May 21, 2025 • 23 mins
There’s a phrase that I’ve used during my previous interviews that sometimes sets my guests off. I guess I can understand. It could come across as being insulting, but I never mean it that way. That phrase is ‘Middle of Nowhere.’ Or sometimes I’ll say ‘Off The Beaten Path.’ Some guests take that as my way of saying it’s boring or slow.
But today’s guest gets it and they even pride themselves on that label. We’re heading out to Western Pennsylvania to visit Indiana County. They hang their hat on being in the middle of nowhere. In fact, they say that’s a big reason why people come to visit them. People want to disconnect, unplug and touch grass.
But don’t start thinking that there isn’t anything to do in Indiana County. It’s quite the opposite. There’s a lot happening there from music festivals, performance art and plenty of Christmas celebrations.
Joining me today is Laura Herrington. She’s the Executive Director of the Indiana County tourist bureau. We had a great conversation about all the things someone can do while visiting the Christmas Tree capital of the world.
But today’s guest gets it and they even pride themselves on that label. We’re heading out to Western Pennsylvania to visit Indiana County. They hang their hat on being in the middle of nowhere. In fact, they say that’s a big reason why people come to visit them. People want to disconnect, unplug and touch grass.
But don’t start thinking that there isn’t anything to do in Indiana County. It’s quite the opposite. There’s a lot happening there from music festivals, performance art and plenty of Christmas celebrations.
Joining me today is Laura Herrington. She’s the Executive Director of the Indiana County tourist bureau. We had a great conversation about all the things someone can do while visiting the Christmas Tree capital of the world.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Good morning everyone, or maybe it's afternoon or evening. I
don't know when you're listening to this, but thank you
and welcome to Delightful Destinations. My name is Jeff Saint Pierre.
This is episode thirty two of the show. If it's
your first time checking us out, I just want to
say thank you so much for giving us some of
your time. Delightful Destinations is a program that I created
so I can talk to representatives from different locations around
(00:24):
the country and learn more about these beautiful places that
we have all around us. I'm always looking for an
excuse to get away from home, and I hope this
show will help inspire you the next time you're looking
to escape the daily grind. Here's a phrase that I've
used during my previous interviews that sometimes sets my guests
off a little bit, and I guess I can understand
why it could come across as being insulting, but I
(00:46):
never mean it that way. I do think there's a
value to this phrase, and that is middle of nowhere,
or sometimes i'll say off the beaten path. I think
some guests take that as my way of saying that
their area or their place is boring or slow. But
today's guest gets it, and they even pride themselves on
that label. We're heading out to western Pennsylvania to visit
Indiana County. They hang their hat on being in the
(01:08):
middle of nowhere. In fact, they say that's a big
reason why people come to visit them. People want to disconnect,
they want to unplug or touch grass, as the kids
are saying on social media right now. But don't start
thinking that there isn't anything to do in Indiana County.
It's quite the opposite. There's a lot happening there from
music festivals, performance art, and plenty of Christmas celebrations. Joining
me today is Laura Harrington. She's the executive director of
(01:31):
the Indiana County Tourist Bureau. We had a great conversation
about all the things someone can do while visiting the
Christmas Tree capital of the world.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Thank you. Great to meet you as well.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
So tell me a little bit about Indiana County, Pennsylvania.
I think the extent to which I know Indiana County
is probably from the school IUP because I always thought
it was funny there was an Indiana University in Pennsylvania.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Correct, But IUP is the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and
they are a great community partner, I might add, and
they actually are celebrating their one hundred and fiftieth anniversary
this academic year, so twenty twenty five and twenty six,
there will be a lot of exciting events, starting with
(02:15):
the kickoff of Welcoming Back to the students in August,
so looking forward to that.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
So besides the school, give me a little background about
Indiana County.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
Well, Indiana County, if you didn't know, is the Christmas
Tree Capital of the world. We got that claim to fame.
We were dubbed that title from an AP reporter who
back in the fifties was doing a story about the
Christmas tree industry and at the time, we were shipping
hundreds of thousands of Christmas trees across the country, even
(02:47):
across the sea to troops. That tradition continues with an
annual Trees for Troops Day, which occurs here in Indiana County,
also in other counties, but in December, your early in
the month, there's a treefs for Troops Day and we
celebrate that legacy and then honor our veterans who are
(03:08):
serving our country. So beyond the Christmas Tree Capital of
the world Indiana County. We're located about sixty miles east
of Pittsburgh. We're on the eastern side of the Pittsburgh
and Its Countryside region and the western side of Central
PA region, so we're above the Laurel Highlands region and
below Clarion and Clearfield, so we're within a nice day
(03:32):
drive of all points within Pennsylvania. We're also known as
the hometown of Jimmy Stewart. Jimmy Stewart was born and
raised in Indiana, Pennsylvania.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
I didn't know that. Is there another famous I don't
even know if I could say animal from your area
as well.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
We have a famous neighbor Punksatawni. Phil in Punksatawni, Pennsylvania,
and that's a short forty five minute drive from Indiana.
