PRINTER'S NO. 2739
No. 202 Session of 1993
INTRODUCED BY BAKER, SATHER, FICHTER, FARMER, CAWLEY, STABACK,
NAILOR, GODSHALL, LESCOVITZ, SCHULER, ZUG, KING, DEMPSEY,
TIGUE, PETTIT, MIHALICH, PITTS, SAURMAN, HERSHEY, DeLUCA,
TOMLINSON, PESCI, LYNCH, BUNT, BEBKO-JONES, GEIST, FARGO,
TRUE, HENNESSEY, CLYMER, CHADWICK, RAYMOND, B. SMITH, RUDY,
PISTELLA, HANNA, STERN, KIRKLAND, HESS, LAUGHLIN, TRELLO,
ROHRER, ROBERTS, FAJT, BELFANTI AND BROWN, NOVEMBER 23, 1993
ADOPTED, NOVEMBER 23, 1993
A RESOLUTION
1 Memorializing the Governor to proclaim the festival held
2 annually during the month of June in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania,
3 as the "Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival."
4 WHEREAS, The first Laurel Festival was held in Wellsboro in
5 1938 and was the brainchild of Larry Woodin, a businessman so
6 impressed with the Pine Creek Gorge located ten miles south of
7 Wellsboro that he persuaded the Chamber of Commerce to publicize
8 the gorge as a natural wonder of Tioga County; and
9 WHEREAS, As a result of these efforts, visitors came to see
10 the breathtaking 50-mile gorge, now known as the "Grand Canyon
11 of the East" or the "Pennsylvania Grand Canyon"; and
12 WHEREAS, Originally organized by the Lions Club, the first
13 festival was held to promote not only the Grand Ganyon but also
14 the State flower - the mountain laurel. Events included a
15 parade, circus, block dance, ball and the crowning of the first
16 Laurel Queen; and
1 WHEREAS, The Festival, now sponsored by the Chamber of
2 Commerce, is organized by a committee of devoted volunteers and
3 attracts between 30,000 and 35,000 people; and
4 WHEREAS, Over the years the Festival has undergone many
5 changes. In 1950 the title officially became the "Pennsylvania
6 State Laurel Festival" to indicate the representation of the
7 many towns from throughout this Commonwealth. Various events
8 have been added, including the Pet Parade, the Laurel Princess
9 Program, the Arts and Crafts Fair, the Laurel Concert Series, a
10 10k foot race and the Laurel Classic Bicycle Race; and
11 WHEREAS, Festival visitors not only enjoy the fun of the
12 Festival but also the unspoiled forest land abloom with laurel,
13 majestic mountains and clear streams in the area; therefore be
14 it
15 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives memorialize the
16 Governor to proclaim the festival held annually during the month
17 of June in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, as the "Pennsylvania State
18 Laurel Festival."
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