Elk County previews Sandy Beach community event with emergency services displays, Blackhawk landing

Elk County officials previewed a Sandy Beach community event that will include emergency‑services displays, military exhibits, youth sports and vendor attractions, and a scheduled Blackhawk helicopter landing.

Greg Bauer, Elk County Commissioner, said the county will invite all emergency services (eight fire companies, Elkland Search and Rescue, ambulance and EMS, local police departments, state police, the county sheriff and detective) to display apparatus and interact with the public. The 9‑1‑1 mobile command center and several military displays were also listed among attractions. Local artist Ashton Denial was commissioned to produce work for the event, and organizers plan 3‑on‑3 basketball and volleyball tournaments.

Officials said the Blackhawk is expected to land at 3 p.m. and depart at 5 p.m. Bauer named Hunter Cashmere as a local pilot who will fly the aircraft into Sandy Beach. He said two pilots and a gunner crew would be present for the demonstration and that the public would be allowed to approach the aircraft and speak with crew members.

When a member of the press asked whether rides would be available and whether weapons would be carried, an official clarified the helicopters will not fly armed or carry ammunition for the event; crews may show how weapons are mounted but the equipment will not be operational or loaded.

No safety incidents or permits beyond a referenced fireworks application deadline were recorded in the transcript; organizers and commissioners expressed enthusiasm for the community event.