CONTACT: John Golden, golden@valleyforge.org
                 610.834.7985, 610.420.6337 (m)

                 Rhonda Schier, rhonda_schier@nps.gov
                 610.783.1008

                 Molly Stieber, mstieber@devineandpartners.com
                 215.568.2525, 717.682.2774 (m)

VALLEY FORGE FAMILY DAY WELCOMES MONTGOMERY COUNTY VISITORS AND RESIDENTS ON SEPTEMBER 25 DURING WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES

Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board and Valley Forge National Historical Park Host Family Event at the Park on Eve of Papal Visit

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (June 25, 2015) - Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB) and Valley Forge National Historical Park today announced a special event in Montgomery County, Pa., to welcome residents and visitors from across the globe during the World Meeting of Families in September.

Valley Forge Family Day will be held at Valley Forge National Historical Park from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2015, and will feature free activities for visitors of all ages, including living history demonstrations, natural and historical presentations, ranger-led programs, interactive learning games and trolley tours. Grilled hamburgers and hot dogs will be available for purchase.

Montgomery County Commission Chairman Josh Shapiro joined Kate Hammond, superintendent of Valley Forge National Historical Park, and Mike Bowman, president of the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, at the park to preview the plans.

"With the world's spotlight on our region and Pope Francis expected to stay in Montgomery County, Pa., during his visit, this is a great time for our region to shine," said Josh Shapiro, chairman, Board of Commissioners, Montgomery County, Pa. "We are excited to join in this exciting event by welcoming residents and visitors alike to Valley Forge Family Day here at Valley Forge National Historical Park on September 25," Shapiro said.
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The family event at Valley Forge National Historical Park is timed to coincide with the conclusion of the weeklong World Meeting of Families Congress early afternoon on Friday, September 25, and in advance of the Papal Visit on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27.

"The World Meeting of Families is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase our region on the national and world stage," said A. Bruce Crawley, vice chair, Communications and Marketing Committee for the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015. "The weeklong event is expected to generate $417 million in economic impact, and a significant portion of that spending will be done in Montgomery County. On behalf of the World Meeting of Families, I want to thank Valley Forge National Historical Park and the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board for creating Valley Forge Family Day to make our international and national visitors feel welcome and giving them the chance to experience some of our region's beautiful assets, including this phenomenal national park."

"Valley Forge National Historical Park is one of Montgomery County's most visited tourism destinations, and we are excited to invite visitors and neighbors to enjoy the park's historic sites, scenic trails, and picnic areas during the World Meeting of Families," said Kate Hammond, superintendent. "Our most popular programs, including ranger-led walks and children's activities, will be available all that week. We will present a special event on September 25 for visitors of all ages, complete with learning activities that are especially engaging for families with children," she said.

Among the activities planned:

Exploration Stations - Hands-on learning activities with historical props and children's books will be offered in the Visitor Center gallery.

Join the Continental Army - Young recruits will learn how to march and drill as Continental soldiers as they join the Valley Forge army on the mini parade grounds.

Living History and Musket Demonstrations - Park rangers in historical attire will share stories at the Muhlenberg Brigade Hut area about Continental soldiers and camp followers.

Ranger Walks and Talks - Visitors will learn about the 1777-78 winter encampment during ranger-led walks along the Joseph Plumb Martin trail and about George Washington's leadership during ranger-led talks at Washington's Headquarters.

Trolley Tours (available for a fee) - Guests can hop aboard an old-fashioned trolley and enjoy a 90-minute guided tour of Valley Forge.

Valley Forge National Historical Park is located at 1400 N. Outer Line Drive in King of Prussia, Pa. The main entrance to the park is at the intersection of State Route 23 and North Gulph Road.

"As we prepare to welcome thousands of visitors to Montgomery County during the World Meeting of Families, we are very pleased to partner with Valley Forge National Historical Park to host Valley Forge Family Day," said Mike Bowman, president, Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board. "This exciting, family-friendly event is one of a number of hospitality activities planned for Montgomery County, Pa., during the World Meeting of Families," he said.

"The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board will publish a September 1 edition of The Montco Explorer, a tourism information newspaper distributed at our 70 member hotels and at the Valley Forge Visitor Center. The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board will also distribute welcome gift bags to World Meeting of Family guests staying at Montgomery County-area hotels and a welcome message from Commissioner Shapiro will play on hotel room television screens," added Bowman.

In addition, the Tourism & Convention Board has established a microsite on its website, www.valleyforge.org, to provide information for World Meeting of Families attendees and residents and, as well has created a special website portal, www.homeawayfromrome.com, where pre-registration for Valley Forge Family Day is suggested.


About Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board
The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board is a nonprofit, membership-based sales and marketing organization that actively promotes the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County, Pa., as a convention site and leisure visitor destination by encouraging patronage of its 300-plus member hotels, restaurants, attractions and services. The Board's award-winning website serves visitors, meeting planners, tour operators and residents, as well as hosting The Pursuit, a twice-weekly, nationally recognized blog.

About Valley Forge National Historical Park
Valley Forge was the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of George Washington's Continental Army. The park commemorates the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation and honors the ability of citizens to pull together and overcome adversity during extraordinary times. For more information about the park, please visit the website at www.nps.gov/vafo or call 610-783-1099. Follow Valley Forge on social media: Facebook.com/ValleyForgeNHP, Twitter @ValleyForgeNHP, and Instagram @ValleyForgePark and share your photos and experiences.

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