quin-t-essential' Festival of Wood

Festival has become summer highlight, By Marilyn Rosenthal Milford — Last weekend’s Festival of Wood at Grey Towers, the fifth annual edition, was a celebration of the natural and cultural heritage and a tribute to the beautiful essence of wood. This well-attended (more than 3,200 people) two-day festival has become a highlight of the Milford summer season both for visitors and residents alike. Lori McKean, assistant director of Programs at Grey Towers, called it a “Fun festival with a strong educational message about wood, forestry, and conservation.” There was a wide variety of activities, demonstrations, exhibits, children’s activities, lectures, films, and music. A portable sawmill demonstration decimated a 20-foot log in minutes and turned it into lumber. A huge chain- saw turned chunks of wood into statues and carvings. There were films about sustainable forestry and also historic films about the Pinchot family and Forestry in America. There were forest reptiles and amphibians for the children, as well as animal stories and wooden spoon playing lessons. Smokey Bear dropped in and John Carlson performed his “Go Wild” magic and puppet show. Musical performances were ongoing and as varied as many other demonstrations and activities. Imagine on the one hand, the River Gap Recorder Consort, followed by Frank Little Bear, a Northern Cree Native American musician, and performing artist, to folk musicians, the Lost Ramblers and Celeste Aldridge’s Celtic music. Partners and co-sponsors of the Festival are Grey Towers Heritage Association, Pocono Arts Council, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and USDA Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry. Barbara J. Buchanan, president of Grey Towers Heritage Association, said, “The Grey Towers Heritage Association is honored to be in partnership with the Forest Service, especially for this kind of community event which reaches all ages and is an inspiration to all who want to see and watch and learn the lure of our forest and the magic of wood that they produce.”