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September 24, 2026

Olean Times Herald | The Bradford Era | The Salamanca PRess

September 24, 2026

Pumpkinville’s 58th season of family fun here through Halloween By Deb Everts

GREAT VALLEY — With the splendor of fall comes pumpkins, and Pumpkinville has lots of them, along with amazing attractions that keep families entertained year after year. This year’s season runs through Oct. 31, making Pumpkinville the fall go-to destination in the Southern Tier. Voted Buffalo’s Best Pumpkin Patch by the people of Western New York, Pumpkinville is the place to make family memories. Celebrating its 58th fall season, the popular pumpkin farm, with more than 35 attractions and activities, offers something for every member of the family. Activities and attractions include pumpkin picking, apple pressing, the Corn Barn and Interactive Crank Tractors, a trip aboard the Pumpkinville Express Train, Pumpkin’ Jumpin’ Pillow, Corn Maze, Goat Mountain, Gem Mining, Birds and Bees, and a Hayride out through the fields. The Fun Zone features the Happy Horse Carousel, Giant Slide, Pumpkinville Feed Mill Obstacle Course, Paintball, Apple Blaster and Candy Cannon. “Not only is it our 58th year celebrating the fall season, but it is also the 25th anniversary of Spookley, everyone’s favorite square pumpkin,” said

Photo provided With more than 35 attractions and activities for the whole family, Pumpkinville is the place to make family memories. A young visitor shows off his chosen gourd while exploring the pumpkin fields.

Diane Pawlowski, co-owner of Pumpkinville, with her husband, Dan. “We are particularly excited to showcase our newest attractions, including the Build-a-Buddy Experience where guests can create their very own cuddly friend and musical Groove Grove, as well as our brand-new food service building.” The Pawlowski family tries to add new attractions and activities to their farm every season. Daughter and spokesperson Lisa Pawlowski said this was an exciting year of planning a few new attractions for the farm. She said they travel to conferences around the country where vendors offer ideas September 24, 2026

to farms like theirs every year. Celebrating Spookley’s anniversary this year, the wise pumpkin is featured in the corn maze, along with other unique Spookley additions, and entertains and educates children to spread kindness using anti-bullying and acceptance themes. To participate in the fun, families can sign up for the program at spookleyfarmprogram.com and use the password, Spookley25. Also new is Groove Grove, a musical adventure tucked among pumpkins, hay bales and twinkling autumn colors where guests can explore cheerful chimes, silly drums, clacking instruments and

musical surprises around every corner. “After seeing the Farmyard Fun Factory in action at a conference, we’ve been working on the attraction for the past two years,” Pawlowski said. “We brought the Groove Grove to the farm this summer, after making a connection with a vendor there as well.” Pawlowski said their popular singing tractor, Mack, also found a girlfriend this year. She’s a pink, singing tractor named Daisy and is joining Mack to sing duets all fall. The season also brings Continued on page 5 >>

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Pumpkinville

a brand-new food service building featuring the Coop & Crust, serving pizza, chicken tenders and loaded potato barrels, Friday through Sunday every week. The Pumpkinville BBQ Pit also offers a variety of food options, as well as Di’s Pies and Bakeshop, which is well-known for its donuts and other sweet treats. Returning for a third year is world-famous pumpkin carver, TV personality and Guinness World Record holder Eric Jones, who will entertain guests throughout the season with interactive pumpkin sculpting. Jones will be doing carving demonstrations and getting guests involved in carving their own pumpkins in the Farmyard Fun Area. His remaining scheduled appearances are Sundays, Sept. 27 and Oct. 4, 18 and 25.

>> Continued from page 4

Photos provided Bring your kids to Pumpkinville and visit the kids at Goat Mountain.

Pumpkinville is the oldest continuously operating pumpkin farm in New York state, and provides a full day of seasonal activity to keep everyone in the family entertained. The 225acre family farm features pumpkins, squash, gourds and corn that are available for guests to pick and purchase. The original Pumpkinville began in 1968 when Joe and Helen Halloran started the attraction at their farm, located at a different site along Route 98 in Great Valley. In 1995, the Pawlowskis purchased Pumpkinville and moved it to its present spot at 4844 Sugartown Road. Since then, they have been adding more and more attractions, building the place into the family destination it is today. The farm’s attractions require a valid admission

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pass that can be purchased in advance online. There is never a cost to access the front farm market, food areas and retail shop, which feature gifts, crafts,

souvenirs, toys and more. Pumpkinville will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Oct. 31, with special hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 31. Admission is free to enter the front area where the market, food and retail shops are located, but a ticket is required for the attractions and rides. Eric Jones tickets are only available online. Other tickets will be available onsite, but people are encouraged to buy them online at pumpkinville. com to save $2 per person. A Buy One, Get One Free Season Pass at $39.95 is available until Sept. 20. Pumpkinville is cashless but accepts credit cards, debit cards and Pumpkinville gift cards. Visit pumpkinville.com for more information and to purchase Family 4 Packs, season passes or day passes.

Not only is it Pumpkinville’s 58th year celebrating the fall season, but it is also the 25th anniversary of Spookley, everyone’s favorite square pumpkin. September 24, 2026

Pennsylvania visitors bureau offers elk-gravel road guide The Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau released earlier in 2026 a new Wild Elk Gravel Route Network brochure and map to encourage cyclists to the only gravel destination in the Eastern United States where more than 1,400 wild elk roam free across vast public lands. The road network offers an rare and exciting wildlife-viewing opportunity. Centered in Cameron County, this route network spills into nearby counties and threads through Elk, Susquehannock and Moshannon State Forests. The brochure, 28 pages with the network featuring descriptions and maps for 18 curated routes ranging from 8 to 84 miles, built for riders who crave exploration over crowds. They are available free via free download or request a copy at visitpago. com/free-information at the 24-hour information kiosk outside the Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau office at the Bennetts Valley Community Center in

Weedville, and at PAGO branded display racks across Cameron, Elk and Forest counties. In the deep, forested heart of Cameron County, a new kind of adventure is quietly taking shape. Winding through rugged hills, remote hollows, and vast expanses of public land, the Wild Elk Gravel route network has emerged as one of the state’s most evocative destinations for gravel cyclists and bikepackers. These routes are curated with care, history, and a deep respect for the landscape and invite riders to experience a place where wilderness still rules and where the human footprint feels small. Cameron County has always been defined by its remoteness. Old logging roads, timber-era byways, and long-forgotten connectors lie scattered across the region like threads from another century. The Wild Elk Gravel project embraces these existing corridors, connecting

them into thoughtful loops and long-haul bikepacking routes that highlight the county’s raw beauty. Riders climb shaded ridges, roll along streamcut valleys, and traverse gravel that shifts beneath their tires like the forest breathing. True to its name, the network lives within one of the most vibrant wildlife regions in Pennsylvania. Wild elk roam freely through these hills, making it one of the few places in the eastern United States where cyclists might genuinely share the landscape with animals of such scale and grace. Encounters happen quietly: a distant bugle drifting through the trees, a silhouette crossing a clearing, or the rustle of brush as a herd moves upslope. It is this sense of coexistence, of wilderness unfolding around each ride, that sets Wild Elk Gravel apart. But the project is more than a collection of mapped routes. It represents a collaborative

investment in rural recreation and sustainable tourism. The effort has been supported by a strong coalition of funding partners, including the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Cameron County Office of Community and Economic Development and the Cameron County commissioners. For riders, Wild Elk Gravel offers freedom of choice. Beginners can explore shorter loops that showcase scenic overlooks and easy-flowing forest roads. More seasoned gravel cyclists can tackle long, demanding climbs and remote backcountry segments. And for the boldest explorers, multi-day bikepacking routes provide the chance to camp beneath star-filled skies and wake to the mist rising off the valleys of the Sinnemahoning watershed.

