Hello neighbors. May is finally here. It's time to get outside to discover, stretch and explore. With the price of gas changing almost daily, we believe that the fun and events found in the Susquehanna River Valley offer great value and convenience, whether you live nearby or travel from afar. As the warmer weather signals the beginning of tourism season, it's time to embrace being a backyard tourist and encourage friends and family to come visit the beautiful Susquehanna River Valley.
For the fifth year, the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau will be hosting "Backyard Tourism Week," Monday through Friday. The week is devoted to showcasing all the fun, interesting and unique things to do in our tri-county area. Let us be your resource for planning a fun and memorable "staycation" in the Susquehanna River Valley.
During Backyard Tourism Week, stop by our visitor info center in Lewisburg to discover a wide variety of inexpensive things to do and enjoy right in your own backyard. We offer a large variety of brochures, calendar of events, maps and daytrip suggestions for everyone. At our visitor info center, you will find information on birdwatching, fishing, boating, hiking, camping, zoos and wild animals, golf, museums, historic walking trails, restaurants, festivals, state parks and attractions, antique trails, heritage trails, area wine trails, kid-friendly attractions, PA maps, plus information on destinations throughout Pennsylvania. Be sure to check out our new "Susquehanna River Valley Fishing Guide" with stream maps identifying the variety of fish found in our waters.
Between you and me, I'm blown away by how many things there are to do in the area in May. So, please forgive me for not sharing specific dates and times. Simply go to our website, VisitCentralPA.org, and access the calendar of events from our home page, where you will find all the details you need to have more fun than you have hours in the day. Ready, set, go with things to do in May:
Green thumbs will want to attend workshops and classes focusing on a variety of floral planters. Race enthusiasts will want to push their limits in the River Towns Marathon and Half Marathon, the 75 Miles of Montour, or the Trans-Sylvania Mountain Bike Epic. Nature lovers will enjoy farm tours and sheep camp at Owens Farm, spring bird walks or an Audubon field trip, plus Clyde Peeling's Reptiland's popular annual butterfly exhibit. Speaking of Reptiland, their new exhibit, featuring life-size, animatronic dinosaurs, is now open, as well. Food lovers can enjoy a variety of international cuisines at shops and restaurants during "Savor Selinsgrove."
May happenings also include the Middlecreek Valley Antique Association Antique Show, Mifflinburg's Buggy Day, Shamokin's Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts, Spyglass Ridge Winery's annual Blues Festival, the opening of the Milton Train Museum plus Milton's Springtime Celebration Week and the RiverWoods Car Show. Regional exhibits include Selinsgrove's Simon Snyder, the Buggy Museum's Union County Civil War Veterans, Diamond in the Rough Art Exhibit in Shamokin, Packwood Museum's Scholastic Arts Exhibit plus the Pennsylvania Civil War Roadshow's trailer exhibit at Warrior Run Church in Watsontown. Enjoy music at Skeeter's Pit BBQ, the Susquehanna Valley Chorale's Pops Concert, Shade Mountain Winery's Chamber Music and "Lewisburg Live."
And this is just a sample of what's going on in May. For a complete listing of all the things to do in May - and beyond - give us a call toll free at (800) 525-7320 or go to VisitCentralPA.org.
(Miller is the executive director of the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau.)