More than a Fair summer weekend

By WANDA WAYFARER

With summer on the go, the river valley offers more and more things to do each weekend. One of the biggest fundraisers and crowd pleasers is the annual fairs. Local fairs include rides and games, tasty vittles and some outstanding local musical talent.

On Friday, be sure to get down to Lackawaxen for their annual Fireman’s Fair (570/685-7330). The fair, located on the fireman’s field in Lackawaxen across from the park, is a sure pleaser for everyone in the family. They will have plenty of games of chance (it helps to have a good arm) and wonderful amusement rides.

The Lackawaxen Fireman’s Fair also has wonderful food including funnel cake, a clam booth and bar favorites. Or try your luck at the wheel for a chance to take home a little bit of money.

Each evening (the fair runs from Thursday to Saturday) there is local entertainment under the canopy. A dance floor surrounded by picnic tables allows you to eat and drink while you watch the bands. On Friday evening, they will have a performance of Snake Oil Willie, who plays some truly mean classic rock. They are a lot of fun to dance to.

If you haven’t seen your fill of fireworks, then Friday would be the ideal night to hang out, enjoy some fair food and drink, and watch the fireworks. Fireworks typically begin around dusk.

Admission to the fair is free, and it also offers free parking.

On Saturday, go shopping to The Wayne Highlands Middle School for the 45th Annual Wayne Country Antiques Show (570/253-2492). The annual antiques show is one of the biggest antique venues in our area, featuring 50-plus vendors. Doors are open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.

If it’s antiques that you want, this is the right place to be. They will have a wide variety of coins, jewelry, rugs, vintage clothing, glass, art, books, quilts and linens, and everything and anything in between.

Not only will the show have antiques for sale, but it will also have on-site restoration specialists, glass, china and furniture repair and chair caning. If you have a family heirloom or a valued piece that is in need of repair, this would be the ideal time to finally have it repaired or mended by experts.

In addition, a consignment corner will display different wares and “Attic Treasures,” presented by The Wayne Memorial Hospital Auxiliary (the same people that run The Other Shop in Honesdale, PA) will have great deals on clothing and coats, collectables and jewelry.

The event is sponsored by The Women’s Club of Honesdale, which will also be selling homemade refreshments during the day. The proceeds raised will be donated to various community organizations, local scholarships and charities. Admission for the show costs $6, but if you bring in the ad on page 12 of this issue, you can get in for only $5.

The Wayne Highlands Middle School is located on Grove and Terrace Streets in Honesdale, and the building is air-conditioned.

The Nutshell Arts Center in Lake Huntington, NY will present an art show called Figures, Still Lifes and Interiors every Saturday and Sunday (through August 5) from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (845/932-8708).

The Nutshell is a meticulously renovated hall that sits in the middle of the town of Lake Huntington overlooking the lake. Originally a playhouse, The Nutshell was converted to a very popular nightspot for 18- to 20-somethings in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Now the building hosts the works of contemporary local artists, as well as some widely popular still-life artists from previous years. The lighting is perfect to reveal every detail of the art.

Featured artists for “Figures, Still Lifes and Interiors” include Victor Candell, Ellen Cibula, Ann Finneran, Brandi Merolla, Eric Baylin, Joan Giordano, Tobie Grama, Peter Greene, Cecily Fortescue, Elise Freda, Charles Maraia, Marjorie Morrow, Pat Nugent, Peter Passuntino, Juan Rigal, Jim Raglione, Carmine Santaniello, Richard Seahausen, Johan Sellenraad, Candy Spilner, Margo Spoerri, Meryl Tihanyi, Paul Vazquez, Nancy Wells and Barbara Zweig.

Admission is free.

So, enjoy your weekend and don’t let any of the wonderful goings-on slip through your fingers. There is so much to do in the area, and only a weekend to do it in.