South Fork, PA- Wednesday, May 31, 2023, is the 134th Anniversary of the Johnstown Flood of Friday, May 31, 1889. The park will commemorate the victims of the flood with events throughout the day.
The Visitor Center will be open from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. At 4:07 pm, park rangers will lay commemorative wreaths on the remains of the dam. This marks the time the floodwaters reached Johnstown. The wreath laying will be broadcast live on our Facebook page. Children's activities take place from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the park picnic area, located off of the South Abutment Road.
Beginning at 7:00 pm, 2,209 luminaries, will be lit to honor the victims of the flood. They line the remains of the South Fork Dam and around the Visitor Center. Each luminary will have the name of a flood victim written on it and will remain lit until 10:00 pm. Park grounds will remain open until the conclusion of the luminaries.
A shuttle will run between the Visitor Center parking lot and the North Abutment from 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm. This takes visitors to the North Abutment to view the luminaries. The North Abutment parking lot will close to vehicles. Luminaries will also be visible from the Visitor Center area. Johnstown Flood National Memorial is free of charge.
Johnstown Flood National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Johnstown Flood National Memorial Johnstown Flood National Memorial was created by Congress in August of 1964 to preserve the ruins of the South Fork Dam and to commemorate the 2,209 lives lost in the Great Flood. For more information call 814-886-6171 or visit www.nps.gov/jofl.