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September 24, 2026

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September 24, 2026

Picking a deer stand when you’re in a rush By WADE ROBERTSON

There are times in our busy lives when we realize we’ve procrastinated just a little too long. Suddenly, the time for preparation is gone, the event upon is us — and we wonder how time melted away. Yet, it happens to us all sooner or later. One deer season I had a new job, no time off the first day, a newborn baby and, before it seemed possible, the first day of rifle season was at hand. Looking closely at the oxygen delivery schedule for that Monday, I saw it was possible for me to hunt for two hours in the morning and be back to the office and on my route by 10 a.m. I begged the manager, Fred Savage, for that opportunity. Great guy that he was, he said, “Yes!” Overjoyed, it then struck me I had no idea where to go. Talking it over with my wife, she reminded me we’d seen a group of bucks on a U.S. Forest Service road south of town. Great, the spot felt good and I gave her a big hug and kiss, prepared for opening day. Saturday, before other obligations, one shot with the 7x57 hit dead center high ... perfect. Sunday night I could hardly sleep. Dawn came slowly. I’d

Photo by Wade Robertson There are times when deer season sneaks up on you and catches you unprepared. If you haven’t scouted or your usual location is suddenly posted you may have no idea where to hunt the first day. I took this nice 6-point in such a situation by reviewing what knowledge I had. There are also other opportunities to consider.

positioned myself against a big cherry tree, downwind from the edge of the clearcut where we’d seen the bucks. The first hour melted away; not even a doe moved by. By 8, still nothing. My hopes dropped. By 8:30 time seemed to accelerate, my spirits further plummeting. At 8:55, when all seemed lost, a flash of motion, a doe appeared, another deer lagging behind. Through the scope I saw it was a buck! At 9, I squeezed the trigger, September 24, 2026

bagging a nice 6-point. Joy is an inadequate world for my elation. The company newsletter that month announced Wade Robertson bags buck and at work on time!

Deer hunting on limited time

So, if suddenly blindsided by deer season with no chance to scout, how do you determine where to hunt? Here’s some ideas on where you might go and stand some chance of success. As the above story illustrates, think back over

the summer and fall. Did you see deer, how often and what time of day? That is at least a starting point and having seen deer in that location gives you confidence in your stand. Remember, the prevailing winds are west and south. What if you have no idea at all? Talk to your hunting buddies. Though they are not likely to reveal their best spots it’s unlikely they’ll send you to a dead area either. In fact, it might be a great stand, their third or fourth location. You can’t expect more than that, though a generous individual may place you in a great location with an existing stand. No matter which scenario, you’re in an area that’s known to harbor bucks. If you haven’t seen bucks nor have acquaintances willing to steer you in the correct direction, there’s still hope. In fact, sometimes the odds even favor first-time locations for some mysterious reason. If you’re in New York, Allegany State Park is a good destination. Deer density isn’t high but it attracts numerous hunters and they move the deer. Starting on any ridge and peeking over the edges is Continued on page 9 >>

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deer stand >> Continued from page 8

a great bet. Watching an open hillside most anywhere in the park isn’t a bad idea, especially if other hunters are parked nearby. Remember, position yourself so the wind won’t give you away. In Pennsylvania, the National Forest has thousands of acres of land available. Hunter density is low but the numerous clearcuts harbor big bucks, some huge. Deer move in and out of those thick areas during the first hour of daylight and the last hour before dark. Walking the edges and looking for scrapes and rubs will key you in on where to watch. Get downwind or up on a hillside looking down if possible. If you’re less mobile find a pipeline or powerline to watch. Deer move across and feed on them and surprisingly few hunters take advantage of that opportunity. Walking a Forest Service or other public road and peeking over the edge, watching below or above you can also pay off. Looking below, only show your head above the edge every 50 yards or so, remaining

out of sight. Stand motionless for some time, don’t rush. Many times a deer is in plain sight but blends in so well they have to move before you see them.

Stay patient, attentive to the details

Diligence is the key to this technique. After long periods of seeing nothing at all you lose confidence, get sloppy, lose concentration. That’s when deer appear and you spook them if careless. I can’t tell you how many times this has happened to me. If only I’d been patient one more time! Watching fields or natural openings in the forest is also productive, but make sure you have permission to do so if you’re on a farm. Asking politely, appearing responsible and friendly usually brings permission. A thank you later on or a small gift can create a new friendship. So, there’s no need to panic if you haven’t prepared a stand or have no clue where to go; there’s many opportunities and you may discover an area you’ll return to for years to come.

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September 24, 2026

Salamanca-Seneca Falling Leaves Festival set for Oct. 2-4 By Deb Everts

SALAMANCA — The annual Salamanca-Seneca Falling Leaves Festival kicks off at Jefferson Street Park Oct. 2 and runs through Oct. 4, promising plenty of excitement for all ages. Co-sponsored by the City of Salamanca and the Seneca Nation, the free event begins Friday at 11 a.m. and continues all weekend, featuring live entertainment, arts and crafts, tasty food, a parade on Main Street and free carnival rides at Sycamore Park. And thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Seneca Nation Council, the carnival rides are back, Salamanca Mayor Sandy Magiera shared. “One company we previously hired wanted more money, and they also wanted the kids to pay for their rides. As in past years, we wanted something the kids could ride for free,” she said. “With the cost of everything up these days, many families can’t afford to attend the fairs and festivals. We have free rides and entertainment, so everybody can enjoy the festival.” This year’s festival will feature some new attractions, along with old favorites and a great lineup of new bands for musical entertainment. As people browse the craft and food selections, they

File photo The annual Salamanca Seneca Falling Leaves Festival kicks off Oct. 2 at 11 a.m. and runs through Oct. 4. The free, three-day event will feature favorites from past years and new attractions this year. Shown from a previous year, a young girl gets a thrill on the super-fast Giant Slide.

will be entertained by the “Rez Road Sounds” of DJ J.D. Gardner, Friday and Saturday. Friday’s music entertainment under the tent will include the band Iron Eyes Experience at 3 p.m. and JJ White & The Mojo Sauce at 6 p.m. The Stone Cold band will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Saturday will include a Pumpkin Giveaway for kids at the information tent from noon until the pumpkins are gone. The new activity will have kids scrambling to get a free pumpkin. The Scarecrow Contest is back again and will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday. Registration deadline is Sept. 30, and details are on the festival’s Facebook page. Interested participants should email salamancasenecafallfest@ outlook.com. Also on Saturday, there will be a Youth Archery September 24, 2026

Competition behind the Holy Cross Club at 11 a.m. and Hometown Games for all ages from 5 to 6 p.m. in the park. Sponsored by Friends of the Salamanca Youth Center, there will be free activities including a petting zoo, face painting and balloon animals, both Saturday and Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m. Kids can climb, slide and bounce on the inflatable rides located on the front lawn of the Community Action building all three days. Magiera said the festival committee tries to bring in more activities to highlight Seneca culture each year, and they keep finding more and more people who want to get involved. Led by Hilton Johnny-John, the White Pine Dancers will perform Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. and again Sunday from 2:30-3 p.m. From 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Saturday, kids will have the opportunity to enjoy a puppet show performed by Seneca-Iroquois National Museum puppeteer Kari Kennedy, who will entertain the kids with a show adapted from traditional Seneca stories. Those looking for lots of live action are invited to hop on the mechanical bull Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and again Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Sunday, from 4-6 p.m., watch professional wrestlers take down their opponents at the Xcite Wrestling event.

