Hawley Hoedown takes over downtown

From flea markets to hayrides and a BatFest, Hawley will hopping

HAWLEY, PA — The 2008 Hawley Harvest Hoedown will take place on Saturday, October 4. Activities will start at 9:00 a.m. and continue into the evening. New this year, there will be an evening of entertainment in keeping with the Hoedown country theme, with two bands taking the stage at the Ritz Theatre.

Traditionally the Hoedown action takes place primarily on Main and Keystone Streets, but 2008 promises more and new things to do throughout the town, including Church Street and other venues such as the library and some of the town’s churches. Many organizations schedule fundraisers around the core Hoedown events. Starting at 9:00 a.m., for instance, bargain hunters can check out the flea market at the Hawley Fire house, and from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. there will be a Soup & Bread sale presented by the Hawley United Methodist Men at the church at 315 Church Street.

Throughout town, a wide variety of farmers market selections will be available, plus homemade foods, artisanal cheeses, handmade crafts and a variety of scarecrows at participating merchants, vying to become the people’s favorite. Pumpkins, hay bales and corn stalks will abound and Hawley’s eateries, galleries, shops and boutiques will be rolling out the fall carpet. There will be a BatFest at the public library at 1:00 p.m. and musical entertainment throughout the day.

In addition to long-established Hoedown activities such as children’s games, pumpkin decorating, face painting, hayrides, live entertainment and food, the second annual 5K Run and Fun Run/Walk will be held in conjunction with the Hoedown. Sponsored by the Lake Region Free Methodist Church, the 5K gets underway from Bingham Park at 9:00 a.m. and concludes in time for participants and their families and friends to enjoy what the day’s events have to offer.

Last year’s run benefited the local Headstart program, and proceeds from the 2008 run are earmarked for various youth programs in the greater Lake Region. Information on the 5K is available at 570/224-4675 or 845/252-7454.

At 6:00 p.m. the curtain will go up at the Ritz Theatre, 512 Keystone Street, on “Bluegrass and Grits—A Night at the Ritz.” Tricky trays will be set out for the audience’s perusal and music starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. All proceeds from the evening will benefit various revitalization and downtown projects of the Downtown Hawley Partnership. Advance tickets are available from Teeters’ Furniture, Miss Elly’s Antiques and the Settlers Inn.