If you're looking for a getaway that's within driving distance of home, this is the perfect place to find it," said Wendy Royal, organizer of the PA Family Travel Fair. "Come here and see what's right in your backyard."

The PA Family Travel Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at Spooky Nook Sports Complex, 75 Champ Blvd., Manheim.

The event will feature free entry and free parking.

Organized by Where & When Pennsylvania, a free seasonal travel magazine, the PA Family Travel Fair will spotlight more than 50 vendors.

"We will have destination marketing organizations from all over the state," Royal shared. "Probably the farthest one is VisitErie or Warren County, but we have representatives from across Pennsylvania, from northeast Pennsylvania to Bucks County and the Laurel Highlands."

Several of the vendors have participated in the fair since its inception in 2018, while others are new this year.

"We have some historical railroads coming," Royal remarked. "We have amusement parks, museums and historic sites."

Many of the vendors will feature giveaways for items ranging from day passes to overnight trips.

The grand prize children's giveaway will be an eight pack of all-day passes to DelGrosso's Amusement Park & Laguna Splash Water Park in Tipton.

The grand prize giveaway, sponsored by Visit Potter-Tioga, will feature a four-night stay for four at the Penn Wells Lodge in Wellsboro, plus vouchers for covered wagon tours, gift cards to local businesses and spending money for the trip.

Topaz Balloons will be on-site providing balloon art from 10 a.m. to noon, and face painting will be offered by Jain Falcon from 1 to 3 p.m.

At noon, Clyde Peeling's Reptiland will present an educational show.

"(The Clyde Peeling's representative) usually brings big snakes and other reptiles," Royal said. "Last year, he brought a baby crocodile. His show is very popular."

Mascots - including Echo the bat from Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks as well as Johnny the Long John from Achenbach's Pastries - will also roam the event and will be available for pictures.

Royal initiated the idea for the PA Family Travel Fair in 2017 when she realized the wealth of vacation resources right in our state.

"The state of PA markets to outside areas," she said. "We're not going to see commercials for our own state. I want to give people new ideas of places they can visit in their home state."

According to the most recent statistics, tourism brings in $76 billion to the Pennsylvania economy, Royal said.

"That's 'billion' with a 'b.' Tourism is a big economic driver," she stated. "It's $4.7 billion in state and local taxes, and that's huge. We want to keep those tax dollars here. We want to encourage people to keep their money in the state."

And if you don't want to travel far this summer, don't worry. Local attractions will be represented at the fair as well. Elizabethtown-based Stone Gables Estate, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm in Ronks and Oregon Dairy in Lititz are just a few of the local participants.

Over the years, Royal has enjoyed watching people return annually to the event to learn more about what's in our state, and she likes seeing people discover something new.

"I think people are shocked at all the things you can do in Pennsylvania," she said. "People don't know that Jimmy Stewart was from Indiana, Pa., and there is a whole museum dedicated to him there. They do an 'It's a Wonderful Life' festival in the winter. ... We have beaches in Pennsylvania, too. Presque Isle Park in Erie has 13 beaches, including Sunset Beach, which has the most gorgeous sunsets you'll ever see."

Above all, she noted, the PA Family Travel Fair is a family-friendly, fun way to learn more and find vacation ideas.

"There's no selling, no pressure," Royal said. "You don't have to buy anything or sign up for anything. Just come, have a conversation with the vendors and pick up information to start planning your next trip."

For more information on the PA Family Travel Fair, visit https://pafamilytravel.com.