10th Annual Canal Festival Returns Saturday, August 19, 2023

Canal Festival Returns

The 10th Annual Canal Festival will be held Saturday, August 19th from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Delaware and Hudson Canal Park at Lock 31, Route 6, one mile west of Settlers' Inn, Hawley, PA.

This free rain-or-shine event will again feature live traditional music by Poison Love acoustic band from     10 AM to 1 PM and Ann Loeb/Mike Baglione acoustic band from 1 PM to 4 PM. Other demonstrations will include blacksmithing by Gravity Forge, wood carving by Cherry Ridge Wood Carvers and Tom Hollister, early trapping and outdoor skills by Ed Burgholzer, guided history and nature walks by Sally Talaga and John Harvey. Also, fiber arts display and demonstrations and the Stourbridge Lion “cub” will again make an appearance.

Site-related local nonprofits and government informational booths include Coolbaugh Township Historical Association, Delaware Highlands Conservancy; D & H Canal Historical Society, Greene-Dreyer Historical Society, Lackawaxen River Conservancy; Lackawaxen River Trails; NPS Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, Pike-Wayne Trout Unlimited, which will provide fly fishing demonstration and lessons at 10 AM and 2 PM.  Also The Society of PA Archeology will continue their “dig” in the canal, Wayne County Conservation District will be present, Wayne County Master Gardeners will have a booth, and the 143^rd NY Volunteer Infantry, Civil War reenactors will be present .

The Living History Stage will host the popular folk musician Dave Matskino at 10:30 AM and 12:45 PM, Frank Littlebear and Red Vision Native American Dance Team at 11:30 AM and 1:45 PM. Additional     children’s activities including an educational scavenger hunt will be offered.

Food, including grilled meats, sides and home baked-goods will be available for purchase. Local authors will be signing and selling their books. Local history related items, including books and the four part D & H    Canal Co. documentary can be viewed and purchased inside the Canal Store.

So, bring a blanket or lawn chair and spend the day or part of it enjoying this 17-acre park and historic site along the beautiful Lackawaxen River. The festival’s schedule of events, complete list of participants and park map can be found a www.WayneHistoryPA.com.

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

More information about the Wayne County Historical Society and its D & H Canal Park at Lock 31 can be found by calling 570 253-3240, and by visiting its main museum at 810 Main Street, Honesdale, Wednesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 4 PM.