Family travel lets you explore so many exciting things, from outdoor adventures to games in the car on family road trips, but sometimes we have the most fun when we simply take time out to enjoy a good old-fashioned festival. And this coming August, Robindale Great American Banana Split Celebration is the place to do just that.
© GO Laurel Highlands
Located in southwestern Pennsylvania, Latrobe is proud to be the place where the banana split was invented by David Strickler in 1904 at a local drugstore. Today, the site of the drugstore where it was invented is commemorated by a historical marker, but the entire town proudly celebrates Strickler’s contribution to dessert with the annual Banana Split Festival.
Like many of America’s best festivals, this celebration hits all the right notes with a car show, live music, and plenty of food and drink — there will even be a Banana Split Princess to help oversee the event — but it certainly doesn’t take itself too seriously. The family can participate in games like the corn hole tournament, banana baking contest, 5k banana run and the “yellow tie” gala event that kicks off the whole event. Rather than dress in your finest formal attire, attendees are asked to dress in their finest yellows for a night of music and food at Latrobe Arts Center on Aug. 23 to get them in the spirit of the coming weekend’s events.
© GO Laurel Highlands
And, of course, there will be plenty of banana splits to be had. Some of the area’s best eateries are represented each year at the festival to offer delicious bites to eat, so you can grab a meal or enjoy a sweet banana treat. In case you aren’t convinced why the banana split is the official desert of Pennsylvania, this festival is your perfect opportunity to find out for yourself.
The festival itself takes place Aug. 24 and 25. While you’re there, you’ll want to spend a few extra days exploring all the other great things that make Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highland region an ideal family-friendly destination. The area is known for its great hiking and biking trails along the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage, along with great attractions like Laurel Caverns, Living Treasures Animal Park and Idlewild & SoakZone, a family fun park where different age groups of kids can each find something just for them.
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