Mason Dixon Park- Mt.Morris, Greene County Pennsylvania

The Purple Martin Festival

Documents from as early as the 18th century suggests that early Native Americans attracted Purple Martins to their villages for their advantage. The natives observed there were several benefits to having the martins nesting near their settlements. Some say they functioned like scarecrows chasing crows away from their crops. They also kept vultures at bay from their drying meats and hides. Some speculate that they also served as alarm clocks, since they begin singing so early and regularly in the morning
.
Regardless a cultural tradition began with native tribes first hanging gourds for martins and the benefits caught on with early European settlers. Gradually the gourd houses evolved to ceramic gourds and then to wooden martin houses. Today the entire eastern genus of Purple Martins nests only in human-supplied housing.

This one day festival centers around the importance of not only a tradition hundreds of years old but also in educating folks on the birds’ importance to the environment.

Year after year the Purple Martins return to their home here at the Park. And each year the care of the birds is managed by professionals in the field. Learn more about this fabulous bird, our conservation efforts, and how you can welcome a colony to your home.

The day’s festivities include Inter-active discussion on Purple Martins & Purple Martin Housing, Banding the Purple Martin to Follow Migration, Cleaning of the Martin House to Prevent Parasites, and plenty of Family Fun & Learning. Stop in and speak with professionals in the field. Most often Ralph Bell, one of the foremost authorities on martins, is on hand. Not to mention several vendors providing food, crafts, and arts.

The Ramp Festival

Before today’s Ramp Festivals, communities would come together to celebrate the end of winter and the renewed life of spring. Many of the mountain people of the Appalachians approached the "Ramp Social" like they would going to a wedding or church. It was a time to give thanks, socialize with friends, and cleanse the body.

The date of these spring gatherings depended on a community's location. In Pennsylvania and West Virginia ramp festivals are usually held in late April or early May.

Oddly enough the arrival of ramps coincides with Easter lending a more spiritual attribute to them. Early on the belief that ramps represented the resurrection of Christ after conquering hell found its place in the lore of the mountain people.

The varying dates of today's Ramp Festivals allow people to attend several in the same year.

One recent attendee of the Mason-Dixon Ramp Festival said he "followed them (ramp festivals) like dead heads follow the Grateful Dead band". James Trout of Roann, Indiana drove over 900 miles to attend the 17th Annual Ramp Festival and said it was one of the very best of the many he has visited. He also made the trip from northern Indiana driving his 1963 Chevrolet. Now that is a dedicated ramp lover and speaks volumes about our events!

Many ramp festivals are often centered around a single meal of ramps. Ours is unusual as it tends to offer several vendors creating many dishes. Our "Spring Tonic" menu has included Beer Battered Deep Fried Ramps, Ramp Burgers, Ramp Salad, Fried Potatoes & Ramps, Ramp Sampler Plate, Hot Dogs with Ramps, Beans with Ramps & Cornbread, Sweet Italian Sausage with Ramps, Ramp Jams, Jellies, & Relishes, Ramp Wine & Ramp Cheese Tasting, and many others. It truly is a festival of ramps! There is also food available for the less adventurous folks who shy away from this mountain favorite.

When you attend our two day Ramp Festival you will find a full day of live music, crafters and artisans displaying their wares. Antique engine display and of course country chefs and vendors providing some of the best home-cooked food around.

The Frontier Festival

This is not just a festival but an experience. While family fun and entertainment is a core product of our festivals, preserving the past can best be seen here. In two days you can feel like you have been swept back in time. You can visit the French & Indian War period, before America became its own nation. Meet with some of our early founders of the Colonial Militia struggling for independence. Trade with Mountain Men at the yearly rendezvous of the fur trade era. Sit at the campfire with cowboys from the untamed west. Even experience a battle of the American Civil War!

"The camps are so life-like and these guys really know their history!" says one attendee, "Most of the things you see can't be taught in a classroom. It's a fun experience for history buffs like me."

Stop in and see: Civil War Reenactments, Living History Camps, Live Demonstrations, Farm and Antique Engine Related Exhibits, Antique Car Show, Trapper Display, Farm Tractor Parade, Great Homemade Foods & Concessions, Crafters & Artisans exhibiting their goods and offering them for sale. Don't forget Live Performances on the Cabin Stage with some of the best home grown music around!

The Frontier Festival is nearly 30 years old now. Each year it grows, new and exciting elements are added, and we get a chance to make new friends.

It is a great way to top off a summer just before the kids get back into the swing of school.

Our Mission

In times past communities gathered to celebrate many things. Weddings, holidays, spring, a birth, and countless other reasons to get together and socialize were a foundation of early communities. It was important to know your neighbors and during these gatherings history and traditions were made.

Today many of those time-honored traditions that made small settlements into towns are being lost. A community that once celebrated life together is now so fast paced that we often fail to take time out to learn about our past. We often are so absorbed with our day to day life that we forget there are some really great things to learn about where we live, how it came to be, and who struggled or sacrificed to make it happen.

Our festivals are centered on honoring the lessons, traditions, and value of the past and preserving it for future generations.

Family Friendly Events

Our festivals are very well attended each and every year regardless of weather. The Park grounds are large enough that no one feels crowded but small enough to give it that "like home" appeal. Our festivals grow a little each year because of the down-home welcome everyone feels when they attend.

The most common thread among our festivals is that they are family friendly. Admission is always free to events we sponsor which make it easy to have quality family time on any budget. Unlike many festivals you will attend; we make every effort to put that little something extra into each event that makes it fun for all who attend and participate.

Our bands and musicians donate their time and receive no compensation for performing but are allowed to sell any related items such as t-shirts, CD’s, and other promotional gear. If a vendor, craftsperson, or artisan is granted permission to set up they are not charged a fee but are asked to donate a door-prize item for our guests to have a chance at winning.

When you enter the festival grounds at the park you should make an effort to visit the Mason-Dixon Park Information Booth as soon as you arrive. There each member of your family may register for free to win those great items donated by our vendors, crafters, and artisans. You can also purchase tickets for our annual raffle.

We are wheelchair accessible. We make a conscience effort to insure everyone is welcome at our events. Please remember though we are outside and take the necessary steps to enjoy the day based on the current weather.

Welcome to our festivals page. Here you will be able to read a little about each of our festivals. While each is very different in theme, there are a few common elements you can learn about here.

At any time you can click one of the images below to get specifics on this year's festivals as they become available. This information would include special events, bands performing, vendors, artisans, and menues. Please be sure to mark the dates on your calendar so that we don't miss celebrating our rich heritage together.