Finally! It’s Spring!! And if it’s Spring, can the opening day of trout season be far behind?
Picture this: It’s a warm, sunny Spring day and you’re standing along Fishing Creek near the bridge into the Scout camp near Benton. It’s quiet except for the occasional call of a bird and the sound of the rushing water. Looking into the clear water, you see a flash of gold. It’s a palomino trout darting along the stony creek bottom. And suddenly, you’re in your happy place!
For adult anglers, the magic time to start fishing for trout is 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2019. However, youth under the age of 16 can join an adult angler who has a current fishing license and trout permit on Mentored Youth Fishing Day Saturday, April 6, and fish on stocked trout waters from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
In preparation for opening day, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission began stocking adult trout in area streams on March 1. To find out what streams are being stocked, visit the Commission’s stocking page on their website. Many of the streams are in Columbia and Montour counties.
Fishing Creek, one of Pennsylvania’s legendary fishing destinations for avid trout anglers, runs through Columbia County and is considered to be one of the finest trout streams in the state. There are numerous public and private fishing areas along the creek, which is stocked in several locations. One of those locations is along Camp Lavigne Road north of Benton, scheduled for April 8. Another good location in Columbia County is Briar Creek Lake near Berwick. That’s scheduled for stocking April 4.
In Montour County, Mahoning Creek, Roaring Creek and Mauses Creek are all scheduled to be stocked.
Mentored Youth Day
If you’d like to introduce a kid to fishing, what better opportunity than the Mentored Youth Fishing Day? To participate, youth anglers must be under the age of 16 and obtain a free Mentored Youth Fishing Permit or purchase a Voluntary Youth Fishing License from the Commission. They must be accompanied by a licensed adult angler. Youth may harvest up to two trout (combined species) with a minimum size of 7 inches. All other Commonwealth Inland Water regulations also apply. The Voluntary Youth License costs $2.90.
To fish on Mentored Fishing Day, adult anglers 16 years of age or older must have a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License and a current Trout/Salmon Permit, and be accompanied by a youth (less than 16 years of age) who has obtained a Mentored Youth Fishing Permit or Voluntary Youth Fishing License from the Commission. While adult mentors will be permitted to fish for trout on April 6, any trout they catch must be released unharmed.
Barry & Cathy Beck will guide you on fly-fishing excursions
If you’ve ever wanted to learn fly-fishing or you’re experienced but would like to improve your technique, Cathy and Barry Beck can help you with any aspect of the sport. Located near Benton, the couple has more than 30 years’ experience with fly-fishing instruction. Schedule a couple hours of private lessons tailored to specific requests or start from the beginning. If you’re a new angler, they will cover casting, shooting line, roll casts, presentation and retrieving. After that you’ll move to their private pond for hooking, fighting, landing and releasing fish. For new anglers they suggest three hours of instruction. If you’re coming to improve your cast or to learn a new technique such as double haul, extending your cast, or better presentation, come for one or two hours of instruction.
Or sign up for the Becks’ 1-Day Learning Package. Come for a private lesson in the morning, then after the lesson and lunch, spend the afternoon on private water with an instructor/guide.
This package includes the lesson, lunch and the afternoon of guided fishing. Your guide will cover wading safety, reading water, approach, presentation, knots and much more. Ask lots of questions as this is your opportunity to have a tutor for the day.
Bring the Kids
The Becks also offer a Country Life Experience for families in partnership with Springdale Farm and The Lodge at Raven Creek. The program includes a 2-night stay and a big day of adventure and exploring followed by an evening campfire with marshmallows, hotdogs and hamburgers under the summer night sky.
In a day packed with outdoor fun, the kids can learn fly fishing, get in a kayak, go on a waterfall trail hike, feed the horses at the farm, or splash around in the stream.
Feeling the winter blues? Don’t despair – Spring is almost here even if it doesn’t look that way outside in this part of Pennsylvania just yet. And with the promise of Spring also comes a chance to get out and enjoy Restaurant Week 2019 happening March 29 – April 7.
There are 23 restaurants participating this year and 10 days to enjoy them. (Maybe lunch and dinner out every day, to try them all in the interest of research??) And, all of the restaurants are offering deals ranging from free appetizers to special menus and live music.
If you visit Bandit’s Roadhouse in Berwick on Friday (4/5), for example, you can enjoy a free tasting menu pairing craft beers with food at 7 p.m. and stay for music by Bill Talanca at 9 p.m. – no cover charge! Or if you’re a taco fan, visit on Thursday (4/4) for “Taco Thursday” and enjoy beef or chicken tacos for $1 each or fish or shrimp tacos for $1.95 each. (Pub 2 in Danville also will offer taco specials on March 30 and April 6.)
