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Giant troll sculptures will lurk in Pa. national forest

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Giant troll sculptures will lurk in Pa. national forest


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  • Danish artist Thomas Dambo will install three giant troll sculptures in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest in 2027.
  • The “Trolls in the Forest” sculptures are hand-built entirely from recycled and reclaimed materials like scrap wood.
  • These art installations are a global phenomenon, drawing tourism and boosting local economies in 20 countries.

A world-class public art experience by a Danish artist is coming to a Pennsylvania national forest in September of 2027, and he’s bringing his giant troll sculptures with him.

Artist Thomas Dambo has created multiple hand-built sculptures known as “Trolls in the Forest.” They generate visitors and revenue in each of the 20 countries where they have been placed.

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Here’s more on what to know about these sculptures and what makes them so popular.

What is ‘Trolls in the Forest’?

“Trolls in the Forest” is an ambitious art project that features hand-built troll sculptures that can stretch as high as 40 feet.

These sculptures are made entirely from recycled and reclaimed materials that blend art, nature, sustainability and storytelling. The trolls have proved to drive tourism and aid economic growth and national attention because of their popularity.

The Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau states that these trolls are built on site with the help of communities. This help provides volunteers the opportunity to assemble the bodies and limbs of the trolls which then creates a sense of ownership over the trolls.

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A single troll in Wisconsin has already generated more than 62,000 visitors in 30 days with an estimated $4 million in economic impact, according to the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau.

Where will the three troll sculptures be located in PA?

If you make the trip over to the Allegheny National Forest in 2027, the Trolls in the Forest will be featured in three locations spanning from the northern to southern end of McKean County.

The plan is for the trolls to be installed in Kane, Bradford and a central third location.

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Who is Thomas Dambo?

Dambo was born in Odense, Denmark in 1979. He grew up indulging in the street arts including hip-hop and graffiti which led him to pursue a Master’s Degree in interaction design at Kolding School of Design in 2012.

After earning his master’s degree, Dambo began experimenting with large-scale installations while using recycled wood materials which eventually became the trolls in 2016.

With more than 170 trolls already installed in 20 countries and 21 states, Dambo’s work has become an international sensation.

In the other areas that host Dambo’s installations, the destinations have reportedly experienced what is known as the “Dambo effect.”

Simply put, these creations have sparked growth across the nation drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors

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What recycled materials are trolls built from?

Dambo creates these giant sculptures from recycled and reclaimed wood that often includes pallets, floorboards, fallen trees and other scrap.

Learn more about “Trolls in the Forest” at the Allegheny National Forest website.

Nicholas Sorensen can be contacted at Nsorensen@usatodayco.com.



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Pennsylvania

PHOTOS: Storm damage across central Pennsylvania

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PHOTOS: Storm damage across central Pennsylvania


HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Gusty storms caused damage across central Pennsylvania, toppling trees onto cars, buildings, utility lines, street lights, and more.

In Harrisburg, the storm left debris from trees strewn about roadways across the city.

Along Front Street near Riverfront Park, numerous trees were toppled in the park and on the roadway. There, Harrisburg’s 4th of July festivities

A large tree took down the traffic light at Front and Chestnut. abc27 News spotted Harrisburg Public Works crews working to clean up the mess.

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Across the river in Lemoyne, trees fell on several parked cars.

An abc27 News photojournalist at the scene saw trees atop two parked cars there.

Back in Harrisburg, a tree branch fell and struck a house on Pennwood Road in the city.

Kaylee Lindenmuth / abc27 News — Pennwood Road at Angenese Street, Harrisburg

East of the city, numerous trees were reported downed as well.

Near Hershey, an abc27 News viewer sent in a photo of a tree which struck a deck.

Another abc27 News viewer in Mechanicsburg shared photos of downed trees in her neighborhood.

Those trees came down in yards and, in one case, on a house.

In York County, downed trees closed Interstate 83 for a time.

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Across the area, over 120,000 power customers were reported out because of the storms.



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Pennsylvania

They Gathered to See ‘Big Boy,’ Were Felled by the Heat

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They Gathered to See ‘Big Boy,’ Were Felled by the Heat



A historic train drew a huge crowd in Pennsylvania on Thursday, but the extreme heat came with it. Officials in Berks County declared a mass-casualty incident after more than 100 people waiting to see “Big Boy,” billed as the world’s largest steam-powered locomotive, suffered heat-related problems at the Reading & Blue Mountain Railroad Outer Station in Muhlenberg Township, reports UPI, citing local media. Temperatures hit about 106 degrees Fahrenheit as the train’s arrival was delayed for more than an hour.


Emergency calls began around 1:30pm local time. Forty-five people were taken to local hospitals, with one person who went into cardiac arrest revived before transport, authorities said. Children and older adults made up most of the patients. Big Boy ultimately passed through the station around 2:30pm en route to Philadelphia.

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With Independence Day festivities looming, Muhlenberg Police Chief Randall Hoover cautioned that revelers should prep for continued heat, per NBC Philadelphia, which notes that some attendees at the Big Boy event had started showing up as early as 9am. “Heat is going to be an issue, stay hydrated,” Hoover advises. The CDC notes that heat-related illnesses can run the gamut from heat rash and cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, per ABC27.





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Happy Valley Casino revenue rises in second month, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board says

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Happy Valley Casino revenue rises in second month, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board says


Happy Valley Casino in State College posted a sharp increase in gambling revenue in its second month of operation, according to newly released figures from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

After questions and concerns followed the casino’s first-month revenue report, the latest numbers show gains for both slot machines and table games.

Slot wagers jumped from about $6.5 million in the first month to more than $31 million in the second month. The casino’s gross revenue for slots — described as the amount remaining after taxes and other mandated payments — rose from about $713,000 in the first month to about $3.1 million in the second month. The report also shows an increase in table games revenue.

The new report notes that 17 slot machines have been added, bringing the total to 587.

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Happy Valley Casino opened after close to six years of development. Gaming Control Board administrators said they are confident about its impact, noting that the casino is “not only producing hundreds of jobs for the community,” but is also “giving back with tax revenue that’s being used within the community.”

The casino’s original general manager, Eric Pearson, left last month. There was no word yet on a new general manager.



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