MILFORD - This year’s sixth annual Festival of Wood, taking place this weekend, will be held in two locations – Grey Towers National Historic Site and Memorial Park in Milford. This allow for additional activities, will enhance community participation and will accommodate on-going construction projects at Grey Towers. Hours are 10 am-5 pm on Saturday August 7 and 10 am-4 pm on Sunday  August 8.

Most activities remain free and open to the public and continue to embrace the Festival mission of celebrating our natural and cultural heritage of wood, said Lori McKean, Assistant Director for the US Forest Service at Grey Towers. In the past several years, 3,000 visitors have enjoyed the Festival events on the grounds of Grey Towers. Expanding the collaboration to include the US Forest Service, the Borough of Milford, the Milford Business Council, the Pocono Arts Council, the Pike County Historical Society and the Pike County Library will allow for expansion and diversifying the activities.

Here is a breakdown of activities and their locations:

Memorial Park, Fifth and Ann Streets, Milford (FREE ADMISSION):

• Wood crafts, with a variety of unique and beautiful wood craft items for sale, on exhibit and demonstrations, sponsored by the Pocono Arts Council;

• Musical entertainment, including Celtic, Folk, Native American, Classical and Bagpipe;

• Children’s activities, including hands-on wood crafts and a free magic and puppet show focused on the environment.

• Bluebird box building and sale of nestbox kits;

• Educational activities and free handouts, including American Chestnut Tree re-introduction, Forest Habitat,  Forest Products, Family Forests and Forest Stewardship;

• Refreshments offered by non-profit organizations.

Grey Towers National Historic Site, Old Owego Turnpike, Milford (A FREE Shuttle will run between Memorial Park and Grey Towers):

• Open house of the historic Grey Towers mansion will offer a look at all three floors of the home ($4 per person);

• Lectures (free) about Alternative Forest Products, Conservation Options, Women and Their Woods and Next Generation Landowners;

• Historic Films (free) about the Pinchot family and Grey Towers, the US Forest Service and the historic visit to Milford by President John F. Kennedy;

In addition, Festival-goers can walk throughout the Borough to enjoy:

• Sidewalk sales and shopping;

• Eateries featuring “food from the woods;”

• Chainsaw carvings;

• Exhibits and program at Pike County Historical Society;

• Children’s Literary and Craft program (Saturday only) at Pike County Library.