Background
The Appalachian Trail was completed in 1937. The 75th anniversary of the official completion date occurs on Tuesday, August 14. To celebrate this significant milestone, ATC is planning its first ever large-scale festival in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia the weekend before (August 11-12). Now that Harpers Ferry (and the adjacent town of Bolivar) is an official A.T. Community, this milestone offers a timely opportunity to engage the town in promoting the Appalachian Trail in ways that are beneficial to the community and the Trail itself.
Location/Venue
Appalachian Trail Conservancy Visitor Center & Mather Training Center and Lawn, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Objectives
- Raise awareness of A.T., its longevity, and success after 75 years
- Engage the A.T. Community of Harpers Ferry and Bolivar in celebration of this significant A.T. milestone
- Generate revenue for community merchants
- Highlight Harpers Ferry-Bolivar as an A.T. Community and exciting destination
- Recruit volunteers
- Provide momentum and ideas for other 75th anniversary events along the Trail
Event Highlights
Parade with all trail clubs and hiker class years, workshops, speakers, displays, kids activities, music, and food.
Confirmed Speakers/Presenters
- Mark Wenger, Executive Director, ATC
- Pam Underhill, NPS A.T. Park Manger
- Larry Luxenburg, President, A.T. Museum
- Eugene Espy, second thru-hiker (1951)
- Harry Bridges, 50-year PATC member
- Leonard Adkins, author of A.T. books, 5-time thru-hiker, trail maintainer
- Jeff Haas, Delaware Nature Society
- Lauralee Bliss, recent 2-time 2,000-miler
- Tom Banks, A.T. Leave No Trace Committee Chair
- Rebecca Harriett, Superintendent, Harpers Ferry NHP
Audience
Local community and surrounding towns, long-distance hikers and longtime trail-club volunteers from nearby Trail states; press.
Invitation to Participate
Festival organizers would like to expand the offerings related to A.T. history and current trail-maintenance and -conservation activities and programs, through exhibits, panel discussions, demonstrations, and presentations.
Promotion and attendance
ATC and Friends of the A.T. in Harpers Ferry & Bolivar ask A.T.-maintaining clubs to promote this event to their members and to encourage carpooling with their designated representatives to the Volunteer Leadership meeting being held at nearby Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
Organizers
Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Friends of the A.T. in Harpers Ferry & Bolivar. ATC staff contact is Laurie Potteiger (304) 535-2200 x128, lpotteiger@appalachiantrail.org.
