Local banquet to benefit Pennsylvania elk
The Happy Valley Chapter of The Keystone Elk Country Alliance will hold its annual conservation banquet in State College, Pa., in April 2025. Proceeds from the event will help the nonprofit further its mission to improve habitat for Pennsylvania’s elk herd, promote conservation, and provide conservation education for future generations.
Although many may not realize it, the Keystone State is home to about 1,400 free-ranging elk—the largest herd in the northeast. The animals live in 10 north‑central counties, primarily Elk, Cameron, Clinton, Clearfield, and Northern Centre counties. Elk can be seen as close as a 45‑minute drive from State College.
The Keystone Elk Country Alliance was formed in 2010 to focus on Pennsylvania elk conservation. The alliance is headquartered at the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette, Pa. The center, built by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is staffed by KECA. To meet increasing demands, the alliance recently completed the Clemens Outdoor Classroom and Event Center on the campus adjacent to the visitor center. The facilities deliver a consistent conservation message to tens of thousands of guests each year.
Sixteen chapters statewide hold banquets and other fundraising events to support KECA’s mission. “The money raised at these events is extremely important to us being able to fulfill our mission,” Alliance President and CEO Jeff Gauger said. “We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the funds raised at the banquets.”
According to Gauger, nearly 40,000 students benefited from KECA’s conservation education efforts last year, and more than 500 acres of elk habitat were improved. “What we do for elk benefits many other species as well,” Gauger explained. “All of our fundraising events are organized by volunteers. It is amazing to me that so many people are passionate about elk—both in running these events and in donating money to support our mission.”
The Happy Valley Chapter banquet will feature entertainment by The Arthur Arkestra, a full‑course meal served buffet style and a cash bar. The event will also include games, raffles and a live auction. The popular Progressive Raffle is part of the festivities. For $20, entrants have a chance to win a Tikka T3X Hunter rifle featuring a 24‑inch blued barrel, walnut stock, 7mm Remington action, and a Vortex Diamondback 4×12 scope. The rifle winner will then be entered, along with winners from 15 other chapter events, to win an elk hunt for two—a guided hunt for free‑range elk at the Fishtail Ranch in Chama, N.M.—offering a one‑in‑16 chance to win.
“We must be doing something right because banquet attendance keeps growing,” Chapter Chair Barry Gummo said. “We had 115 people the first year and 200 last year.”
“KECA members are a great group of people. Come out and enjoy a good meal with us,”
- Chapter Chair Barry Gummo
“KECA members are a great group of people. Come out and enjoy a good meal with us,” Gummo added. “There will be entertainment, fun games, and lots of good prizes—including more than 20 guns. This is the chapter’s sixth banquet. All money raised stays in Pennsylvania.”
The 2025 banquet will be held on April 26 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center. Doors open at 1:30 p.m., and the meal will be served at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $90 each and include a one‑year KECA membership. Table sponsorships and various raffle ticket packages are available. General raffle tickets purchased before April 8 will earn double entries. Complete information is available on the Keystone Elk Country Alliance website.
Out‑of‑town guests can take advantage of a discounted room rate at the Penn Stater. Reservations made by March 24 will receive a rate of $169. To book a room, call 814-863-5000 ext. 1.
