HAWLEY, PA - The 8th Annual Canal Festival will be held Saturday, August 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Delaware & Hudson Canal Park at Lock 31, Rt. 6, one mile west of The Settlers Inn, Hawley, PA.

This free rain-or-shine event will feature live traditional music by Poison Love acoustic band from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Ann Loeb/Mike Baglione acoustic band from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; blacksmithing demonstration by Gravity Forge; wood carving by the Cherry Ridge Wood Carvers and Tom Hollister; early trapping and outdoor-skills demonstration by Ed Burgholzer; guided history and nature walks by Sally Talaga and John Harvey; the Stourbridge Lion “cub”; local nonprofits and government informational booths. Living History Stage will host the popular folk-musician Dave Matskino, and Frank Littlebear and Red Vision Native American Dance Team.

Food, including grilled meats, sides and home baked goods will be available for purchase. Six local authors will be signing and selling their books. Local history related items, including books and the three-part D&H Canal Co. documentary can be viewed and purchased inside the Canal Store. CDC guidelines will be followed inside the building.

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and spend the day enjoying this 17-acre park and historic site along the beautiful Lackawaxen River. The festival’s schedule of events and park map can be found at www.WayneHistoryPA.com or hard copies can be picked up at the Main Museum, 810 Main Street, Honesdale, or at Lock 31.

Wayne County Historical Society would like to thank the following sponsors for making this year’s festival possible: David Katz Foundation, AM Skier Insurance, Pioneer Construction, Grimm Construction Inc., REMAX Wayne, Wayne Memorial Hospital, Blue Ridge Communications, Spencer Printing, Wayne Bank, Woodloch, Honesdale National Bank, Dirlam Brothers Lumber, FNCB Bank, The Dime Bank, Watson Bros. Inc., Jennie’s Chapel Street Salon, Jane Varcoe, Lewis J. and Mary Dunn, Doris Rogers, Billie Ann Garbe, Alvin and Nancy Swingle, Leroy and Pat Spoor, C. Howard Teeple, Ron Brill, Doug and Kate Hayes.

This event is also made possible by a grant from the Wayne County Hotel Tax Fund, in- kind donations from Hunt Signs and Alan Kehoe, equipment loans from the National Park Service and Wayne County Public Library, and many volunteers.

More information about the Wayne County Historical Society and its D&H Canal Park at Lock 31 can be found at www.WayneHistory.com, by calling (570) 253-3240, and by visiting its Main Museum at 810 Main Street, Honesdale, Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.