On Saturday, August 25th, the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau and the Columbia County Covered Bridge Association will host a special day of festivities in celebration of the historic Stillwater Covered Bridge.  The bridge recently underwent renovations to improve the structural integrity of the bridge.  A fresh coat of paint was also applied.  Thus, a special dedication ceremony will be held to commemorate the recent renovations.  The ceremony will also be a re-enactment of sorts, to be held in the same spirit as the 1959 Stillwater Bridge dedication ceremony.

Festivities will begin at 9:30 AM with a Covered Bridge Bus Tour leaving from the Stillwater Bridge area.  One bus with approximately 45 seats will transport riders to see a total of 10 bridges in the northern half of Columbia County.  The bus will make 3-4 stops at several of the bridges for photos and exploration opportunities. Approximate tour length will be 2.5-3 hours.  Guests will be returned to the Stillwater Bridge prior to the start of the dedication ceremony.  Tickets for the bus tour are $20, and seats can be reserved by calling the Visitors Bureau Welcome Center at 570-784-8279.

Van Wagner will provide music

Vendors will be set up at the bridge by noon, including the Columbia County Covered Bridge Association, the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society, the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau, Steph’s Subs, Covered Bridge Brewhaus, Elk Mountain Winery, and other food vendors.

The dedication ceremony will begin at 2:00 PM, with an officer from the Columbia County Covered Bridge Association presiding. The Benton School Band will perform the “Star Spangled Banner”, and an invocation will be performed by the reverend of the Stillwater Church.  The Columbia County Commissioners and the mayor of Stillwater will provide opening remarks and the greeting, followed by a presentation of the “History of the Bridge at Stillwater” by the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society. Following the conclusion of the ceremony, local musician Van Wagner will perform music and storytelling.

*PLEASE NOTE* Since the roads in the northern end of the county are not accessible to larger charter buses, a school bus will be used.  As such, NO bathrooms will be located on the bus. There will be bathrooms available at one of the bridge stops in the second half of the tour, but attendees are encouraged to use the portable restrooms provided at the Stillwater Bridge prior to leaving on the tour.

Bring the whole family to Hess Field in Danville for Old Forge Brewing Company’s annual Summerfest & 5k Beer Run! Live music by Myal Soul, kids games, bounce house, pig roast, beer games and lots of fun!

You must be 21 or older to enter the race (but families are welcome at the park for the food and fun). Prizes for the fastest female and male and for the best beer-themed costumes!

Event details and schedule

Date: Saturday, June 23, 2018

Time: 5:00pm

Check-in: 4:00pm – 4:50pm

Location: Hess Recreation Area – 300 Meadow Lane, Danville, PA 17821

Field size: 250 (must be 21+)

Prizes: fastest female, fastest male and best beer-dressed racer

Cut-off time: 45 minutes

Cost: $35 (includes custom t-shirt if registered by 5/23, swag and a free beer); $30 for no shirt option if registered by 5/23

Other notes:

• professional race management by Old Forge Brewing Company and the Montour Area Recreation Commission
• pre-registration only (closes 11:59pm EST on 6/19); no day-of-race registration
• custom t-shirt if registered by May 23
• chip timing by Falcon Race Timing
• fun beer obstacle course at end of race
• no dogs or strollers allowed on the race course
• kids and families welcome
• live music by Myal Soul from 4:30pm – 6:30pm
• pig roast by Tworkoski Farms
• corn hole and beer games
• bounce house for kids
• food and beer for sale

Winning photograph will be featured as this year’s edition of Visitors Bureau’s historic Covered Bridge Puzzle series.

BLOOMSBURG, PA – The Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce this year’s Covered Bridge Photo Contest winners. The overall winning image will be featured as the 2018 Covered Bridge Puzzle.  This year’s puzzle will be released in the fall as the eighth installment in the Visitors Bureau’s limited edition series, and will feature the Rupert Bridge for the first time.

