Updated for 2024
Are you thinking about a romantic getaway this fall that includes a rustic Pennsylvania setting blended with some autumn fun? If you answered “yes,” then the covered bridge festival is the place to be.
What’s more beautiful than the sight of historic covered bridges spanning the waterways amidst the splendor of autumn? Moreover, this festival is one of the country’s top festivals. Sunshine Artist Magazine named the Bloomsburg, PA, Covered Bridge and Arts Festival as one of the top “50 Arts and Crafts Festivals in the United States” for many successive years.
So mark your calendars for this spectacular event. It’s a fun time for everyone and one of the best things to do in Bloomsburg, PA, so you don’t miss out! Here’s what to expect this year.
Date, Time & Location
Thursday – Saturday, Oct 3-5, 2024, 9am – 5pm
Sunday, Oct 6, 2024, 9am – 4pm
Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, 980 West Main St., Bloomsburg
The Fairgrounds offer free parking, free general admission, and tram service to and from the parking lot. For parking, plan to enter from the main entrance off State Rte 11 via McClure Blvd (Gate 3) or from the town-side parking lot entrance off 5th St (Gate 6).
Meet Arts and Crafts Vendors
Featuring more than 328 craft and food vendors and exhibitors, so there is something for everyone! Some arts and crafts items include turned and carved wood, glass prints, sewn and woven textiles, jewelry, photography, paintings, pottery, and new or repurposed primitives. You will find decor for every season and gifts for everyone on your list.
Enjoy a Covered Bridge Fine Arts Demonstration
The fine arts section of the festival dedicated to live demonstrations is back by popular demand. The artists have scheduled demos, some of which include hands-on participation. So, get ready to dive in and have some fun!
Some classes, such as mini-gourd ornaments and egg blowing, are suitable for children. There are plenty of skills to learn, including Lithuanian egg art, pottery, basket weaving, and more. View the full schedule of demonstrations to plan your perfect and festive day!
Take a Covered Bridge Tour
Get ready for a tour of the beautiful covered bridges in Pennsylvania. This year, you have two options: a self-guided tour, allowing you to choose which of the 25 covered bridges you want to see. Or take the guided bus tour and relax while enjoying the beautiful countryside and fall foliage along the way.
If you choose a self-guided covered bridge tour, download the free digital passport. The Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau has prepared a map with suggested driving routes, locations, and the history behind each covered bridge. Here are two more ways to get a map:
- Pick up a copy at the Visitor’s Bureau at 121 Papermill Rd. in Bloomsburg or at the information booth across from the Education Building at the Fairgrounds.
- Request a copy of the digital brochure to be mailed to you.
Want to sit back and let someone else do the driving? Guided bus tours have returned! Buses leave directly from the festival grounds on Saturday, October 5. For more information or to purchase tickets for the bus tour, call the Visitors Bureau office at 570-784-8279.
Food Choices at the Festival
You can choose from 29 food vendors while visiting the festival, so there will surely be something for everyone’s taste. The varieties include:
- Amish Donuts
- Island Noodles
- Steph’s Subs
- Crabby Larry’s Seafood
- Scott and Glenda’s Homemade Ice Cream
- Mainville Farm Market
- Folk’s Fresh Batter Dipped Vegetables
- and John The Greek
There’s something to please every palate. See what we mean?
Get Ready to Rock with Live Music
You’ll find it here whether you love the beat of rock, the rhythmic sounds of bluegrass, or a beat that strums to a different tune. This year’s lineup was carefully curated to satisfy everyone. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the live music. Three live music acts are lined up to play on Saturday afternoon.
- 11:30am – 12:15pm: Knorrwood
- An American-based instrumental folk-rock duo featuring brothers Wes and Joey Knorr
- 12:45 – 1:30pm: Strawberry Ridge
- A bluegrass band that blends traditional and modern favorites
- 2:00 – 2:45pm: The Mighty Susquehannas
- An ensemble of musicians in the self-proclaimed River Funk genre. Their music blends funk, jam-band, and alternative rock
New For 2024: Additional Festival Activities
- MARC on the Midway — A Montour Preserve Benefit walk
- Children’s Museum Scavenger Hunt — all four festival days!
- Sunday Vesper Services at 8am
- Classic Cars & Trucks on Display
- Covered Bridge Bus Tour is back!
Because the Covered Bridge Festival attracts over 150,000 people, plan your visit by reserving early! Book a room with us at The Inn at Turkey Hill. We are conveniently located less than 4 miles from the Fairgrounds.
If you love festivals, check out the Bloomsburg Fair as well.
What a glorious way to spend a fall day! Take a half-day tour and spend the rest of the day browsing through the craft vendors at the Fairgrounds! Then, return to your well-appointed room at the Inn at Turkey Hill and dream of moonlight shining through a covered bridge.