Castanea Days Celebrates 5th Anniversary with Expanded Lineup and Family-Friendly Fun

By Emily Wright

CASTANEA TOWNSHIP—The Castanea Township Supervisors and Recreation Committee have announced an exciting lineup of events for the fifth anniversary of Castanea Days, which will begin this year on Friday, July 18, and continue through the evening of Saturday, July 19. The anniversary celebration will feature a variety of new events and activities for all ages, including a community bonfire, fireworks, a reptile show, and an expanded craft and vendor fair.

“We are pleased to provide both Castanea residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy our amenities and events. The Recreation Committee and Supervisors teamed with many partners to offer activities for all members of the community, including children and adults,” said Brandon Coleman, chairman of the Castanea Township supervisors.

The festivities will begin on Friday, July 18, at 7 p.m. with a new community bonfire at the Lock Haven Moose Lodge #100, located at 150 S. Hanna Street. The event will feature an outdoor bar run by the Moose Lodge and complimentary s’mores. Residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, marshmallow roasting forks, and bug spray.

“We wanted an old-fashioned opportunity for everyone to gather with friends, family, and neighbors, and a bonfire immediately came to mind,” said Rick Schulze, chairperson of the township recreation board. “The Moose emphasizes community and family, so we naturally partnered with them.”

On Saturday, July 19, Castanea Days events will kick off with a 5K/10K Run/Walk supporting the Friends of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. at the Historic Train Station Complex, 15 Logan Avenue, with the race beginning at 8:00 a.m.

From 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, an expanded craft and vendor fair will be held at the Historic Train Station Complex, featuring Tiny’s BBQ and breakfast sandwiches. The Recreation Committee will host a basket raffle fundraiser, and the Clinton County Historical Society will feature an open house showcasing its historic cabooses. Additionally, the Clinton Central Model Railroad Club Display will be open to the public.

Also on Saturday, a Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland show will be held at the Castanea Fire Company on McElhattan Avenue at 10:00 a.m., followed by a lunch sale at 11:00 a.m. Fire trucks will also be on display at this location.

On Saturday evening, The Clark McLane Band will perform a free concert from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. under the Moose Lodge Pavilion, located at 150 S. Hanna Street, where an inflatable obstacle course will be set up for children to enjoy. The Moose will operate an outdoor bar and food sale during the concert.

New to Castanea Days this year is a fireworks show, starting at 10:15 p.m. on Saturday at the Robbie Gould Youth Sports Complex Field, 91 Upper Creek Road. In the event of rain, the fireworks will be rescheduled for the following evening, Sunday, July 20, at 9:45 p.m.

The fifth annual Castanea Days event is made possible through the efforts of the Castanea Township Recreation Committee planners—Maripat Dion, Diana Andrus, Brady Carnahan, Debra Reeder, and Rick Schulze—as well as Township Supervisor John Gradel, who serves as an ex-officio member. Support is also provided by the Castanea Township supervisors, Castanea Fire Company Station 3, and the Lock Haven Moose Lodge #100.

For additional details, visit the Castanea Township website at castaneatownshippa.gov. For the latest updates and event information, follow the Township’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/castaneatownship/.