While you’re in Berwick, head to Amici Italian Grill. They’ll have complimentary sangria made with Freas Farm Wine with the purchase of an entree (for guests 21 and older). Also, Freas Farm will be there offering wine tastings and selling wine by the bottle. You might find me trying their chicken scampi – or the Margherita pizza or maybe the pasta with Pesto Cream Sauce (anything with basil is a favorite of mine)!
Or head to Nickle Plate Bar and Grill at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg and get a free Pretzel Rail appetizer with the purchase of any entree any time during Restaurant Week. While you’re in Elysburg, you also might want to try Profile Coffee and Roasters. On Sunday, March 31, they will be doing a pop-up coffee shop at Cherokee Taproom and Eatery in Riverside and on Tuesday (4/2) there will be a special Wine & Paint night at their own location.
Over in Danville, you can get the featured flatbread at the Iron Fork at Frosty Valley free with the purchase of any entree. Or head to Hilltop Bar and Grill on Thursday (4/4) for prime rib. Get the queen size for $10.99 or the king for $15.99. They have other featured menu items that week with special pricing, too.
You’ll also want to go to LT Evans Eatery for their special Restaurant Week menu – sample two entrees for $25 (includes soup and two sides). The prime rib and shrimp skewer combo sounds good!
Nearby in Catawissa, Woody’s Place will give you free coffee or espresso with the purchase of a regular meal. They are open 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with an extensive breakfast and lunch menu.
If you want to head toward Benton, Jamison City Hotel is offering any appetizer for half-price with an entree purchase. Of course, there are wings among the appetizer offerings (Jamison Gold sounds like one wing sauce to try), but there’s also a giant gourmet meatball smothered in marinara and cheese!
And while you’re in that area, stop at the Jerseytown Tavern. During Restaurant Week you can get a free appetizer with the purchase of two entrees – but you must ask for the Restaurant Week special in order to receive the free appetizer.
It’s a great week to plan to eat out!!! Find full details about specials by visiting the official Restaurant Week page.
Here are all the participants:
Danville Area: Cherokee Taproom Lt. Evans Eatery Fu Star Buffet Heeter’s Drive In Hilltop Bar and Grill Iron Fork Pine Barn Inn Shade Mountain Winery Pub 2
Bloomsburg: Unida Pizza Filet 18 Farmhouse at Turkey Hill Turkey Hill Brewing Company
Berwick: Bandit’s Roadhouse Amici Italian Grill Freas Farm Winery
Catawissa: Cracker Barrel Bar and Grill Woody’s Place
Elysburg:
Nickle Plate Bar and Grill Ponduce Farms Profile Coffee and Roasters
For the past several years, the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau has held a photo contest geared specifically toward the 25 historic covered bridges in the area. This year’s contest is currently open for submissions, and photos will be accepted for consideration until June 1st. Individuals who have taken photos of one of the counties’ covered bridges are encouraged to enter. There is no cost to submit.
All entries will be judged primarily on their superior quality, composition, and lighting. Photos from all four seasons are encouraged. To be considered, entries must feature one of the 25 covered bridges in Columbia & Montour counties. To learn which bridges qualify for the contest and where each one is located, potential entrants can download or requesta free covered bridges brochure of the area.
The Visitors Bureau’s 2019 Covered Bridge Photo Contest is accepting submissions from March 1 – June 1, 2019.
How to Enter:
Email your high quality photos to skiefer@cmvb.com within the dates above. MUST INCLUDE: Photographer’s name and the name of the covered bridge.
OR post your photo on Instagram using #CMVBPuzzle2019. MUST INCLUDE: Photographer’s name and the name of the covered bridge. If selected as a finalist, you will be contacted for a high quality version of your Instagram submission.
Rules and Regulations:
All photos must be of bridges located within Columbia or Montour Counties.
All photos must be owned by the person submitting them. By submitting, you are giving the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau permission to use your photo as their 2019 puzzle and in future marketing efforts.
All photos must be high-resolution (at least 1000 pixels on either side).
A max of five photos per person will be accepted.
One lucky entrant will be chosen by staff of the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau to have their photo featured as our 2019 Covered Bridge Puzzle. The puzzle is released in September and sold at the Bloomsburg Fair, the Covered Bridge & Arts Festival, and at the CMVB Welcome Center. The winning photographer will have their name and a short bio published on the puzzle box. The winner will also receive a free puzzle and will be announced to local press outlets. $2 from each sale is donated to the Columbia County Covered Bridge Association. Each puzzle is a limited edition item, and can be kept as collector’s items. Only 250 puzzles are produced each year.
Covered Bridge Brewhaus in Shamokin offers a stellar Dim Wizzy (Belgian White) and a Sunset Coconut Porter.
