Saturday, Nov. 3 – Weis Center for the Performing Arts
Showtime: 11 a.m.
Pre-show activities and refreshments from 10-11 a.m. in the Weis Center Atrium.

Suggested for ages 3-7
Run time: 60 minutes; no intermission

Ticket Information:

Adults: $20
Seniors 62+ and subscribers: $16
Youth 18 and under: $10
Bucknell employees and retirees (limit 2): $10
Bucknell students (limit 2): $10
Non-Bucknell college students (limit 2): $10

Tickets can be purchased by:

• Visiting the Campus Box Office Online.
• Calling the Campus Box Office at 570.577.1000, Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Visiting a Campus Box Office location, Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

About the Performance:
The first of three tales introduces the most beautiful fish in the sea, whose scales shimmer in all the colors of the rainbow. He is admired – and resented – by the entire underwater world, until a clever octopus advises him to give each fish one of his scales. Further adventures follow as The Rainbow Fish finds the courage to explore the great unknown deep sea, discovering a new world with wonderful sights and friendly creatures of all shapes, sizes and colours who are eager to make his acquaintance. The underworld wonderland is the setting for an introduction to the concept of opposites. As a fitting finale, the story ends with the most satisfying opposite of all—give and take—as Rainbow Fish shares one of his shining scales with a friend.

The Rainbow Fish will enchant even the youngest child with his silver scales and heart of gold in a new adaptation of Marcus Pfizer’s award-winning books about the beautiful fish who learned to share his most prized possession. Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia‘s striking puppetry production also includes two delightful companion stories, Rainbow Fish Discovers the Deep and Opposites.

Acclaimed Praise:

“The sparkling story that became an international publishing phenomenon!” Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s elegant new show, The Rainbow Fish, is an original stage adaptation of Marcus Pfister’s colourful story.  Mermaid Theatre has earned international acclaim for its unique interpretations of the works of Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar ), Leo Lionni (Swimmy, Frederick & Inch by Inch) and Sam McBratney (Guess How Much I Love You). These widely-traveled productions incorporate innovative puppetry, striking scenic effects, and evocative original music to provide very young audiences with an effortless introduction to the performing arts and the excitement of reading.  The Rainbow Fish features these same elements.

Winner of The Christopher Award, the Bologna Book Fair Critici in Erba Prize, American Booksellers Association ABBY Winner, and an IRA-CBC Children’s Choice title–the sweet message of The Rainbow Fish series has resonated with children, parents, teachers, librarians, and booksellers around the world.

Be sure to join the Visitors Bureau for FREE kids’ activities from the Children’s Museum of Bloomsburg in the Atrium from 10-11 a.m.

On Friday, October 26th from 5:30 – 8:00 PM, Bloomsburg will transform into “BOO!burg” as a group of non-profit organizations invite families to enjoy Halloween festivities on 7th Street. Various activities will be hosted by AGAPE, the Bloomsburg YMCA, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, The Children’s Museum, Bloomsburg Public Library, and The Exchange. Over 3,000 people attended the 2017 event!

2018 Events:

YMCA — “Trunk or Treat” with DJ Tom Rood, 5:30-8:00

Children’s Museum — family crafts and activities, 5:30-8:00, including trick-or-treating in the Museum gift shop.

The Exchange — costume contest for kids up to 12 years old, one round at 7 p.m. (with prizes in three categories: ages 0-3, ages 4-8, ages 9-12 — all prizes by Brennan’s Big Chill), plus the Art Cart, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

BTE — scary stage make-up, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Ramona Schaffer — face-painting, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

AGAPE — marshmallow and hot dog roasting, pumpkin painting, 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Pumpkin Drop – thanks to the Bloomsburg Fire Department, 7 p.m.

Mike’s Food Truck and Nannycakes will be on site.

Families looking for additional parking may find availability at the former Bloom Mills site on Market Street between 6th Street and the railroad, courtesy of its owner, the Columbia County Housing Corporation.

