WHAT ’ S NEWS IN WEST COUNTY
TOM RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER PROGRAMMING
LAGOON BY PONTOON
The lagoon at Presque Isle is full of natural surprises such as sun-basking turtles , wading great blue herons , beavers slapping their tails on the water , and many other natural wonders . Join the park staff and volunteers on a one-hour interpretive pontoon boat ride to discover the natural history and beauty of the interior . Sign-up begins at 10 a . m . in person at the pontoon station and is on a first-come , first served basis . Sign-up is limited to 6 seats per person regardless of age on all rides . This is a free program . Daily , through Sept . 4 , at 11 a . m ., 1 and 2 p . m . Go to events . dcnr . pa . gov / presque _ isle _ state _ park for early-bird and evening ride times .
PRIMITIVE SKILLS SERIES : FOOD AND WATER
What would you do without food or water ? Join the park naturalists at the Erie Bluffs State Park to learn how to find food and water using a variety of primitive methods . Registration is required online by visiting : events . dcnr . pa . gov / presque _ isle _ state _ park . Space is limited . No fee . Aug . 12 from 10 a . m . to noon .
ACA INTRO TO KAYAKING INSTRUCTION COURSE
For those of you who spend a lot of time on the water or just wish you felt more comfortable in your kayak , we have the course for you ! Join certified ACA kayak instructors for a two-day course on Aug . 18 & 19 , covering the essentials of kayaking . You will be instructed on water safety , paddling
techniques and strokes , self-rescue , and more . Friday evening will be class instruction from 6 to 8:30 p . m ., at the AAUW Pavilion at TREC . Saturday will be on the water , meeting at Beach 11 from 9 a . m . to 3 p . m . Registration is required , with a fee of $ 75 payable at registration . Space is limited . To register , please visit : events . dcnr . pa . gov / presque _ isle _ state _ park . To make a payment , please call the park office at 814.833.7424 , Monday through Friday from 8 a . m . to 4 p . m .
PURPLE MARTIN ROOST KAYAK TOUR
Every fall the Purple Martin makes a 5,000- mile journey to Brazil while its northern nesting grounds gets covered in snow . The Martins begin to prepare for this migration by congregating at the head of Presque Isle Bay , feeding on insects and roosting in the cattails for the evening . This is one of the largest roosts in Pennsylvania and there have been estimates of 40,000 birds flying at the roost at one time . Experience this natural phenomenon with the park naturalists as we kayak to their roost . Meet at Vista 3 parking lot . This is for experienced adult paddlers . Bring your own kayak and life jacket with whistle . Headlamp or kayak light needed . Space is limited . Aug . 22 from 7 to 9 p . m . There is no fee , but registration is required by visiting : events . dcnr . pa . gov / presque _ isle _ state _ park .
FISHING ROD LOANER PROGRAM AT TREC
If you like to fish or want to try fishing , you can borrow a rod , reel , and basic tackle from the TREC on a first-come , first-served basis . This is made possible through a partnership with the PA Fish and Boat Commission and Presque Isle State Park . To borrow equipment , visit the main desk at the TREC and sign out the needed equipment . A driver ’ s license is required . Borrowers are responsible for bait . A fishing license is required for those 16 years and older . All equipment is due back before 6 p . m . No fee .
LEAF HOSTING SUMMER CONCERT & THEATRE SERIES INCLUDING NEW CLASSICAL CONCERTS
The Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier ( LEAF ) is presenting the Arts in the Arboretum Concert & Theatre Series , a free series of music and theater performances in the intimate setting of the Patricia McCain Outdoor Classroom ( Amphitheater ) in Frontier Park ( 1501 W 6th Street ). The series features a wide variety of local talent . New this year are two Sunday noon classical concerts featuring the Erie Philharmonic Brass & Woodwind Quintets . Attendees may sit on LEAF ’ s stone risers or bring their own blanket or chairs .
Aug . 10 , 7 to 8:30 p . m . – Tennessee Back Porch
Aug . 13 , Noon to 1 p . m .– Erie Philharmonic Woodwind Quintet
The concerts are also supported in part by the McCain Family Foundation , American Federation of Musicians , Local 17 , and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts , a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts , a federal agency . Want to learn more ? Visit leaferie . org , call 814.453 . LEAF , or e-mail info @ leaferie . org .
LAKE ERIE CYCLE FEST TO SHOWCASE ERIE REGION BIKEABILITY
The Erie Sports Commission announced Lake Erie Cycle Fest , a four-day event highlighting the Erie region ’ s bikeability , which will debut Thursday , Aug . 10 , through Sunday , Aug . 13 . The event will include EmergyCare ’ s annual Tour de West County , a long-standing summer bike tour already popular in the region , on Saturday , Aug . 12 . Proceeds from the weekend-long event will
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