On Saturday, September 22 nearly 200 people gathered at C.W. Resh Park in Indian Head, Pennsylvania for the annual Indian Creek Watershed Festival.
One of the highlights of the event was the free fishing for children 12 years of age and under. Back Creek was stocked with 350 trout for the event through the generous support of our event sponsors; Donegal VFW Post 6743, Indian Creek Valley ATV Club, Laurel Highlands Total Communication, Laurel Hill Trout Farm, Ridgeline Heating and Cooling, Somerset Trust Company, Barb & David McMillan, and Ken Gfroerer. Bait was also provided free of charge by B&G Bait and Sport Shop in Normalville.
Participants were also able to participate through a variety of hands-on activities focused around environmental education, including fly tying, stream bugs, watershed and wetland models, edible plants, Fish and Boat Commission display, a unique live bear tagging demonstration by the Game Commission and a dime toss added this year to raise some funds for the Indian Creek Valley Trail Gorge Section.
Lunch was provided to all attendees free of charge and door prizes were also handed out thanks to the generous support of G&D Market, Deb and Dan Simko, Indian Creek Valley Municipal Authority, Connellsville Walmart, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, Saltlick Township, USX Federal Credit Union, Ed Aiello, Bill Brisbane, Kurt and Debra Limbach, Matt Limbach, Jeri Lowe, Tracy Naugle, Lauren Noel, Pam Porterfield, Roger Pritts, Carla Ruddock, Barb Shaffer, and Mickey Sisson.
The inaugural Indian Creek Watershed Festival Car show was held with 11 cars participating. The vehicles spanned from a 1925 Ford Model T Roadster to a 2008 Mustang GT. Based on voting by event attendees, Greg Anderson’s 1964 Willys Jeep TK won the People’s Choice Award.
A variety of local vendors were available that include Kona Ice, Paparazzi Jewelry, Somerset County Relay for Life, Hughes Mobile Café, baked goods by Kae Kovalcik, G&D Market, and nature crafts by Eric & Angelo.
The event concluded with the 8th annual Duck Race with 1,000 rubber duckies floating down Back Creek trying to be the first one through the finish line, earning its ticket holder $500. Proceeds from the Duck Race support Kid’s Fishing Activities.
It was a great day with lots to do, lots to see, and lots of smiles. We hope to see you all again next year!