It's time for the Whitetail Great Outdoors Festival
MERCERSBURG - Coming this weekend, Whitetail Resort is holding its 16th annual Great Outdoors Festival with activities for all ages ranging from balloon art to a paintball target shoot. The fun runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 and Sunday, Oct. 23.
One of the most popular events is DockDogs, a canine aquatic challenge, with representatives from the Keystone and Chesapeake Clubs. This sport, which has gone international, measures the longest jumps and highest leaps of the animals, among other criteria. Sign up you dog and see what he or she can do.
Sunday, runners get to choose their length, which means they can join either a 5K or 10K "Race around the Green," with the trail winding through the Whitetail Golf Course and surrounding grounds. "It includes both uphill and downhill terrain on the paved cart paths," said Katrina Gayman, director of marketing. This will be Whitetail's first such race and is open to everyone from beginners to veterans. Those who enter will also receive a T-shirt.
Kids can choose among a variety of activities from a hay maze to 4-H pony rides (there is a modest fee for this), to a barrel train or pumpkin decorating.
The whole family can enjoy a tour of the snow making facilities. This keeps the white in Whitetail, filling in when Mother Nature does not cooperate. It has even been known to make more of the white stuff than she does.
Among other activities at the Festival will include a chance to try out a climbing wall (there is also one especially for the young), take a chair lift ride to the top of the mountain (some 1,800 feet) where an awesome view of the fall foliage awaits, indulge in a pie eating contest, visit a petting zoo, or try out an archery target shoot.
Don't miss the annual Antique Car and Truck Show; if you have an oldie bring it along. Join in the voting for best of show and the people's choice.
Music will accompany the two days. Saturday the Rivers Band will be entertaining and on Sunday, the country rock sounds of Ragged Edge will ring throughout the area.
For dedicated skiers, there will be opportunities to explore the Whitetail Mountain Sports Shop sale for all kinds of winter gear from boots and snowboards, to clothing, hats, and gloves. Or check out the ski and board swap, sponsored by Whitetail's Ski Patrol. This is the perfect time to prepare for winter weather. And it is also a good time to pick up a 2016-2017 season pass or the Advantage Care which offers discounts.
A number of craft and food vendors will also be on hand, with a special nod to the Boy Scout Troop 95 which will be making the much-loved fall treat, apple butter.
"This is a fun-filled weekend with many activities for the entire family. It's an opportunity for those who don't ski or snowboard to visit our beautiful mountain," said Gayman.
WHEN YOU GO:
16th Annual Great Outdoors Festival
Saturday, October 22 and Sunday October 23
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Whitetail Resort
13805 Blairs Valley Road, Mercersburg
For information, call 717-328-9400 or visit www.skiwhitetail.com