For more than 50 years, the Red House area of Allegany State Park has been the site of the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage.
On the weekend after Memorial Day, this Friday through Sunday, more than 600 adults, infants and children will leave computers and TVs at home and spend a weekend in the woods.
Sponsored by the Buffalo Audubon Society, Burroughs Audubon Nature Club, Jamestown Audubon Society and Presque Isle Audubon Society, the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage includes two days and evenings with more than 100 hands-on field trips, nature crafts and lectures led by 60 nature experts willing to share their knowledge of forest, pond and field life.
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Especially popular on a hot day, the Splash Hike is just one of dozens of outdoor opportunities at the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage, Friday through Sunday. For more than 50 years, the Red House area of Allegany State Park has been the site for this weekend adventure sponsored by Audubon societies from Buffalo, Erie, Jamestown and Rochester.
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During this nature weekend those attending will have the opportunity to savor the forest and lake, while enjoying activities from an early morning bird walk and bird banding to morning and afternoon field trips for both adults and children, then late afternoon bird or beaver walks, and finally evening lectures, owl prowls and lighted bug watches. Experts will be on hand to answer questions about the creatures participants encounter.
Folk Singer Nan Hoffman will entertain during the chicken barbecue and vegan meals.
Dr. Cyndi Rebar and her experiences with the cheetah of Africa will be Friday evening's program. The Saturday evening tent program will be about native plants of colonial times by Master Gardener Chris Benard.
Bridal Falls, Splash Hike and Old Growth Forest will be among the walk destinations. Program opportunities will be beginning birding, birding by ear, owl prowl, butterflies, dragonflies, pond life, field insect safari, wildflowers, edible plants, ferns, non-flowering plants, trees, paper making, yoga, photography, painting, history, Native American culture, geology and nature for kids by kids.
The cost is $40 for adults and $5 for children under 18 for the whole weekend, rain or shine. Walk-in day fees are $25. Lodging is available at local campsites or through Allegany State Park.
To register or for more information on the pilgrimage, visit www.alleganynaturepilgrimage.com or call Judy Long at 664-7114 or Jamestown Audubon Society at 569 -2345. For park lodging information, call 800-456-CAMP.
Other events in the area are listed below:
What: First Friday Lunch Bunch
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday
Where: Audubon Center and Sanctuary, 1600 Riverside Road
Cost: $5, Audubon members; $7, non-members
Senior naturalist Jeff Tome will discuss wildflowers found on Audubon property. Tea and coffee will provided for the bring-your-own brown bag lunch to follow the program.
For more information, call 569-2345 or visit www.jamestownaudubon.org.
* 7.4 miles from downtown Jamestown
What: Pizzeria Dinner Theater
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and June 11 and 12
Where: Crown Theater, 21 E. Third St.
Cost: $17
For more information, call 664-1516.
* 0 miles from downtown Jamestown
What: Storytime at Off The Beaten Path Bookstore
When: Today
Where: Off The Beaten Path, 28 Chautauqua Ave., Lakewood
Space is limited; call to reserve a spot.
For more information, call 720-4917.
* 5.1 miles from downtown Jamestown
What: Historic Tax Credit Workshops
When: Wednesday - 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., commercial workshop; and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., residential workshop
Where: Robert H. Jackson Center, 305 E. Fourth St.
Cost: Free
Space is limited. For more information or to reserve a spot,
call 338-9809.
* .3 miles from downtown Jamestown
What: Booksigning: "Taking Off Her Rose- Colored Glasses" by Peggy L. John
When: 5 to 7 p.m. Today
Where: Randolph Free Library, 26 Jamestown St., Randolph
Cost: Free
* 16.2 miles from downtown Jamestown
What: Fundraising Dinner for Westfield Stray Cat Rescue
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Tasty Acre, Chautauqua Institution
Cost: $8.50
For more information, call 326-2413.
* 13.7 miles from downtown Jamestown