Round Hog's Day is February second every year, and we
have a lot of folks who love to come spend
the weekend in our area, lodge in our area, and
(04:11):
then drive up to see Phil on February second, so
brings a lot of excitement. They're great community partners as well.
In punts at Tawny and that's a neighboring county. Jefferson County.
But you know, when you're traveling, you're not really looking
at what county you're in, right, You're just looking for
what there is to see and do. And I have
(04:33):
to say that we have a lot to offer. We
have a little bit of everything.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Nobody sees the lines drawn on the map when they're
driving around. All they see is I got a hotel here,
and there's some beautiful things for me to do while
i'm staying.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
I love that. Okay, so a lot of cool things
going on in Indiana County. I have to say, I'm
pretty sure I've driven through the area before because I
lived in the Philadelphia area for about eight years. But
I've made my way across the state a few different times,
and I'm pretty positive i've gone through. But again, as
you say, you don't se the lines when you're driving.
You just kind of find yourself in these areas. But
I just remember that sort of western ish part of
(05:06):
Pennsylvania being such a beautiful space.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
It really is a beautiful space. We're surrounded by Appalachian
mountain range. Chestnut Ridge is the most is the closest
and the highly traveled corridor of Route twenty two. Drives
through our county in a community by the name of Blairsville.
If you're traveling the turnpike, you would get off of
(05:30):
the turnpike either at Bedford or even the Monroeville exits.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Gotcha, Okay, yeah, looking you're a little bit north of
the turnpike, because I think that's probably the most that
I've driven through is taken the turnpike through there. But
we've definitely gone off the beaten path and tried to
experience all that the Western Pennsylvania area has to offer, because,
as I mentioned, it's just, I don't know, there's just
something about it. Like the eastern side from say, you know,
Central like Harrisburg on out to Philadelphia. There's a lot
(05:58):
of stuff going on up there, but once you get Passburg,
it's a lot of open space.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
In that area, there is a lot of open space.
And we are a highly agricultural community, so we still
have a lot of farmers farming the land around our
area and it just makes for a beautiful landscape. True.
And we even have a small Amish community in northwestern
Indiana County. The part of our county is called Smicksburg,
(06:24):
so there's an old order Amish community that has resident there,
so they're still farming by the old mannerisms with the
horses and horse drawn plows and the corn shocks. It's
just beautiful, especially in the fall. And in the fall
we have some unique festivals and activities that folks can do.
(06:49):
So I like to hear you say off the beaten Path,
because that's the traveler that we would like to attract,
our folks that are looking to disconnect, simplify, enjoy living,
enjoy being with your family, hiking, biking, up, shopping and eating.
I mean, what else is there a great, great pastime
(07:12):
to just relax and unwind.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
I'm glad that you said that that that's the person
that you're looking for and you're trying to attract because
I've spoken to a lot of other folks in positions
like yours, and when I say off the beaten Path
or when I you know, reference I don't want to
use this term, but when I reference me like kind
of middle of nowhere, people sort of feel like I
get the impression that they're sort of offended by that,
and I don't mean it that way. I think there
is there's a place that people want to be like that, right,
(07:37):
like they want to get away from the hustle and bustle.
Maybe they don't want to go to a big resort somewhere.
They just want to go where it's calm and there's
some outdoor space and they can hike, and they can
just turn off the cell phones for a little while
and just experience life together. And I'm glad that you
you acknowledge that that Indiana County can provide that opportunity
to people.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Absolutely, we can do that, And we'd like to say
that we are a small town community with big town amenities,
because you had mentioned earlier that with the Indiana University
of Pennsylvania, they have a fantastic lively arts program, so
they bring in performing arts. Just most recently we hosted
(08:16):
the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra here in our small town. So
now we don't have to pay the high cost to
park to travel into the big city. You can spend
the weekend here in our smaller community at affordable rates,
enjoy a high culture event, and go out and hike
(08:38):
the Ghost Town Trail the next day hiker vike. So
a lot of opportunities to unwind. But then also if
you're looking for some theater or museum arts and culture.
We have that to offer as well.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Let's start with the outdoor recreation that you have, because
it does sound like you've got a lot of opportunities
for folks. There mentioned one trail, what was that ghost
Town Trail? Is that what you just mentioned?
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Yes, the ghost Town Trail and that trail is stretches
from our county into the Cambria County and it's just
a beautiful rails to trails trail. So it's highly maintained,
very well and very accessible and offers unique views of
the beautiful countryside.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
What about Buttermilk Falls, I've seen that pop up a
couple different times.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Sure, Buttermilk Falls is a forty five foot waterfall and
it's a real gem, hidden gem in our area. It's
situated on forty eight acres of natural area, so it's
beautiful in its own right. It's the property was once
owned by Fred mcpheely does if that dame sounds familiar
to you, he was the grandfather of Fred Rogers of
(09:50):
children's television thing. It is a stop on the Fred
Rogers Trail, which is promoted with the Laurel Highlands region
as well. But this is one of our largest attractions.
