Photo: Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau
Celebrate Columbus Day weekend with the perfect foliage getaway in northern Pennsylvania – the Bloomsburg’s Covered Bridge Festival, October 6-9, 2016. This annual extravaganza, based at Knoebels Amusement Resort, brings you all the best traditions autumn has to offer – Guided Covered Bridge Tours on Saturday and Sunday, an antique and classic car display on Sunday, free entertainment and a juried arts and crafts show every day, plus Knoebel’s great rides, of course.
Why celebrate? Columbia and Montour Counties boast 25 covered bridges, the third largest concentration in Pennsylvania. Every one is unique, with its own craftsmanship, history, and story to tell. Visitors come from far and near to see them all, but especially one of the only two remaining twin bridges – the East and West Paden Bridges at Forks, PA. The Festival’s 2-3 hour guided tours visit various covered bridges in Columbia County – including the Paden Twins, of course! The cost is $15 per person, and must be reserved in advance and pre-paid. The two tours on Saturday, October 8, and one on Sunday, October 9, 2016, have limited seating, and always sell out early, so don’t wait to book the one you want. If you prefer to ramble over back roads yourself, the Festival’s website has a comprehensive brochure of all 25 covered bridges including a driving map and directions.
Agritourism Days (Thursday and Friday), feature domesticated animals from alpacas to ponies, plus local produce, pumpkins, plants, and more. Throughout the Festival’s four days, over 375 vendors offer traditional crafts in wood, glass textiles, jewelry, art, plus the bounty of local farms. Be sure to bring your appetite – food vendors will tempt you with plenty of harvest favorites. If you sample too many, there’s even a 5K run for you on Saturday morning!
Ten different musical performances will keep your feet tapping, whether your style is bluegrass, country, rock and roll, or even clog dancing. It’s all free, from Thursday morning through Sunday afternoon.
What better place to escape this October than to Bloomsburg – surrounded by northern Pennsylvania’s peaceful rural landscape at its autumn best, and the Covered Bridge Festival just a short drive away. Columbus Day weekend means leaf-peepers abound, so don’t wait to reserve your seat on one of the Covered Bridge Tours, and book your getaway at the Inn, Farmhouse, and Brewing Co. at Turkey Hill. Pick up the phone or your mouse, and start dreaming of those beautifully crafted bridges against the backdrop of Pennsylvania’s colorful hills and valleys!
Covered Bridge Festival
October 6-9, 2016
Hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm
Knoebels Amusement Resort
391 Knoebels Boulevard, Route 487, Elysburg, PA 17824)
FREE: Admission to the Festival, entertainment, parking
Covered Bridge Tours:
Saturday, October 8.2016 at 11:00 am and 12:30 pm
Sunday, October 9 at 12:30 pm.
Admission: $15 (must be pre-paid)
Reservations: Call 570-784-2522 or download and mail the reservation form on the Festival website