ELYSBURG – This week, the ever-popular Covered Bridge & Arts Festival returns to Knoebels Amusement Resort. The event is organized by the Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau, and celebrates the region’s beloved covered bridges in a four-day extravaganza. This year’s festival will feature more than 400 crafters and over 35 food vendors.  As it is one of the largest craft festivals in the state, visitors can expect to spend a full day exploring the park and vendors. You won’t go home empty-handed! The fun kicks off Thursday, October 4^th at 10 AM and runs through Sunday, October 7^th at 5 PM. Choose from traditional and handmade crafts, carved woods, metalwork, glass, prints, sewn and woven textiles, soaps, jewelry, photography, paintings, décor for every holiday, new and re-purposed primitives, and much more. As the holiday season is right around the corner, the Covered Bridge & Arts Festival is the ideal place to complete your seasonal gift shopping.

At the same time, attendees can enjoy full access to the amusement park. On Thursday and Friday of the festival, select kiddie and family rides will be open. On Saturday and Sunday, all rides in the park will be open for guests.  The Covered Bridge & Arts Festival makes the traditional excitement of spending the day at Knoebels that much better with the special wooded fall setting, old-fashioned rides, tasty seasonal treats, arts & crafts, live entertainment, demonstrations, animals, and more. The festival has no entrance fee and offers free parking, but ride tickets are required if you wish to ride any of the rides during your visit.

The counties offer plenty of lodging accommodations that will be perfect for a fall visit during the festival.  There are over a dozen bed & breakfast options as well as a number of hotels, motels, and even campgrounds.

Interested visitors with questions may contact the Visitors Bureau by calling 1-800-847-4810.

Please visit the official Covered Bridge & Arts Festival page for more information. The festival brochure will be available for download, along with an interactive vendor map, list of vendors, ride and parking info, and much more.

The Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau believes that tourism is critical to the economic well-being of the region and will continue to market, promote and support our local communities.  In recent years, the tourism industry generated $4.4 billion in state and local taxes.  Tourism benefits all Pennsylvanians… a successful tourism industry generates enough taxes for the Commonwealth’s budget to reduce the tax liability of each household by $855 each year.

The Montour Preserve’s Autumn Newsletter has been released.  The publication provides seasonal updates on events and goings-on at the Preserve for the months of October – December. An update is given on red-tailed hawks, various waterfowl migrations, fall wildflowers, and owl species. There is also a feature on the what to watch for in the fall night sky, including meteor showers and moon cycles.

Regarding upcoming events at the Preserve, there will be a “Colors of Autumn” hike taking place from 10:00 – 11:30 AM on Saturday, October 13th. On Saturday, November 10th and Sunday November 11th, there will be a Wildlife Art Expo with oils, pen and ink, wood, and more. Various other weekend events are detailed in the newsletter, and will take place throughout the fall months.

Looking to volunteer at the Preserve?  There are numerous opportunities this fall and winter. The Montour Area Recreation Commission
(MARC) is a group of mostly volunteers, committed to providing the best possible recreation facilities for the people of Montour County.  MARC holds monthly meetings on the 4th Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at the DRIVE conference room, Montour County building, 114 Woodbine Lane, Suite 103, Danville, PA 17821 – that are open to anyone and they are always looking for new ideas and perspectives.

Pavilion rentals are also still available at the Preserve for the 2019 season, but space is limited. Check out the full fall newsletter here for more information, full articles, and schedules!

Excited for the Bloomsburg Fair?  The Fair runs from Saturday, September 22nd thru Saturday, September 29th.

Updated Admission Information

Food Service Industry Leader Reveals New Name and Look

DANVILLE, PA (September 10, 2018) – Atlantic Equipment Specialists, Inc., a leader in the commercial food service industry, has changed its name to Atlantic Culinary Environments, Inc. Operating under the same leadership group since 1985, Atlantic Culinary Environments, Inc. will continue to move forward in the same direction they began… to be the best at serving their customers. “This re-branding initiative provides Atlantic Culinary Environments the opportunity to more accurately reflect the ideals with which the company started.”, says Craig Roadarmel, president of Atlantic Culinary Environments. “We are very excited to introduce our new look with its new name, bold colors and dynamic feel.”