Folks travel from all around to Buttermilk Falls. We estimate
about thirty thousand visitors a year at Buttermilk Falls. People
get married there. There's a lovely pavilion at the top
(10:12):
of the falls. You can have a picnic lunch, you
can walk down an accessible trail that has some trivia
questions about Fred Rogers and mister Rogers neighborhood. You can eat,
and there's a viewing platform. For the adventurous types, you
can actually walk down to the falls and walk behind
(10:33):
the falls themselves. So it's a real unique opportunity and
a unique view of a beautiful site in our area.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
That sounds like a lot of fun. Actually, any other
trails that you want to highlight while we're talking here.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Well, another one of our popular rails to trails is
the Hohodlebug Trail and that stretches from downtown Indiana to
Homer City and then it connects with the Ghost Town
Trail at the Sailor Park. There's also a smaller trail
called the Blairsville Riverfront Trail, and Blairsville is a smaller
community in the southern section of our county, which is
(11:10):
just a very easy walk bike along the riverfront there
and Blairsville. It's about a three mile long trail.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
It all sounds so beautiful, and I'm just getting this
mental image of these wonderful trails just going through the countryside,
if you will. And when you say rails to trails,
I'm guessing these are old railroads they turned into trails
for people to use.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
They are, yes, And the Ghost Town Trail actually was
awarded the Pennsylvania Trail of the Year from the DCNR
in twenty twenty, so it's quite an honor to receive
that acknowledgement.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Before we move on, is there a place or a
website where people can go, like a good central location
for folks to find more information and maybe start planning
their trip. Oh.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Sure. The Tourist Bureau has a very robust website that
we work to keep updated with upcoming events and things
to do. Is visit Indiana Countypa dot org. You can
find any links to other information, or you're welcome to
call our office and we will help folks to create
(12:13):
an itinery guide them on some things to do while
they're in our area or just passing through.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
You mentioned earlier in this conversation that Jimmy Stewart is
from Indiana County, so I have to imagine you've got
some Jimmy Stewart stuff people can check out.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
We do, thanks for asking, because there is a Jimmy
Stewart Museum, which was supported by Jimmy Stewart himself. They
opened their doors in nineteen ninety five and Jimmy Stewart
was actually here for the opening that coincided with his
birthday celebration. So this year the museum is celebrating their
(12:48):
thirtieth anniversary and they are a big draw to our area.
There are a lot of quite a lot of Jimmy
Stewart fans out there. Some are aging out, but the
we're trying to reach out to the younger population and
just introduce them to Jimmy Stewart, who he was, what
he represented, His moral qualities, characteristics really are representative of
(13:15):
our region. Hard working, humble, and he also served our country,
so he's got quite a military backgrounds, which is also
represented at that museum. So I encourage folks to come
by and check it out. Take you about two hours
or so to go through the museum. There's a lot
(13:35):
packed in there. They offer rotating exhibits throughout the year,
and I couldn't. I have to mention It's a Wonderful
Life because that's one of the movies that he was
that Jimmy Stewart start in, which has really helped to
attract the younger population. I hear that you have a
(13:56):
young daughter, and perhaps that will become a tradition for
you to watch this movie when it's appropriate to just
about the about life and what the movie represents. It's
really neat. So we have developed an annual festival that
is themed It's a Wonderful Life Festival. It kicks off
(14:19):
our holiday season with a larger than life tree lighting
in our downtown area there and we light a thirty
foot Christmas tree, a live Christmas tree, because we are
the Christmas Tree capital of the world. And then that
follows with a parade down Philadelphia Street. So it's about
(14:39):
an eighty eighty five ninety unit parade. It takes a
good hour and a half or so for the parade,
but folks come from all around to just be involved
in the excitement of the holidays and start their festivities
with the arrival of Santa and in this high energy
holiday parade, and that occurs. It is a lot of fun.
(15:03):
It's great family fun, and it occurs the Friday before
Thanksgiving on an annual basis, so this year it will
be November twenty. First tree lighting is at six point thirty.
There are children's activities leading up to the tree lighting
and occurring throughout the evening and it's just a real
(15:23):
feel good event.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Here. You talk about, you know, being the Christmas tree Capital,
and also you know the stuff that you do for
it's a wonderful life and your celebrations for Christmas. I
have to imagine has Hallmark reached out to you to
film some movies in your area. It just seems like
a natural fit.
Speaker 2 (15:37):
It does seem like a natural fit. So we've made
quite a bit of press regarding a Hallmark esque town,
but we haven't actually connected with Hallmarks.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
So we got to make this happen for you.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
That's on my bucket list.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
If I make any connections, I'll make this happen for you. Okay,
thank you, I'm on it too now I feel like
it needs to happen.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
Would be great.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
You've met your festival Grand Marshalls. Oh, I would love to.
I would love nothing more. It is Hallmark Channel. I'm
not even kidding you. I know it's weird because I'm
a male in his forties, but once the Christmas movies
start on Hallmark Channel, it's like the only thing my
wife and I have on TV for that, you know,
two three months period. We never turn.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
It's a special time of year, that's for sure, and
we take full advantage of.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
It as you should. As you should, and I know,
like I grew up in New Hampshire, in the southern
end of New Hampshire, but as you started to go north,
you found yourself in the more smaller towns, a little
bit more space, and summertime and the fall time was
just so beautiful and there were always, you know, festivals
popping up, different things that you could run into. And
I imagine Indiana County you also have a similar thing.
