75th Annual PA State Flaming Foliage Festival Draws Thousands to Renovo in 2024
By Emily Wright
RENOVO— The vibrant autumn hues set a spectacular backdrop for the 75th Annual PA State Flaming Foliage Festival, an event that locals and visitors alike look forward to year after year. Held over the weekend from October 11-13, 2024, the festival welcomed thousands of visitors to the quaint Pennsylvania town, drawn by the allure of traditions, fall foliage, the iconic Parade of Queens that rolls through town, and the variety of craft and food vendors.
Every year, the festivities kick off on Friday and conclude on Sunday. On Saturday, excitement builds as the Flaming Foliage lot on 12th Street fills up with visitors and locals alike. This year, thousands of visitors flocked to the Flaming Foliage lot to explore dozens of both new and returning art, craft, and food vendors. Vendors opened for business at 9:00 a.m., and most remained open for business until dusk.
Food vendors ranged from the comforting tastes of Pa & Ma’s Fresh Homemade Donuts to gourmet pulled pork and sausage from Scott’s Roasting. Other notable vendors this year included KC Kettle Corn, JB’s Festie Foods, Amorette Collection LLC, Mr. Sticky’s, Hap & Henry Drink Co., and The Two Doods Dog Bakery LLC, to name just a few.
Saturday’s festivities kicked off with a Pre-Parade Party sponsored by the Greater Renovo Area Heritage Park at 9:00 a.m. The event featured live music by Kidz @ Heart, various food offerings, and displays. A standout attraction was the Pennsylvania Wood Mobile, a 34-foot trailer that features an interactive and educational exhibit. The traveling showcase highlights Pennsylvania’s forest industry and encourages the responsible use of forest resources.
The festivities reached their peak on Saturday afternoon with the commencement of the annual Parade of Queens at 1:45 p.m. The parade sparks excitement among eager spectators every year, many of whom reserve their prime viewing spots along Erie and Huron Avenue by lining up their chairs along the streets days in advance of the event.
As is tradition, the parade began at Yesterday’s Hotel, journeyed down Erie Avenue, and then looped back through town on Huron Avenue, showcasing an enchanting array of floats, performances, and, of course, the queens accompanied by their escorts.
Parade spectators saw everything from lifesize inflatable dinosaurs to the beloved Jaffa Shriners as they cruised through town in their notorious “Lil Vettes” in the parade, which lasted just over an hour. Of course, the annual parade wouldn’t be the same without the renowned Penn York Highlanders Bagpipe Band from Athens, PA, who stopped by the Renovo Elks Lodge 334 after the parade concluded to play a few tunes for patrons.
This year, the parade honored its royal legacy by featuring several former Flaming Foliage Queens, thanks to the Flaming Foliage Festival Committee. The committee reached out to all surviving queens, offering them the opportunity to return to Renovo and once again ride in the parade in celebration of the festival’s 75th year. Some former queens traveled from as far away as Florida to participate in the event.
A few of the esteemed guests were Judy Yeagle, who was crowned Miss Montgomery in 1958; Susan Laubscher, who held the title of Miss Lock Haven in 1969; Kelly Long, Miss Bald Eagle Nittany in 1976; Mary Shoup, crowned Miss Cameron County in 1979; Beth Sockman, who was Miss Bucktail in 1986; Tracey Stauffer, Miss Johnsonburg in 1988; and Jennifer Troutman, crowned Miss Lock Haven in 1991.
Linking past and present Flaming Foliage Festival royalty, parade spectators had the opportunity to see the 2024 FFF Miss Bucktail, Mattisyn (Matti) Rose Mason, as she rode through the procession. The parade also featured winners and contestants from the Future Queen and Escort Contests. This year, Renovo native Brylynn Cannon, daughter of Bryce and Alexis Cannon, was crowned Future Queen, while another Renovo native, Bentley Smith, son of Carl and Jaime Smith, was named Future Escort. Trevor Ricker and Bayleigh Helm were recognized as the first runners-up.
Miss Bucktail, the 2024 Flaming Foliage Queen contestants, and Bucktail Area High School’s 2025 Laurel Representative Rossella Mae Tarantella all made stylish appearances as they were chauffeured through town. Dressed elegantly, each of them rode in snazzy convertibles or trucks, befitting their royal status in the parade procession.
The 75th Annual PA State Flaming Foliage Festival parade showcased an impressive array of floats and units, celebrating both local talent and state pride. Some highlights included Elizabeth “Izzy” Walker, the 2024 Clinton County Fair Queen; Page Weinstein, Miss Pennsylvania 2024 and Grand Parade Marshal; and Kendall Rae Wagner, the 2024 FFF Parade Marshal and a junior at Bucktail Area High School.