THE HIGHLIGHT of Sunday will be the Grand Parade at 1 p.m. led by the Honor Guard of American Legion Post #1587 in Irving. Donna Raahauge, committee member and parade organizer, said Mayor Magiera and Tina Abrams, longtime Seneca Nation leader, will ride together and follow them. The parade will start at the old Dudley Hotel area, then head down Main Street. A tent will be set up across from the Dudley at 10 a.m. for check-in. Raahauge recommends people assemble across the street from the hotel from 11:30 a.m. to noon, and no later than 12:30 p.m. Atlantic Street will be closed to traffic (except for parade units) from Main Street to Chestnut Street. “This year, we will Continued on page 12 >>

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September 24, 2026

Falling Leaves Festival >> Continued from page 10 have two Shriner minicar groups — one from Gowanda and the Zem Zem Hornets from Warren, Pa. The Northern PA Ghostbusters will be back again this year, as well as the 96th Highlanders Pipes and Drums, she said. “The Seneca Dancers will be at the end of the parade and will perform in front of the reviewing stand on Broad Street right after the parade.” Magiera said people are encouraged to bring their vintage and classic vehicles of all makes and models to participate in the parade. Raahauge said they have invited people with Jeep Wranglers to also join the parade. Anyone interested in

September 24, 2026

participating in the parade or volunteering should contact Raahauge at (716) 378-5468 or email draahauge@salamancany.org as soon as possible. Organized by a committee of long-time festival volunteers, the festival has drawn residents and visitors from across the region for nearly 50 years. Magiera said it’s a great way for the community and its neighbors to get together. For a full schedule of activities and vendor applications, visit the Salamanca Seneca Falling Leaves Festival’s Facebook page or the chamber’s website at salamancachamber.org.

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You don’t have to work a dog to successfully hunt grouse By STEVE SHERK

When people think of grouse hunting, one of the biggest components to a successful hunt is a good bird dog to join you. Almost every serious grouse hunter has a bird dog. Nevertheless, a bird dog is something I’ve never owned nor did I have many friends who used them. Despite not using a dog, I’ve had some glorious days in the grouse woods over the years.

My style of grouse hunting was always walking, stalking and being ready for a flush at all times. The more I got to know the areas I hunted, the more I found the grouse to be in some of the same exact locations. This consistency led me to be well prepared for a flush from one of the fastest flying game birds in North America. It only took me a season or two to realize that you don’t need a bird dog to hunt grouse. The two biggest keys to jump flushing grouse

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are to move slowly and know the little pockets of cover where grouse like to hang in specific locations. When I was guiding grouse hunters (who mainly used their dogs) I would locate more birds than the dogs because I knew exactly where the grouse would be. Bird dogs have a tremendous nose but if they are unfamiliar with an area, they will have no clue exactly where a grouse is until they pick up the scent of one. I found it was hard to lead the dogs to the little pock-

September 24, 2026

ets of cover the grouse would typically hold up in. The dogs would get on ground scent and then zig-zag all over the place until they found a grouse. Even though a grouse might walk through an acre or two of ground on a given day, it will often have specific trees or patches of cover it relates to when it’s not feeding. Just like a bedded buck inside of a thicket, grouse have their hideouts too. They can be fairly easy Continued on page 14 >>

HUNTING grouse

>> Continued from page 13

Pa. Game Commission/Era file photo The seasons for ruffed grouse are open through the fall in both New York and Pennsylvania.

September 24, 2026

to find once you get to know areas. Shooting them is the hardest part! I remember a spot I hunted grouse out Willow Creek that had about a half-acre area of young spruce trees on the edge of a hawthorn thicket. I would bet anyone my last dollar that every time I snuck through those spruce trees at least one grouse would flush, if not several. For years I’ve found some locations to keep holding grouse time and time again. It all boils down to habitat. If the food and cover remain adequate for grouse, Continued on page 15 >>

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HUNTING grouse you can count on them being there every season. However, some years you might find a dozen birds in some of these traditional spots while other years maybe just one or two. Learning to jump flush grouse without a dog also taught me how to get more shots at grouse. Sometimes with a dog, it’s hard to set yourself up for a good shot opportunity because grouse are almost always in thick cover. The dog heads right in for the point and it’s hard not to follow it. What I would do is plan my routes and approaches through these areas where I had the best shot opportunities.

>> Continued from page 14

Instead of following a dog, I would focus more on setting myself up with a clear path of shooting because I knew the layout of the cover and the topography. I also found that if it was a small patch of cover the grouse were hanging in, instead of walking right through the thicket from one end to the next, I would circle the perimeter and often catch grouse flying out on the back side into the open woods. If grouse are on the ground, they will usually stay within the cover when spooked and often move to the opposite end before flying out. If a grouse is on the ground, it is expecting predators

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to follow it rather than get ahead of it. When I would get ahead of the grouse on the far side of a thicket, those were some of the best shot opportunities I ever had in usually fairly wide open woods. Without a dog, I also learned to use my ears to the best of my ability. The main sound I’d pay attention to was the thunderous flap of grouse wings taking off that would alert me to get my gun up and ready for a shot. However, the best sound I learned to pick up on was the alarm “putt.” Very often right before a grouse takes off to fly, it will make a putting or clucking type

sound. Whenever I’d hear a grouse do that I’d immediately stop and get ready. To me, this was like the sound of a dog collar beeping when it’s on point. Because grouse fly so fast, having the ability to get the gun ready before a bird takes off is a huge advantage for the hunter. Even though I never had a grouse dog, I had my fair share of action hunting them. Nowadays, I’m mostly a big game hunter, but grouse hunting was always a blast. Man will never be able to outdo the nose of a bird dog, but that doesn’t mean you need one to hunt grouse.

