Skip to content

Member News- June 30, 2021

Covered Bridge & Arts Festival Relocated to Bloomsburg Fairgrounds

The annual Covered Bridge & Arts Festival, held at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg since 1982, will have a new home in 2021, and in future years as well. The fall festival, which traditionally draws approximately 150,000 people over four days in early October, will now be held at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds.

Festival organizers from the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau (CMVB) recently met with Knoebels management to discuss logistical challenges, exacerbated by the national labor shortage, of continuing the festival at the amusement resort. Faced with the prospect of cancelling the festival for a second consecutive year, the group made the decision to coordinate a new home for the event moving forward. For vendors, the Fairgrounds venue will be able to provide the same amenities that have been offered in prior years to ensure a successful event. Visitors will be able to look forward to increased parking opportunities as well as regular tram service to and from the parking lot.

“Looking back at the Covered Bridge Festival’s long history, we would be remiss if we did not thank the Knoebel family,” remarked Otto Kurecian, Executive Director of the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau. “Their foresight enabled the CMVB to literally keep our doors open. In the process, they nurtured a tiny festival and assisted us in creating one of the premier craft festivals in the United States. We will remain forever grateful for their efforts.”

Knoebels management also reflected on the long history of the event at the park and offered optimism for the future.

“The Covered Bridge Festival has been a wonderful partnership between the Visitors Bureau and Knoebels for nearly 40 years,” said Brian Knoebel, Knoebels co-owner. “We are honored to have been a part of the festival’s growth and are excited to see what the future holds, with the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds being the perfect location to provide an opportunity for continued growth.”

Ultimately, the CMVB festival committee made the decision to contact the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds as a potential alternative host location for the event. Fair board officials convened to discuss feasibility for the Covered Bridge & Arts Festival to be relocated to the Fairgrounds and unanimously decided in favor of hosting the event in 2021 and beyond.

“The entire Fair Board recognized the impact this festival has on the surrounding community and knew we needed to do whatever it took to ensure the Fairgrounds could serve as its new home,” said Randy Karschner, Bloomsburg Fair Board President. “The Bloomsburg Fair recognizes its role in serving as a key community partner, and we are looking forward to welcoming the Covered Bridge Festival to Bloomsburg.”

Each year, the Covered Bridge & Arts Festival provides a boost of approximately $14.2 million in overall economic benefit to the region. In recent years, the tourism industry as a whole generated $4.4 billion in state and local taxes – enough to reduce the tax liability of each household by about $850 each year. For the past five years, the festival has been named as one of the Top 50 Arts & Crafts Festivals in the United States by Sunshine Artist Magazine.

“Looking forward, we need to provide a big thank you to the Bloomsburg Fair for being a community partner in the truest sense,” said Kurecian. “We faced the real possibility of having to cancel the event. The Fair Board’s quick actions truly saved the Covered Bridge Festival.”

Additional details about the festival’s new layout at the Fairgrounds will be announced in coming months. For this year, the Covered Bridge & Arts Festival will remain in place for October 7 – 10 as planned. Festival hours will also remain the same. This year’s Bloomsburg Fair also remains scheduled as planned for September 24 – October 2. To learn more about this year’s Covered Bridge & Arts Festival, please click here.


Northeast Pennsylvania Business Center to Hold Job Fair

Join the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Center on August 28, 2021 – in person – for the 1st Annual NPBC Job Fair in the Industrial Building at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds. Over 30 employers will be present!
 
Visit the website for a complete listing of registered employers and to view the positions they are recruiting for. The website will be updated on a daily basis, so please check back often.
 
This job fair is organized by The Northeast Pennsylvania Business Center, in partnership with The River 105 & 103.5, the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce, and The Good Insurance Group. 
 

The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum Announces its July Programs

The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

GENERAL PROGRAMMING:
Firework Extravaganza
Saturday, July 3, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Get ready for July 4th with firework extravaganza! Come learn about fireworks and create some crafts! Included with regular admission.

Saturday Sing-along with Miss Kerry
Saturday, July 3, 11:30 am-12:00 pm
Join Miss Kerry for this sing-along Saturday! Wiggling, singing, and laughing with your child is so much fun—it’s easy to forget how much learning is taking place. This event is included in Museum admission.

Dog Days of Summer
11:00 am-1:00 pm
July 7: Popsicles
July 21: Winter in July
Beat the heat and come to the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum! Enjoy a special summer-themed craft every other Wednesday with free adult admission!

Teddy Bear Picnic
Saturday, July 10, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Bring your favorite teddy bear and enjoy a picnic! Create your own teddy bear sized food and basket. Included with regular admission.

Two Dollar Tuesday
Tuesday, July 20, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Third Tuesday of the month, $2 admission all day. The Ex-change will host hands-on Art Cart projects 10am-2pm.