If you like trying craft beers, then you will definitely want to venture out on the River Rat Brew Trail. Not only will you find great beer – I particularly like the Pack Dog Peanut Butter Ale with its hint of roasted peanuts at Marley’s in Bloomsburg (that had me hooked from my first sip at a beer-tasting fundraiser) – but great food, too.
The brainchild of the Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau and the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau, the River Rat Brew Trail takes you to 13 craft brewers in Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties. Along the way you’ll find spectacular views of rolling hills, fields, farms, forests and the Susquehanna River. Be sure to check out the awesome view of the river from Berwick Brewing Co. – if you can tear yourself away from the beer and pizza long enough to admire the view!
And the food… Did I say there’s great food? From the goat cheese-crusted salmon at Turkey Hill Brewing Co. to the different food trucks that pull up outside Rock God Brewing Co. in Danville every week to the Forge Burger at Old Forge Brewing with its sautéed ale onions, hops-infused bbq sauce, peppered bacon and aged cheddar topping a half-pound locally sourced burger, there’s something for every taste along the River Rat Brew Trail. If you’re fond of beer-cheese soups, as I am, go to Rusty Rail Brewing Co. for the House Ale Cheddar – made with their own Blue Collar Blonde Ale, sharp cheddar, aged Colby and white pepper jack cheeses topped with crisp potato skins, roasted salsa and garlic pretzel croutons.
It isn’t all beer along the River Rat Brew Trail either. Visit the Civil War Cider Co. in Lewisburg for one – or more — of their 27 varieties of hard cider, including their Brew Cannon made with frozen apples. (Maybe they could use the apples I forgot and left in the garage during the Polar Vortex!)
And I can’t wait to try the Waffle Sauce Maple Pecan Imperial Brown Ale at Rusty Rail Brewing Co. Wonder if it will taste something like maple pecan ice cream – one of my favorite flavors. Or maybe I’ll be at Marley’s Brewery trying the Beltha’s Maple Oatmeal Stout!
Then again, you might find me trying the Coconut Porter or Salted Caramel Brown Ale at Old Forge Brewing Company…
Music at Isle of Que
Head to Isle of Que Brewing Company in Selinsgrove for some music with your brew. Upcoming artists are Jason P. Yoder, Feb. 23; Earthbound Misfits, March 2; and Allan Combs II, March 16.
Anything But Clothes If that title intrigues you, head to the Pine Barn Inn, Danville, Thursday, Feb. 21 for the Anything But Clothes Fashion Show. The Danville Arts Council, in partnership with Geisinger’s G-PRIDE group, presents this fashion show where the outfits are made of anything but clothes. Get out the duct tape, trash bags, balloons, cardboard or whatever else you can think of to cover yourself! Enter a team of up to 3 members to display their outfits or just come to see all the crazy creations and vote for your favorite. Team members will receive a T-shirt and the Grand Prize will go to the team whose outfit gets the most votes. Purchase tickets at the Danville Business Alliance or at the door on Feb. 21.
Still need more beer? Then sign up for The Brewer’s Weekend Experience March 8-9 If you want to learn more about brewing craft beer, consider signing up for Turkey Hill Brewing Company’s “Brewer’s Weekend Experience” March 8-9. You’ll get a first-hand look behind the scenes at how the wonderful craft beer you love is made.
This two-night beer-centric, hands-on brewing experience and lodging package gives you the chance to spend a day inside the brew house assisting Turkey Hill’s experienced brewers, head brewer Donny Abraczinskas and assistant brewer Tim Plisiewicz. You’ll get to enjoy beer tastings and pairings and chat about craft beer with the brewers. From Friday night’s opening meeting with the brewers until the concluding Saturday evening three-course dinner and beer pairing, you’ll be immersed in the brewing experience.
The cost of the Brewer’s Weekend Experience is $225 for two people for the package, plus the cost of the room for a two-night stay. Book directly through Inn at Turkey Hill’s front desk by calling 570-387-1500 ext. 0.
Ahhh, February. It’s Valentine’s month and you know you want to do something better than the usual card and candy for your sweetheart. Lucky for you, there are a number of options in the Columbia & Montour Counties area that are sure to please.
Who could go wrong with wine and chocolate? From Friday, Feb. 8 to Sunday, Feb. 17, five wineries in the area will offer special chocolate pairings with their wines, and participants will have the chance to get tickets stamped at each location for chances to win a prize. Each winery will provide an individual prize basket and then there will be one large Grand Prize basket with bottles of wine from every winery. Wineries participating in this year’s February Wine & Chocolate event are:
The trail can be completed during each winery’s normal business hours. Please call or visit individual wineries’ websites for their hours of operation. Tickets are free, but tasting fees may apply at several of the wineries.
