General Information

The Greenwood Furnace Folk Gathering is a weekend of music with plenty of opportunities to share, jam, dance and learn. Now in its sixth year, the annual event will be held September 11-13, 2009. More information about the 2009 Folk Gathering will be available in early summer. Musicians of all levels as well as non-musicians who wish to listen or experiment, or pick up a dance step or two, are invited to participate in workshops designed and led by professional instuctors. Saturday evening’s highlight will be a concert with Simple Gifts followed by a contradance. View the detailed schedule for more information.

Location:
Greenwood Furnace State Park is a beautiful state park located in central PA, between State College and Huntingdon, on the Mifflin County border. It is nestled on the western edge of the Central Pennsylvania area known as the Seven Mountains. The park features outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities, such as swimming in a spring fed lake as well as miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. The state park also offers historic exhibits and summertime programs for the whole family to enjoy.

Driving Directions:
Greenwood Furnace State Park is located on Rt. 305 off Rt.26 (North of Huntingdon, South of State College), and east off Rt. 655 in Big Valley. The official address for the park is 15795 Greenwood Rd, Huntingdon PA, but for some reason most online map and directions do not get you there with this query. Search for "PA-305 & Broad Mountain Rd, Huntingdon, PA 16652" or follow this links to see the location on MapQuest or Google Maps. From there you can type in your home address and get complete driving directions.

Lodging:
Greenwood Furnace State Park has camping facilities, and they've set aside a special area for festival participants. Camping choices are: (1) tent camping near other Folk Gathering participants and near the workshop activities; showers are a bit of a walk but rest rooms are right nearby or (2) tent and RV camping in the regular camping area where the general public would camp. Showers are right there but workshops are about a mile away. We anticipate that camping space may fill, so make your reservations when you register. If you choose any of the camping options at Greenwood Furnace, register by calling the park at (814) 667-1800, 8 am - 4 pm (not the PA State Park toll free number) and indicate that you are a festival participant.

Hotels, bed and breakfasts, and additional camping options can be found near Huntingdon, near Lewistown and in the State College area. Please note that some of the lodging listed on these sites is quite a distance from the park, so be sure to check the distance.

Meals:
The optional meal plan, which can be pre-purchased with your registration, will provide Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast and lunch. Please indicate on the registration if vegetarian food is preferred. Note that Friday dinner is not included, so be sure to eat before you come, or bring food with you. A limited number of additional meals may be available for purchase at the time of the event.

There are no convenient grocery or restaurant facilities near the park. The nearest convenience store and eating options are outside of McAlevy's Fort, about a ten minute drive from the park and they are not full service facilities. Other eating options and grocery store are located in Belleville, about 15 minutes from Greenwood Furnace. It is highly recommended that you bring your own food if you decide not to purchase the meal plan.

About the Huntingdon County Arts Council:

The Huntingdon County Arts Council (HCAC) "is dedicated to providing art and cultural opportunities in Huntingdon County. Our programs are designed to provide enjoyment and enrichment as well as educational and professional opportunities to the general public, students, amateurs and professional artists." Founded in 1972, the HCAC is a 501-C3 non-profit organization that receives support from its membership, local governments, the Pennsylvania Council for the Arts, and various grant agents

For more information about the HCAC, to request a membership form, or for more information about the Greenwood Furnace Folk Gathering, please contact the Huntingdon County Arts Council at huntingdonarts@comcast.net or by calling (814) 643-6220.

	This project is partially funded by a grant from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, developed by the Vira I. Heinz Endowment; the William Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency; and the Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.

Sponsored by the Huntingdon County Arts Council
huntingdonarts@comcast.net
(814) 643-6220