BARRYVILLE, NY — “The byway is more than a causeway,” said Upper Delaware Scenic Byway (UDSB) president Richard Lowe told the audience as he prepared to present three awards celebrating those who have worked to bring the UDSB to fruition. “It’s a cosmopolitan way of life.”

At the awards dinner on May 18 for community members who worked on the byway were outgoing Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, The Delaware Company co-founder and executive director Debra Conway, and Shadfest chef Annika Sundvik.

Lowe credited the activities of the UDSB and its partners to the creation of an atmosphere that leaves long-lasting legacies. “Those things matter, not for today—it’s for tomorrow,” he said. “We need to fill our school systems with young families, and we can’t attract those families without attractions, wonderful restaurants and things that make their lives worth living. And that is what we do at the byway.”

On May 3, the National Scenic Byway Foundation honored the UDSB with its 2024 Partnership Award for the 2023 Festival of the Founding Fish: Upper Delaware Shadfest at Adams State University in Alamosa, CO, during the Colorado Byways Symposium. The annual awards program recognizes outstanding contributions from the scenic byway community across the United States.

The Upper Delaware Shadfest was founded in 2022 by Conway and The Delaware Company, and events were conceived and produced by John Pizzolato, now the Town of Highland supervisor and program manager (at-large) for the UDSB. Pizzolato traveled to Alamosa to accept the award.  

“The award was a partnership award,” Lowe said.“And we needed you to make that happen. It took 20 years to build up those relationships and connections. The idea was to be able to activate the community,” he said. “So if we wanted to have the world's-largest yard sale along the byway, or if we wanted to do a car show that stretches from Port Jervis to Hancock, if we could do something that you have an idea on, we’d love to hear from you. You’re our partners.” 

What is that next something special that enhances your community? Call us, he said.

Conway said the byway was a string of pearls whose gems ought to be connected and promoted as a unit. It was the brainchild of the late former Lumberland supervisor Tom Hill, who was introduced to the concept of a scenic byway at a conference in 1995.