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Renaissance Jamboree Ushers In Spring
Event returns on April 27th, 2024 from 10 am – 5 pm on Main Street in Bloomsburg. BLOOMSBURG, PA – The Renaissance Jamboree festival is back and bigger than ever! For over 43 years, residents from all over Northeast PA have gathered and celebrated Spring’s return at the annual Renaissance Jamboree in Bloomsburg. “Last year saw the festival return to the downtown after COVID-19 and the East Street paving project but the number of crafters and non-profits was not at pre-2020 numbers. This year, the Renaissance committee is happy to announce that the number of crafters has exceeded that…

‘A Night for Nature’ at Turkey Hill Brewing Company
April 21st event will benefit the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy! Nature enthusiasts and craft beer lovers are gearing up for an unforgettable evening of philanthropy and community spirit at the upcoming fundraiser, ‘A Night for Nature’. This inaugural event is being held on April 21at Turkey Hill Brewing Company (THBC) in Bloomsburg. It aims to raise funds for the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy’s (NPC) work conserving and enhancing the lands and waters of Northcentral Pennsylvania. Guests can look forward to an evening filled with live music, delectable food, and the chance to bid on an array of exciting items in the silent…

Covered Bridge Photo Contest Returns!
Each year, the Visitors Bureau holds a photo contest to produce a 550-piece puzzle featuring one of the area covered bridges. Limited-edition puzzles have been produced the past thirteen years and have featured the East & West Paden bridges (multiple times), the Knoebels Bridge, Keefer Mills Bridge, Esther Furnace Bridge, Stillwater Bridge, Josiah Hess Bridge, Rupert Bridge, Kramer Bridge, a special Twin Bridges 10th Anniversary Puzzle, the Wanich Bridge, the Parr’s Mill Bridge, and most recently, the Jud Christian Bridge. The 2024 edition of the puzzle will be released for sale to the public this fall, and will be based…

Susquehanna River Water Trails Launches New Logos & Branding
March 4, 2024 Lewisburg, PA – The managers of the Susquehanna River Water Trails (SRWT) are pleased to announce the release of a logo and branding suite to promote and help users navigate this unique network for on-water recreation. In conjunction with this announcement comes some exciting public programming, including a set of videos and a Susquehanna River Sojourn Series scheduled for the 2024 paddling season. The Susquehanna River Water Trail system was one of the first identified and designated within the Pennsylvania Water Trail Program. With over 500 miles of navigable waterway crossing 22 counties, it is also Pennsylvania’s…

New Digital Magazine Available
Here’s our winter online digital quarterly magazine! If you enjoy this edition, please feel free to forward a friend!Your friends at the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau

Valentine’s Wine, ‘Shine & Chocolate Trail Returns!
𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿! Enjoy a sweet journey through the wineries and distilleries of Columbia & Montour Counties this Valentine’s season with that special someone, or with your go-to group of friends! From February 9-18, visit seven participating area wineries along with one area distillery to enjoy special wine/spirits & chocolate features for a chance to win wine & spirits – themed prizes. From Friday, February 9th through Sunday, February 18th, trail-goers can travel from location to location, tasting delicious seasonal wine & spirits features. Along the way, participants will be able to get their tickets stamped at each…

Brighter Christmas Fund: Give Santa A Helping Hand!
by Nancy Bishop Even the Jolly Old Elf himself sometimes needs a helping hand to fill that sleigh! And since 1985, people have been doing just that through the Brighter Christmas Fund started by the Press Enterprise that year. In an article in the paper Nov. 27,1985, then Executive Editor Carl E. Beck Jr. said, “Especially at this time of year we believe our readers would like to help someone less fortunate.” To kick off the Fund, the Press Enterprise donated $1,000. The money was to be used to buy groceries, clothes, and toys for needy people whose stories would…

A Christmas Story Returns to BTE
A Christmas Story is currently in performances at the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble. Here’s a backstage look with an interview with BTE’s Costume Designer, Jennifer Lippert. Interviewer: What were your inspirations for the costumes? JL: My inspiration for the costumes of A Christmas Story was the feeling of nostalgia remembering Christmas’ past. When designing I was drawn to using warm tones of color and textures of sweaters and wool that would evoke the feeling of comfort and warmth as adult Ralph fondly remembers one particular childhood Christmas. Interviewer: Did you feel pressure with the iconic materials- how did you navigate it? JL:…

