Showing off face-paint renderings by Silly Sally (not pictured) are (top, front, from left) Kelly Donovan, Hadley Laney, Jeff Wyeth, Teresa Wyeth, (back) Fyleigh Laney and Irelynd Laney. Contemplating her additions to a living mural on the river bank (above) is Kayla Bingham of Lake Winola.
Photos and story by Rick Hiduk
In the 15 years that Tunkhannock’s ‘River Day” has been held, organizers and guests have dealt with whatever Mother Nature has given them. On Saturday, it was a combination of excessive heat and rain. While most of the region was simply hot and humid, a brief thunderstorm popped up just west of Tunkhannock and halted activities along the Susquehanna River for about an hour. Nonetheless, Vendors and visitors persevered, and another well-organized ‘River Day’ went down in the history books.
‘River Day’ is sponsored by the Overlook Foundation and coordinated by the Wyoming County Cultural Center in partnership with numerous other groups who share the mission of promoting the region’s natural landscapes and recreational assets. The family-friendly blend of arts, ecology and heritage is matched with a variety of vendors geared to please the palate and provide some takeaway from the event.
Music on Saturday was provide by the J.P. Williams Blues Band, The Ziegers (above), Flatland Ruckus (below), and Blues Roots. Donna Fetzko hosted instructional yoga on the river bank. The Dietrich Theater, Kitson Arts Alliance and several local artists provided hands-on experiences for children such a river rock and mural painting.
The Frances Dorrance Chapter of the PA Archaeological Society, Penn State Master Watershed specialists, the PA Game Commission, Tom McClain & Associates, Endless Mountains Heritage Region and two local outfitters offered exhibits covering nature, history, wildlife and recreation. Rick Koval, Rebecca Lesko, and Bill Bonning gave kids an opportunity to touch turtles, birds of prey, and snakes…or least see them up close.
Additional Photos by Rick Hiduk
Evelyn Shave of Montrose (left) gets a lesson in arrowheads from Paula Cenera of the Frances Dorrance Chapter of the PA Archaeological Society
Endless Mountains Heritage Region water trails manager Emily Rinaldi engaged young visitors in a Wyoming County heritage board game.
Dave and Linda Lavin of Orange check out a bear cub mount at the PA Game Commission booth.
Tunkhannock High School Tigertrons members, including (from left) Kinsey Petcavage, Josh Falzone, and Marina Tague show their champion robot in between selling snacks with their parents and advisers.
Patty McNeil (left) and Paul Bechtel of McLane Associates, a landscaping and architectural firm from Scranton, quizzed “River Day” guests on their ideas for Wyoming County’s upcoming Greenways, Trails and Open Space Plan.
Rick Koval provides details on one of many native snakes he brought to the event.
Rebecca Lesko (left) of the Endless Mountains Nature Center and volunteer Bill Bonning shared their collection of turtles with River Day guests.
PA Game Commission conservation officer Vic Rosa gives and overview of the life of an American bald eagle. The mount next to him is that of a juvenile.
Speaking on behalf of the Endless Mountains Heritage Region were executive director Cain Chamberlin (above) and EMHR’s media coordinator Rick Hiduk (below). Both also served on the 2019 River Day Committee.