(16:45):
I bet you've got a lot of great festivals and fairs.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
Oh we really do. And one of them is coming
up at the end of May here and it's the
Westylvania Jazz and Blues Festival. This has been a long
running festival ten plus years that it occurs on the
side street off of Philadelphia Street. They will close the
block of North Seventh Street and have music from the
(17:10):
morning till the night live and it's a really great
opportunity just to be out enjoy live music. There's an
educational piece with this festival where some of the performers
will meet with the high school students and work with
them on their special instrument, whatever that may be. But
(17:32):
this year they're expanding to include art, so there will
be the Wesselbania Art Festival, which will also be occurring
on May twenty fourth. So for more information about this festival,
you can visit their website Wesselbania Jazz and Blues dot
org and that'll give you a lineup of performers for
this year. But you can keep abreast of this annual
(17:56):
event as we move forward.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
I've actually heard of this festival before. I've heard of
this happening. I didn't realize it was up. Why you guys,
it is.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
Yes, let me know if you come, because it's a
great time and our downtown areas is just so beautiful
and we just encourage folks to get takeout from the
local restaurants. We have a lot of locally owned and
operated restaurants, so we do have some chains, but I
like to promote our family owned restaurants. You can get
(18:26):
takeout food. There are some tables in IRMC Park, or
you bring your own chair. Be sure you bring your
own chair because there may not be enough chairs. But
there's also food trucks available, and we have a couple
of local breweries that represent and sell their products during
the festivals.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
So it all sounds great. I also would imagine Indiana
County has got some pretty good like I bet your
County Fair is great. I bet you've got some town
fairs that pop up as well.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
We do. We have an annual Indiana County Agricultural Fair
that happens week before Labor Day, so the end of August,
there's a carnival, there's demolition derby, there's all the traditions
that you would think of when you think of a
county fair. And this has been going for over one
hundred and fifty years, so there's a lot to celebrate.
(19:15):
Our agricultural community is strong, and there are harness races
that occur the two days before the festival or the
county Fair kicks off, So the Thursday and Friday prior
to the County Fair, there's actual harness racing that takes
place right there at the back Park Fairgrounds, which are
(19:35):
qualifier races for higher up horse racing. Then we have
some smaller community fairs, ox Hill Fair. They are a
hard working group that relocated their actual fair grounds and
their new fairgrounds. They'll be entering their fourth year there.
They just continue to grow and add more exciting activities.
(19:56):
Their fair occurs during the week of Labor Day. And
then we have the Green Township Community Fair also known
as the Cookport Fair, which is the week after Labor
Day and again they offer live music, carnival rides, horse polls,
truck pulls, food vendors, four h exhibits, and so much more.
(20:17):
So it's a great opportunity to honor our agricultural routes.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
SOS, you got some great things that happened just about
every year, But do you have any new stuff for
twenty twenty five people should look forward to.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
We do have some new stuff. We have a new
venue in our area called the rain Drop and they've
been hosting live music. They will be expanding for outdoor
concerts this summer, so you could check out their schedule
of events at www. Rain drop in two dot com.
But have you heard the name Poll Tuttle of Paul
(20:51):
Tuttle Junior of American Choppers.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Or Sounds Failure Channel.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
Right, So poll Tuttle came to the rain Drop and said,
I want to hold the first annual American Bike Fest
in your venue. So in September, the September eleventh through
the thirteenth, We'll be hosting Paul Tuttle's first Paul Tuttle
(21:18):
Junior's first Annual American Bike Fest. September eleventh will be
a ride honoring our first responders. That will be a
ride through downtown Indiana, around the area and ending up
at the rain Drop. And then on the twelfth and
the thirteenth there will be special motorcycles on display. There
(21:40):
will be music by Molly Hatchett on Friday the twelfth
and then Hinder on the thirteenth, so we'll see. I
think this will be a really great new festival for
our area. There'll be a beer garden, camping vendors, a
kid zone, bike contests, and much more. And another new
(22:01):
event that will be happening the first time in our
area is the Sheep and Wolf Festival. So Pennsylvania Sheep
and Woolbrowers' Association are pleased to announce, in collaboration with
Armstrong County and Indiana County, the first Pennsylvania Sheep and
Wolf Festival. That's October eleventh through the twelfth, and that
(22:22):
will be at the Dayton Fairgrounds. And for more information,
you can visit pashepanwolfest dot com.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
You've got so much going on, Laurien's just I can't
imagine how you keep track of it in your position.