September 24, 2026

Fall foliage season to please the leaf peepers The colors of fall are on their way across the Twin Tiers. The I Love New York website, operated by the state Department of Economic Development, produces a foliage report every Wednesday. The first report of the year, on Sept. 16, indicated minimal changing statewide, with less than 5% changing in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region. The website is available at https://www.iloveny. com/things-to-do/fall/ foliage-report/. Will it be a good year for leaf peeping? It depends, said the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Three conditions — the length of night, leaf pigments and the weather — play roles in how the autumn colors come out. The steadily increasing nighttimes brought by the planet’s tilt in relation to its orbit around the sun plays the largest role, with trees shutting down chlorophyll production. Some trees like blackgum begin to change colors in late August, with dogwoods changing in mid-September. Maples change next, followed by oaks into late October. Yellow and golds remain fairly consistent due to other pigments in the leaves, while reds can be affected by temperatures and soil moisture. Officials

September 24, 2026

said warm, sunny days with cool but not freezing nights show the best colors, while dry soils may also dull the colors. The DCNR’s foliage reports are available at https://maps.dcnr.pa.gov/ storymaps/fallfoliage/. With colors coming, the question is when. Various groups suggest different times for peak color. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reports that late October will likely be prime leaf-peeping season in the Southern Tier. Pennsylvania DCNR officials report northern Pennsylvania counties traditionally peak between Oct. 1 and 10, with counties further to

the south peaking later in the month.. ExploreFall.com suggests a peak starting around Oct. 18 in Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties. Meanwhile, the Old Farmer’s Almanac calls for a peak in Allegany County starting around Oct. 15, in Cattaraugus County around Oct. 24, in McKean County around Oct. 27, and in Potter County around Oct. 24. The Old Farmer’s Almanac reports the peak color usually lasts about a week in any place, but weather can shorten or extend that period. Heavy rain or high winds, for example, can strip the leaves from trees.

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Autumn in Allegany County: Events and activities abound during a favorite season The event is free. Don’t wait until next year, organizers say this may be the last.

By KATHRYN ROSS

From the annual Civil War Reenactment in Angelica to the tradition of the Andover Haunted House to Wellsville’s RidgeWalk & Run, the fall season is packed with events in Allegany County.

• Sept. 26: A Demolition Derby hosted by the Belfast Fire Department will be on the fairgrounds in Angelica. Come out and watch an action packed day of carnage and support a small-town fire department with classes for kids and fun for the whole family. Inspection is from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The show starts at 1 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m.

Here’s a rundown of events set during the season: • Sept. 26-27: The Civil War Reenactment in Angelica will see the North and the South fighting in the streets and gentle southern ladies dressed for tea. Events get started around 10 a.m. with living history camps and vendors in the park. Three battles will be fought throughout the weekend at times TBA.

During October enjoy the glory of autumn and celebrate the thrills and chills of the season.

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Continued on page 18 >>

Photo provided A lot of scary faces will be at the Andover Haunted House.

September 24, 2026

Allegany County Events

>> Continued from page 17

• Oct. 2-31: Andover Haunted House at 5 W. Greenwood St. will open for the season. From 7 to 11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday throughout the month the haunted attraction will scare the Dickens out of those who cross the threshold. Special attractions add to the fun. Tickets are available at the door and online.

• Oct. 3: Armstrong Fall Festival takes place in Belfast near the intersection of routes 305 and 19 (6661 Route 305) south of the village from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be free pumpkins, food, bingo and face painting and other autumnal treats. • Oct. 3: Grannie Hobbies Show Southern Tier Fiber Arts group invites crafters to share their fiber arts projects from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 470 N. Main St., Wellsville. • Oct. 16-17: The SPCA’s 32nd Annual Theme Basket Auction takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m.

Photo provided Purchase the iconic Alfred Bread Pan on the Artisans Tour.

to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Pioneer Student Union Center, on the Wellsville campus of Alfred State College on River Road. Food and desserts will be available. There will be a Man Cave, Kid’s Corner and Specialty Items. To donate a basket or make a mon-

September 24, 2026

etary donation, call the shelter at (585) 593-2200 ext. 2 or email SPCAallegany@gmail.com. • Oct. 17-18: 38th annual Allegany Artisans Tour will highlight the artwork of 34 artists and craftspeople across the county with an open studio tour. A special preview will take place

on Friday evening at selected studios. Maps will be available online and in local businesses. Painters, ceramicists, sculptors, woodworkers and many other artisans take part in this event which stretches from Fillmore Continued on page 19 >>

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Allegany County Events

>> Continued from page 18

to Whitesville and from Almond to Cuba. Look for the red and white signs pointing the way to the studios.

Photo provided At Ridgewalk & Run in Wellsville, dogs too enjoy the fall day.

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• Oct. 18: RidgeWalk & Run has been bringing the autumn splendor of Alma Hill to walkers, hikers and runners for 34 years. Prior registration is required and can be found online. For non-hikers an event tent will be open with food available for purchase. There will be music and wagon rides available. This is a competitive event with costs ranging from $32 to $41 for different divisions. Special age-related costs are available. Go online to register.

support Ronald McDonald House from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 (kids get in free.) There will be local vendors, artisans, live music, hot apple pie, a bounce house and pony rides. Special nights will benefit local charities:

• Oct. 18: Creekside Fall Festival on Swift Road in Angelica will raise funds to

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• Oct. 2: Haunted for Hooters at the Andover Haunted House, raising funds for Breast Cancer Awareness. • Oct. 9: Southern Tier Chapter of Guiding Eyes • Oct. 16: Cemetery Saviors raising funds for Rural Cemetery Preservation • Oct. 17: Green Night raising Organ Donor Awareness • Oct. 30: Hart Comfort House fundraiser

FIRST PLACE

TOP PHOTOS SUBMITTED FOR FALL VENTURE INTO THE ALLEGHENIES

Mitchell Vleminckx of Bradford caught this wild brown trout in late June — around the time of the summer solstice — in the South Branch of the Kinzua Creek in McKean County. The avid fly fisherman says he caught a similar brown literally on backto-back casts in the creek, much of which flows through the Allegheny National Forest.

The Olean Times Herald and The Bradford Era asked for and received several terrific photos from readers showing their great outings fishing or hunting for the fall edition of Venture Outdoors. It was difficult for the judges — editors, writers and photographers for the newspapers — to choose the top three submitted photos for the contest, but we believe the winning images stood out in special ways. At least in part, selection of the three top images had something to do with the story behind the photos. The first-place winner will receive a $250 gift card from E&A Footwear of Conewango Valley in Cattaraugus County, while the second-place winner will receive a $175 gift card. The third-place winner will receive $100. Meanwhile, we thank everyone who submitted images for the edition — and we note that we have included several of the pictures in these pages. And good luck on all your outings — on the waters or in the woods and fields of our beautiful region. LOOK FOR MORE SUBMISSIONS THROUGHOUT THE SECTION

SECOND PLACE THIRD PLACE Calvin Kemp of the town of Amity retraced his steps in the snow after an evening sit in his favorite deer stand. He paused to turn and take this beautiful photo of a winter sunset on his way back to warmth and dinner.

