Our 2017 Festival Planning is Underway!
At the firefly Nature Center, set up for the day of the festival only, people can learn about fireflies and their habitat, and about the local public lands, forests and parks represented among exhibitors. There are dazzling shows in many locations in our area!
Also featured in the fun annual celebration are local vendors who sell their wares, and hands-on science and craft activities for kids of all ages.
Some visitors at this year's festival came from as far away as Brazil, Spain, Australia and the UK to see the synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus). Many states of the US were represented as well.
Synchronous fireflies are a big attraction! They come out very late - between 10:30pm until after midnight - and prefer forested areas with nearby water, and border areas between meadow and woods. Their peak season only lasts a couple of weeks so don't delay if you want to see them. Last year they started to emerge around June 20th.
Many other brilliant and beautiful fireflies can be found along much of the length of Tionesta Creek, and at ANF recreation areas such as Hearts Content, Beaver Meadows, Loleta and Buzzard Swamp.