Marching bands from Bucktail Area High School, Central Mountain High School, and Sugar Valley Rural Charter School filled the air with lively music as they made their way through town. The parade also showcased multiple veteran floats as well as the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, who traveled through town in expansive military vehicles. Smokey the Bear made an appearance, as did a handful of spine-chilling characters from Spook Haven, who prowled up and down the streets in search of their next victim. Performances by the Turbulence Baton, Dance, & Tumbling Studio twirlers added to the festive atmosphere.
Prominent figures such as PA State Representative Stephanie Borowicz, alongside PA Senator Cris Dush, and the 2024 Miss United States Agriculture, Adysyn Phillips, also made appearances in the parade. Clinton County-based fire stations, emergency medical service providers, and local and state law enforcement participated, all of whom rode through the parade in their vehicles with lights flashing.
Saturday’s festivities concluded with a fireworks display at 8:30 p.m. at the old Renovo Lookout to celebrate the 75th Flaming Foliage Festival. Josh Kanouff and Ryan Prebble set off the fireworks, and the Clinton County Visitors Bureau proudly sponsored the fireworks show.
The floats were judged by a panel of six judges: Julie Brennan, Marchal Rote, Terrie Kerstetter, Rick Vilello, Jeffrey Pickering, and Shelly (Edwards) Watson, with Tom Kerstetter providing commentary as the parade announcer. The Record spoke with Terrie Kerstetter to find out what criteria the judges would use to evaluate parade participants. Kerstetter explained that floats were judged in small and large categories, each with a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner. Other categories included “Bands Under 50”, “Judges Awards”, “Firetrucks/Best Appearing”, and “Special Vehicles”.The judges evaluated creativity, creative use of materials, originality, and the amount of effort put into creating the floats.
The winners of the 2024 parade were announced on Sunday evening. In the “Bands under 50” category, the Central Mountain Wildcats secured 1st place, while the Sugar Valley Rural Charter School Marching Band earned 2nd place. For the “Judges Awards” category, the float by the Hyner Lodge Foundation won 1st place, followed by Turbulence Baton, Dance, & Tumbling Studio in 2nd, with the Bucktail Cheerleaders taking 3rd place.
In the “Firetrucks/Best Appearing” category, 1st place went to the Citizens Hose Co. (South Renovo) Pierce Saber Rescue Engine, 2nd place was awarded to Renovo Fire Department’s American LaFrance Pumper, and Eastside Fire Rescue in Lock Haven secured 3rd place for its Pumper Mack.
Coleman’s Christmas Tree Farm claimed 1st place in the “Special Vehicles” category with their classic red truck featuring a festively decorated Christmas tree in the bed. Dave Harger’s 1982 Ford F-150 took 2nd place in the same category.
For small floats, Pat Reeder was awarded 1st place, North Bend 4H came in 2nd, and the North Bend Methodist UMC took 3rd place. In the large float category, 1st place was awarded to the Central Mountain cheerleaders, Lingle’s Neighborhood Market took 2nd place, and Abby & Kaleb George secured 3rd place.
Sunday afternoon marked a poignant close to the festival with the Coronation Ceremony at Bucktail Area High School, where Isabel Julia Schoonover, representing Canton High School, was crowned the 75th Annual Flaming Foliage Festival Queen.
Isabel is the daughter of George and Noelle Schoonover from Canton, PA, and she has three siblings. Renowned for her academic prowess, Isabel serves as Vice President of her senior class and is both a member and the President of the National Honor Society at her school. Additionally, she is on the Varsity Golf Team and is an Academic and Athletic letterman. After high school, Isabel plans to pursue a degree in Bio-Medical Engineering. Her escort was Taran Bellows.
Miss Bellefonte, Erin Grace Ashe, representing Bellefonte Area High School, won 1st runner-up, and Miss Bald Eagle Area, Gabrielle Marie Perry, took the 2nd runner-up.
Throughout the three-day festival, Renovo bustled with a continuous stream of visitors, all there to celebrate the 75th Annual PA State Flaming Foliage Festival—an unforgettable tribute to heritage. Saturday’s turnout was especially remarkable, with crowds packing the sidewalks from corner to corner, eagerly awaiting the parade. As the 75th festival comes to a close, the Flaming Foliage Committee has already begun the planning stages for next year’s event.