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Dave Poydock of Portville volunteers with the New York DEC Bureau of Fisheries in Region 9 on electrofishing surveys to monitor the habitat quality and estimate the trout populations of selected quality trout streams in Western New York. Last spring, he began mentoring a young aspiring fly fisherman and hunter from Wellsville named William Cass. This summer, William took part in several surveys, including on Wiscoy Creek, a Wild Premier trout stream in Wyoming County. William shows the largest trout found in the surveys, a beautiful wild brown trout measuring 23.38 inches. Olean Times Herald | The Bradford Era | The Salamanca PRess

Squirrels are master tutors to the hunter By WADE ROBERTSON

If you’ve ever taken a young person hunting for the first time it allows you to vicariously relive your earliest experiences and appreciate just how much you’ve learned over those years as you teach and instruct. Looking back, almost all of the skills needed to be successful hunting game, big or small, anywhere in the world, were acquired hunting the cagey bushytail. My father taught me firearms safety, how to properly handle a knife, clean game, build a fire and

read a map. Basics firmly in place, I was on my own. Looking back, his faith in my woodsmanship at a very early age was surprising, but he’d tested me many times and knew my capabilities. During the spring I’d fish up a native trout stream to its source, then take a compass course through the forest, sometimes for a mile or more to meet him at a given location on the designated road. Because of this I was never afraid to be by myself, like Dad, actually preferring to hunt on my own.

Continued on page 22 >>

Photo by Wade Robertson Like any skill, hunting squirrels takes time and repetition to master. It’s challenging but squirrels are common enough to provide the many opportunities necessary, make enough mistakes, to learn what works and what doesn’t. Bagging squirrels with a rimfire rifle is truly something to be proud of. Olean Times Herald | The Bradford Era | The Salamanca PRess

September 24, 2026

Hunting Squirrels

The second squirrel ran up the tree and stopped. Frantically, I broke the gun open, fumbled another shell in — and down he dropped. Before I could run forward an angry barking sounded to my left. I reloaded as a third squirrel jumped to another tree and paused. The 12-gauge roared again and a large, glossy, “black” squirrel hit the ground. For a second the decision to run to the black or two grays seemed impossible to make so delirious was I with joy and accomplishment. Wait till Dad sees these! That first morning taught me two things. First, look for food sources and, second, be patient and wait. Being young and impatient, waiting wasn’t a strong point and soon I moved off. Two hours later after spooking several squirrels on the ground it dawned on me to just sit patiently near another hickory. By noon I’d limited out. However, when squirrels are scattered it’s necessary to walk. Squirrels are very alert and attempting to stalk up on a constantly moving bushytail takes some doing. Soon, I was watching every step, lining up trees to hide my motion,

waiting motionless when a squirrel disappeared. Was the squirrel up a tree, in a depression or behind a log? Many times a previously unseen squirrel popped up unexpectedly. My open-bore shotgun was only effective up to 30-35 yards and therefore necessary to judge range as well. Don’t stop in the open, a squirrel will spot you immediately if you do. Stop by a tree or even behind a tree, peeking out. If the forest opens up with little cover either sit or retreat and approach from another direction. Every hunt I gained more of the skills and knowledge necessary to be consistently successful. Next, the additional challenge of hunting squirrels with a .22 rifle. This was a bigger challenge than first anticipated; placing a single, very accurate shot on a generally moving target presented tremendous difficulties. I soon discovered it essential to develop the ability to rest the rifle against a tree, steady it and shoot in 3-5 seconds. Squirrels seldom stay still longer than that. You must be able to shoot at almost any angle, straight up or even steeply down, often waiting long

HOURS

I’ll never forget my first successful day hunting squirrels. Dad dropped me off at a small tributary of Sugar Run at daylight. A heavy, wet, dripping fog blanketed the area, creating an eerie, spooky atmosphere where gnarled oaks loomed over you and every ghost story suddenly seemed real. Not sure where to go, I slowly worked my way up the valley until I almost stumbled into a shaggy-barked hickory. Looking down, several green hickory nuts littered the ground and a nearby log held numerous chewed nut shells. Excitement coursed through me; perfect, there was no doubt squirrels were about. Since visibility was only a matter of 15 or 20 yards it seemed smart to wait. A large maple provided a good back rest. Slowly, it grew lighter as the fog gradually thinned. Then, the unmistakable rasp of claws on bark, the dimly seen bending of a hemlock limb and, suddenly, two squirrels appeared magically in the hickory. I raised my single shot 12-gauge, trembling all over, poked at the big grey and fired. Down it came.

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periods of time simply for the fleeting opportunity to shoot. Since longer shots were possible with the rifle, additional decisions were required. Shooting prone, sitting or kneeling was steadier but it quickly became apparent prone limited your vision far too much due to the uneven terrain — unless, of course, there was a hillside rising in front of you. I was as steady or steadier shooting kneeling and could slowly sink into a kneeling position with very little motion, especially if caught away from a tree. If a squirrel appeared at 50 yards, did I attempt to stalk closer and possibly spook my quarry or get a steady rest and attempt the longer shot? Decisions, decisions. Professional guides here and in other countries love woodchuck hunters for their ability to shoot accurately at game. However, squirrel hunters can shoot as well or better in a far shorter time and, additionally, have developed other significant hunting skills. Pursuing squirrels, especially with a rifle, is the graduate course to earn a hunters’ PhD.

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Fishing action picks up in the fall By WADE ROBERTSON

The maples were brilliant and the sun shined a pleasant warmth through the cool breeze. We were on the edge of a weed bed and I was casting a No. 5 Mepp’s Muskie Killer with a stinger hook and 4-inch white twister tail. I love this lure for it’s easy to cast and retrieve, hooks very well and productive. As we neared the end of the weed bed I cast into a small pocket and since I could see some weed tops under the surface retrieved the lure quickly, keeping it high so the blade bulged the water. Suddenly, the lure

Photo by Wade Robertson Fall is a great time to fish. The problem is with so many opportunities, just which one do you pursue?

disappeared in a violent boil of water and I almost jumped out of my shoes so sudden and savage was the strike. The previous two hours I hadn’t had a single follow. But reflexes took

over and I set the hook and then again, keeping the pressure on, it wouldn’t do to let the muskie get down deep into the weeds. The muskie burst out of the water at this treatment

and sizzled off on a run, shaking his head. I could feel him biting down on the lure repeatedly trying to kill it. Finally, Dan netted the 40-inch muskie and I was able to relax from the tension of the battle. What a beautiful impressive fish. I love fall fishing. Now’s the time temperatures are beginning to drop, the humidity with it, and suddenly there is a vibrancy in the air, an awakening of the senses, an anticipation of what is to come. Though all pick up on this to some degree, hunters and fishermen especially are sensitive to the beginning of fall and Continued on page 24 >>

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In the photo at left, Ryan Fontaine of Angelica shows a heavy rainbow trout caught in the Genesee River in Allegany County, while the photo at right shows another huge rainbow caught by Seth Boehnke of Wellsville. The two fly fishermen are veterans who became friends fishing the Genesee. Olean Times Herald | The Bradford Era | The Salamanca PRess

Leah Hayden of Bradford caught this nice muskie on the Allegheny Reservoir. She was leery of its teeth so her boyfriend, Logan Pessia, shows it off for her.