2018 Overall Winner: Rupert Bridge – Anthony Berard Jr.

Anthony Berard Jr.’s snapshot of the Rupert Bridge in Columbia County was selected as the overall winner.  Tony taught mathematics at King’s College for forty years.  During breaks from teaching, he experimented with travel photography.  Upon his retirement in 2012, he had more time to pursue photography as a serious hobby, and he joined the Hazleton Camera Club.  Tony and his wife live in Conyngham and enjoy visiting and photographing the historic covered bridges of Columbia and Montour counties.

The Rupert Covered Bridge spans Fishing Creek in Montour Township, Columbia County.  The bridge is located in the small village of Rupert, which was settled by Leonard Rupert in 1788.   It is the oldest existing bridge in the county, and was constructed in 1847 by Jesse M. Beard at a cost of $1,637.  Rupert Bridge was restored in 2000-2001 by the Larson Design Group. The walls and roof are still self-supported, with a new load-bearing modern bridge constructed underneath.

Several other photographers were recognized in this year’s contest: Margie Hunsinger submitted the 5^th place photograph of the Paar’s Mill Bridge, Anthony Berard Jr. was also awarded 4^th place for his photo of the Kramer Bridge, Bob Erlsten was awarded 3^rd place for his image of the Sam Eckman Bridge, and Brandy Whitenight placed overall runner-up with her photo of the Johnson Bridge.  The Visitors Bureau would like to thank everyone who submitted photos for the contest, as there was a contest-record of 62 submitted photos this year.

The 2018 Rupert Bridge puzzles will be available for purchase starting in late September at the Visitors Bureau Welcome Center, 121 Papermill Road in Bloomsburg.  The Visitors Bureau is now taking pre-orders for the puzzles – cost is $12, tax included.  The Visitors Bureau will also have the puzzles for sale at their Bloomsburg Fair booth this year and at the Covered Bridge and Arts Festival (October 4-7 at Knoebels Amusement Resort) while supplies last.  The Visitors Bureau’s covered bridge puzzles are collector’s items and make for a great birthday or Christmas present.

A donation of $2 from every puzzle sold will be made by the Bureau to the Columbia County Covered Bridge Association to go toward restoration and preservation of our local covered bridge treasures.  Individuals are instructed to call the Columbia-Montour Welcome Center at 570-784-8279 with their pre-order intentions. A limited quantity of only 250 puzzles are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Shane Kiefer, Director of Marketing for the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau, states that “for the last seven years, the Visitors Bureau has made a donation from the puzzle sales to the Covered Bridge Society.  We hope that by continuing this tradition for another year, we are helping to preserve and restore these bridges for everyone in Columbia and Montour Counties to enjoy and cherish, as well as the many thousands of people from around the world who visit them each year.”

The Columbia County Covered Bridge Association restores, preserves, and advocates for the covered bridges of Columbia County for historical and recreational purposes.  Their purpose is simple: they recognized the historic importance of the covered bridges as a public treasure to be available to and enjoyed by the public and the important part they play in tourism. This non-profit association protects all of our covered bridges not only for today, but also for future generations.

#2 overall: Johnson Bridge – Brandy Whitenight

#3 overall: Sam Eckman Bridge – Bob Erlsten

#4 overall: Kramer Bridge – Anthony Berard Jr.

#5 overall: Paar’s Mill Bridge – Margie Hunsinger

Head to the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds for the annual Central PA Wine Fest featuring some of the area’s finest wineries, brewpubs, artists, and musicians.  Sample wonderful food as you make your way around the industrial buildings at the fairgrounds.  The event is rain or shine and takes place on Saturday, June 2nd from 11:00 am -6:00 pm. Feel free to bring your own lawn chairs/blankets.  No pets allowed. This is not a kid friendly event.   Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Tickets includes your admission and wine glass for all tastings.  All tickets purchased online will be electronically scanned to prevent photocopying.

Event Address:
Bloomsburg Fair Grounds/ Industrial Arts Building
620 West Third Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815

Local wineries & breweries in attendance include: Freas Farm Winery, Red Shale Ridge Vineyards, & Rock God Brewing Co.