There's so much happening for you.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
There's a lot happening. We're good community, We've got great
community partners, and we all work together to move in
the same direction. Our website really is a good resource
for upcoming event information and if you're visiting the area
to get more information, and of course we're always here
for anybody that wants to just pick up the phone
and call and talk to us a little bit more
(22:56):
about what's happening in Indiana County, PA.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
Time. What is that website before we forget to mention it.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
Again, it's www dot visit Indiana Countypa dot org.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
Well, Laura Harrington, Executive director of the Indiana County Tours Bureau,
you have given me so much information, so much more
than I was expecting to hear about Indiana County today.
It really sounds like a beautiful place to live, a
beautiful place to visit, pop by whatever, it just sounds wonderful.
So thank you so much for sharing all this info
in US.
Speaker 2 (23:24):
It's my pleasure. Thank you for giving me the opportunity.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
Thank you to Laura Harrington for her time. For more
information and to start planning your visit to Indiana Countypa.
You can check out visit Indiana Countypa dot com and
thank you for listening to delightful destinations. Until next time,
be well,
Good morning everyone, or maybe it's afternoon or evening. I
don't know when you're listening to this, but thank you
and welcome to Delightful Destinations. My name is Jeff Saint Pierre.
This is episode thirty two of the show. If it's
your first time checking us out, I just want to
say thank you so much for giving us some of
your time. Delightful Destinations is a program that I created
so I can talk to representatives from different locations around
(00:24):
the country and learn more about these beautiful places that
we have all around us. I'm always looking for an
excuse to get away from home, and I hope this
show will help inspire you the next time you're looking
to escape the daily grind. Here's a phrase that I've
used during my previous interviews that sometimes sets my guests
off a little bit, and I guess I can understand
why it could come across as being insulting, but I
(00:46):
never mean it that way. I do think there's a
value to this phrase, and that is middle of nowhere,
or sometimes i'll say off the beaten path. I think
some guests take that as my way of saying that
their area or their place is boring or slow. But
today's guest gets it, and they even pride themselves on
that label. We're heading out to western Pennsylvania to visit
Indiana County. They hang their hat on being in the
(01:08):
middle of nowhere. In fact, they say that's a big
reason why people come to visit them. People want to disconnect,
they want to unplug or touch grass, as the kids
are saying on social media right now. But don't start
thinking that there isn't anything to do in Indiana County.
It's quite the opposite. There's a lot happening there from
music festivals, performance art, and plenty of Christmas celebrations. Joining
me today is Laura Harrington. She's the executive director of
(01:31):
the Indiana County Tourist Bureau. We had a great conversation
about all the things someone can do while visiting the
Christmas Tree capital of the world.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Thank you. Great to meet you as well.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
So tell me a little bit about Indiana County, Pennsylvania.
I think the extent to which I know Indiana County
is probably from the school IUP because I always thought
it was funny there was an Indiana University in Pennsylvania.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Correct, But IUP is the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and
they are a great community partner, I might add, and
they actually are celebrating their one hundred and fiftieth anniversary
this academic year, so twenty twenty five and twenty six,
there will be a lot of exciting events, starting with
(02:15):
the kickoff of Welcoming Back to the students in August,
so looking forward to that.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
So besides the school, give me a little background about
Indiana County.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
Well, Indiana County, if you didn't know, is the Christmas
Tree Capital of the world. We got that claim to fame.
We were dubbed that title from an AP reporter who
back in the fifties was doing a story about the
Christmas tree industry and at the time, we were shipping
hundreds of thousands of Christmas trees across the country, even
(02:47):
across the sea to troops. That tradition continues with an
annual Trees for Troops Day, which occurs here in Indiana County,
also in other counties, but in December, your early in
the month, there's a treefs for Troops Day and we
celebrate that legacy and then honor our veterans who are
(03:08):
serving our country. So beyond the Christmas Tree Capital of
the world Indiana County. We're located about sixty miles east
of Pittsburgh. We're on the eastern side of the Pittsburgh
and Its Countryside region and the western side of Central
PA region, so we're above the Laurel Highlands region and
below Clarion and Clearfield, so we're within a nice day
(03:32):
drive of all points within Pennsylvania. We're also known as
the hometown of Jimmy Stewart. Jimmy Stewart was born and
raised in Indiana, Pennsylvania.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
I didn't know that. Is there another famous I don't
even know if I could say animal from your area
as well.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
We have a famous neighbor Punksatawni. Phil in Punksatawni, Pennsylvania,
and that's a short forty five minute drive from Indiana.
Round Hog's Day is February second every year, and we
have a lot of folks who love to come spend
the weekend in our area, lodge in our area, and
(04:11):
then drive up to see Phil on February second, so
brings a lot of excitement. They're great community partners as well.
In punts at Tawny and that's a neighboring county. Jefferson County.
But you know, when you're traveling, you're not really looking
at what county you're in, right, You're just looking for
what there is to see and do. And I have
(04:33):
to say that we have a lot to offer. We
have a little bit of everything.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Nobody sees the lines drawn on the map when they're
driving around. All they see is I got a hotel here,
and there's some beautiful things for me to do while
i'm staying.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
I love that. Okay, so a lot of cool things
going on in Indiana County. I have to say, I'm
pretty sure I've driven through the area before because I
lived in the Philadelphia area for about eight years. But
I've made my way across the state a few different times,
and I'm pretty positive i've gone through. But again, as
you say, you don't se the lines when you're driving.