Cash & Carry X Opens at Exchange Gallery
Sales begin December 1st Now in its tenth year, the annual “Cash & Carry” show at Bloomsburg’s Exchange Gallery opened on Monday, November 20th. This year, The Exchange gave away 500 panels for artists to make work on – 333 eight-inch squares, more than 130 seven-by-nine-inch rectangles, and more than 130 nine-inch triangles. After we gave them all away, artists could make their own panels out of any durable material (no bread or cheese, please), and the show opened with more than 500 pieces; by the third day, the total came to 530 – the largest “Cash & Carry” ever.…

TreeFest – An Enchanted Wonderland of Trees
BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – The holiday showcase of over 85 fresh and fully decorated trees opens Friday, November 24th at 4 pm and continues until Sunday, December 3rd in the Caldwell Consistory, 150 Market Street, in downtown Bloomsburg. During this annual holiday event, locally grown trees, many of which are donated, are sponsored by businesses and patrons and decorated by community groups. Many decorators include gift cards, toys, food, and clothing along with decorating their tree. At the end of the event, local families in need will take home a tree with lights and decorations for the holidays, along with gift…

Covered Bridge & Arts Festival is Back!
BLOOMSBURG, PA – The 41st annual Covered Bridge & Arts Festival, a popular area event organized each year by the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau, returns to the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds this week. The event kicks off this Thursday, October 5 and runs through Sunday, October 8. With over 300 arts, crafts, and food vendors, it is one of the largest fall craft shows on the East Coast and has been regularly recognized by Sunshine Artist Magazine as one of the 200 Best Shows in the country. This year, the festival will have a slight change in hours, with the event shifting ahead…

Sweets & Spirits Trail is Coming!
Cozy up in Columbia & Montour Counties this fall with an especially sweet Wine & Spirits Trail, happening November 4th through 12th! Celebrate the harvest season by visiting seven Central PA wineries and one distillery and enjoying wine/spirits tastings with special sweet treat pairings. Along the way, you’ll get your wine trail ticket authorized. Once you’ve visited each location, you’ll be eligible to win great prizes from the participating wineries. Locations participating in this year’s Sweets & Spirits Trail:𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 4378 Red Rock Road, Benton, PA 17814𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘆 130 Twin Church Road, Berwick, PA 18603𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱…

2023 Covered Bridge Puzzles Have Arrived!
The Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau is excited to announce the arrival of its thirteenth annual Covered Bridge puzzle. The newest limited-edition puzzle showcases the Jud Christian Bridge in Columbia County. They are 550 pieces and were manufactured by Heritage Puzzle out of North Carolina. Limited quantities are currently available for the general public on a first-come, first-served basis. Puzzles are sold for $18, tax included. A $2 donation from every puzzle sold will be made by the Bureau to the Columbia County Covered Bridge Association. They make a fantastic Christmas present idea for family or friends! Puzzles may be purchased in…

There’s Still Time to Hit the Brew Trail!
by Nancy Bishop Grab your Passport and hit the trail…the River Rat Brew Trail that is. You still have until Oct. 31 to visit the excellent craft breweries in this area and earn rewards! It’s been a busy summer for me, with my U.S. passport getting stamped in Italy and Ireland, so by the time things slowed down, it definitely was time to hit the River Rat Brew Trail to get that passport stamped. And believe me, it’s worth visiting the RRBT brewers – their beers outshine anything my family and I had during our overseas trip. Even my beer…

Weis Center Announces 2023-24 Season
The 2023-24 season at the Weis Center for the Performing Arts includes 25 professional performances – including world music, classical, Americana and roots music, modern dance, jazz, soul, and so much more. All performances take place at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Tickets go on sale to the public on August 24 at 10 am by calling 570-577-1000, online at Bucknell.edu/BoxOffice or in-person weekdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Campus Box Office’s location in the Weis Center Atrium. As always, season subscribers of five or more performances receive 20 percent off ticket purchases. Subscription orders will be given priority until…

Bloomsburg’s ArtFest Returns August 19th
Dedicated to bringing the arts to all communities throughout our region, The Exchange again presents Columbia County’s biggest one-day outdoor art-and-music event of the year. We have moved ArtFest to the other side of Main Street – just as lovely and shady, but with more room! Bigger than ever before, the fifteenth annual ArtFest will take place on Saturday, the 19th of August, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in its convenient, attractive, and slightly adjusted location on the Square in downtown Bloomsburg, now surrounding the monument and down Market Street. ArtFest will showcase more than 50 artists’ original work,…