If you are interested in participating in Wine & Chocolate Week, simply go to one of the wineries of your choosing during the posted event dates (you may start at whichever one you’d like) and pick up an event ticket. Then visit each winery and get your ticket stamped at each after you enjoy the wine! At your final winery stop, turn in your ticket to be entered to win any of the prize baskets. All participants who complete every stop on the trail will have a chance to win any of the individual baskets and the Grand Prize basket regardless of where they turn in their ticket.
Romantic Dinner
Who can go wrong with a romantic dinner for two at one of the area’s many fine restaurants? Here are a few to consider.
The Farmhouse at Turkey Hill, Bloomsburg – Fine dining in a relaxed, yet formal, country setting using local organic and free-range ingredients, complemented with fresh ingredients from around the world.
Jamison City Hotel Bar & Restaurant, Jamison City – Featuring daily specials, live music, and of course, great food.
LT Evans Eatery & Drafthouse, Danville – Open daily for lunch and dinner, LT Evans offers a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere and great food. Reservations are recommended.
The Nickle Plate Bar & Grill, Elysburg – Nestled within the picturesque Knoebels Three Ponds Golf Course, the Nickle Plate provides a casual dining experience if you’re the kind of couple that’s looking for a great burger, fries & an ice-cold beer.
Pine Barn Inn Restaurant, Danville– Fine dining in a relaxed, rustic setting with a special monthly dinner menu that focuses on unique and seasonal items.
Feeling the need for some exercise after all that fine dining? How about enjoying the scenery on a hike or cross country skiing. Or challenge yourselves to a scavenger hunt to find and visit all of the 25 covered bridges in Columbia and Montour counties. Columbia County alone has 19 bridges, Montour County has two covered bridges and four additional bridges span the divide between Columbia & Northumberland counties. No two covered bridges are alike and each one has its own history, personality and story to tell.
With more than 13,000 acres, Ricketts Glen State Park, located at 695 State Route 487, north of Benton in Columbia County, is one of the most scenic areas in all of Pennsylvania. Snowmobile, cross-country ski, snowshoe or hike. Or, try your hand at ice fishing on Lake Jean.
Located off Route 54 near Danville, the Montour Preserve is a hiker’s paradise with trails located around Lake Chillisquaque, a 165-acre reservoir on the middle branch of Chillisquaque Creek. Leafless trees and a wintery landscape make February a good month to look for winter raptors.
Other hiking venues to try include the Columbia County Susquehanna Trail in Bloomsburg, the Robbins Trail in Danville or the six miles of trails at the Susquehanna Riverlands in Berwick. Whatever you choose, you’ll build lasting memories that will bring you closer together.
Face a Challenge Together
“The Tornado Room” at Can U Xcape
For an interesting adventure that will challenge you, head to an “Escape Room.” An escape room, also known as an “escape game,” is a physical adventure in which players solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints and strategy to complete the objectives. At Can U Xcape in downtown Bloomsburg, participants are locked in a room and have 60 minutes to work together to solve the puzzles and escape. Pick from the Tornado Room, the Submarine Room or the Mineshaft. Give your sweetheart a reason to put down the phone and bond!
Explore Days Gone By
By visiting the area’s many antique shops, you’ll discover the things that our ancestors loved and used in their everyday lives. Find nostalgic memories of days long past, along with vintage furniture, primitives, pottery, linens, jewelry, books, records, toys and much more. These shops are often housed in a historic home or a barn built well before the turn of the 20th century.
Make a Memory
Viewing art, hearing music, and going to the theater can be awesome ways to learn more about your sweetheart and build a lasting memory.
“The Sound (and Sight) of Music” – The Exchange in Bloomsburg asked artists to choose their favorite line in a song, or their favorite musical phrase, and make artwork about it. Visit the free exhibit through Feb. 15. On the last Wednesday of every month, from 7 to 9 p.m., regional Blues musicians will perform at the Exchange in the Destination Blues Listening Room. Playing on March 27 will be Tom Graham.
“Put A Little Love in Your _ _art” – Artspace Gallery in Bloomsburg will hold a reception featuring chocolate, coffee and wine tasting from Three Dogs Vino and Bason Coffee Roasting. Julia Pena will provide beautiful harp music to add to the magic of this special evening, Feb. 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Weis Center for the Performing Arts will host Brian Skerry Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Voyage across the oceans with one of National Geographic’s most seasoned photographers and discover a vast, hidden world beneath the waves.
And My Favorite…
As my kids and grandkids will tell you, it’s never too cold for ice cream if you want to win my heart. So, wrap up your romantic adventure with ice cream! Make it a peanut butter milkshake for me, but you can choose whatever YOUR sweetheart wants from May’s Drive In Restaurant. There’s one in Bloomsburg and one in Berwick.
If you’re still yearning to be fishing even during this winter’s cold weather and snow, you might want to give ice fishing a try. With the right clothes and gear, you might even like it better than fishing on a hot summer day.
