Head to northern Poconos this August for return of Canal Festival on the Lackawaxen

STAFF REPORTS
·3 min read

Take in the sights and sounds of "living history" in the northern Poconos this August.

Wayne County Historical Society's 9th Annual Canal Festival is planned for Saturday, August 20 at the Delaware and Hudson Canal Park, a press release from the society states.

Take in the folky sounds of musician Dave Matsinko on the Living History Stage, as well as the rhythms of Frank Littlebear and the Red Vision Native American Dance Team. Littlebear is of the Northern Cree tribe. He and his family, based in York, Pa., go about introducing their culture, raising awareness and understanding.

Other musical acts include acoustic band Poison Love (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.), followed by the Ann Loeb/Mike Baglione band from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Check out a blacksmithing demonstration by Gravity Forge, wood carving by the Cherry Ridge Wood Carvers and Tom Hollister, as well as fiber arts displays and demonstrations. Get a glimpse of what it was like to survive in harsh environments by attending early trapping and outdoor skills demo by Ed Burgholzer, and guided history and nature walks by Sally Talaga and John Harvey.

Dave Matsinko, "Minstrel of the Mountains," provides traditional folk and American heritage music at the Canal Festival.
Dave Matsinko, "Minstrel of the Mountains," provides traditional folk and American heritage music at the Canal Festival.

Enjoy food, including grilled meats and home-baked goods, available for purchase.

The Stroubridge Lion "cub" will once again make an appearance, according to the press release.

Learn more about local nonprofits and our government by checking out info booths hosted by the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Lackawaxen River Conservancy, NPS Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, NEPA Audubon Society, Pike County Historical Society, Pike-Wayne Trout Unlimited, Society of PA Archeology, Wayne County Conservation District, Wayne County Master Gardeners, and the 143rd NY Volunteer Infantry, Civil War reenactors.

Seven local authors will be signing and selling their books. Local history related items, including books and the three-part D & H Canal Co. documentary can be viewed and purchased inside the Canal Store.

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and spend the day enjoying this 17-acre park and historic site along the beautiful Lackawaxen River.

Sponsors for this year's Fest include: David Katz Foundation; Pioneer Constructions; A.M. Skier Agency; Charles W. Grimm Construction, Inc.; Koberlein Environmental Services; Wayne Memorial Health Systems; Dirlam Bros. Lumber Co., Inc.; The Dime Bank; David and Marcia Dunsmore; Watson’s Bros. Inc.; Wayne Bank; FNCB Bank; Davis R. Chant Realtors; Dunmore Roofing; Lewis and Mary Dunn; 1st Alarm Security; Kim and Mike Fisch; Paupack Insurance; ReMax Wayne; Arthur and Sandra Flynn; Lynn M. Thompson; Arts for Him & Her Too; Ron Brill; Bill Donnelly; Billie A. Garbe; Inter County Abstract; Jeannie's Chapel Street Salon and Woodloch Resort.

The event is made possible by a grant from Wayne County Commissioners/Wayne County Room Tax, in- kind donations from Hunt Signs, Spencer Printing and Alan Kehoe, equipment loans from the National Park Service and the park’s many volunteers.

Learn more about the Wayne County Historical Society and its D & H Canal Park at Lock 31 online at WayneHistoryPA.com, or by calling 570-253-3240. Visit the main museum at 810 Main Street, Honesdale, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

If you go

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, August 20.

Where: Delaware and Hudson Canal Park at Lock 31, Rt. 6, one mile west of Hawley, PA at 179 Texas Palmyra Highway, Hawley.

For more information, including a schedule of events, complete list of participants and park map, go to WayneHistoryPA.com.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Wayne County Historical Society's annual Canal Fest set for Aug. 20