Somerset in the running for top adventure small town — only Pennsylvania town left
Somerset has been named one of the top small towns for recreation and adventure, but more votes are needed to win the distinction of No. 1.
On Monday, Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine said Somerset is one of 25 communities between 3,001 and 16,000 residents to make their list of Top Adventure Towns in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.
Somerset is the only Pennsylvania community left in the running in the small town category.
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How to vote
The winning town will be chosen via online voting at blueridgeoutdoors.com/toptowns. Voting is open now until Aug. 22. The second round will be Aug. 23 to 29, and the third is Aug. 30 to Sept. 6.
Laura Argenbright, GO Laurel Highlands senior director of creative strategy and marketing, said the Laurel Highlands have many towns like Somerset that are great places to adventure.
“It is great to see Somerset being recognized for the exciting adventures it offers to outdoor enthusiasts from casual hikers to extreme mountain bikers and skiers. We encourage all to take the time to cast their vote to put Somerset over the top!” she said in a press release.
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She said Somerset County has a wealth of outdoor destinations and recreation opportunities, such as Seven Springs and Hidden Valley resorts; fishing, hunting, camping, cross country skiing and watersports; Laurel Hill, Kooser, Laurel Summit and Forbes state parks and forests; Quemahoning Family Recreation Area, Indian Lake and numerous state game lands.
Pennsylvania's Roof Garden also has numerous hiking and biking trails such as the Great Allegheny Passage, Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail and 9/11 Trail, plus the Flight 93 National Memorial's recreation paths.
Argenbright said the GAP alone attracts more than a million visits annually.
Somerset Lake also includes hiking paths now after some recent upgrades, and fishing just returned to the lake this summer.
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"This is exciting!" said Lindsay Baer, parks and trails director of Somerset County. "Somerset definitely deserves to win the number one spot!
"Somerset County outdoor recreation is unlike any other. We have year-round, world renowned recreation.
"Of course we have incredible skiing and snowboarding opportunities at our resorts, as well as cross country skiing and snow shoeing on any public trail. Throughout the remaining months, you are able to hike, bike, run, walk, and kayak through the most peaceful, natural, beautiful environments.
"With rolling hills bursting with fall colors, many enjoy getting out to see where they can find the brightest leaves. Along the Great Allegheny Passage in the spring and summer months, you can find some of the prettiest local flora around.
"Somerset County has so much to offer every month of the year, and people come from all over the world to experience the place that we are lucky to call home."
Ron Aldom, Somerset County Chamber of Commerce executive director, also said that Somerset County is in a unique situation to provide year-round recreation while also having destinations such as the Flight 93 memorial.
"It's fabulous what's happening," he said. "People learned outdoor recreation is the way to go with their family ... and we're all about outdoor recreation. Everything surrounds us is outdoor recreation for everybody — from the hardcore mountain bike X Gamers to the birdwatching, fly fishing and hiking that everyone enjoys.
"And we're in a nice position because, through the last few years, everyone is enjoying the outdoors. What puts us apart from some of the other small towns is the big picture."
Top contenders
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are both in the running for communities with a population of more than 75,000.
Abingdon, Virginia, which won last year’s contest, is again in the running for the top spot, as are last year’s runners-up, Bedford, Virginia, and Black Mountain, North Carolina. Virginia leads the way with nine nominations while North Carolina has six. Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Tennessee and West Virginia have two apiece while South Carolina joins Pennsylvania with one.
“The Blue Ridge is full of towns that offer an abundance of recreation opportunities and accompanying culture that supports the outdoors,” said Jedd Ferris, Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine’s editor in chief. “We’re excited for our readers to once again help us spotlight the region’s best adventure destinations.”
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset makes Blue Ridge Outdoors Top Adventure Towns list
