Bloomsburg PA Covered Bridge Festival

Updated August 2023

If it is the fall, it is time for The Bloomsburg PA Covered Bridge and Arts Festival! What is more beautiful than the sight of iconic covered bridges spanning waterways with glorious colored leaves overhead and underfoot? This festival, celebrating its 41st year, has been named one of the top “50 Arts and Crafts Festivals in the United States” by Sunshine Artist Magazine for numerous years in succession. Here’s what to expect this year:

Date, Time & Location

Thursday – Saturday, October 5-7, 9 am – 5 pm
Sunday, October 9, 9 am – 4 pm
Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, 620 W 3rd St, Bloomsburg

The Fairgrounds offer free parking, free general admission, and tram service to and from the parking lot. For parking, plan to enter from the main entrance off State Rte 11 via McClure Blvd (Gate 3) or from the town-side parking lot entrance off 5th St (Gate 6).

Arts & Crafts

Featuring more than 320 craft vendors and 38 food vendors, there is something for everyone! Some of the arts and crafts items available include turned and carved wood, glass prints, sewn and woven textiles, jewelry, photography, paintings, pottery, and new or repurposed primitives. You are sure to find decor for every season and gifts for everyone on your list.

Covered Bridge Fine Arts Section

Returning for 2023, you will find a fine arts section of the festival dedicated to live demonstrations. The artists have scheduled demos, some of which include hands-on participation. There are some classes suitable for children, such as mini-gourd ornaments, and egg blowing. The skills being shown include wildlife illustration, basket weaving, egg scratching, and fireplace brooms. A full schedule of demonstrations is available so that you can plan your day!

Paden Twin Covered Bridge entrance

Self-Guided Covered Bridge Tours

Please note that this year there are NO bus tours being offered. All of the covered bridge tours will be self-guided. The Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau has prepared a map with suggested driving routes, locations, and the history behind each covered bridge. Here are three ways to get a map:

  1. Pick up a copy at the Visitor’s Bureau at 121 Papermill Rd. in Bloomsburg or at the information booth, across from the Education Building at the Fairgrounds.
  2. Download a copy to print at home
  3. Request a copy to be mailed to you.

You can choose which of the 25 covered bridges you would like to see and enjoy the beautiful countryside and fall foliage along the way. Stop and buy a locally-grown pumpkin or some apples to take home!

Josiah Hess Covered bridge entranceFood Choices at the Festival

You will be able to choose from 3 dozen vendors while visiting the festival, so there is sure to be something for everyone’s taste. The varieties include Amish Donuts, Acornley’s Chicken Cheesesteak, Crabby Larry’s Seafood, Lunger’s Pork Pit, Scott and Glenda’s Homemade Ice Cream, T&L Pierogies, Vance’s Apple Dumplings, and Fork’s Fired Vegetables. See what we mean?

Live Music Returning This Year

Back again this year, there will be three live music acts playing during the day on Saturday:

10:30 – 11:30 am-Dishonest Fiddlers
A combination jug band, bluegrass, and folk music from PA coal region

12:00 – 1:00 pm-Hot Club of Scranton
Swing music and hot jazz of the 1920s through the 1940s in a style made popular by Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, and Bennie Goodman.

1:30 – 3:00 pm-Mike Mizwinski
Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist from Northeast PA who has opened for acts like Jason Isbell, America, Shawn Colvin, and Chris Isaak.

Additional Fun Festival Activities

  • For the adults, there will be wine tasting as well as two distilleries participating. 
  • On Saturday, there will be a petting zoo for the kids.
  • Limited edition covered bridge puzzles and Christmas ornaments (great holiday gifts) will be for sale. 

Because the Festival attracts over 150,000 people, make sure you plan your visit in advance by reserving early! Book a room with us at the Inn at Turkey Hill. We are conveniently located less than 4 miles from the Fairgrounds.

What a glorious way to spend a fall day! Take a half-day tour and spend the rest of the day browsing through the craft vendors at the Fairgrounds! Then, return to your well-appointed room at the Inn at Turkey Hill and dream of moonlight shining through a covered bridge.

 

 

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