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Countdown to Goose Day

Nearly every day in the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau office there is some discussion about Goose Day for the coming year. We’re always brainstorming how to improve upon last year’s celebration and draw more out-of-town guests to the area to celebrate with us.

But each conversation ultimately comes down to this: We need the community’s help for this quirky and unique holiday to continue to grow.

Last year, despite the pandemic, we had a great Goose Day celebration. We saw more new businesses join in on the fun with specials, goose dinners and new events. It’s so encouraging to see the community discover the potential this holiday can bring to the area.

Do you realize we are the only place in the country that celebrates this holiday?

Goose Day already brings “new money” into the area as we promote and advertise this holiday all over the state. As the holiday grows, even more tourists will be flocking to the Juniata River Valley to not only find their lucky bird to ensure wealth and prosperity but discover an area that is more than likely unknown to them.

Do you have any plans for Goose Day? Do you need some ideas of what you can do to help build this holiday? Call or email us with your plans and we will get you on the official Goose Day List. The deadline to get on the list is Aug. 23 because the list is revealed on Sept. 1 — no matter what.

Last year we had 12 pages of merchandise, food, drinks, contests, giveaways, events and sales surrounding the holiday. I’ve already started reaching out to area businesses to start building this year’s list and we’re happy to see the direction we are headed. The annual Goose Day 5K Run is back and a new event, Museum Day, is in the works.

Follow the Goose Day in the Juniata River Valley Facebook page for more details starting Sept. 1.

So how can you be part of the celebration?

Host an event like an open house or a fall festival. Create a contest or giveaway to not only promote the holiday but promote your business too.

Do something “goosey.” You don’t have to serve goose to be part of Goose Day. Offer a discount hidden inside a golden egg. Serve a blackberry flavored drink or dessert (the blackberries are tied to the legend of St,. Michaelmas day). Create some type of swag featuring the Goose Day logo. It’s up to you.

Promote your event or activity on social media. The visitors bureau is not the sole promoter of the holiday. Use the hashtags, #gooseday or #discoverJRV when posting on social media. Tag us so we share the post too.

Get on the list! Once you tell us what you are planning to do, stick to it! Since we promote outside the area, tourists have no way of knowing if you have made changes or canceled.

Lastly, invite your friends and family to the Juniata River Valley anytime throughout the month of September or during the celebration days, which are Sept. 24-29. We are encouraging day trips this year during the celebration dates since it will be a home Penn State football weekend and our local hotels and bed and breakfasts are already filling up for the game.

To get on the list, call (717) 248-6713 or email us at vbinfo@juniatarivervalley.org.

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Buffie Boyer is a marketing assistant with the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau.

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