BY KEVIN MCCONLOGUE
After a year of social distancing, and event cancellations, the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau is planning for a return to normalcy this summer.
To help residents and visitors prepare for all of the summer-time activities, Jean Ruhf, EMVB executive director has a range of publications that highlight great things to do in the region.
“One of the main things that I’ve heard people wanting to do this summer is go on a camping trip,” Ruhf said. “There are many beautiful campgrounds in Wyoming County and the surrounding area. We’re all expecting to see them packed this summer.”
Ruhf is also looking forward to the return of events that were canceled in 2020 as well. Some events returning are the NEPA Bluegrass Festival that will take place June 3-6 at Lazybrook Park in Tunkhannock Township, Founders Day in Tunkhannock Borough on June 26, and the Dietrich Theater’s Susquehanna River Day at Riverside Park on July 24.
“It’s really nice to see all of these things coming back, I think that people are really excited to be doing any of these events,” Ruhf said. “Along with all of the outdoor activities that this area has to offer, we have a lot of family events as well.”
Another thing that the EMVB is doing is promoting local business as well. Brochures for area stores, restaurants, golf courses, and other recreation sites can be found in the EMVB headquarters at 5405 Route 6, just west of Tunkhannock. Ruhf said that a lot of new stores have come to the area in the past year, and some businesses are even expanding some of the items that are offered.
“Just in downtown Tunkhannock, there are so many nice little stores that have a lot to offer to the community,” Ruhf said. “We want to encourage people to shop at those places, but also to get out to the rest of the county and surrounding areas as well.”
There are also advertisements for events such as wine festivals, car shows, kids youth sports camps, film festivals and comedy shows. Ruhf said that there is something to keep everyone occupied.
As the weather becomes summer-like, Ruhf said that she has been noticing a trend. That trend has been visitors from out-of-state, and out-of-the-area. She said that those people have been looking for weekend getaways, and “places to clear their minds for a little bit.”
“There’s no better place for a weekend getaway than the Endless Mountains,” Ruhf said. “The quietness, the beauty, the people here are so friendly and there’s so much to do if you look for it.”
You can visit the visitors bureau, located at 5405, Route 6, in Tunkhannock, to see all of the events going on in the Endless Mountains Region this summer. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8a.m. to 4p.m. It can also be reached at 570-836-5431, or at endlessmountains.org.
