The highlight of the 82^nd Annual Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival in Wellsboro is the coronation of the 2024 Laurel Queen this Saturday, June 15.

While in Wellsboro, the 30 Laurel Queen candidates will enjoy a full weekend of activities.

At noon this Friday, June 14, they will gather on the Tioga County Courthouse steps for the official welcome. The young ladies will then go to Leonard Harrison State Park to visit the East Rim and see the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon followed by a picnic lunch.

At 4:30 p.m. Friday, Molly’s Boys Jugband will open the free Queens Preview and Concert on the Deane Center’s outdoor stage at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

The 2023 Laurel Queen Emma Podobinski and the 2023 queen candidates will be introduced to the public at 5 p.m. Friday and during the show will play homemade spoons, washboards, a washtub bass and drums.

This jugband is a unique, three-person musical group that provides a truly special experience, often incorporating audience participation into their performances.

Captivating the audience will be Jay Short of Williamsport on lead guitar, Gerry Cavaliere of Danville on guitar and Dave Driskell of Wellsboro on clarinet, saxophone, flute, musical saw, jug and washboard. They play contemporary and old-time songs, blues, folk, rock, and original tunes. Bring lawn chairs. The rain location is the Deane Center’s Coolidge Theatre. 

Saturday afternoon, June 15, the Laurel Queen candidates will ride on floats in the 2 p.m. Laurel Festival Parade. Also featured will be the Pennsylvania Bucktails, drum and bugle corps, bagpipers, high school marching bands, vintage cars, floats and more. 

To attend the Laurel Festival Parade, reserve chairs for $5 each on parade day, Saturday, June 15, beginning at 9am or call the chamber at 570-724-1926 or email info@wellsboropa.com on or before 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 13.

Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m., the coronation of the 2024 Pennsylvania State Laurel Queen will be on stage in the Auditorium at the Wellsboro Area School District Administration Building at 227 Nichols Street. Coronation tickets are available at the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce office at 114 Main Street in Wellsboro and at the door at the Auditorium.

The Laurel Festival 10K will begin at 9 a.m. this Saturday, June 15 followed at 9:05 a.m. by the two-mile Fun Run/Walk. The 10K course has rolling hills, paved and dirt surfaces, and exciting Pennsylvania Grand Canyon country views. Registration, check in and packet pickup will be at Packer Park on Queen Street from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. on race day. The entry fee for the 10K is $25 and for the Fun Run is $5. Race day registrants pay in cash or by check. 

The juried Arts and Crafts Fair and International Street of Foods will be open on The Green with 110 vendors from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. this Friday, June 14 and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. this Saturday, June 15.

The festival concludes Sunday morning, June 16 with the 10:30 a.m. Union Church Service on The Green. For more information about Laurel Festival activities, call the chamber at 570-724-1926, email info@wellsboropa.com or visit www.wellsboropa.com