2023 PA Firefly Festival Nights

You must apply for the PA Firefly Festival lottery by March 31st and be selected in order to register for this event.

The 2023 events will be held on Friday, June 30 and Saturday July 1. Gates open at 7 pm for check-in for the registered patrons. Each event is intended for fifty (50) of the most curious of nature lovers. Couples and families with school-age children are welcome. The event is not intended for children under 5 years of age.

The celebration is held in Kellettville at 13558 Route 666, Tionesta, 16353. Free parking. The event kicks off each night at 7-pm with live music, nature exhibits with the experts, and lots of PAFF T-Shirts and firefly merchandise. At 8:30 pm, a firefly expert will make a presentation to the audience prior to the firefly tours and viewing from 10 pm to Midnight.

The PA Firefly Festival is a RAIN-OR-SHINE event. The weather in Kellettville is unpredictable and passing showers happen frequently in June, but fireflies don't mind a little bit of rain. Refunds will only be offered in the unlikely event that a last-minute cancellation by the hosts is necessary due to SEVERE weather at the festival location.

ALL guests should be prepared for 1.5 to 2 hours of engagement IN THE DARK FOREST. Here are some helpful tips to follow for the comfort and safety of yourself and others:

Dress appropriately for the weather; sturdy footwear and rain gear are recommended
Wear light colored clothing, hats or outer wear (all the better to see you with).
Bring a camp chair for the campfire, music and firefly talks.
Walking sticks are highly recommended.
Flashlights are not required nor necessary, but if used, they must be covered by a dark red filter (available on-site).
No cell phones, smoking/vaping or pets will be permitted on the guided tours.
Please apply bug spray before you arrive on the premises, or cover exposed skin
Only leashed Service Dogs are permitted on the tours.
NO LIGHTED SHOES!
Above all, Fireflies are creatures of nature. PAFF has been monitoring and keeping data on firefly activity in these sites for ten years. However, firefly emergence and flashing displays are prone to temperatures and weather conditions. PAFF makes no guarantees nor assurances that guests will see Synchronous fireflies on any given night. If circumstances cause the fireflies to not display the night of the event, the PAFF programs are designed to educate guests and provide enough information that they will gain an appreciation for and be able to discover and observe fireflies on their own at a future date .

*The walk to the creek and the bleachers is easy for typically able-bodied persons. If you have any mobility issues, we will do our best to accommodate your needs or make recommendations for alternatives that will allow you to see fireflies. Contact us or let us know when you arrive at registration.

PAFF is a registered 501(c)3 whose all-volunteer board's mission is to educate the public and raise awareness about all the firefly species in NW Pennsylvania.