First Columbia Bank & Trust Photo Contest Returns
Berwick, PA – First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. will host their second annual Photography Competition on Sunday, October 15th, 2023 at the Berwick First Presbyterian Church, 320 Market St., Berwick, PA. The Bank is a proud supporter of local artists and art programs within the local community and looks forward to spotlighting these talented individuals at the competition. The contest features local photographers who reside or study within a 50 mile radius of any First Columbia Bank location. The competition is free to enter. Both amateur and professional photographers are encouraged to participate along with students enrolled at local…

Four Children’s Museums Partner on Summer Passport Program
The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum has partnered with Lykens Valley Children’s Museum, Lewisburg Children’s Museum, and the Discovery Center for the Heart of PA Children’s Museum summer passport program.Visit all four Heart of PA Children’s Museums this summer and be entered into a prize drawing!Visit each museum before August 31st, 2023, and receive a stamp on your card. Once you collect all the stamps, leave your card at the last museum you visited. Prizes will be drawn on September 8th.“We love teaming up with like-minded organizations, so when the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum reached out to us about their passport idea, we…

Briggs Farm Blues Festival Just Around the Corner!
The 2023 Briggs Farm Blues Festival is just around the corner! Music-lovers from far and wide are packing their coolers, getting ready for world-class music, and planning time well spent with friends and family! “The Best Weekend of the Year” is happening July 6th, 7th, and 8th on the rolling hills of Briggs Farm in Briggsville, Pa. And while Briggs Farm Blues Festival has grown into the largest blues festival in Pennsylvania, its down-home feel remains. Everyone is friends at Briggs Farm. Two stages with over 20 international and regional acts will ignite the calm country air for a weekend…

Last Chance to Get Your Beeroes Collaboration!
by Nancy Bishop Well, it was time to hit the trail again. My beer loving companions have been anxious to try Super Beeroes ever since they first heard about this year’s River Rat Brew Trail special brew. And according to them, it was well worth the trip. They pronounced Super Beeroes, the special brew that nine of the 15 breweries on the River Rat Brew trail collaborated to make in April led by Rusty Rail Head Brewer Logan Powell, “excellent.” Collaborators were Lost MineD, Rusty Rail, Rock God, Eclipse, Jackass, Hidden Stories, Covered Bridge, Old Forge and Marley’s. The brew…

Are You a Super Beero? New Collaboration Brew Revealed
by Nancy Bishop It didn’t take long for my beer trail traveling companions to call and ask when we were going to hit the Trail after they heard about this year’s Super Beeroes theme. But it was only early March. I reassured them that I wouldn’t forget my loyal beer friends when it came time to visit the breweries on the River Rat Brew Trail, but I didn’t tell them that there’s a special beer being brewed that will be offered at the breweries this year. And I certainly didn’t tell them that I was about to attend a meeting…

River Rat Brew Trail Passports On Sale April 7
The River Rat Brew Trail Passport is back for another round! This year, transcend beyond the average craft beer drinker and become a “Superbeero” craft brew aficionado. With the most participating breweries EVER, this year’s trail is a can’t miss event! The 2023 trail features fifteen super brewers across five counties, and will run from April 7 through October 31. As you tour each location along the Trail, be sure to check-in using your digital passport to verify your visit. No purchase is necessary, but we think you’ll want to try some of the delicious craft creations on tap along…

2023 Covered Bridge Photo Contest Returns!
Covered Bridge Photo Contest & Puzzles Each year, the Visitors Bureau holds a photo contest to produce a 550-piece puzzle featuring one of the area covered bridges. Limited-edition puzzles have been produced the past ten years and have featured the East & West Paden bridges (multiple times), the Knoebels Bridge, Keefer Mills Bridge, Esther Furnace Bridge, Stillwater Bridge, Josiah Hess Bridge, Rupert Bridge, Kramer Bridge, a special Twin Bridges 10th Anniversary Puzzle, and most recently, the Wanich Bridge. The 2022 edition of the puzzle will be released this fall, and will be based on the winner of this year’s photo…

Renaissance Jamboree Returns to Downtown Bloomsburg
BLOOMSBURG — March 24th, 2023 — The Renaissance Jamboree festival returns to the downtown of Bloomsburg on Saturday, April 29th after a four-year absence. The event will be held on Main Street from 10 AM – 5 PM. For over 42 years, residents from all over Northeast PA have gathered and celebrated Spring’s return at the annual Renaissance Jamboree in Bloomsburg. “The festival was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 and had to move its location in 2022 due to a penn-DOT paving project. We are excited to announce the return of Renaissance Jamboree to Main Street in…