MILLHEIM — Over the last five years, local businesses have been working together to strengthen community ties through Route 45 Getaways. With nearly 30 destinations this year, the annual event highlights destinations along Route 45.
This year, the event will run from Friday, July 25, through Sunday, Aug. 3, beginning in the Penns Valley region for the first weekend, working their way to the Pine Grove Mills area.
“Every year, we continue to tweak our event and its outreach to include more destinations for folks to visit. I am very glad we’re able to go all the way from Woodward Cave to the Pine Grove Miles Farmers’ Market this year,” Robert Zeigler, current Valley Community Business Alliance president, stated. “Having almost 30 destinations can really push people to explore these communities all along this scenic route.”
Woodward Caves is a new addition to the Route 45 Getaways event.
“We’re excited to join in this year and see what can happen. We’ve never really done something like this before and we felt this would be a great way to get our name out there and join these other great places in such a wonderful event,” Dave Wigfield, the director of marketing and business development for Woodward Cave, said. “It makes us wonder what other opportunities are ahead of us.”
Another new addition to the Route 45 Getaways this year is Laurel Spring Cidery in Spring Mills.
“As a new destination, we see this as a fantastic opportunity to connect with our community through a meaningful event,” David All, the head of sales and marketing for Laurel Spring Cidery, shared. “With our Tasting Room now open, we’re eager to showcase our apple cider wines and extraordinary cocktails, creating a warm space for friends to gather and share their stories.”
Other highlights along the route from Woodward to Pine Grove Mills include farms, eateries, shops, markets, wineries, art, cideries, history, breweries and much more.
Route 45 Getaways offers a bit of something for everyone and is made possible through Ferguson Township, Millheim Borough, the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and the Centre County Board of Commissioners. For more information, including the full list of participating businesses, visit route45getaways.com.