Next Saturday, June 2nd, from 11 AM – 6 PM, head to Berwick to enjoy live music, craft beers, fantastic foods, and activities for all ages!  Market Street near the Jackson Mansion will be the site of many of the events. The Jackson Mansion will also be open for tours throughout the day and will be celebrating the grand opening of the Garrison Room.  In the mid-afternoon, the 2nd annual “Best Pizza in Berwick” contest will be held and will be open to the public for judging. For a donation of $2, any interested attendees will be able to judge pizza from approximately 12 participating local pizzerias. One local shop will be crowned the 2018 winner.  Pizzerias will be bringing their BEST pizza this year – so it could be anything from pineapple and ham to traditional pepperoni or even something completely different!  Interested judges must be there by the start of the contest (2 PM), in order to participate. This year’s event is sponsored by Experience Berwick and the Berwick Area United Way – contact the United Way at 570-759-8203 for more information about the festival.

Live Entertainment Schedule:
11am-1pm: Bennett Brother
1pm-1:30pm: Dance Works by Amber
1:30pm-2pm: A Soulful Space: Group Meditation
2pm-4pm: Campfire Bacon
4pm-6pm: Dan Hess & Matt Jaffin

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 still open for entries, and will close on Friday, June 1st. Individuals who have taken photos of one of the counties’ covered bridges are encouraged to enter. There is no cost to submit, and photographers are permitted to enter up to FOUR covered bridge images.

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 request a free covered bridges brochure on the Visitors Bureau’s website: www.itourcolumbiamontour.com/request-a-brochure/

The Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau’s 2018 Covered Bridge Photo Contest began on March 5 and ends June 1.

How to Enter:

1. Email your photos to skiefer@cmvb.com within the dates above. Submitted photos should be labeled as follows: YourLastName_BridgeName_2018.jpg.
2. Alternatively, you can post your photo entries on Instagram using the hashtag #CMVBPuzzle2018. YOU MUST INCLUDE the photographer’s name and the name of the covered bridge. If selected as a finalist, the CMVB will contact you for a higher quality image.

Rules and Regulations:

1. All photos must be of bridges located within Columbia or Montour County.
2. 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 in future marketing efforts, and as the puzzle if selected as the winning image.
3. All photos must be high-resolution (no smaller than 1000 x 1000 pixels).
4. A limit of FOUR photos per person will be accepted.
5. By entering images into the contest, entrants agree to allow the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau to utilize photographs in continued regional marketing efforts and in future covered bridge photo contest advertisements.

The staff of the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau will select the winning image to be featured as the 2018 limited edition Columbia & Montour Counties Covered Bridge Puzzle. No entries will be accepted after June 1st. The overall winner and several honorable mentions will be announced following the final submission deadline. The winner will receive a free puzzle and their name and short bio will be printed on the puzzle, as well as on this page and on the CMVB’s social media.  Each puzzle is a limited edition item, and can be kept as collector’s items. Only 250 puzzles are produced each year.

Every year, the puzzle is traditionally released in September and sold at the Bloomsburg Fair, the Covered Bridge & Arts Festival, and at the CMVB Welcome Center. $2 from each sale is donated to the Columbia County Covered Bridge Association.

The Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau (CMVB) recently unveiled a brand new summer initiative in partnership with thirteen area historical assets and heritage organizations. The first ever Summer Heritage Passport will take participants on a journey through the history, culture, and stories of Columbia & Montour Counties and beyond.

The Summer Heritage Passport will begin on Friday, May 4^th and last through Sunday, October 7^th.  At each of the thirteen stops, passport holders will receive a sticker to place in their passport indicating their attendance at that location. Once 10 of the 13 locations have been visited, and stickers received, individuals may mail their completed passport to the CMVB Welcome Center to be entered in a prize drawing. The Grand Prize will feature $400 in gift cards to area restaurants. Four additional runner-up prizes will also be awarded, and will include more area gift cards, historical regional book collections, and items from several of the passport stops. The total value of all prizes is estimated at $1,000.