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Fishing

>> Continued from page 23

the promises it brings. When I think of fall fishing so many types come to my mind it’s a little confusing. Brown trout are running up local streams, the rainbows are pushing up the Lake Erie and Lake Ontario tributaries, muskies are on the feed and, of course, giant chinooks are spawning. What is a fisherman to do? If you love to fish for steelhead, it’s fairly easy to pick a time to fish. When the streams are low, as they generally are in early fall, the rainbows stack up outside the Lake Erie creek mouths. They’re waiting for a heavy rain and when the water rises, they’ll push up those streams in an almost solid wall of fish. I’ve actually felt them bumping

into my waders in cloudy water as they swim along. Now that is a thrill. On Lake Ontario, now is a great time to charter for chinooks. The fish are still green and healthy and make excellent eating. Making your own version of tuna fish by canning fish salmon from the lake is something I love to do. Chinooks also give you a real battle in the boat. Walleyes head for the deeper water and on Lake Chautauqua deep jigging is an excellent way to catch some nice walleyes and an occasional muskie. As I mentioned, muskies go on the prowl in the fall as the waters cool and the weeds begin dying; they move shallower and feed aggressively. It still

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takes some casting to catch them, but when you catch a muskie, they are special. No other fish gives one quite the satisfaction as do muskies. They’re unpredictable, savage, scare you many times darting aggressively after your lures and are dangerous in a boat thrashing around with all those teeth and hooks flying about. Always keep your tackle box closed and fastened. Brown trout run up streams in the fall and I have often caught and seen 20-inch fish in rather small streams only 2 to 3 feet wide. Some monsters come into the bays of the Allegheny Reservoir, especially Chappell Fork, where they’re stocked in the stream yearly and provide a constant source of fish making their way to the Kinzua arm of the reservoir

and growing very big in the deeper waters. Panfish such as perch school up in the fall and can provide some good fishing as well. Late in the year on cool evenings schools of sunfish surface on many larger lakes feeding on insects. They make small dimples on the water in a circle around 10 to 20 feet across and casting a small black spinner or tiny jig is a great way to catch numbers of fish. Pike come shallower as the water cools and later in the fall a bright sunny day will bring them up on rocky points where the water warms. Muskies do the same. So, whatever species you choose to chase, opportunities abound. The only problem is choosing which one.

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File photo The Great Pumpkin Festival in Bradford, set for Sept. 26, features a parade on Main Street.

Fall-themed events planned in McKean County • Sept. 26: The Great Pumpkin Fest. The 16th annual event in downtown Bradford is packed with free family fun noon to 5 p.m. with the Pitt-Bradford Kid Zone set for noon to 4 p.m. There will be live music, food vendors, classic hay rides, games and a festive parade. • Sept. 26: Black Cherry Jamboree at Wilds Sonshine Factory in Kane, 12:30 to 10 p.m. The event will feature live music on two stages, live chainsaw carv-

ers, woodsmen event demonstrations and family-friendly workshops for children.

ny Mountain Engine & Implement Association at its sidte on Route 155.

• Oct. 3: The Zippo/Case Museum & Flagship Store Harvest Fest, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Bradford. Stroll through a expansive antique car show, local dishes from food trucks and live entertainment.

• Oct. 10: Harvest Apple Festival, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at historic Crook Farm on Seaward Avenue, Bradford; featuring vendors, live country/ bluegrass music, a living history museum and demonstrations, food trucks and apple cider pressing.

• Oct. 3: Third Annual Allegheny Mountain Fall Car & Truck Show, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., hosted by Coudersport Car Shows and the Allega-

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• Oct. 10: The first Fall Fest at CJ Spirits, 120 Willow Run Drive, Kane, starting at noon. September 24, 2026

Entertainment will include Dagus Dan playing from 3 to 6 p.m.; the featured band, The Locals, from Youngstown, Ohio, playing from 6 to 9; and Thunderskulls wrapping up the night around the fire from 9 to 11 p.m. There will be a soup cook-off 1 to 4 p.m. Bring your carved pumpkin and the most votes wins a prize. Chili dogs and chili nachos will be served all day and there will be many local vendors.

Forest Service roads in ANF open for hunting seasons The Allegheny National Forest opened 144 forest roads on Sept. 19 to allow hunters access, with an additional nine forest roads opening at later dates. To plan your hunting trip, visit the Hunting & Shooting webpage to find road opening and closing dates, and the Visitor Maps and Guides webpage to find current road information and the interactive hunting map. Here are a few safety reminders to remember while recreating on forest roads: • Side roads are closed to vehicle traffic. • Roads are narrow and may be rough; high clearance vehicles are recommended. • Maintenance or timber sale activity can occur. • Weather, unsafe conditions or resource closures may happen. The following rules apply while using forest roads: • You must possess a Disabled Persons Permit issued by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to use roads reserved for disabled hunters. • Off-highway vehicle use is not allowed outside the designated ATV/OHM trail system at any time. • Non-motorized use — including hiking, biking and horseback

riding — is always allowed on gated roads. Regarding hunting and the discharge of firearms in the ANF: • No discharging a firearm in or within 150 yards of a developed recreation area, building or occupied area. • No discharging a firearm across or on a forest development road, body of water contiguous to a road or where any person or property is exposed to injury or damage. Exception: when lawfully engaged in waterfowl hunting you may shoot over a body of water contiguous to a road. • No posting NFS lands as private property and/or “reserving” a hunting location. Regarding raised platforms, stands and ground blinds: • Stands must be portable and temporary. No September 24, 2026

permanent structures are allowed. • Stands are not permitted until two weeks before the opening of the archery deer season, and they must be removed no later than two weeks after the close of the flintlock and late archery deer season. • Stands must be clearly identified with the owner’s name, address and phone number or with a PA Game Commission CID number or a PA Game Commission tree stand number. • Portable ground blinds may remain after each day’s hunt but must be removed within the time constraints noted above. • Fasteners for portable ground blinds cannot penetrate the bark of a tree. • Blinds may be made of dead, natural materials and/or can have

netting, cloth or plastic added to them. The material cannot be permanently attached to the blind and must be removed each day. • Natural materials must be scattered at the close of the season or when the blind is abandoned. • Constructed blinds must be removed at the end of the season. • Trail Cameras: Cameras and other game surveillance equipment must be clearly identified with the owner’s name, address and phone number or PGC CID number/tree stand number. • Trapping is allowed with appropriate permits and licenses available through the Game Commission. For questions, contact the Bradford Ranger District Office at (814) 3624613 or the Marienville Ranger District Office at (814) 927-6628.

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Andrew Rodriguez of Cuba shows off a 40-inch muskie from the Allegheny River in Eldred back in March. “It was a crispy March morning and I decided to try my luck on the river bank. Caught two that morning, this one being the biggest. Luck was on my side that morning!”

Justin Frazier of Enchanted Mountain Fishing is with his son Briggs with a nice brown trout on the upper Allegheny River in Potter County in the early spring.

