Press Releases

A light rain didn’t dampen the spirits of 1,046 competitors in last Sunday’s Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-mile Run at Valley Forge National Historical Park (the Park).

Spring bursts forth with color, culture and creativity in Valley Forge and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

The 7th Annual Revolutionary 5-mile Run, produced and sponsored by the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau (VFCVB), will be held at Valley Forge National Historical Park on Sunday, April 22.

The hospitality hoopla that started in late 2010 in Valley Forge and Montgomery County continues with the opening of three new lodgings and the major expansion and diversification of another.

George Washington was 46 years old before he ever partied on his birthday. And what a grand event it was (for those days), including being serenaded by his wife and Continental Army soldiers in the midst of their storied winter encampment at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in 1778.  This year, the party’s even bigger as Valley Forge National Historical Park continues the tradition during Presidents Day weekend, February 17 - 20.

Their battle losses were crushing at Brandywine in the fall of 1777 and George Washington’s tattered troops desperately needed shelter for the winter and a secure site for much-needed training. The General chose Valley Forge, 18 miles outside of Philadelphia, for its strategic location -- high ground above the frontal and side approach routes and bordered by the Schuylkill. The exhausted, beaten men trudged in on December 19. 

As the autumnal leaves fall from the trees and the air chills this October, a "howlin’good" half-dozen haunts happen in historic Valley Forge and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Best known as the pivotal encampment site of George Washington’s troops in 1777-78, many lost their lives here. Yet some spirits still remain…

Summer break doesn’t have to mean a break from learning for America’s kids. National Parks across the nation provide an abundance of teachable moments. At Valley Forge National Historical Park, for example, a camp and new Call to Arms program are among the fun, memorable and educational opportunities available to parents hoping to avoid the "summer slide." *

As the nation celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County, just outside Philadelphia, offers a weekend of historic holiday hoopla. If Philadelphia is recognized as where the idea of American independence was conceived and Yorktown where it was won, then Valley Forge was surely pivotal in its winning. For it was there, over the winter of 1777-78, that its Army was born.

The thunderous roar of muskets and cannon echoed across the rolling hills of Valley Forge in May of 1778, but none was fired in anger. Instead, it signaled the joyous celebration of a young America’s new and promising strategic relationship with France – in today’s vernacular, BFF: Best Friends Forever.

The unrelenting determination of George Washington’s Continental soldiers to survive their Valley Forge encampment was personified in Dennis Chippolini, of Skippack, following the sixth annual Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-mile Run, April 18. Chippolin, 58, was named first-ever recipient of the Spirit of Valley Forge - Triumph over Adversity Award.

Rolling hills, lush countryside, and the scenic Valley Forge National Historical Park are just some of the reasons Valley Forge and Montgomery County are favorite destinations for cyclists, both amateur and professional.

The 6th Annual Revolutionary 5-mile Run, produced and sponsored by the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau (VFCVB), will be held this year at Valley Forge National Historical Park on April 17.The run, which drew a record 1,564 participants last year, benefits recreation preservations initiatives at Valley Forge National Historical Park and kicks off National Park Week. In its five-year history, runner registration fees and corporate sponsorships have contributed more than $119,000 for the cause.

Courage, determination and perseverance defined the brave Continental Army soldiers who struggled through and survived the elements at Valley Forge during their winter encampment of 1777-78. Now, their legacy will live on through the “Spirit of Valley Forge – Triumph Over Adversity” award to be introduced during this April’s sixth annual Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-mile Run at Valley Forge National Historical Park.

The saga of the American Revolutionary War is often told through lectures and textbooks, depicting tales of a heroic General Washington. But what of the common Revolutionary War soldiers? A history loaded weekend, March 25 – 27, in the Valley Forge area explores their epic struggle.

Whether you’re an animal lover, a foodie or just a hopeless romantic, the Valley Forge area has something to warm your heart for the Valentine’s Day weekend. Those “wild” about love can celebrate at Elmwood Park Zoo’s “Animal Amore”- a spicy look at love in the animal kingdom presented by zoo director Bill Konstant. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. in the zoo’s new Canopy Gardens Pavilion on Feb.12 and will include a romantic five-course dinner, live music with complimentary champagne toast. Cost is $100 per couple.

