Since the Pocono Mountains Music Festival was founded in 2009, it has introduced the whole of the northeast Pennsylvania region to a great variety of top-quality musical performances from different genres. In events that feature experienced as well as up-and-coming artists, the community gets to enjoy some of the most creative performances in the region. Different categories are featured, including everything from jazz, cabaret, and pop to dance, musical theater, country, and chamber music. As a non-profit charity organization, the Pocono Mountains Music Festival is doing a great service to the community. It’s one of the best music festivals in PA!
The Performing Art Camp is one of the most popular programs aimed at 9th graders all the way to 12th graders. Tuition costs $300, although scholarships are also available. Here students get to learn about the various disciplines of art from the true masters of each discipline. The camp lasts for two weeks and includes daily musical classes and workshops. Classes cover tap dance, choreography, musical theater vocal coaching, musical theater dance, and many others. At the end of the two-week camp, two students are chosen to receive the Herman Legacy Prize honor. The winning students will perform with Broadway stars accompanied by the local orchestra.
If you would like to work behind the scenes and learn how to put together such great performances, you can take part in the Festival Production Apprentice program. Each year 10 people are chosen to work on the production and creative aspects of the events. It’s not about performance and the apprentices will not be required to perform. Instead, they will be working on public relations, social media, house management, stage management, backstage crew, lighting design, props and costumes, company management, and many others. This is an opportunity to work with, assist, and learn from choreographers, directors, and musical directors.
Even before the festival starts, there are pre-festival events which give the audience a glimpse of what to come. Previous seasons have seen such great acts as The Marcy & Zina Show, and The Music Of The Brill Building kick off the season. By the time the main event started, people were converging to the music venues with anticipation and enthusiasm. In 2018 such performances as Love Letters, Cabaret Night with Andrew Keenan-Bolger, and Jerry Herman proved to be a huge success.
Every October, movie fans from across the country descend on Milford, PA, for the annual Black Bear Film Festival. Make no mistake about it. This is not a festival for blockbuster movies, and you’ll hardly see any megastar within miles of any theater. In fact, the chances are you’ve never heard of any the movies that feature each year in the festival. For one thing, only independent movies are allowed to take part. And they need to be new, as in never showed anywhere in theaters, Netflix, Amazon, or on TV. The festival organizers have a knack for quirky movies. It’s a different cinematic experience in more ways than one and one of the best Pennsylvania film festivals to visit!
According to the festival’s brochure, the mission of the Black Bear Film Festival is to “entertain, educate, inspire and celebrate our community with great film events.” Perhaps because of that, this festival isn’t really a competition. The films that show here are not competing for a prize. Rather, they seek an audience who loves to watch, think, debate, and discuss the thought-provoking topics in the movies. It’s also an opportunity for the town of Milford to celebrate its natural beauty and historic locations, many of which have been the setting for numerous movies.
The festival board accepts films from all over the world and in different categories. The age category specifies that the movie should focus on youth and college life. Local films need to be produced in the state of Pennsylvania. The length of the movie also determines its category. If runtime is under 50 minutes, it’s considered a short film. Above that is a feature length. Submissions are open from January of this year, and since they’re still open, the list of movies taking part hasn’t been released yet.
Buying tickets for the Black Bear Film Festival is a straightforward process. You can do so online or in person. Just head over to Milford Theater at 114 E Catherine St. and purchase any number of tickets you need. Tickets come in different categories and different prices. Gold Passes cost $150 and allows you access to the gala and opening night movie, as well as all movies and special panels. Gala tickets alone cost $75, while a single movie ticket costs $10.
When the summer is at its end and the beaches are bustling with tourists trying to have as much fun as they can before the weather turns, you may want to enjoy a different beach. Away from the crowded beach, Wally Lake Fest brings you a unique event. It’s three days full of food, sports, tours, music, shopping, and fun activities for everyone. It takes place at the end of August at Lake Wallenpaupack located at 2512 Route 6, Suite 1, Hawley, PA 18428. Admission is free for all, even though some activities might have fees. It’s one of the best things to do in the Poconos in the Summer!
Before you head out to Wally Lake Fest, you need to be prepared for the day ahead. Check out the website for the activities included in the brochure, that way you’ll know which events you want to take part in beforehand. Make sure you have everything you need for the day with you. This includes sunscreen, sneakers, beach clothes, and anything else you need to have with you. Also, some activities might require certain gear, so packing all the stuff you need will ensure a successful day on the lake.
If you’re driving, then you might have a problem with parking. A better way is to park for free at Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center, or Wallenpaupack Area High School, or Lake Wallenpaupack Environmental Center. Now you can take free shuttles to anywhere you’d like to go. The red shuttle stops at Gresham’s Landing, while the blue shuttle goes to Hawley Silk Mill and Downtown Hawley. Both of them pass through the three parking areas where you have just parked your car. This will save you money and hassle driving your car and looking for a parking place near the lake.
There are three locations that have the best hotspots at Wally Lake Fest. Downtown Hawley has many restaurants and cafes as well as local attractions. Recommended places there include Hawley Silk Mill, Mill Market Bakery, Ritz Company Playhouse, and Glass – wine.bar.kitchen. North End has Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tours, Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center, and Palmyra Township Public Beach on Lake Wallenpaupack. The Lake Region has Silver Birches Resort, Lighthouse Harbor Marina and The Boat House Restaurant among other attractions.
For three days, Lake Wallenpaupack holds a lot of fun for tourists trying to enjoy the last days of the summer.
For just over a week each August, the Poconos region comes together to celebrate the annual Wayne County Fair. During the festivities, visitors and locals alike can enjoy games, rides, food, exhibits, farm animals, thrill shows, and live entertainment at the Wayne County Fairground in Honesdale.
Nothing says summer like having fun at the county fair, and few places are as beautiful as the Poconos in the summer season. The annual Wayne County Fair is the perfect excuse to get outside and enjoy yourself in the Pocono Mountains!
In 2018, the 156th Annual Wayne County Fair will take place from August 3rd through August 11th. Tickets for the fair are priced at $10.00 for admission, with varying prices for food, drink, midway games, some performances on the Grandstand or certain events like monster truck races.
This years Annual Wayne Fair will be held at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, located on Rte. 191 N., Honesdale, PA 18431. You can call (570) 253-5486 or email gotothefair@waynecountyfair.com for more information, or simply ask the reservation specialists at Pocono Mountain Rentals!