September 24, 2026

Jeffrey Lampack of Olean caught this great smallmouth bass from the bank of the Allegheny River in Olean in back in June. Olean Times Herald | The Bradford Era | The Salamanca PRess

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September 24, 2026

Hunting tree stand setups are more diverse than ever By STEVE SHERK

Arguably the greatest invention ever for deer hunters is the tree stand. The first commercially made stand came from a man named Andy Anders, of Jacksonville, Florida. Anders was a World War II sniper. He got the “treestand” idea from observing Japanese snipers using bamboo platforms in the treetops. Anders’ stand was made from tubular metal and plywood. For the last 70-plus years, tree stands have evolved into an incredible tool for the deer hunter. I can remember when I first started bowhunting in the ‘90s, my first tree stand was an 8-foot wooden ladder stand that my uncle helped me build. The stand weighed nearly 100 pounds and it took at least two good-sized guys to haul it into the woods. Nevertheless, I shot multiple deer from that stand but it was an absolute chore to move from place to place. Then, in my late teens, I purchased a Summit sit and climb stand. To this day, these types of stands are still my favorite. I went from lugging around about 100 pounds of wood to strapping less than 20 pounds of aluminum on my back. The climbing-style stand was a game

September 24, 2026

changer for me. In fact, once I was able to become more mobile, my success as a deer hunter drastically started increasing. The fact that I was able to constantly move to fresh hunting locations allowed me to always be in the “hot spot” vs. sitting in one particular spot for days and then alerting deer of my presence as well as not being able to adjust as fast when deer patterns changed. Nowadays, the comfort aspect from a tree stand is at an all-time high. Aluminum ladder stands and lock-on style stands are nearly as comfortable as new living room furniture. Comfortability is a major need for hunters because they can sit for longer hours when they aren’t battling discomfort. In my opinion, the best type of tree stand is anything that is lightweight and mobile. One of the most popular types of stands right now is what is called the “tree saddle.” This is an extremely lightweight option that comes with a small platform for your feet and a harness for your rear end to sit on. Most saddle hunters use three or four lightweight climbing sticks to climb up the tree. Honestly, I think the tree saddle is more of a deer hunting fad than anyContinued on page 32 >>

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Brian Ramadhan of Olean holds a huge lake trout caught by his daughter, Keilani Ramadhan, during an outing this past May on Lake Erie out of Barcelona Harbor. The big laker, Keilani’s first, was caught on a magnum spoon behind a dipsy diver. Olean Times Herald | The Bradford Era | The Salamanca PRess

Caleb Couse of Kane caught this big rock bass Aug. 30 while fishing in the East Branch Clarion Reservoir near Wilcox.

This photo shows the youth hunter group at the end of the Houghton Fly Fishing Club’s Oct. 18, 2025 opening day pheasant hunt in Bliss. Participants called it an epic hunt in that all of the young hunters bagged at least one pheasant.

September 24, 2026

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thing else. They have only been popular for about 5-6 years now. The only true advantage to a saddle is that the set-up is extremely lightweight. These days you can get an entire saddle package for less than 10 pounds. The cons of a tree saddle are comfort, shooting challenges as well not being able to blend in due to the fact that you are leaning out from the tree. If I were to use a saddle, I would spend a lot of time in it before hunting season both shooting as well as getting a feel for the awkwardness of it. I know hunters who have hunted out of saddles for half a day and dealt with extremely sore legs due to the odd angles of having to lean and stand for several hours. Nonetheless, if you can get by some of the challenges that come with using a tree saddle, you will have the most lightweight mobile hunting setup on the market, as well as the ability to climb almost any tree in the woods. I know some saddle hunters who

September 24, 2026

are hunting in trees so skinny that you can almost get your hands around. All in all, the tree saddle is not for every deer hunter, but if you can get used to them, they can be a really effective tool. Personally, I still mainly use sit and climbers. They are arguably the most comfortable and the ones I use weigh only around 20 pounds. The only disadvantage for me is that at times I’m limited to climbing certain trees due to an excessive amount of branches. Climbing stands need a fairly straight tree with no limbs. Fortunately, in this part of the state, the vast amount of hardwoods make it ideal for using climbers. When it comes to tree stand preference, I think it all depends on each hunter’s style of hunting and the amount of comfort they need in a stand. Some hunters only feel comfortable in ladder stands, but their mobility is limited. As far as having the most success being a tree stand hunter, using a mobile style setup is the way to go.

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Warren County, Pennsylvania

2024 PA RIVER & TRAIL OF THE YEAR!

PHOTO BY ROSIE MARKETING

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Barron Snyder called in these two coyotes during a predator hunt on Aug. 28 near Oswayo in Potter County. Olean Times Herald | The Bradford Era | The Salamanca PRess

Troy Johnson teaches his grandson, Brooks Blauser, the technique of jig fishing in the Allegheny Reservoir in the Red Bridge area in McKean County.

David Crowe of Bolivar caught this 24inch largemouth bass in Case Lake near Franklinville on Sept. 1, 2025. At an estimated 7 pounds it’s the largest bass he’s ever caught — and he brought it in using ultra-light gear while fishing for crappie.

September 24, 2026

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With Skywalk open, visits to Kinzua Bridge State Park ramping up By JIM ECKSTROM

MOUNT JEWETT — Kinzua Bridge State Park has already seen an influx of visitors with the temporary reopening of the Skywalk and Kinzua Valley Trail for the fall season. The Skywalk and trail are open through Oct. 31 for the fall season and will close again for the ongoing restoration work on the former viaduct. At the height of fall foliage season, the park is among the most popular destinations in rural Pennsylvania. Visitation during the fall season is particularly intense given that the Skywalk and trail to the valley floor have been closed for most of the past two years because of the rehabilitation work on the steel towers that are still standing as well as the Skywalk decking. On July 21, 2003, an F-1 tornado, with winds calculated at 94 mph, partially destroyed the viaduct — 11 of the 20 support towers still lie in the valley below. The Skywalk was developed to still allow visitors the experience of walking out on the remaining structure, far above the valley. After Oct. 31, both the Skywalk and the valley trail will close again so contractors can resume

work on the structure, although the park itself, including the world-class visitor center, remain open for normal hours. Rehabilitation work on the structure is scheduled to be completed in time for fall foliage viewing in 2027. “We are excited to welcome visitors back to one of the most beautiful fall foliage viewpoints in the state for leaf-peeping and enjoying the natural beauty of one of our most unique state parks,” said State Parks Director John Hallas. “Those visiting the region are encouraged to supplement the trip to Kinzua Bridge with visits to nearby Bendigo State Park, Elk State Park and Elk State Forest lands, which are great places to experience the natural beauty of the Pennsylvania Wilds. “We thank the public for its continued cooperation during the scheduled work,” he added. The influx of visitors in the fall often forces park personnel to institute rolling gate closures, particularly on Saturdays and Sundays. “Once designated parking has reached capacity, additional visitors will be turned away at the gate,” park officials state. “Gate Continued on page 35 >>

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Kinzua Bridge State Park closures will be conducted as a series of rolling closures throughout the day, and will occur based upon observed visitor numbers.” For safety reasons during the gate closures, visitors are not permitted to park off Lindholm Road and walk into the park on Viaduct Road. Individuals wanting to enter the park via the MJ2KB section of the Knox and Kane Rail Trail are asked to utilize trailheads outside of the park and bike or walk in rather than using the park as a trailhead. The Mount Jewett trailhead parking area off Center Street is about 4 miles from the state park. “To avoid these interruptions to your visit, please consider visiting

>> Continued from page 34

File photo The Kinzua Bridge State Park Skywalk is temporarily reopened for the fall season.

during the week if possible,” park officials suggest. Officials also remind visitors there could be times during the fall period that the Skywalk and trail are closed for unforeseen circumstances, related to weather or

maintenance operations. Visitors are asked to heed all posted signage in and around these areas.