Starting as a distributor and installer of commercial food service equipment, Atlantic used its talent and resources to become a custom stainless-steel fabricator. By expanding their facilities with a custom millwork shop, they transformed from a multi-product fabricator to a true Design Build Partner. They worked diligently to recruit, develop and train what they believe is some of the best talent in the industry. Because of this, they are providing high-quality products and services, valuable operational insight and true design expertise to customers. The on-staff kitchen design team and interior designers work together to create inspirational and aesthetically pleasing environments that provide efficient and effective design solutions. The re-branding campaign will culminate with an exciting new website expected to launch later this year.

Visiting Knoebels this weekend? If so, you might be happy to learn that you can ride the WORLD’s best wooden roller coaster, the Phoenix, as voted by Amusement Today’s 2018 Golden Ticket Awards.  The beloved Elysburg resort also took home honors for the world’s best carousel and the best amusement park food.  Plus, it was recognized for several other top five “best-ofs” in the amusement industry.

The spotlight was shining bright on the amusement industry this past weekend in the annual awards show hosted at Silver Dollar City resort in Branson Missouri, where the winners of Amusement Today’s 2018 Golden Ticket Awards were announced.

The Golden Ticket Awards are presented annually to honor the “Best of the Best” in the amusement industry and are calculated from an international poll conducted by Amusement Today. The prestigious survey asks experienced amusement park voters around the country and world to rate the “bests” in 23 categories.

Knoebels received the top Golden Ticket Award for “Best Food,” and “Best Carousel” for its Grand Carousel. The 105-year-old Grand Carousel was purchased by the park in 1941, and has received the top award every year since its inception. “We take great pride that the Grand Carousel is the heart of Knoebels – A ride for all to enjoy and a place for the whole family to come together for a happy memory,” said Knoebels’ Vice President, Leanna Knoebel Muscato. “Our Grand Carousel is steeped in tradition and has a rich history of bringing people together, whether it’s by parents teaching their kids how to catch rings, by grandparents singing along to classic organ music as they bounce a toddler in a chariot, or through the incredible team who works tirelessly to care for and maintain the carousel’s timeless beauty.”

In addition to their first place awards, the park was a finalist in a number of other categories.  Knoebels was ranked as the 3rd “Best Overall Park”, 3rd Best “Dark Ride” for their Haunted Mansion, 3rd Best “Halloween Event” for their popular Hallo-Fun Weekends, the 4th “Friendliest Park”, and the 5th Best “Indoor Coaster” for their Black Diamond ride.

“It is encouraging to see a family-owned business make such an impact on the amusement industry,” said Tim Baldwin, Golden Ticket Awards Communications Coordinator, Amusement Today. “Even against global competition, Knoebels was a finalist in eight categories. No other park topped that. Plus the fact they took home three Golden Ticket Awards — that’s amazing! It’s very indicative of the commitment and passion the people behind this park have.”

Phoenix opened to the public on June 15, 1985, and has been a guest favorite ever since. The name, “Phoenix,” is ever so fitting, considering the ride was reborn like the mythical bird that rose from its ashes. The coaster’s appearance may be unassuming, but its design by Herbert Paul Schmeck has withstood the test of time.

“Phoenix is one of only two wooden coasters that have made the Top Ten list for all 21 years. That’s an incredible accomplishment,” said Baldwin. “To see it finally rate as the No. 1 coaster this year has been astounding. The park maintains — and loves! — that coaster. It is the quintessential wooden coaster experience.”

From Amusement Today: “Coaster fans have kept things fluid in the Golden Ticket Awards. During this past decade, all four of the Nos. 1 – 4 wooden coasters have held the top spot at one point. Jockeying for position appears to be the rule of thumb. For 2018, the venerable Phoenix has finally taken top spot for the BEST WOODEN COASTER Golden Ticket. A success story since 1985, Phoenix was a triumph of preservation when Dick Knoebel of Knoebels Amusement Resort rescued The Rocket after Playland Park in San Antonio, Texas, locked its gates for good. Paying no attention to naysayers who said the move shouldn’t be done, Knoebel resurrected the ride and made it better than ever. “Knoebels needed Rocket just as badly as Rocket needed a new home,” said Knoebel. “We looked on with excitement as Rocket began to rise as Phoenix, still not fully realizing what this coaster would mean to us and generations of park guests. The happiness it brings makes it seem as if it’s doing what it can to repay us for providing a second chance to thrill riders. “Phoenix isn’t the tallest, fastest or longest roller coaster, but it sure does have heart. We’re ecstatic knowing riders love Phoenix every bit as much as we do. Thanks to that love, a design that can withstand the test of time and our team’s meticulous care of the coaster, Phoenix has risen to the top, and my heart is happy.”

