HAWLEY, PA — The Wayne County Historical Society’s 11th annual Canal Festival will be held Saturday, August 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Delaware & Hudson Canal Park at Lock 31, located at 179 Texas Palmyra Highway. 

This FREE rain-or-shine event will feature live traditional acoustic music by Ann Loeb and Mike Baglion from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Poison Love from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; a blacksmith demonstration by Gravity Forge; wood carving by Cherry Ridge Wood Carvers and Tom Hollister; a demonstration of outdoor skills by Ed and Jeff Burgholzer; a guided nature walk at 1 p.m. by John Harvey; fly-casting demonstrations by Wayne-Pike Trout Unlimited at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; fiber arts displays and demonstrations; an archeology dig in the canal by the local chapter of the PA Society of Archeology; and local authors signing and selling their books. 

Diane Sherry Romano will play the Irish flute during the day, and the 143rd NY Volunteer Infantry Civil War reenactors will be encamped.

The Living History Stage will host the popular folk musician Dave Matsinko at 10:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.; and Frank Littlebear and the Red Vision Native American Dance Team at 11:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Additional educational children’s activities include a scavenger hunt, panning for gems and a history of transportation dioramas.

The popular Pennsylvania WoodMobile will return this year. This traveling exhibit provides information on the state’s forest; how the forests have shaped state and national history; and how today’s forest differs from 100 years ago. Touch hardwood species produced in Pennsylvania, and use touchscreen technology to interact with forest threats. 

New this year are guided tours of the newly-restored Daniels Farmhouse led by Sally Talaga at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (Sign up in the Canal Store prior to the tour. The cost is $10/adult, with 10 adults max/tour.) 

Also new is an old-fashioned lemonade stand with hand-cranked ice, offered by Stuart Dunsmore.

Local nonprofits and government informational booths include the Coolbaugh Township Historical Association, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, the D & H Canal Historical Society, the Greene-Dreyer Historical Society, the Lackawaxen River Conservancy, the NPS Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, the Pike County Historical Society, the Wayne County Beekeepers, the Wayne County Conservation District and the Wayne County Master Gardeners.

Food, including grilled meats, sides and home-baked goods, Journey’s End Farm maple syrup and other products will be available for purchase. Local history-related items, including books, maps and more can be purchased in the Canal Store, which is located in the newly restored Daniels Farmhouse kitchen. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and spend the day enjoying this 17-acre park and historic site along the beautiful Lackawaxen River. 

This event is made possible by the canal park’s many volunteers, a grant from the Wayne County Hotel Tax Committee, sponsorships and in-kind donations from Hunt Signs, Spencer Printing and Alan Kehoe. Equipment loans courtesy of the National Park Service.

More information about Wayne County Historical Society and its D&H Canal Park at Lock 31 can be found at www.WayneHistory.com, by calling 570/253-3240, and by visiting its Main Museum at 810 Main St. in Honesdale, Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.