The Situation: General George Washington’s ravaged Continental Army is encamped for the cold, harsh winter at Valley Forge. The valiant volunteer colonials have thus far been no match for the superiorly trained British regulars, now occupying warm Philadelphia quarters. If the battle for American Independence is to continue, Washington needs healthy young recruits to replenish his depleted ranks.

An amazing array of celebrations and special events illuminate winter in Valley Forge and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. As diverse as frenetic Black Friday sales, gaily decorated homes and historic re-enactments, visitors and residents alike will find no dearth of things to do, places to go and people to see amidst the holiday merriment!

Award-winning author Laurie Halse Anderson will be in Valley Forge National Historical Park on Tuesday, November 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to promote her new historical novel, Forge. Set largely in Valley Forge during the winter encampment of 1777-78, this political thriller and coming of age story, is the sequel to Chains – Anderson’s New York Times bestseller and winner of the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Curzon, a 15-year-old escaped slave passing for free, lives in fear of discovery and forms a friendship with Isabel who is at Valley Forge against her will. The two must sort out their tangled friendship and what stands between them and true freedom.

Leaf peepers anxious for dazzling displays of brilliant reds and oranges should roam the 3,600-acre Valley Forge National Historical Park in the coming weeks to capture its magnificent maples and oaks. Recognized by the National Park Service as one of the nation’s top 10 parks for fall foliage, Valley Forge, located just 18 miles outside Philadelphia, is an autumnal oasis. And to help navigate the seasonal landscape, the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau recommends these six top spots in the park for fantastic fall shots.

As a blanket of orange, blazing yellow and red bursts through the landscape of Valley Forge and Montgomery County, Pa., the area yields a bumper crop of creative family-fun fall festivities. Here’s a list of 10 recommended by the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Valley Forge National Historical Park is heating up this summer with several exciting ways to experience the site of General George Washington’s 1777-78 winter encampment and its beautiful 3,600-acre landscape.

In today’s busy, fast-paced world, it’s often tough for fathers and sons to share as many moments together as they’d like. But this Father’s Day weekend (June 19 and 20), the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau suggests eight memory-making experiences in Valley Forge and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania guaranteed to create some real quality “father-son” time.

Beneath the rolling hills of Valley Forge National Historical Park (VFNHP) is a history mystery. More than 200 years ago, the Continental Army encamped in the area for only seven months, but today almost all the evidence of General Washington’s legendary winter camp lies below the surface.

Thunderous musket and cannon fire echoed across Valley Forge in May of 1778, but instead of signaling vicious combat, it represented joyous celebration of a young America’s strategic and fruitful alliance with France.

She’s packed your lunches, kissed your boo-boos and stayed up with you during every bad dream, so what are you going to do for mom on her special day? These seven unique Mother’s Day weekend options in the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania are sure to please the family matriarch.

With a time of 25:23, Jonathan Fasulo, of Ardmore, won his second Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-mile Run in the event’s five-year history. Beyond having also won in 2007, the 28-year-old beat his last race-winning time by 36 seconds, clocking in at just over 5:04 per mile.

The U.S. Army Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Battalion at Plymouth Meeting Mall has joined 13 other sponsors supporting the fifth annual Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-Mile Run. The event will be held on Sunday, April 18, at Valley Forge National Historical Park in King of Prussia.

Courage, determination and perseverance are words more likely to be associated with George Washington’s historic winter encampment at what’s now Valley Forge National Historical Park, than a “run in the park.” But participants in the annual Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-Mile Run there often exhibit the same qualities.

Regardless of their true heritage, it seems nearly everyone claims to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. And, as the luck o’ the Irish would have it, Valley Forge and Montgomery County offer numerous opportunities for celebrating Ireland’s rich heritage and its best-known immigrant, Patrick. So grab your green hat and shillelagh, get your Irish on and make a wee journey to these happening pubs in the Valley Forge area on March 17. And remember that, oddly enough, you’ll be celebrating “himself’s” death, not birth.