May The Force Be With You Day
Saturday, July 17, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Meet and take pictures with professional Star Wars characters, make your own lightsaber, enjoy new games, crafts, food vendors. Plus dunk-a-trooper, jedi obstacle course, blast-a-trooper and new activities for this year. Come dressed as your favorite Star Wars character! Purchase tickets at: http://bit.ly/bcm-maytheforce21

This Day in History: Amelia Earhart Birthday
Saturday, July 24, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
On July 24th, 1897 Amelia Earhart was born. Did you know she was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic ocean? Celebrate her birthday with an airplane-themed craft. Included with regular admission.

Water Day
Saturday, July 24, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
We will have a variety of activities for kids to cool off while having fun. Play in our lazy river, take the water balloon challenge and enjoy our inflatable water slides! Caution you will have fun and get wet. Admission is $5. Proceeds benefit the Friends of the Town Pool. Purchase tickets at: http://bit.ly/bcm-waterday21
Avocado Day
Saturday, July 31, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Did you know an avocado has more potassium than a banana? Learn more about these fruits (yes, avocado is a fruit) and take home some delicious recipes. Included with regular admission.

CLUBS AND CLASSES
Preschool Under the Sea Summer Camp
June 28-July 2, 8:30-9:30 & 10:00-11:00 am
Join the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum this summer and dive right into this summer camp. Preschool campers will dip their toes in the sea, explore the depths of the ocean, make friends with a squid and cuddle an octopus…without even getting wet or jumping into a submarine! Every day will be an exploration of a different part of our beautiful oceans and the creatures that live there!

Music Together® of Bloomsburg
Every Friday, 10:15-11:15 am
Music Together is an early childhood music curriculum that’s known around the world for its ability to engage children and adults in musical play together.

Enchanted Princess Mini Camp
July 7-9, 10:00 am-11:00 pm
Dreams will come true this summer at our mini-camp perfect for the princess in your life with all kinds of royal activities. Each day will focus on a different favorite princess as our campers enjoy a week of singing and dancing along with tea parties, arts & crafts, and making new friends. A fun and magical week will all lead up to a coronation ceremony. Your little one’s fairy tale summer camp is just around the corner!

Young Engineers
3:00-4:00 pm
Friday, July 16: Hydraulic Platforms
Friday, July 23: Fans
Friday, July 30: Mechanical Hand
Grab your lab coats and goggles for these science class! Students will learn about pneumatics, circuits, hydraulics, and more! Perfect for students ages 6+

Maker Camp – SOLD OUT
July 19-23, 10:00 am—1:00 pm
What do soldering, 3D printing, sculpture, electronics, painting, laser cutting, food, and hammers all have in common? MAKER CAMP! Makers will explore, experiment and play. They are inquisitive hands-on learners who like to try new things! Ages grouped by activity. Taught by Dr. Ginny Weibel and Dr. Kristene Baldwin.

American Girl Summer Camp – SOLD OUT
July 26-30, 10:00 am-1:00 pm
Campers and their dolls (any kind of doll or stuffed animal) will discover adventures a-plenty in this camp full of miniature projects and friendship. Ends with an American Girl Party.

Painting and Drawing Camp II – SOLD OUT
July 12-16, 10:00 am-1:00 pm
Young artists will scribble, splatter, and create! This camp is all about learning how to draw and paint. From using teeny tiny to larger than life, we will be exploring every surface using brushes, pencils, and the unexpected! Presented by Art Space member and artist, Sara Mika. Two dates, same great camp!

DIY Art for Kids!
3:00-4:00 pm
July 6: DIY Dinosaur
July 13: DIY Tore Bag
July 20: DIY Puzzle
July 27: DIY Flower Bowl
Join the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum to create a fun DIY Craft. Suggested for ages 6+ .

Spark Labs with the Crazy Science Lady: Geology
Saturday, July 31, 10:30-11:30 am
Invent, experiment, and explore at this lab that ignites curiosity about the world around us.

For a complete listing of all programs, visit https://the-childrens-museum.org/


Providence Engineering Hires Rebecca C. Thompson

Providence Engineering is pleased to welcome Rebecca C. Thompson to the firm. Becky has joined Providence’s Business Development team and will be responsible for developing new business opportunities throughout Pennsylvania.

With more than 15 years of experience in the AEC industry, Becky brings an informed and thoughtful approach to business development. She is extremely adept at collaborating with owners, builders and designers in order to drive value to projects from the outset. Becky’s commitment to the AEC industry, especially in Central PA, has garnered many longstanding relationships.

Becky holds a Bachelor and Master of Architectural Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

“I’m very excited to welcome Becky to Providence,” says David Bernhardt, President. “Her professionalism and depth of experience make her a great fit for the Providence team. I look forward to working with her to continue making a positive impact on the built environment.”

Established in 1992, Providence Engineering is committed to providing constructible, affordable and timely structural engineering design services. We also provide many facets of construction compliance and delegated design services to the building industry. Our dependable, innovative solutions have earned the trust of architects, owners, contractors and those we are privileged to call our clients.

Scroll To Top