The walk, sponsored by the Shenango Campus of Penn State University and Quaker Steak and Lube restaurant, takes a leisurely path through downtown Sharon, residential neighborhoods, Buhl Farm park, Penn State's Shenango Campus and the historic industrial area.

A volksmarch or volkssport is a non-competitive event, either a walk (volksmarch), bike ride (volksbike), swim (volksswim), or cross-country skiing trek (volksski or skiwandering) on a predetermined route through a scenic or historic area.

It's not a pledge walk or race, but a fun activity one can do alone or with others. Some volksmarches are organized events and others, like the local one are year round walks.

Volksporting got its name from its origins in Germany, literally translating as "sport of the people."

Today there are thousands of volkssport clubs around the world, allied in the International Volkssport Verband (Federation), the lVV. Volksporting offers a great escape for people from the pressures and hassles of everyday life and it provides an excellent opportunity to get out and enjoy nature.

"We had a good first year," stated Steve Hessmann, Mercer, who designed the walk. "We had 50 walkers, which is where I wanted to be after the first year."

Those 50 walkers represented seven states, Hessmann said.

"Bringing in people from outside our region is the whole idea of our tourist effort. It is nice to be a part of that in a small way," he said.

The host club for the walk is the West Penn Walkers, Pittsburgh, and the walk is now listed in two publications: Starting Point 2002 and Pennsylvania Year Round Events, a booklet describing all of the walks across Pennsylvania for the year. Hessmann hopes the listings help attract more walkers.

Volksmarches are typically 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) on scenic trails, along rivers, around historic sites, through downtown areas or anywhere possible. Walking events may include more than one distance, but will always provide the minimum 10 kilometers. Walking time is about two hours, depending on your chosen pace and how often you stop to enjoy the surroundings.

The Sharon walk begins and ends at the Quaker Steak and Lube in Sharon.

The route runs up State Street, past landmarks including the Buhl Mansion, winds through residential neighborhoods on the way to Buhl Farm Park. The route continues through the park and past Thorton Hall before passing the former Westinghouse plant and continuing to the campus of Penn State Shenango. The route then passes over Veteran's Bridge and follows Veteran's Walkway back to the downtown restaurant.

Volksmarches are free, though for $2 walkers can earn credit toward Volksmarch achievement awards. Either free or for credit, everyone should register at the starting point. Walkers should find a walk box there with information about volksporting and the route.

Hessmann has also added New Walker Kits in the walk box, which promotes membership with the AVA.