Overloaded with TV, instant messaging and video games, it’s easy and unsettling to imagine kids spending their summer break indoors. But this year Valley Forge National Historical Park is enticing kids to explore its 3,600 acres of lush vegetation and abundant wildlife and discover some of America’s earliest history through its new Junior Ranger Adventure Camp.

Punxsutawney Phil just predicted six more weeks of winter, but it’s not too early to begin planning for warmer weather. These 10 events in Valley Forge and Montgomery County in suburban Philadelphia are certain antidotes for spring fever.

Valley Forge National Historical Park will celebrate George Washington’s 278th birthday with an array of free activities this Presidents Day weekend, February 13-15. Members of the Cradle of Liberty Council of the Boy Scouts of America will kick off the commemoration on Saturday, February 13, with the 98th Washington’s Birthday Encampment and Pilgrimage – the oldest continuous annual scouting event in the world.

Members of the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment re-enactment group, local authors, Park rangers and others will commemorate the Continental Army’s historic winter of 1777 march-in to its Valley Forge encampment site on Saturday, December 19.

The arrival of winter’s cold makes several Valley Forge and Montgomery County area hot spots just what the doctor ordered to cure cabin fever this season.

This holiday season, tight funds call for practical purchases. And what’s more sensible, and sensational, than satisfying the appetites of family and friends with fantastic food items made locally in Valley Forge and Montgomery County (Montco), Pennsylvania.

Twelve events from ethnic festivals to craft fairs will take place in the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County, Pa., this fall.

The end of summer in the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, brings cooler temperatures, colorful leaves and festivals galore. It also signals the arrival of 12 family-friendly events to fall for this autumn.

Kelley Mishler, Service Manager at the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau, was recently recognized as winner, in the guest relations category, of the Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Association (PTLA) 2009 Spirit of Hospitality Award.

Both the Valley Forge and Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureaus have been accredited by the Washington, D.C.-based Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP).In earning the international accreditation, destination marketing organizations (DMOs) communicate to their communities, as well as to meeting planners, tour operators and visitors, that they’ve attained significant measures of excellence in selling their destinations professionally and ethically.

Valley Forge National Historical Park, the encampment site of George Washington during the winter of 1777-78, is honored in National Geographic’s USA 101: A Guide to America’s Iconic Places, Events, and Festivals.

Did you know that May 9 is International Migratory Bird Day? And that the Valley Forge area is a well known “birding” destination? That said, what better way to go to the birds this spring, than to visit Montgomery County, Pennsylvania’s many places to watch our fine feathered friends.

Three Montgomery County, Pa., homes with very different histories have one thing in common -- they’re now museums offering special discounts as part of the region’s Museum Week, April 27 through May 3.

Even sneakers that have run their course will find a place at this year’s Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-mile Run at Valley Forge National Historical Park, April 19.

Joan Osborne’s life revolves around running today, but that wasn’t always the case. After she quit smoking and consequently gained weight, while in her early 30s, she began recreational running with friends and realized she liked doing so because it was a sport that didn’t need winners or losers.

Visitors won’t need an economic stimulus package to have fun in Valley Forge and Montgomery County, Pa. this April, as the area offers an array of free attractions and events. Here are 11 no-cost ideas to help spring them into the season.

Local Hoteliers Spend More Than $30 million Upgrading Properties KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. Despite the struggling...

A record was set at this year’s Valley Forge Revolutionary Five-mile Run - but not by a runner. Thanks to a 20 percent increase in the number of participants and sponsors, the event raised $31,000; the most in its three-year history.

Bagpipers, step dancers and more will transform the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, Pa., to a corner of the Emerald Isle and the Scottish Highlands during the 16th Annual Mid-Winter Scottish & Irish Music Festival and Fair Feb. 15-17.

The Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau and Valley Forge National Historical Park announced today an innovative public-private partnership through which the organizations...

Remember the feeling of freedom you felt when you first rode around the block by yourself? Or the joy you experienced when you felt the exhilaration of making it to the top of a steep hill? Now when you visit Valley Forge National Historical Park you can experience that same excitement without even hitching a bike to the back of your car. For a more vigorous tour of the park, visitors can rent a bike and explore the Park on their own.