Hawley Winterfest returns, expanded & a chance to give
HAWLEY - The Hawley Winterfest tradition resumes in style for 2021, including two weekends and a new component with ways the public may give back and help others in need during the Holidays.
Kate Hayes, chairperson for Hawley Winterfest, one of the key activities of Downtown Hawley Partnership (DHP) welcomes the community back to share in the traditions and some new events. The event takes place from Dec. 3 - 12, with a parade stepping off at noon Dec. 3 in downtown Hawley.
She said it was hard to have to suspend Winterfest in 2020, a year when most public events were canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The traditions, she noted, are important both for public- those who live here and those who visit- and for the economic vitality of the local business community. The festival dates back to 1998.
Hayes talked to community leaders and DHP about expanding this year's event from three days (one weekend) to 10 days, covering two weekends. This allows the many participating businesses, community nonprofit organizations and borough to spread out the planned schedule, give more of a chance for people to attend and get ahead of any potentially poor weather.
There are multiple events planned in and near Hawley; only a sampling is given here. The entire schedule is available in their printed brochure and on the DHP website.
Food pantry, Trees For a Cause
Community Outreach is a new aspect to Hawley Winterfest. This will be done in a couple ways, giving everyone the opportunity to give. Community food pantry collection sites will be offered at several local churches (St. Paul's Lutheran, Hawley United Methodist, 1st Presbyterian), Teeters' Furniture Store and the DHP office at 519 Church Street (Black Bear Conservatory of Music). Following Winterfest, DHP will distribute the non-perishable food donations to the food bank at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Wallenpaupack Kids' Food Pantry.
Trees For a Cause will be held at The Hawley Hub on Main Avenue, December 4-12. Each participant will show off their tree decorating skills and have friendly competition to raise money for their select cause. Visitors may give a donation for the charity of their choice.
Samplings of events
The popular Historic House Tour didn't seem feasible this year with Covid, but instead a Historic Hawley Walking Tour is planned. On Dec. 5, 1-3 p.m. and Dec. 11, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Wallenpaupack drama students (WAHS Players) in costume will be leading tours and give theatric presentations on the sidewalk about six historic sites they stop at. Groups of 10-12 will depart for the approximately one-hour loop tour, every 15 minutes.
They begin outside the DHP office at 519 Church Street. Tickets cost $10 (sold online and at Teeters' Furniture).
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Many long-time favorites are back, such as the Cookie Walk (Sat. Dec. 11, 9 a.m.- 1 pm.) at the 1st Presbyterian Church; horse and carriage/ wagon rides; expanded shopping on the sidewalks and inside stores.
Hawley Library was able to spread out their numerous activities over two weekends and make best use of each level of the library. They have lots of family events, such as music, authors' books signing, art, stories and baked goods.
The Erin Hill Trio
Music is always a big part of Winterfest. The Erin Hill Trio will be performing inside the historic Hawley Bank building (formerly PNC Bank), 240 Main Avenue, Friday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m.
Ms. Hill’s professional credits include playing, singing, and acting on Broadway, film, and television. She is a harpist and vocalist, and has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, and worldwide as a solo musician. Tickets are $25 (sold online and at Teeters' Furniture). Among her songs will be her rendition of the holiday classic Winter Wonderland, which was written by Wayne County native Dick Smith in 1934.
Ritz Company Playhouse puts on their annual Christmas Show, at no cost to the public. Doors open at 2 and the curtain rises at 2:30 p.m., Sat./Sun., Dec. 11-12. Enjoy merriment, music, mischief and mystery, topped with a special visit by Santa after the show.
During the first few years of Winterfest there was a parade. This tradition returns at noon, Sat., Dec. 4 with a short parade heading up Main Avenue to Bingham Park where the borough is hosting a bonfire, free hot chocolate and Santa in the bandstand. From there the public can scatter around town and see what Hawley has to offer for Winterfest, Hayes said.
The Road to Bethlehem Live Nativity this year at Hawley United Methodist Church will be a drive-through on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Stourbridge Line is sponsoring Santa's Christmas Tree Express with trains running on the 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th, departing from Hawley station at 11:15 a.m. The train stops along the way at the railroad's own trackside Christmas tree farm, where one may buy a tree, and kids may visit Santa. Trees will be tagged and brought back on a railroad flat car.
Winterfest Artisan Shopping takes place Dec. 11-12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at three locations, Hawley Silk Mill, The Hawley Hub and where you see outside sidewalk vendors.
Snowmen will be on display around the Hawley Lake Region, Dec. 4-12.
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There are also activities in the greater Hawley area, include a special White House Christmas Card display and Wayne County Arts Alliance "Art Under $100" sale at Dorflinger Factory Museum, local wine tasting at Three Hammers Winery, Breakfast with Santa at The Waterfront, East Shore Gift Shop Open House, Woodloch's Holiday Craft Fair, Winterfest Beer Tour from Hawley to Tafton, and more.
She acknowledged that DHP has a good group of volunteers who make Winterfest happen, meeting through the year to make plans.
"I want people to fall in love with Hawley," Hayes said. Many of their activities are interactive and encourage residents and visitors to both like it here and want to return. She said it keeps to DHP's motto, "Come Home to Hawley."
There are many more activities than what are mentioned here. Hawley Winterfest 2021 brochure may be viewed at https://visithawleypa.com/ . See also their Facebook page and Instagram. The DHP office may be contacted at 570-226-4064 or emailed at info@visithawleypa.com.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: The Hawley Winterfest tradition resumes in style for 2021, including two weekends and a new component with ways the public may give back.
