Upcoming Laurel Festival Events – June 16, 2026.
WELLSBORO, PA – The 84th Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival in Wellsboro continues this Friday and Saturday June 19 and 20 with the two-day Juried Arts and Crafts Fair and International Street of Foods and this Saturday, June 20 with the 10K Foot Race and Two-Mile Fun Run/Walk, Laurel Parade and Crowning of the 2026 Laurel Queen.
The Juried Arts & Crafts Fair and International Street of Foods will be on The Green with 101 vendors from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio this Friday, June 19 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 20 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
While in Wellsboro, the 22 Laurel Queen candidates will enjoy a full weekend of activities. At noon this Friday, they will gather on the Tioga County Courthouse steps for the official welcome. The young ladies will eat lunch and then go to Leonard Harrison State Park to visit the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.
At 4:30 p.m. Friday, Molly’s Boys Jug Band will open the free Queens Preview and Concert on the Deane Center’s outdoor stage at 104 Main Street. In case of rain, this concert will be moved indoors to the Coolidge Theatre.
Jay Short of Williamsport on lead guitar, Gerry Cavaliere of Danville on guitar and Dave Driskell of Wellsboro on clarinet, sax, flute, banjo, musical saw, jug and washboard will captivate the audience by playing blues, folk, old-time, and original songs starting at 4:30 p.m.
At 5 p.m., the 2025 Laurel Queen Alice Ravert and the 2026 Laurel Queen candidates will introduce themselves to the public and be invited to perform with the band using drums, spoons and washboards. The concert will then continue with Molly’s Boys music.
The Laurel Festival 10K Foot Race will begin at 9 a.m. and Two-Mile Fun Run/Walk at 9:05 a.m. on Saturday, June 20. The 10K’s challenging 6.2-mile course has rolling hills, paved and dirt surfaces, and exciting Pennsylvania Grand Canyon country views. Registration for both will be from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. at Packer Park on Queen Street on race day. The entry fee for the 10K is $25 and for the Fun Run is $5 and can be paid in cash or by check.
Saturday afternoon, June 20, the Laurel Queen candidates will ride on floats in the 2 p.m. Laurel Festival Parade. This year’s theme is “From Sea to Shining Sea” in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary on July 4th. Featured will be 15 drum and bugle corps, bagpipers, marching bands, and other musical groups, floats, vintage cars and more.
Reserve chairs for the Laurel Festival Parade for $5 each on parade day, Saturday, June 20, beginning at 9 a.m. or call the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce office at 570-724-1926.
Saturday evening June 20, at 6:30 p.m., the coronation of the 2026 Pennsylvania State Laurel Queen will be on stage in the Auditorium at the Wellsboro Area School District Administration Building at 227 Nichols Street. Chris Eckert, known for his baritone voice and versatile, one-man-band performances, covering classic country, classic rock, and popular tunes, will perform. Coronation tickets are available at the chamber office at 114 Main Street or at the door.
The festival concludes Sunday morning, June 21 with the 10:30 a.m. Union Church Service on The Green. If it rains, the service will be moved indoors to the First Presbyterian Church at 130 Main Street in Wellsboro.
For more information about Laurel Festival events, contact the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce by stopping in at 114 Main Street in Wellsboro, calling 570-724-1926, emailing info@wellsboropa.com or visiting wellsboropa.com.
