Photos by Dart
2023 Pennsylvania State Laurel Queen Emma Podobinski will crown her successor on Saturday, June 15.
 
The 82nd Annual Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival with activities for all ages gets underway this Saturday, June 8 and continues through Sunday, June 16 in Wellsboro. 
 
Kicking off the festival this Saturday, June 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. rain or shine is the Family Day and Children’s Health Fair on The Green. There will be 44 booths with information, games to play for prizes and creative projects to do on-site and take home and free giveaways from backpacks and hacky sacks to bike helmets for Infants to 12-year-olds while supplies last and a
free playground ball or a foam 8-inch football for youngsters attending.
 
This Sunday, June 9, is the Pet Parade. Children with pets of all types from dogs to ducks and decorated bicycles, wagons and battery-operated three or four wheelers will gather to register for free or check in and for judging at 12:25 p.m. in the Packer Park picnic area behind the Wellsboro Active Living Center parking lot on Queen Street. At 1:30 p.m., the parade will leave the park, travel up Main Street to The Green where all children will receive ribbons. Special awards will also be presented.
 
Every night, Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14, will be a free concert with different entertainers. Donations are always appreciated.
 
For the annual Arts & Crafts Fair, 85 artisans will be on The Green with unique, handcrafted items and 25 vendors on the International Street of Foods offering delectable delights on Friday, June 14 from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.

 
Friday at noon on the Tioga County Courthouse steps is the welcome for last year’s Laurel Queen and the 2024 queen candidates.
 
At 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 14, Molly’s Boys Jugband will open the Laurel Queen’s Preview on the Deane Center’s outdoor stage. The queen candidates will be introduced at 5 p.m. and the band will close the event with music and fun. 
 
The Laurel Festival 10K at 9 a.m. and Two-Mile Fun Run at 9:05 a.m. will start events on Saturday, June 15. Registration for both will be from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. at Packer Park on Queen Street. 
 
At 2 p.m. Saturday will be the Laurel Festival Parade with floats, queens, top-notch drum and bugle corps, bagpipers, high school marching bands, antique vehicles and more.
 
At Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. coronation ceremony, the 2024 Pennsylvania State Laurel Queen will be crowned.
 
On Sunday, June 16 at 10:30 a.m., the festival will end with the Union Church Service on The Green.
 
For more information about festival events, contact the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce by stopping in at 114 Main Street in Wellsboro, by calling 570-724-1926, emailing info@wellsboropa.com or visiting wellsboropa.com. 
 
PENNSYLVANIA STATE LAUREL FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
82nd Annual Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival
2024 Schedule of Events
June 8-16, 2024
Free unless stated otherwise
 
Saturday, June 8
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Family Day & Children’s Health Fair
The Green
 
Sunday, June 9
1:30 p.m.
Pet Parade
Main Street to The Green
(Judging: 12:25 p.m. at
Packer Park Picnic Area on Queen Street)
 
Monday, June 10
7 p.m.
Laurel Concert Series
Louise Bichan and Band
Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center
Donations Appreciated
 
Tuesday, June 11
7 p.m.
Laurel Concert Series
Yetsu Band
Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center
Donations Appreciated
 
Wednesday, June 12
7 p.m.
Laurel Concert Series
Wellsboro Town Band
Outdoors on The Green
Rain location: Wellsboro High School Auditorium
Donations Appreciated
 
Thursday, June 13
 7 p.m.
Laurel Concert Series
Wellsboro Men’s & Women’s Choruses
First Presbyterian Church
130 Main Street
Donations Appreciated
 
Friday, June 14
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Arts & Crafts Fair &
International Street of Foods
The Green
 
12 p.m.
Queen Candidates Welcome
Tioga County Courthouse Steps
 
4:30 p.m.
Queen’s Preview & 
Laurel Concert with Molly’s Boys Jugband
Deane Center Outdoor Stage
Rain location: Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center
 
Saturday, June 15
9 a.m.
Airing on KC101.5FM
Radio Interviews with the 2023 PA State Laurel Queen and 2024 Queen Candidates
 
9 a.m.
10K Foot Race & 2-Mile Fun Run
Entry fee: 10K $25; Fun Run $5
Packer Park on Queen Street
 
9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Arts & Crafts Fair &
International Street of Foods
The Green
 
12 p.m.
Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Drum Corps
Performing on Courthouse Steps
 
2 p.m.
Laurel Festival Parade
Nichols, Queen, Main, King, Walnut Streets
 
3 p.m.
Downbeat Percussion
Performing on Courthouse Steps
 
6:30 p.m.
Coronation of 2024 Laurel Queen
Wellsboro High School Auditorium
Tickets: Adult, Purchased in Advance, $15 each; Purchased on day of Coronation, $20 each; Senior Citizen/Student, $10 each; Children, 12 & Under, $5 each
 
Sunday, June 18
10:30 a.m.
Union Church Service
The Green
Rain location: First Baptist Church
 
For more information, contact the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce by stopping in at 114 Main Street in Wellsboro, by calling 570-724-1926, emailing info@wellsboropa.com or visiting wellsboropa.com.