Johnstown

	Johnstown
Johnstown	Johnstown is located about an hour and a half east of Pittsburgh: and can be reached by taking Rte 22 to 219 S to 56 W,or Rte 30 to 271 (Ligonier). The distance and time is about the same either way. Best time to visit is Labor Day weekend; there is so much going on and the JAHA have made getting around easy with shuttle busses that go between the Folk Festival parking lots, the Flood Museum and the Westmont Art Festival.
Johnstown Folk Festival	The Folk Festival runs Friday 6-11 pm; Saturday 11 am -11:30 pm; and -Sunday noon - 9pm in the part of town known as Cambria City. There will be signs directing you to the Folk Festival. There is ample parking across Broad St. from the festival; parking is $4 and supports the festival activities. There is a shuttle bus that runs between the parking lots, the festival, the Flood Museum downtown and the Arts Festival above the city in Westmont. Programs are available at several information booths as you enter Cambria City; or you can check out the schedule by going to www.jaha.org before leaving for the festival. There are 5 music tents and one indoor venue (a tavern) and there is music going on in several places at any given time. Artists and style vary from year to year and cover the range of blues, bluegrass, folk, gospel, ethnic, polka (always a polka band or two!), cajun, rock, and many more. Up and down Chestunut St -- the midway -- are food booths, crafts booths, booths of chance, run by many different local organizations. Several of the churches run ethnic restaurants in their basements or church yards, you can enjoy a delicious home cooked meal and support the church at the same time.
Johnstown Heritage Discovery Center	Due to open in November of 2000 is the Johnstown Heritage Discovery Center. It is located off the Festival parking in a former Brewery Building. Inside, there will be exhibits and interactive displays telling the story of "America through Immegrant Eyes". You will be able to explore the workplaces, home life and social institutions created by immigrants in turn of the century America
Johnstown Flood Museum	A "must-see" while in Johnstown is the Johnstown Flood Museum. It is a small museum, but excellently designed and executed. There is the McCullough film about the events leaving up to the flood, and the flood itself, which provides background and backdrop to the exhibits beyond. Lists of lives lost in the flood, a 3D map of the valley with narration and moving lights to depict the progress of the flood.
Johnstown Incline	As the city rebuilt after the flood of 1889, they included an incline - was it a "quick escape route" or a way to make the ride to Westmont easier on the horses? It is the only incline in the area big enough to transport cars, and the view from the top is really spectacular.
Westmont Art Festival	And now for something completely different -- and on your route if you are returning to Pittsburgh via Ligonier and Rte 271. The Borough of Westmont, sitting high above Johnstown, hosts an Arts Festival Labor Day weekend. Parking is difficult with only the nearby streets available; if you are lucky, you won't have to walk too far. It is an Arts Festival exactly like all the smaller arts festivals -- Shadyside, Southside, Fair in the Park. But, if you must bring home a souvenir from your Johnstown visit, and the crocheted goodies sold at the folk festival are not quite what you had in mind, then this is a good place to stop.
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