You just kind of find yourself in these areas. But
I just remember that sort of western ish part of
(05:06):
Pennsylvania being such a beautiful space.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
It really is a beautiful space. We're surrounded by Appalachian
mountain range. Chestnut Ridge is the most is the closest
and the highly traveled corridor of Route twenty two. Drives
through our county in a community by the name of Blairsville.
If you're traveling the turnpike, you would get off of
(05:30):
the turnpike either at Bedford or even the Monroeville exits.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Gotcha, Okay, yeah, looking you're a little bit north of
the turnpike, because I think that's probably the most that
I've driven through is taken the turnpike through there. But
we've definitely gone off the beaten path and tried to
experience all that the Western Pennsylvania area has to offer, because,
as I mentioned, it's just, I don't know, there's just
something about it. Like the eastern side from say, you know,
Central like Harrisburg on out to Philadelphia. There's a lot
(05:58):
of stuff going on up there, but once you get Passburg,
it's a lot of open space.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
In that area, there is a lot of open space.
And we are a highly agricultural community, so we still
have a lot of farmers farming the land around our
area and it just makes for a beautiful landscape. True.
And we even have a small Amish community in northwestern
Indiana County. The part of our county is called Smicksburg,
(06:24):
so there's an old order Amish community that has resident there,
so they're still farming by the old mannerisms with the
horses and horse drawn plows and the corn shocks. It's
just beautiful, especially in the fall. And in the fall
we have some unique festivals and activities that folks can do.
(06:49):
So I like to hear you say off the beaten Path,
because that's the traveler that we would like to attract,
our folks that are looking to disconnect, simplify, enjoy living,
enjoy being with your family, hiking, biking, up, shopping and eating.
I mean, what else is there a great, great pastime
(07:12):
to just relax and unwind.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
I'm glad that you said that that that's the person
that you're looking for and you're trying to attract because
I've spoken to a lot of other folks in positions
like yours, and when I say off the beaten Path
or when I you know, reference I don't want to
use this term, but when I reference me like kind
of middle of nowhere, people sort of feel like I
get the impression that they're sort of offended by that,
and I don't mean it that way. I think there
is there's a place that people want to be like that, right,
(07:37):
like they want to get away from the hustle and bustle.
Maybe they don't want to go to a big resort somewhere.
They just want to go where it's calm and there's
some outdoor space and they can hike, and they can
just turn off the cell phones for a little while
and just experience life together. And I'm glad that you
you acknowledge that that Indiana County can provide that opportunity
to people.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Absolutely, we can do that, And we'd like to say
that we are a small town community with big town amenities,
because you had mentioned earlier that with the Indiana University
of Pennsylvania, they have a fantastic lively arts program, so
they bring in performing arts. Just most recently we hosted
(08:16):
the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra here in our small town. So
now we don't have to pay the high cost to
park to travel into the big city. You can spend
the weekend here in our smaller community at affordable rates,
enjoy a high culture event, and go out and hike
(08:38):
the Ghost Town Trail the next day hiker vike. So
a lot of opportunities to unwind. But then also if
you're looking for some theater or museum arts and culture.
We have that to offer as well.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Let's start with the outdoor recreation that you have, because
it does sound like you've got a lot of opportunities
for folks. There mentioned one trail, what was that ghost
Town Trail? Is that what you just mentioned?
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Yes, the ghost Town Trail and that trail is stretches
from our county into the Cambria County and it's just
a beautiful rails to trails trail. So it's highly maintained,
very well and very accessible and offers unique views of
the beautiful countryside.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
What about Buttermilk Falls, I've seen that pop up a
couple different times.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Sure, Buttermilk Falls is a forty five foot waterfall and
it's a real gem, hidden gem in our area. It's
situated on forty eight acres of natural area, so it's
beautiful in its own right. It's the property was once
owned by Fred mcpheely does if that dame sounds familiar
to you, he was the grandfather of Fred Rogers of
(09:50):
children's television thing. It is a stop on the Fred
Rogers Trail, which is promoted with the Laurel Highlands region
as well. But this is one of our largest attractions.