The Passport trail kicks off with the “History Comes Alive” event at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, which will take place May 4^th – 6^th, 9am – 4pm daily.  Attendees will learn about the Civil War from living historians, period demonstrators, and re-enactors. Topics include Civil War-era medicine, wood turning, broom making, chair caning, printing presses, spinning and weaving, blacksmithing, spies, and more. The Barton House and historic School House will be open for tours all weekend. The first sticker can be collected at this event from the Barton Historical Association or at the Visitors Bureau’s display table.

Each of the thirteen participating locations holds a unique experience for visitors, from Bill’s Old Bike Barn to the Knoebels Carousel Museum. The majority of the stops on the summer passport can be found in either Columbia or Montour Counties, but Ashland’s Pioneer Tunnel in Schuylkill County and the three Eagles Mere museums in Sullivan County are also included.  Other participants include the Boyd House, Catawissa Quaker Meeting House, Columbia County Historical & Genealogical Society, the International Harvester Collectors Museum, the Montgomery House, and the Mooresburg School.

There is no cost to participate in the event, but admission fees may apply at several of the locations.  To get started, travelers may pick up a free passport from any of the participating locations or at the Columbia Montour Welcome Center (121 Papermill Road, Bloomsburg).  All locations will be open during their normal posted hours. Please call or visit individual websites for complete hours of operation. For more information about the Summer Heritage Passport trail, please call 800-847-4810.

DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE TODAY AND GET STARTED!

Local Brew Trail Celebrates Local Breweries and Encourages Craft Beer Lovers to Explore the Variety of Craft Beers in the Susquehanna River Valley

LEWISBURG, Pa. — The River Rat Brew Trail is inviting the public to take a tasting tour with its 2018 Summer Passport.

Passport holders will receive a free collectible glass at each of the 9 participating breweries from June 1 to Aug. 31.  Participants who have their passports stamped at every location and submit their completed passport will receive a River Rat hooded sweatshirt created only for this promotion.

Participants do not need to make a purchase at the breweries to have their passports stamped, but they are encouraged to sample amazing beers paired with great snacks appetizers or meals while on their journey.

This year’s participating breweries are Rock God Brewing Co., Old Forge Brewing Co., Three Beards Brewing at Spyglass Ridge, Rusty Rail Brewing Co., Selin’s Grove Brewing Co., Covered Bridge Brewhaus, Marzoni’s Brick Oven & Brewery, Civil War Cider Co., and Eclipse Craft Brewing Co. All 9 fall within an approximately 13-mile radius, though the passport can be completed over several trips throughout the summer.  Eclipse Craft Brewing Co. was scheduled to be open in June of 2018, but their timeline has been delayed slightly.  If the brewery is unable to open in time for the end of the passport promotion, the River Rat Brew Trail will honor the passport completion without the Eclipse Craft Brewing Co. stamp.

Passports cost $35 and can only be purchased at www.riverratbrewtrail.com beginning May 1. Only 500 passports will be printed.  Completed passports can be mailed to or dropped off at the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau or the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau along with contact information and shirt size to receive the free hooded sweatshirt.

The Weis Center for the Performing Arts, in collaboration with the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau and the Susquehanna River Arts initiative, will host a free art exhibit and installation featuring the work of ten local artists from Tuesday, April 3 through Friday, May 25 in the Weis Center’s upper atrium lobby.

Participating artists will include: Annie Barnhart, Robert Brown, Pete Grimord, Joan Grimord, Gail Fox, Glen Klein, Abigail Kurecian, Sara Mika, Pam Thomas and William Whitmoyer. Each artist will have several samples of artwork on display.

Grounded in the belief that art shapes both the spirit and vitality of a community; the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau created Susquehanna River Arts in 2012.  By showcasing the works of local artists, the Susquehanna River Arts project not only highlights the cultural assets of our region, but fosters an appreciation of both our communities and our heritage.

The exhibit is free and takes place on the upper level of the atrium lobby, which is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. The Weis Center ground floor is fully accessible; however there is no elevator to the upper level.

For more information about the Susquehanna River Arts initiative, its participating artists and current programs, visit www.ITourColumbiaMontour.com/Susquehanna-River-Arts.

For more information about the Weis Center for the Performing Arts and directions, go to Bucknell.edu/WeisCenter or search for the Weis Center on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.