HESSTON, PA - The Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Friends of Raystown Lake and other community partners are set to hold numerous public events in the Raystown Lake Region May 31-June 9 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of former Vice President Ford's dedication of Raystown Dam.
The 50th Anniversary of Raystown Lake kicked off in October 2023 (the anniversary of dam construction completion in 1973) and runs through September 2024, recognizing Raystown Lake’s profound impact on the Huntingdon County landscape and its surrounding communities.
The largest number of 50th Anniversary events will occur during the week of May 31-June 9. They include:
May 31, 7 p.m. - Raystown Lake history by Huntingdon County Historian Lonnie Smith at Raystown Lake Visitor Center, 6993 Seven Points Rd, Hesston
June 1, 1 p.m. - #Raystown50 Birthday Boat Parade beginning at Tatman Run Recreation Area. Participants should register in advance by calling 814-329-7030.
June 1, 2:15-3:45 p.m. - Sightseeing Cruise on the Proud Mary Showboat at Lake Raystown Resort Marina highlighting Raystown Lake history, 3101 Chipmunk Crossing, Entriken. Call 814-658-3500 ext. 162 for tickets.
June 1, 5:30-7 p.m. - Seafood Dinner Cruise on the Proud Mary Showboat at Lake Raystown Resort Marina. Call 814-658-3500 ext. 162 for tickets.
June 2, 9-10:30 a.m. - Breakfast Cruise on the Proud Mary Showboat at Lake Raystown Resort Marina. Call 814-658-3500 ext. 162 for tickets.
June 2, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. and 2:15-3:45 p.m. - Sightseeing Cruise on the Proud Mary Showboat at Lake Raystown Resort Marina. Call 814-658-3500 ext. 162 for tickets.
June 2, 4-8:30 p.m. - Evening of Huntingdon County History at the Huntingdon County Fairgrounds, 522 N Fairgrounds Rd, Huntingdon. Get more information and tickets by visiting huntingdonhistory.org.
June 3, 5-8 p.m. - 50th Anniversary Monday Night Paddle beginning at Raystown Dam Pagoda
June 4, 2:15-3:45 p.m. and 4:30-6 p.m. - Sightseeing Cruise on the Proud Mary Showboat at Lake Raystown Resort Marina. Call 814-658-3500 ext. 162 for tickets.
June 4, 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. - Striped Bass hatchery tours, 6271 Seven Pts Rd, Hesston. Get tickets by visiting hcvb.us/PSBAHatcheryTour.
June 5, 5:45 p.m. - Group bike ride on the Allegrippis Trails with Rothrock Outfitters beginning at Baker's Hollow Road parking lot, Hesston
June 6 - One-day-only Raystown 50th Anniversary U.S. Postal Service pictorial postmarks available at Entriken/James Creek, Hesston, Huntingdon and Saxton post offices
June 6, 2:15-3:45 p.m. - Sightseeing Cruise on the Proud Mary Showboat at Lake Raystown Resort Marina. Call 814-658-3500 ext. 162 for tickets.
June 6, 5:30-7 p.m. - Dinner Buffet Cruise on the Proud Mary Showboat at Lake Raystown Resort Marina. Call 814-658-3500 ext. 162 for tickets.
June 7, 6 p.m. - Dam divers: Raystown scuba divers' showcase of equipment, research and underwater finds at Raystown Lake Visitor Center
June 7, 7:30 p.m. - Fireside conversations plus smores and hotdogs at Raystown Lake Visitor Center. Guests are encouraged to bring Raystown photos and stories to share.
June 8, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. - Car Show at Seven Points Beach parking lot
June 8, Noon-dusk - Raystown 50th Birthday Party at Seven Points Beach with free cake, a bike parade, DJ/band and boat parade
June 8, 2:15-3:45 p.m. - Sightseeing Cruise on the Proud Mary Showboat at Lake Raystown Resort Marina, 3101 Chipmunk Crossing, Entriken. Call 814-658-3500 ext. 162 for tickets.
June 8, 4-7 p.m. - Hot-air balloon rides in front of Raystown Lake Visitor Center
June 8, 5:30-7 p.m. - Seafood Dinner Cruise on the Proud Mary Showboat at Lake Raystown Resort Marina. Call 814-658-3500 ext. 162 for tickets.
June 8, 9:30 p.m. - Drone and fireworks show at Seven Points Beach sponsored by Seven Points Marina, Raystown Reflections Gift Shoppe, Lake Raystown Resort, Jim’s Anchorage and Kish Bank
June 8-9 - Repeat showings of “Our Town: Raystown,” a WPSU TV production, at the Raystown Lake Visitor Center. Popcorn available while supplies last.
June 9, 9-10:30 a.m. - Breakfast Cruise on the Proud Mary Showboat at Lake Raystown Resort Marina. Call 814-658-3500 ext. 162 for tickets.
June 9, 11 a.m., noon, 6 p.m., 7 p.m. - Striped Bass hatchery tours, 6271 Seven Pts Rd, Hesston. Get tickets by visiting hcvb.us/PSBAHatcheryTour.
June 9, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. and 2:15-3:45 p.m. - Sightseeing Cruise on the Proud Mary Showboat at Lake Raystown Resort Marina. Call 814-658-3500 ext. 162 for tickets.
In addition, "50 Years of Raystown Lake" themed artwork is currently on display at Huntingdon County Arts Center, 313 12th St, Huntingdon until June 8.
Commemorative 50th Anniversary merchandise is available for sale at the Raystown Reflections and Juniata Reflections Gift Shoppes.
For more information, visit Raystown.org/50 or contact the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau. Full 50th Anniversary media kits are available by contacting HCVB.