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The 13th Annual PA Firefly Festival Campouts have concluded, and the Synchronous firefly season is winding down here locally in Kellettville. We had 120 different campers over the 3 nights of primitive camping at the Kellettville Campground. It was hot, muggy and at times a bit stormy, but the fireflies were happy. We saw several different species including "Chinese Lanterns" floating in the riparian edges. The Synchronous ffs were a bit elusive, and folks needed to do a deep forest dive to see glimpses of the synchrony. The Kellettville Bridge area was surrounded by the "Christmas Lights" ffs which are not synchronous, but put on a rhythmic show that could be put to music.

 

Thank you to all the campers for their support, confidence and diligence through the challenges that a camping experience presents. We hope you created some lasting memories and now have a new appreciation for not only fireflies, but the unique environment that is Kellettville, PA.

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PAFF also thanks all the volunteers (over 30 ppl) who set up tents, brought exhibits, led or swept firefly walks, registered campers, marked trails, sold t-shirts, provided a Native American blessing and welcome, entertained with music, made presentations, answered all the questions and cleaned up the campground. We couldn't have done it without all that support.

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We always learn a lot each year from the events and the people. PAFF will be discussing the plans for the future events in the upcoming weeks. Be sure to subscribe to the FREE quarterly newsletter below order to get the information about events in 2026.

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PAFF is a non-profit organization.  Your contributions help support the quarterly newsletter, educational programs in schools,  firefly interns and further the research in Pennsylvania and throughout North America. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation.  

Just click the 'Donate' button below.

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Donate with PayPal

PAFF Educational Services

You can support our firefly educational mission through scheduling your own program or training.  Click here to read about our services and programs available to your group, club or school.

The IUCN estimates that 14% of firefly species are either threatened or endangered of extinction.  This is mostly due to the loss of habitat for one reason or another. Learn how to create your own firefly-friendly yard with some simple solutions and help firefly conservation.  

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ABOUT US >

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The mission of Pennsylvania Firefly Festival, Inc. is to deliver STEAM ( Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) based firefly-themed educational programs that unite diverse races and cultures by focusing upon the
universal interest in fireflies.   
This mission will be accomplished by educational presentations to Pennsylvania K-12 schools, state parks, special interest groups and community firefly-themed events.

Our goals are as follows:

  • ï‚· Foster an understanding of natural world functions and the science and math behind firefly synchrony.

  • Stimulate critical thinking about the key role of water quality, soil condition, and dark sky for habitat conservation/environmental protection.

  • Provide actionable solutions to protect fireflies as well as other invertebrate habitats at home and throughout the community.​

We celebrate the firefly season with the Annual PA Firefly Festival Campouts on the last weekend in June.  This typically coincides with the mating displays of over fifteen different species of firefly in the Allegheny National Forest area including the Synchronous Firefly and the unique "Chinese Lantern" firefly along the Tionesta Creek.  PAFF is dedicated to responsible and sustainable firefly tourism in Pennsylvania and beyond.

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You can view all documents related to our non-profit status HERE.

CONTACT >

Pennsylvania Firefly Festival

13558 Route 666, Tionesta, PA

T: 814-230-2035

E: pafireflyfestival@gmail.com

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