Columbia and Montour counties offer a number of great ice-fishing locations, according to one of the area’s fishing experts, John “Toast” Oast. Host of the popular Fishyaker YouTube channel, Oast travels extensively competing in fishing tournaments and promoting the sport. His angling exploits have been featured in various regional and national publications, videos and television shows.
What are Toast’s picks for the top ice fishing spots in Columbia & Montour Counties?
#1: Lake Jean, Ricketts Glen State Park – The 245-acre Lake Jean, near Benton in Columbia County, is home to game fish, panfish and trout. With its more than 13,000 acres, Ricketts Glen State Park is one of the most scenic areas in Pennsylvania.
#2: Roaring Creek Tract, Weiser State Forest – McWilliams Reservoir, a 338-acre lake located in Columbia County, is one of three reservoirs in the Roaring Creek Tract off of Route 54 outside of Elysburg and Bear Gap.
#3: Lake Chillisquaque, Montour Preserve– Lake Chillisquaque, a 165-acre reservoir on the middle branch of Chillisquaque Creek, was built as a backup cooling water supply for the nearby Montour Power Plant. Ice fishing is a popular winter activity at Lake Chillisquaque when the weather allows the safe formation of ice. In fact, most of the largest fish caught from the lake were pulled from below the ice. Learn more on fishing at the Preserve.
#4: Briar Creek Lake, Berwick. Located in Columbia County, Briar Creek Lake is a 51-acre impoundment owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and managed by the Fish and Boat Commission for public fishing and boating. The Commission stocks Briar Creek Lake with trout. It’s designated as “Stocked Trout Waters Open to Year-Round Fishing”.
What do you need to have to ice fish? Here are Toast’s Top Ice Fishing Accessories:
#1: Ice Auger – Manual or powered, gas or electric.
#2: Ice Fishing Rod and Reel – Choose a shorter rod for the confines of an ice shelter.
#3: Tip-Ups – Cover more water!
#4: Ice Fishing Lures – Spoons, jigs, or live bait.
#5: Ice Fishing Scoop – Keep your freshly drilled hole clear of slush and keep it from refreezing!
Safety is very important when ice fishing. Here are some tips to follow to make sure you stay safe.
Test ice thickness with an auger. Four inches of solid ice is the minimum recommended thickness for a single person. Seven inches of solid ice is the minimum recommended thickness for a small group.
Always carry safety equipment and know how to use it.
Spread out. Crowds can put too much weight onto one area.
Be aware of changes in ice thickness across a body of water. Perimeter ice is weaker due to shifting, expansion and sunlight reflecting off the bottom.
Avoid areas with protruding logs, brush, plants and docks. These structures absorb heat, weakening the surrounding ice.
Avoid areas with multiple or intersecting cracks as well as standing water over ice.
Venturing out on ice alone is not advisable. Take a friend along for fun and for safety.
Wear a PFD (life jacket).
Check the weather and plan accordingly. Several days with temperatures above freezing will weaken the ice.
Toast’s Top Safety Gear:
#1: Bibs, Jackets, and Gloves – Dress for the weather!
#2: Ice Cleats – A busted hip lasts longer than your ice fishing outing!
#3: Ice Picks – If you fall through the ice, you can pull yourself out.
#4: FRIENDS – Fish in a group, to ensure safety in case of injuries, or breaking ice!
Other Useful Gear according to Toast:
#1: Ice Shelter – Stay warm and cozy, while on the ice!
#2: Sled – It’s way better than carrying gear to your spot!
#3: Ice Rod Case – Keep your gear organized and protected
#4: Ice Fishing Seat – Heck, a 5-gallon bucket with a lid works great!
#5: Fishfinder – Some think a sonar is cheating, but if you have the tech, use it!
This February, treat your sweetheart to a romantic outing filled with wine and chocolate. The “Wine & Chocolate Week” in Columbia & Montour Counties is a great way to celebrate the Valentine’s Day season with a loved one or significant other. From Friday, February 8th through Sunday, February 17th, five area wineries will offer special chocolate pairings with their wines, and participants will have the chance to get tickets stamped at each location for chances to win a prize. Each winery will provide an individual prize basket and one large Grand Prize basket will be compiled with bottles of wine from each participating winery. Tickets are FREE, but tasting fees may apply at several of the wineries.
The wineries participating in the February Wine & Chocolate event are:
**NOTE**The trail can be completed during each winery’s normal business hours. Please call or visit individual wineries’ websites for their hours of operation.
How it Works
If you are interested in participating in the Wine & Chocolate Week, simply proceed to one of the wineries of your choosing during the posted event dates (you may start at whichever one you’d like).
Pick up an event ticket at the first winery you visit – all will have tickets available.
