Wayne County Historical Society’s 12th Annual Canal Festival will be held Saturday, August 16 from 10AM to 4PM at the Delaware & Hudson Canal Park at Lock 31, Rt. 6, one mile west of The Settlers Inn, Hawley, PA.

This free rain or shine event will feature live traditional acoustic music by Ann Loeb and Mike Baglione from 1 AM to 1PM and Poison Love from 1PM to 3PM; blacksmith demonstration by Gravity Forge; wood carving by Cherry Ridge Wood Carvers and Tom Hollister; demonstration of outdoor skills by Ed and Jeff Burgholzer; guided nature walk at 1PM by John Harvey; fly casting demonstrations by Wayne-Pike Trout Unlimited at 10AM and 2PM; ice harvesting demonstration at 11AM and 2:30 PM by Coolbaugh Township Historical Association; fiber arts displays and demonstrations (weather permitting); archeology dig in the canal by the local chapter of the PA Society of Archeology; Stourbridge Lion Cub; and local authors signing and selling their books. Diane Sherry Romano will again play the Irish flute during the day.

The Living History Stage will again host the popular folk musician Dave Matskino at 10:30AM and 12:45PM, and Frank Littlebear and Red Vision Native American Dance Team at 11:30AM and 1:45PM. New this year at 3:00PM is Lenape Nation of PA Clan Mother Shelley Windamakwi DePaul who will also end the festival with a closing ceremony.

Additional educational children’s activities include a scavenger hunt, history of transportation dioramas and Shelley Windamakwi DePaul’s children’s activity tent.

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

Food will be for sale, including grilled meats, sides, homemade baked goods and an old-fashioned lemon-aid stand with hand-cranked ice.

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; the Wayne County Hotel Tax Committee; private donations; sponsorships and in-kind donations from Hunt Signs; Spencer Printing; Alan Kehoe; and equipment loans from the National Park Service.

For more information about Wayne County Historical Society and the D & H Canal Park at Lock 31 visit  www.WayneHistoryPA.com, or call or visit the Main Museum at 810 Main Street, Honesdale, Wednesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 4 PM.