The Bloomsburg PA Covered Bridge and Arts Festival return in 2021! For the last five years, this festival been named one of the top 50 Arts and Crafts Festivals in the United States by Sunshine Artist Magazine. Here’s what to expect this year:
Date, Time & New Location
The festival will take place Thursday, October 7 through Sunday, October 10 at Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, located at 620 W 3rd St., Bloomsburg, PA. This new venue offers free parking, free general admission and tram service to and from the parking lot. For parking, plan on entering from the main entrance off State Rte 11. All currently recommended guidelines by the CDC will be in place to ensure your safety, as well as all the other visitors.
Arts & Crafts
Featuring more than 350 craft vendors and 38 food vendors, there is something for everyone! Some of the arts and crafts items that will be available include: turned and carved wood, glass prints, sewn and woven textiles, jewelry, photography, paintings, pottery, and new or repurposed primitives. You are sure to find decor for every season, and gifts for everyone on your list.
Covered Bridge Bus Tours
The stars of the show are, of course, the Covered Bridges. There are several guided bus tours to some of the 25 covered bridges in two adjoining counties.
- Friday, October 8 at 10:30am
- Friday, October 8 at 12:30pm
- Sunday, October 10 at 11:30am (this tour has a planned stop at the Columbia Covered Bridge Association’s 20th Anniversary & Table Art Celebration.
These tours sell out fast, so if you have your heart set on taking one, make sure you reserve your tickets in advance. The cost is $20 per person for a three-hour tour, and tickets are available by calling 570-784-8279 or completing this form and mailing it to the Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau with your payment.
Self-Guided Covered Bridge Tours
If you don’t want to take the bus tour of the covered bridges but still want to see them, then take a self-guided tour. The Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau has prepared a map with suggested driving routes, locations, and the history behind each of the covered bridges. Here are three ways to get a map:
- Pick up a copy at the Visitor’s Bureau at 121 Papermill Rd. in Bloomsburg
- Download a copy to print at home
- Request a copy to be mailed to you.
You can choose which of the 25 covered bridges you would like to see, and enjoy the beautiful countryside and fall foliage along the way. Stop and buy a locally-grown pumpkin or some apples to take home!
Because the Festival attracts over 150,000 people, plan your visit in advance by making your lodging reservations early. Book a room with us at the Inn at Turkey Hill. We are conveniently location less than 4 miles from the Fairgrounds.
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.
