TUNKHANNOCK — For the 11th year in a row, the Susquehanna waterfront will be the setting for arriving kayaks, nature explorations, environmental organization displays, the Ross Park Zoo Mobile, food and farm vendors and four live musical performances. Tunkhannock’s River Day will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 18, rain or shine, at Riverside Park.
A free pre-event will be held at 10 a.m. July 18 with a session of Kundalini Yoga at the River, followed by a chance to try out Nia, a combination of yoga, martial arts, and dance for health, wellness and fitness at 11:30 a.m. Pre-registration is not required.
Another pre-event is The Susquehanna Jamboree Kayak Fishing Tournament.
Kayak enthusiasts may want to join one of two River Floats organized by David Buck of Endless Mountains Outfitters and Art Coolbaugh, of Susquehanna Kayak and Canoe Rentals. Participants can rent a kayak and float down the river from Mehoopany or the Howland Preserve, arriving at Riverside Park just as the music begins at the pavilion.
Starting at 1 p.m. visitors can explore the displays and produce of many farmers and environmental agencies, such as organic produce from 4 Seasons Farm, raspberries and jam from Conifer Corner and fresh produce from Fertile Grounds CSA. Donna Fetzko will demonste why people should “Buy Fresh, Eat Local, and be Healthy” from 2 to 2:30 p.m.
Visitors can take in a Karate Demo by High Energy Fitness and Karate at 1 p.m. in front of the pavilion.
Rick Koval, of WNEP Pennsylvania Outdoor Life fame, will let guests get up close and personal with snakes of Pennsylvania and will share all kinds of interesting facts about them at 1 p.m.. Naturalist Bob Daniels will allow hands-on exploration of river critters from 4 to 5 p.m. See what he found in the Susquehanna that day. Some of his findings may indicate the health of the river.
Many activities at Riverside Park are planned especially for children. Check out the display and activities at the Endless Mountains Nature Center display, always fun for kids. Young artists will be able to add their designs to a painted mural inspired by the natural surroundings, guided by Amy and Steve Colley, Dietrich Theater art teachers from 3 to 6 p.m. at the river. Valerie Johnson, face painter extraordinaire, will transform little faces into all kinds of insects and animals from 3 to 6 p.m.. These opportunities are free.
Always featured at River Day is continuous music at the new pavilion from 1:45 to 7 p.m. Corky Staats will open the music at the pavilion at 1:45 p.m with songs from his new project “Mountain Memories.” Back by popular demand will be Sadie Green Sales Jug Band with David Driskell and Timothy Walker, joined by some of their students from the previous week’s classes from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Dietrich Theater.The always-popular Coal Town Rounders will return with their rousing alternative bluegrass music from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. The day will end with the return amRadio, northeastern Pennsylvania’s vocal heavy party band with a three-part horn section, including trumpet, saxophone and trombone.
While watching kayaks, listening to music, visiting displays and farm stands and seeing Ross Park Zoo Mobile wild animals up close, guests can take a break and enjoy treats from Simply Savory’s BBQ and delectable sides, Kool Cow Cabin Creamery ice cream, fresh squeezed lemonade and vegetarian empanadas and jambalaya by Sam James, cupcakes from Keystone Konfections.
Organizations with displays at River Day include PA Bureau of Forestry, Endless Mountains Nature Center, Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, North Branch Land Trust. The Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau will be on hand to share all of the recreational and business resources in the area.
River Day is planned by the Wyoming County Cultural Center at the Dietrich Theater and the River Day Committee and sponsored by the Overlook Estate Foundation. For information about River Day, call the Dietrich Theater at 570-996-1500.
