The Bedford County Bucket List features 50 things to explore about the county.

To combat summertime boredom, the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce released an America250-themed bucket list, featuring 50 local experiences and a Patriotic Wild Goose Chase to celebrate county and national history.

Bedford County America250 chair Kellie Goodman Shaffer said that Bedford’s bucket list can make local attractions or events feel like an adventure.

“There is so much information, knowledge and interesting things to learn about where we came from,” she said.

However, this isn’t Bedford County’s first bucket list. Goodman Shaffer developed the idea several years ago, sending it out to families or career fairs to connect the next generation of workers with local events.

What started as a list challenging middle school students to visit local places before they graduate high school turned into something applicable for adults as well, she said.

“We posted it online a few years ago, and it was such a big hit that we do it every year or so,” she said.

Because this year’s list emphasizes America’s 250th anniversary, she said that the featured places and events are more historically aligned.

“We have a lot of cool things related to the forming of America, down to the Whiskey Rebellion, which was the first test of democracy after George Washington became president,” she said.

Other places of mention she included were the Old Bedford Village, the Old Log Church and Lincoln Highway, which spans the entire county.

Meanwhile, people can also find business cards with geese and the America250PA Bedford County logo printed on the front that are hidden all over the county. She said they’re encouraging people to take photos of the cards and share them on Facebook or take them home and start a collection.

Bedford resident Lee Shank said her 8-year-old son, Lucas, is currently on the hunt for the hidden business cards.

She said the search “allows us to unplug and focus on us as a family and (create) good memories of him being raised with parents who are involved.”

The bucket list is also a hit in Shank’s family, as she keeps it on the fridge at one of her Airbnb rentals in Bedford County.

“We really try hard to give (guests) anything and everything there is to do,” she said. “There’s no reason they’re bored.”

With the historic Fourth of July on the horizon, she said the list is a great way to bring awareness to some of the region’s hidden historical gems while encouraging people to get out in the local community.

The bucket list is available in person at the Chamber of Commerce office, 203 S. Juliana St., Bedford, and online on the America250PA Bedford County Facebook page.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.