Folks travel from all around to Buttermilk Falls. We estimate
about thirty thousand visitors a year at Buttermilk Falls. People
get married there. There's a lovely pavilion at the top
(10:12):
of the falls. You can have a picnic lunch, you
can walk down an accessible trail that has some trivia
questions about Fred Rogers and mister Rogers neighborhood. You can eat,
and there's a viewing platform. For the adventurous types, you
can actually walk down to the falls and walk behind
(10:33):
the falls themselves. So it's a real unique opportunity and
a unique view of a beautiful site in our area.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
That sounds like a lot of fun. Actually, any other
trails that you want to highlight while we're talking here.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Well, another one of our popular rails to trails is
the Hohodlebug Trail and that stretches from downtown Indiana to
Homer City and then it connects with the Ghost Town
Trail at the Sailor Park. There's also a smaller trail
called the Blairsville Riverfront Trail, and Blairsville is a smaller
community in the southern section of our county, which is
(11:10):
just a very easy walk bike along the riverfront there
and Blairsville. It's about a three mile long trail.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
It all sounds so beautiful, and I'm just getting this
mental image of these wonderful trails just going through the countryside,
if you will. And when you say rails to trails,
I'm guessing these are old railroads they turned into trails
for people to use.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
They are, yes, And the Ghost Town Trail actually was
awarded the Pennsylvania Trail of the Year from the DCNR
in twenty twenty, so it's quite an honor to receive
that acknowledgement.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Before we move on, is there a place or a
website where people can go, like a good central location
for folks to find more information and maybe start planning
their trip. Oh.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Sure. The Tourist Bureau has a very robust website that
we work to keep updated with upcoming events and things
to do. Is visit Indiana Countypa dot org. You can
find any links to other information, or you're welcome to
call our office and we will help folks to create
(12:13):
an itinery guide them on some things to do while
they're in our area or just passing through.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
You mentioned earlier in this conversation that Jimmy Stewart is
from Indiana County, so I have to imagine you've got
some Jimmy Stewart stuff people can check out.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
We do, thanks for asking, because there is a Jimmy
Stewart Museum, which was supported by Jimmy Stewart himself. They
opened their doors in nineteen ninety five and Jimmy Stewart
was actually here for the opening that coincided with his
birthday celebration. So this year the museum is celebrating their
(12:48):
thirtieth anniversary and they are a big draw to our area.
There are a lot of quite a lot of Jimmy
Stewart fans out there. Some are aging out, but the
we're trying to reach out to the younger population and
just introduce them to Jimmy Stewart, who he was, what
he represented, His moral qualities, characteristics really are representative of
(13:15):
our region. Hard working, humble, and he also served our country,
so he's got quite a military backgrounds, which is also
represented at that museum. So I encourage folks to come
by and check it out. Take you about two hours
or so to go through the museum. There's a lot
(13:35):
packed in there. They offer rotating exhibits throughout the year,
and I couldn't. I have to mention It's a Wonderful
Life because that's one of the movies that he was
that Jimmy Stewart start in, which has really helped to
attract the younger population. I hear that you have a
(13:56):
young daughter, and perhaps that will become a tradition for
you to watch this movie when it's appropriate to just
about the about life and what the movie represents. It's
really neat. So we have developed an annual festival that
is themed It's a Wonderful Life Festival. It kicks off
(14:19):
our holiday season with a larger than life tree lighting
in our downtown area there and we light a thirty
foot Christmas tree, a live Christmas tree, because we are
the Christmas Tree capital of the world. And then that
follows with a parade down Philadelphia Street. So it's about
(14:39):
an eighty eighty five ninety unit parade. It takes a
good hour and a half or so for the parade,
but folks come from all around to just be involved
in the excitement of the holidays and start their festivities
with the arrival of Santa and in this high energy
holiday parade, and that occurs. It is a lot of fun.
(15:03):
It's great family fun, and it occurs the Friday before
Thanksgiving on an annual basis, so this year it will
be November twenty. First tree lighting is at six point thirty.
There are children's activities leading up to the tree lighting
and occurring throughout the evening and it's just a real
(15:23):
feel good event.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Here. You talk about, you know, being the Christmas tree Capital,
and also you know the stuff that you do for
it's a wonderful life and your celebrations for Christmas. I
have to imagine has Hallmark reached out to you to
film some movies in your area. It just seems like
a natural fit.
Speaker 2 (15:37):
It does seem like a natural fit. So we've made
quite a bit of press regarding a Hallmark esque town,
but we haven't actually connected with Hallmarks.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
So we got to make this happen for you.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
That's on my bucket list.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
If I make any connections, I'll make this happen for you. Okay,
thank you, I'm on it too now I feel like
it needs to happen.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
Would be great.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
You've met your festival Grand Marshalls. Oh, I would love to.
I would love nothing more. It is Hallmark Channel. I'm
not even kidding you. I know it's weird because I'm
a male in his forties, but once the Christmas movies
start on Hallmark Channel, it's like the only thing my
wife and I have on TV for that, you know,
two three months period. We never turn.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
It's a special time of year, that's for sure, and
we take full advantage of.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
It as you should. As you should, and I know,
like I grew up in New Hampshire, in the southern
end of New Hampshire, but as you started to go north,
you found yourself in the more smaller towns, a little
bit more space, and summertime and the fall time was
just so beautiful and there were always, you know, festivals
popping up, different things that you could run into. And
I imagine Indiana County you also have a similar thing.