“What it went through to stay alive is pretty amazing,” said Tom Rebbie, president of Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. “To go from a closed park to a world-recognized park is remarkable. The Knoebel family takes care of it and keeps the nostalgia part of it alive. Phoenix is just a great ride that everyone in the family can go on.” The BEST WOODEN COASTER category has had more winners than any other recurring category. Phoenix is the seventh ride to hold the title.

To provide perspective as to Knoebels’ competition in the Golden Ticket Awards, Knoebels’ Haunted Mansion, which opened in 1973, was trumped only by Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. To earn the distinction of “Best Food,” Knoebels beat out Dollywood in Tennessee, Epcot in Florida, Silver Dollar City in Missouri, and Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA.

Amusement Today newspaper was founded in 1997 and covers international amusement and water park news and trends. To view past results, please visit: www.goldenticketawards.com. To find information on Amusement Today, visit: www.amusementtoday.com.

About Knoebels: Knoebels Amusement Resort, which has been family owned and operated since its start over 90 years ago, is America’s largest free-admission amusement park and offers free parking, entertainment and picnic facilities. While at the park, enjoy over 60 rides, award winning food, swimming at Crystal Pool, challenging games, gift shops, and Knoebels Three Ponds Golf Club, then stay overnight at one of two campgrounds. For more information, visit www.knoebels.com.

The setting is London, 1879.  A stuffy old boys club contemplates admitting their first female member in this wildly funny send-up of science, sexism, and changing times. The Explorers Club is an absurdly clever, satirical farce from the pen of Nell Benjamin (Award-winning writer of Legally Blonde: The Musical).  The show kicks off Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble’s 41^st Season, beginning on September 13 with the last performance on October 7^th.  The first three performances are pay-what-you-decide wherein patrons enjoy the show and then pay for it afterward via an envelope with the amount they wish to pay.

The show is rated MA for adult language and humor.  Tickets are available online at www.bte.org or by calling the Box Office at 570-784-8181.  Group rates and matinees are also available!  Contact the Box Office at 570-784-8181 or at boxoffice@bte.org for more information.

The Explorers Club is directed by Associate Ensemble member Leigh Strimbeck and the entire professional ensemble is sharing the stage together for the first time in over 10 seasons. It is a hilarious new play for those who love Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Office, and BTE audiences delighted by The Legend of Georgia McBride.

For more information, contact Laura Haden, Communications Director at Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at laurahaden@bte.org.  Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to Columbia County and surrounding areas for 41 years. For more information, please visit the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble’s website.

UPDATE #1:

The full 2018 Covered Bridge Festival Vendor list is here! DOWNLOAD IT NOW to find out which vendors will be at this year’s festival and where your favorites will be located. For more information about the festival or to view the Google Earth file showing where each vendor will be, check out our “Covered Bridge Festival” page.

UPDATE #2:

The full list of 2018 open Knoebels rides for the festival has been announced, and can be found on the official “Covered Bridge Festival” page.

UPDATE #3:

Our guided tours visit various covered bridges in Columbia County – 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 (“Twin Bridges”), and occasionally the Johnson Bridge (time permitting).

• When: Friday, October 5 at 10:00 AM;  Sunday, October 7 at 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM.
• Cost: $20 per seat
• Approximate length of trip: 3 hours
• Seating is limited and sells out early! Please make reservations ahead of time.
• Pre-Payment is required to book your seat.
• Tickets must be picked up at the CMVB information booth at Pavilion H at least 30 minutes prior to departure.

Have more questions?  Check out our Covered Bridge Bus Tour FAQ sheet.

Now you can now reserve your spot over the phone with a credit card payment! Call the Visitors Bureau office at 570-784-8279. You can also download the reservation form (2018 Bus Tour Reservation Form) and mail it with full payment to the address listed on the form.