Fill out 1/2 of the ticket and turn it in at the first winery. Keep the other half to record stamps/signatures.
Enjoy your first seasonal wine pairing and have your ticket authorized in the assigned space for that particular winery.
Proceed to the rest of the wineries during their normal business hours and enjoy delectable pairings + get more stamps/autographs!
At your final winery stop, turn in your completed second half of the ticket to be entered to win any of the prize baskets. All participants who complete every stop on the trail will have a chance to win any of the individual baskets and the Grand Prize basket regardless of where they turn in their ticket.
Lodging Opportunity
Paper Mill Pines Bed & Breakfast is offering a $10 discount on an overnight stay for the weekend of February 14th – 16th in conjunction with the Wine & Chocolate Week. Visit papermillpines.com or call 570-690-6820 for details!
Other lodging is also available in the area for the Wine & Chocolate Week – please click here to browse other lodging options.
The 31st Annual Early Bird Sports Expo is quickly approaching! The show will take place at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds on January 24-27, 2019. The doors will open starting on Thursday, Jan 24th at 4 PM. Parking is free. The hours of the show are: Thursday 4 PM – 9 PM, Friday 10 AM – 9 PM, Saturday 10 AM – 8 PM and Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM. The event features over 120 vendors and showcases boats, RVs, ATVs, outfitters, hunting and fishing equipment, kayaks, the area’s finest taxidermy work, artists, sportsmen’s groups and archery suppliers.
The PA Hunters Safety Course will be held on Thursday Jan 24th from 6 PM – 9 PM and finishes up on Saturday Jan 27th from 8 AM -11 AM (2 day class; must attend Thursday night). Interested individuals can register on the PA Game Commission website. Space is limited to first 50 people who sign up.
Free Parking; Admission Price: $6.50 ($6.00 with coupon); Kids under 12 – Free.
Military Personnel: Free with ID.
Senior Day (65+), Friday, Jan. 26, (10 am – 3 pm only) – $3.00
Show Hours:
Thursday, January 25th: 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Friday, January 26th: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Saturday, January 27th: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Sunday, January 28th: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
For more details, visit the Early Bird Sports Expo’s website.
Nestled in picturesque northeastern Pennsylvania near the Pocono Mountains, Columbia & Montour counties offer things to do to satisfy everyone – from the outdoor enthusiast to the history buff. Here are my top 10, in no particular order:
Ricketts Glen State Park is one of Pennsylvania’s most scenic.
With more than 13,000 acres, Ricketts Glen State Park, located at 695 State Route 487, above Benton in Columbia County, is one of the most scenic areas in all of Pennsylvania. The park is annually one of the most popular in the state, for good reason. Ricketts Glen is home to the Glens Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark. Hike the Falls Trail and explore the Glens, which has a series of wild, free-flowing waterfalls, each cascading through rock-strewn clefts in this ancient hillside. The 94-foot Ganoga Falls is the highest of 22 named waterfalls in the park. Old growth timber and diverse wildlife add to the scenic landscape and inspiring beauty.
The 245-acre Lake Jean offers swimming and boating (electric motors only). A boat rental concession operates during the summer season and offers rowboats, paddleboats, kayaks and canoes. Ten modern cabins are available for rental year-round and the park also has 120 campsites. To learn more about Ricketts Glen State Park, visit their official website.
2. Montour Preserve
The Montour Preserve – Photo Credit: @kyleshikes
Located off Route 54 near Danville, the Montour Preserve is a hiker’s paradise with 11 trails located around Lake Chillisquaque, a 165-acre reservoir on the middle branch of Chillisquaque Creek. An Environmental Education Center is located near the entrance to the Preserve and is a great place for kids and adults alike to learn about some of the region’s history, animal inhabitants, and more. If you’re out exploring the trails or enjoying the lake, you may just spot a majestic bald eagle overhead, as they will occasionally nest around the lake.
While visiting the Preserve, visitors can enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the many lakeside pavilions, try their hand at fishing in the lake, or visit the Montour Preserve Fossil Pit, which consists of approximately one acre of exposed Mahantango Formation shale. Formed some 395 million years ago during the Devonian Period when much of Pennsylvania was covered by a warm, shallow sea, these shales are particularly rich in fossils. The best part? You can keep anything that you find!
The Montour Preserve – Photo Credit: @teamhontz
March is an especially great time to visit the Preserve, namely for the annual Maple Sugaring Open House. This year’s open house is planned for Saturday, February 29, during the hours of 9:30am – 1:30pm, and again on Saturday, March 14, during the hours of 12:00pm – 4:00pm. On Saturday, February 29, the program will include a pancake breakfast from 9am – 11am (tickets must be purchased in advance) and outdoor demonstrations at the sugar shack and sugar bush from 9:30am – 1:30pm.