Fall Festival canceled for 2026

Meanwhile, the Kinzua Bridge Foundation canceled the annual Kinzua

Bridge State Park Fall Festival, which would have been coming up in later September. The foundation indicated on its webpage the cancellation was due to a shortage of active board members, leading to a decision “to focus on rebuilding membership and then determining what projects could be funded to benefit the State Park in the future.” The foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the bridge, the promotion of its historical and cultural significance and the further development of the park. Anyone interested in becoming a member may email kbf@kinzuabridgefoundation.com.

Fall festivals, activities coming to Ellicottville By Kellen M. Quigley

ELLICOTTVILLE — The falling leaves and multicolored hills are the perfect backdrop for all that’s happening in Ellicottville and the surrounding area this fall. Ellicottville will host its annual Fall Festival Oct. 10 and 11 when festival-goers from all over the United States and Canada will Continued on page 36 >>

File photo Festival-goers will flock to Ellicottville’s Fall Festival Oct. 10 and 11 to experience a lively weekend of tasty foods, fine art, arts and crafts, entertainment for kids, great music, scenic chairlift rides, mountain top cookouts and more.

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September 24, 2026

Ellicottville

Photos courtesy of Rock City Park

>> Continued from page 35

Rock City Park a perfect destination in the fall

File photo Guests visiting during Fall Festival weekend will have the opportunity to ride the Mardi Gras 6 Express at Holiday Valley. Once at the top, there will be food, drinks and music for everyone to enjoy along with some of the best views in the area.

flock to the village, as well as Holiday Valley and HoliMont ski resorts, for a lively weekend of family fun. Each year since 1975, Ellicottville’s oldest and largest festival has gotten bigger and better, with vendors featuring tasty foods, fine art, arts and crafts, entertainment for kids, great music, scenic chairlift rides and more. At Holiday Valley, guests visiting during Fall Festival weekend will have the opportunity to ride the Mardi Gras 6 Express. Once at the top, there will be food, drinks and music for everyone to enjoy along with some of the best views in the area. For a different view of the beautiful fall foliage, ride the lift to Spruce Lake. Sky High Adventure Park will still be open that weekend, along with the

mountain coaster. A list of scheduled activities and other information will be posted online at ellicottvilleny. com. On Oct. 26, the EVL Halloween Half Marathon will kick off on Monroe Street, featuring a Half Marathon and a Half Marathon Relay at 11 a.m. as well as a 5K Run at 11:15 a.m. Holiday Valley will host its Beer & Wine Festival on Nov. 6 with the Crawl Outta Fall event and Nov. 7, when samples of some of the area’s exceptional brews, fine wines, tasty seltzers and exceptional ciders will be offered. The ticketed Saturday event takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. in two sessions at the Main Lodge. For more details, visit holidayvalley.com. September 24, 2026

OLEAN — Rock City Park, a wonder that has drawn visitors since the 1800s, can be one of the best destinations in the region for the fall season. The park features a trail system that runs through one of the largest known exposures of Olean conglomerate, estimated to be approximately 320 million years old. Olean conglomerate was formed by sediments from the young Appalachian mountains in present day Canada transported south by rivers and compacted into the rock formations you see today. The maximum recorded thickness of this conglomerate is at Rock City Park and is 80 feet. Since glaciers during the last ice age stopped their southward journey just north of Olean, the Olean conglomerate formations were not scraped away by the advancing ice. Instead, Rock City Park was created by the collision of the African and North American continents which forced up the Appalachian Mountains. The park continues to be a major draw not only for Olean-area residents, but visitors from across

the U.S. and beyond. During fall foliage season, it offers some of the most breathtaking views and remains open daily through Oct. 31. Also coming up is the annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show, which is set for Oct. 3-4 and will feature jewelry and rock and gem vendors and food and beverages, while the museum, gift shop and Rock City Trail will be open. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. New this year at Rock City is a series of wooden bridges with hand rails on the upper portion of the rocks, making is easier and more accessible to get across some of the crevices. The season at Rock City Park runs from May 1 through Oct. 31, with open hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with the last ticket sold at 4 p.m. Tickets, which cost $8 per adult, $7 for seniors and $5 for children 12 and under, include parking, admission to the gift shop in addition to the hiking trail, which takes approximately 45 minutes to tour. Group and military discounts are also available. For more information, call (866) 505-ROCK.

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Explore Allegany State Park during the fall season Virtually anywhere in the Twin Tiers region is a beautiful place to explore and enjoy during the fall. But an extra-special destination in the region has always been Allegany State Park, offering more than 50,000 acres of beautiful forest scenery that puts on its best show in later September and through October. The Red House area is known for the historic tudor-style Administration Building with everything centrally located around Red House Lake. It offers 5 miles of paved bike paths

and fishing in the lake as well as kayaking and canoeing. The Administration Building features a natural history museum, regional headquarters and a gift shop. Thunder Rocks is an impressive bedrock city that allows for the nature lover to see the hidden beauty that this park is known for. The Stone Tower structure shows vistas of the rolling hills of mature forests. Continued on page 38 >>

Olean Times Herald | The Bradford Era | The Salamanca PRess

File photo Two men fishing from a boat on Quaker Lake in Allegany State Park are surrounded by fall colors.

September 24, 2026

Allegany State Park >> Continued from page 37

FALL IN LOVE WITH WHERE YOU LIVE.

ZIMMERMAN REALTY LLC 391 E Main St, Bradford, PA 16701

(814)596-0041

Michelle Zimmerman Broker / Owner

Cell: (814)331-9564 LOCAL KNOWLEDGE • PERSONAL SERVICE • PROVEN RESULTS

75 Forman St. Bradford, PA 814-362-4418

File photo The Thomas Kelly Covered Bridge in the Red House area of Allegany State Park.

Many beaver ponds are a good place to observe the diversity of wildlife located in the park. The Quaker area is known for its two lakes and wonderful camping experiences. The many hiking trails give opportunities to explore the naturally formed caves, plus the diversity of plants and wildlife. The former Quaker store has been completely restored and now houses a park museum. Interesting exhibits document the history of Allegany State Park as “The Wilderness Play-

ground of Western New York,” and orients visitors to the parks unique features and attractions, both past and present. Allegany’s mixed hemlock/hardwood forest, mountains, rolling hills and meadows, streams, ponds and lakes attract devoted outdoors enthusiasts year-round. There are hundreds of campsites and cabins in both the Red House and Quaker areas of ASP — with camping during the fall season often a bit quieter than during the summer season.

608 N. Fraley St. Kane, PA 814-837-7500

Open Daily 38

September 24, 2026

Olean Times Herald | The Bradford Era | The Salamanca PRess

September 24, 2026

Olean Times Herald | The Bradford Era | The Salamanca PRess