Weekend in the Wilds is set for July 5-7 in Cameron County.  The event organized by the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce coordinates activities for each day and works with businesses and non-profits to provide a weekend filled with events.

The event kicks off Friday July 5 when the Barbara Moscato Brown Memorial Library opens its doors for the annual used book sale.  The sale continues through Saturday afternoon.  Friday night there will be a totally FREE event thanks to several sponsors!  PHASER will perform on the stage starting at 5pm.  The music is sponsored by the Cameron County Community Chest.  Free hot dogs (limit 100) can be roasted over the fire ring . 

The dogs donated by Emporium Food Market, while the ring and wood donated by Smoker Logging.  Rich Valley Wines is providing 100 free non-alcoholic slushies while Cameron County Fair Association along with the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce will provide free popcorn.  Jim Smith will have cornhole boards for pick-up games.  “The chamber wanted to kick off Weekend in the Wilds with a totally free event for teens and families”, explains chamber director Tina Solak. Solak continued by thanking those involved by donating so the event could stay free.

Saturday dawns with Mountaineer Search & Rescue Big Foot Hunt.  Licenses are $5 and the group is raising funds for new radios.  Vendors will fill the sidewalks along Fourth Street.  They include food,  children activities, artwork, crafts and feature county non-profits hoping to raise funds and awareness. The Firequacker Duck Derby returns at 2pm with help from the Emporium Volunteer Fire Department, Smoker Logging, Emporium Borough, and Emporium Water Company. 

Saturday night the fireworks will blast from the Cameron County High School Football Stadium.  This years event is in memory of Steven Smoker.  Smoker, a businessman and philanthropist who with his brothers brought numerous items to the residents including the giant Christmas Tree, Light up Night, Halloween Extravaganza, return of mud runs and ice skating rink died earlier this year.  Beside his love to make people smile,  Smoker loved fireworks!  The music played before the event will include some of Smoker’s favorites.   Memorial Detail will then take the field at dusk with the fireworks filling the sky.

Sunday the fun continues at Smoker’s Insane Terrain Offroad Park.  A crash and dash car race is planned through the mud.  Spectators are encouraged to bring chairs and sit on the hillside overlooking the track.  It is a free event unless you request a pit pass.

The Cameron County chamber of Commerce is still accepting vendors for the event.   Information can be obtained by contacting the chamber office at 814-486-4314.