On Saturday, March 14, the program will include both an indoor and an outdoor component. The two-hour program begins in the Environmental Education Center with a short talk and film on the cultural and natural history of maple sugaring. This is followed by a short walk to the sugar shack and sugar bush to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of maple sugaring. Attendees may choose to attend the indoor and/or the outdoor portions of the day’s programs. Maple products will be available for purchase on both dates as in previous years. Participants should dress for the weather. The sugaring open house programs are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Jon Beam, Assistant Director, Montour Area Recreation Commission at: JBeam@MontourRec.com.
The Montour Preserve is open from dawn until dusk daily year-round. The Visitors’ Center is open Monday – Saturday from 8 AM – 4 PM during mid-February through mid-December. It is open Monday – Friday from 8 AM – 4 PM during the winter season (mid-December through mid-February). The Montour Preserve is managed by the Montour Area Recreation Commission. To learn more about the Montour Preserve,visit their official website.
3. Knoebels Amusement Resort
The Phoenix at Knoebels Amusement Resort
Regardless of whether you are a local to the area or a potential visitor from outside the area, Knoebels Amusement Resort is an absolute can’t-miss each year. Visit America’s largest free-admission amusement park and make new memories the old fashioned way with classic rollercoasters, kid-friendly rides, swimming, camping, golf and attractions for the whole family!
Whether you want a tame ride or a thrill, Knoebels has it all. Be sure to try the Phoenix, a classic wooden coaster that has been ranked as the top wooden roller coaster in the worldfor the past two years at the annual Golden Ticket Awards, presented by Amusement Today. This nostalgic favorite always offers a thrill that won’t disappoint. A fast ride with upwards acceleration and a “double out and back” layout has passengers flying through the air and catching a bird’s eye view of the rolling, tree-covered hills. Aptly named, the Phoenix was reborn at Knoebels in 1985 after rising from the ashes of its history as the “Rocket” roller coaster, which was built in 1947 in San Antonio TX.
Another favorite is “Flying Turns”, a trackless wooden bobsled coaster that is the only of its kind in the world. Each car leaves the rails for a ride controlled only by the forces of gravity and momentum. A modern remake of an old Coney Island classic, this ride will not disappoint adrenaline seekers. The park also has classic rides like bumper cars, the ferris wheel, and a historic carousel.
Flying Turns at Knoebels Amusement Resort
Want to take a break from the action? Not a big ride fan? There are plenty of other attractions at Knoebels for the casual amusement park fan. Take a tour of the museums, visit the bald eagle habitat, try your hand at mini golf, or enjoy an immersive 4D movie experience. You can even watch live demonstrations from the Black Smith and Lost Logger in the Americana section. Just down the road from the park, you even can enjoy 18 holes at Knoebels Three Ponds Golf Course. For more information about Knoebels Amusement Resort, visit their official website.
4. Historic Covered Bridges of Columbia & Montour Counties
The Sam Eckman Bridge is one of 25 Historic Covered Bridges in the Counties
Pennsylvania is the state with the most covered bridges remaining in the country, with approximately 200 bridges. Columbia and Montour counties are home to 25 of the state’s covered bridges. This places the counties as having the third highest number of bridges in the entire United States, only behind Parke County, Indiana and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. No two covered bridges are alike and each one has its own history, personality and story to tell. Columbia County alone has 19 bridges, Montour County has two covered bridges and four additional bridges span the divide between Columbia & Northumberland counties. Explore on your own or join the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau for its 7th annual Covered Bridge Bus Tour in May of 2020 (call the Columbia-Montour Welcome Center at 570-784-8279 for details). Many of the bridges are located on quiet dirt roads or in small town parks, so the journey to each will be a pleasant trip into the rural countryside.
Perhaps the most iconic highlight of the area’s covered treasures are the East and West Paden “Twin” Covered Bridges. They are one of only two sets of twin bridges in the country. If you are interested in visiting the area’s historic historic covered bridges, you can find more information right here.
5. Covered Bridge & Arts Festival
The Covered Bridge & Arts Festival
Situated in the beautiful surroundings of Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, the Covered Bridge & Arts Festival has something for everyone. More than 350 craft vendors & 38 food vendors, amusement park rides, free parking & free admission make it a fun excursion for the family. The festival annually draws over 150,000 visitors over the course of the four days, making it one of the largest craft shows in the state.
Also offered on several days during the festival are guided bus tours to several of the Columbia County covered bridges – including the Twin Covered Bridges. The traditional journey includes the following bridges: Paar’s Mill, Esther Furnace, Davis, Hollingshead, Rupert, Josiah Hess, Stillwater, East & West Paden (the “Twin Bridges”), and occasionally the Johnson Bridge (time permitting). Tickets must be purchased in advance for the bus tours.