(16:45):
I bet you've got a lot of great festivals and fairs.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
Oh we really do. And one of them is coming
up at the end of May here and it's the
Westylvania Jazz and Blues Festival. This has been a long
running festival ten plus years that it occurs on the
side street off of Philadelphia Street. They will close the
block of North Seventh Street and have music from the
(17:10):
morning till the night live and it's a really great
opportunity just to be out enjoy live music. There's an
educational piece with this festival where some of the performers
will meet with the high school students and work with
them on their special instrument, whatever that may be. But
(17:32):
this year they're expanding to include art, so there will
be the Wesselbania Art Festival, which will also be occurring
on May twenty fourth. So for more information about this festival,
you can visit their website Wesselbania Jazz and Blues dot
org and that'll give you a lineup of performers for
this year. But you can keep abreast of this annual
(17:56):
event as we move forward.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
I've actually heard of this festival before. I've heard of
this happening. I didn't realize it was up. Why you guys,
it is.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
Yes, let me know if you come, because it's a
great time and our downtown areas is just so beautiful
and we just encourage folks to get takeout from the
local restaurants. We have a lot of locally owned and
operated restaurants, so we do have some chains, but I
like to promote our family owned restaurants. You can get
(18:26):
takeout food. There are some tables in IRMC Park, or
you bring your own chair. Be sure you bring your
own chair because there may not be enough chairs. But
there's also food trucks available, and we have a couple
of local breweries that represent and sell their products during
the festivals.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
So it all sounds great. I also would imagine Indiana
County has got some pretty good like I bet your
County Fair is great. I bet you've got some town
fairs that pop up as well.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
We do. We have an annual Indiana County Agricultural Fair
that happens week before Labor Day, so the end of August,
there's a carnival, there's demolition derby, there's all the traditions
that you would think of when you think of a
county fair. And this has been going for over one
hundred and fifty years, so there's a lot to celebrate.
(19:15):
Our agricultural community is strong, and there are harness races
that occur the two days before the festival or the
county Fair kicks off, So the Thursday and Friday prior
to the County Fair, there's actual harness racing that takes
place right there at the back Park Fairgrounds, which are
(19:35):
qualifier races for higher up horse racing. Then we have
some smaller community fairs, ox Hill Fair. They are a
hard working group that relocated their actual fair grounds and
their new fairgrounds. They'll be entering their fourth year there.
They just continue to grow and add more exciting activities.
(19:56):
Their fair occurs during the week of Labor Day. And
then we have the Green Township Community Fair also known
as the Cookport Fair, which is the week after Labor
Day and again they offer live music, carnival rides, horse polls,
truck pulls, food vendors, four h exhibits, and so much more.
(20:17):
So it's a great opportunity to honor our agricultural routes.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
SOS, you got some great things that happened just about
every year, But do you have any new stuff for
twenty twenty five people should look forward to.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
We do have some new stuff. We have a new
venue in our area called the rain Drop and they've
been hosting live music. They will be expanding for outdoor
concerts this summer, so you could check out their schedule
of events at www. Rain drop in two dot com.
But have you heard the name Poll Tuttle of Paul
(20:51):
Tuttle Junior of American Choppers.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Or Sounds Failure Channel.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
Right, So poll Tuttle came to the rain Drop and said,
I want to hold the first annual American Bike Fest
in your venue. So in September, the September eleventh through
the thirteenth, We'll be hosting Paul Tuttle's first Paul Tuttle
(21:18):
Junior's first Annual American Bike Fest. September eleventh will be
a ride honoring our first responders. That will be a
ride through downtown Indiana, around the area and ending up
at the rain Drop. And then on the twelfth and
the thirteenth there will be special motorcycles on display. There
(21:40):
will be music by Molly Hatchett on Friday the twelfth
and then Hinder on the thirteenth, so we'll see. I
think this will be a really great new festival for
our area. There'll be a beer garden, camping vendors, a
kid zone, bike contests, and much more. And another new
(22:01):
event that will be happening the first time in our
area is the Sheep and Wolf Festival. So Pennsylvania Sheep
and Woolbrowers' Association are pleased to announce, in collaboration with
Armstrong County and Indiana County, the first Pennsylvania Sheep and
Wolf Festival. That's October eleventh through the twelfth, and that
(22:22):
will be at the Dayton Fairgrounds. And for more information,
you can visit pashepanwolfest dot com.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
You've got so much going on, Laurien's just I can't
imagine how you keep track of it in your position.
There's so much happening for you.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
There's a lot happening. We're good community, We've got great
community partners, and we all work together to move in
the same direction. Our website really is a good resource
for upcoming event information and if you're visiting the area
to get more information, and of course we're always here
for anybody that wants to just pick up the phone
and call and talk to us a little bit more
(22:56):
about what's happening in Indiana County, PA.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
Time. What is that website before we forget to mention it.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
Again, it's www dot visit Indiana Countypa dot org.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
Well, Laura Harrington, Executive director of the Indiana County Tours Bureau,
you have given me so much information, so much more
than I was expecting to hear about Indiana County today.
It really sounds like a beautiful place to live, a
beautiful place to visit, pop by whatever, it just sounds wonderful.
So thank you so much for sharing all this info
in US.
Speaker 2 (23:24):
It's my pleasure. Thank you for giving me the opportunity.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
Thank you to Laura Harrington for her time. For more
information and to start planning your visit to Indiana Countypa.
You can check out visit Indiana Countypa dot com and
thank you for listening to delightful destinations. Until next time,
be well,
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.