The 39th Annual Covered Bridge & Arts Festival will take place October 8 – 11, 2020. For more information about this year’s festival, please visit the official Covered Bridge & Arts Festival web page.
6. Briggs Farm Blues Festival
The annual Briggs Farm Blues Festival is gearing up for its 23rd annual show this year on July 9-11, 2020. One of the most-awarded blues festivals in the country, BriggsFest continues to provide world-class blues music in a family-friendly environment. There’s something for everyone to enjoy – from farm-fresh sweet corn and soul food to a vendor village and free hay rides pulled by red antique tractors. Located on Route 93 only a few miles north of Interstate 80, Briggs Farm is easy to reach and offers camping as well as easy access to nearby hotels. To find out what’s playing on BriggsFest’s three stages in 2020, visit Briggs Farm’s festival website.
Briggs Farm Blues Fest
7. Bloomsburg Fair
The Bloomsburg Fair – Photo Credit: @ryguysworld
Anyone familiar with Central Pennsylvania will be able to tell you about the Bloomsburg Fair. The Fair is celebrating its 165th year in 2020, and will run from September 25 – October 3. Check out the agricultural exhibits and the national act concerts – see Brad Paisley on September 27th and Chicago on October 2nd, just to name a few. However, the biggest draw to the Bloomsburg Fair is undoubtedly THE FOOD. Whatever you could imagine – funnel cakes, cheesesteaks, bacon flavored cotton candy, 50 different flavors of egg rolls, cinnamon ice cream, apple dumplings, deep fried pickles or oreos, corn dogs, caramel apples, pierogies – you can find it at the Bloomsburg Fair. Amusement rides, demolition derby, tractor pulls, horse races, tigers, and wild west shows are all just added bonuses. For more info, head over the the Bloomsburg Fair’s official website.
8. Bill’s Old Bike Barn
Bills Old Bike Barn outside of Berwick, PA.
Bill’s Old Bike Barn on Rt. 11 between Bloomsburg and Berwick is a must-see experience for everyone, both young and old. Bill’s has amazing displays of motorcycles and memorabilia from all around the globe. Each time you visit you’re sure to find another item you missed on your previous trips. The front room of motorcycles is impressive enough, but then you’ll find the military display in the next room, complete with foxhole, a ’45 NOS Military Bike, a 30-caliber machine gun, and even palm trees finished off with Spanish moss! No detail was left out, right down to the 1940 military parachute that covers the display. Also, a 1913 Harley Silent Grey Fellow and a 1914 Triumph have taken their place along with vintage European carousel horses and pristine Moto Guzzi’s and the incomparable 1909 Peugot.
Bill also collects 1939 New York World’s Fair memorabilia, which is displayed along Main Street in Billville, the little village constructed inside the building that is complete with a mock mansion, smoke shop, music store and a 1939 New York World’s Fair Bar. Countless other rooms display oddities and collectibles that Bill has found over the years. One of his most recent additions was an entire room devoted to Mickey Mouse memorabilia, which is an absolutely incredible sight to see.
Bill’s Old Bike Barn is open year-round Thursdays & Fridays from 10 AM – 6 PM, Saturdays from 9:30 AM – 3 PM, and Sundays from 1 PM – 5 PM. Admission is just $5.00. For more information, visit Bill’s Old Bike Barn’s official website.
9. Berwick Christmas Boulevard and Winterfest
Every night in December, Market Street in Berwick comes alive with lights, animatronics, singing displays, and decorations on the annual Berwick Christmas Boulevard. Bring the whole family and drive the one-mile route to enjoy the festive displays and wave to Santa from the warmth of your car. On December 1st, the Christmas Boulevard powers up its lights, while the town also plays host to the Berwick Winterfest. The sidewalks will be packed with delicious foods, toasty drinks, and craft vendors. Other activities include free cookie decorating, horse & carriage rides, a gingerbread house contest, crafts, face painting, marshmallow-roasting stations, live music and ice-sculpting. Find more information about the Christmas Boulevard and Winterfest and plan to pay Berwick a visit in 2020.
10. Benton Rodeo
Benton Championship Rodeo
Cowboys and cowgirls from across the country come to northern Columbia County each July to compete in activities such as bull riding, barrel racing, calf roping, bareback bronc riding, and more at the Benton Rodeo grounds. If you’ve never been to a rodeo before, you’re in for quite a show. The Benton Championship Rodeo is considered one of the finest rodeos east of the Mississippi, with competitors vying for top honors each night.
The rodeo will be celebrating its 36th anniversary in 2020, and will host the Championship Rodeo and Frontier Days Celebration from July 14 – 19. For more information about this year’s upcoming rodeo, visit the Benton Rodeo Association’s official website.
Here are all the participants:
Now get out there and follow the Trail:
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