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12th Annual Zane Grey Festival July 16

Fun for the Whole Family at the 12th Annual Zane Grey Festival

Photo Caption: The Cowboy Dentist meets a Civil War Soldier at the Zane Grey Festival.

BEACH LAKE, PA –The National Park Service and the Zane Grey’s West Society will host the 12th Annual Zane Grey Festival this summer. The festival is free of charge and will be held at the Zane Grey Museum, 135 Scenic Drive, Lackawaxen, PA on Saturday, July 16, 2016 from 10:00am – 4:00pm.

The Lackawaxen and Delaware Rivers captured Zane Grey’s heart early in his writing career, and are what initially drew him to the area. These rivers fulfilled his love for fishing and the outdoors and inspired him to write some of his most famous books right here on the banks of the Upper Delaware. Zane and his brother Romer would eventually settle in Lackawaxen and Zane called the area home from 1905 to 1918. From exhibits in the Zane Grey Museum, park visitors can gain a better understanding of the life and writing of the famed western author. His office and study have been meticulously recreated from an historic photograph, taken by famed local photographer Louis Hensel.

The Zane Grey Festival is geared towards fun for the entire family with many activities and events for children and adults.

Craft activities will be available for children of all ages. Kids can also take part in a scavenger hunt to receive a free book, which have been generously donated by Highlights in Honesdale, PA. By visiting exhibitors, children will learn about the area’s natural and cultural history, while finding answers to trivia questions.

For those who love to tap their toes to great music, the Steamtown Ramblers will celebrate the National Park Service’s Centennial by performing songs linked to America’s National Parks. The Steamtown Ramblers can be heard at 10:00am and 3:30pm.

Have you ever wondered what a bald eagle or a saw-whet owl looks like up close? Join Bill Streeter of the Delaware Valley Raptor Center for their live Birds of Prey show at 11:00am. Participants will gain an appreciation for these magnificent birds while learning about their habitats, adaptations, the predator/prey relationship, and much more.

Take a minute to relax while listening to opera singer Carol Diefenbach of the Delaware Valley Opera. She will be performing several songs along with up-and-coming opera singers at 12:00pm. Ms. Diefenbach has performed in many operas with the Delaware Valley Opera in Narrowsburg, New York and throughout the river valley. Come and celebrate with the Delaware Valley Opera during their 30th anniversary!

Doc Miller, also known as the “Cowboy Dentist”, will be doing an interactive living history lesson what it was like to work out on a western range, while captivating children and adults with his stories about cowboys. Do you know why cowboys wear bandanas? Come and find out this and other amazing facts about phrases, clothing, and tools used by cowboys that we take for granted today. Along with learning about the west that Zane Grey wrote about, Doc Miller will entertain all ages with his magic tricks.

Take a break from the festivities and unwind on Brook Valley Farm’s horse drawn wagon ride to the historic Delaware Aqueduct. The wagon rides will run on a continuous loop from 12:00pm-4:00pm.

Steamtown National Historic Site’s “Ring of Fire” will be returning to the Zane Grey Festival for another dazzling performance. Most people don’t realize that the tires on trains have to be meticulously maintained. The tires of steam locomotives are fitted by lighting the tire on fire, which allows the tire to be molded over the inner wheel. Staff from Steamtown NHS will demonstrate the process continually throughout the day, in addition to interpreting the history of railroads in the area.

The critters from around the Delaware River want to tell you why the National Park Service is so important to them! Come and watch the Upper Delaware Puppeteers at 1:00pm as they portray our nation’s wildlife and what it means to be a steward of America’s National Parks.

Sing along with musician Bill Fry from 1:30pm-3:30pm as he elaborately portrays popular music of the past while strolling the grounds of the Zane Grey property.

Living historian Christopher Hart will bring Zane Grey to life in his first person portrayal of the famed author. Take a selfie with Zane himself throughout the day or catch his fascinating account of what it’s like to be back in Lackawaxen telling tales of his early life, passions and his calling to write at 2:00pm.

Area environmental groups and historical societies will display exhibits about their organizations, many of which will have hands-on activities for children. Other attractions include trying your hand at roping cattle like famed cowboy Buffalo Jones, digging for artifacts’ and panning for fool’s gold.

The Lackawaxen Fire Company will also be cooking up hamburgers & hotdogs along with all the fixins during the festival, so plan on staying for the afternoon or all day.

If you are interested in traveling to Lackawaxen just like Zane Grey did, visit the https://www.thestourbridgeline.net for the Zane Grey Limited train ride special or follow them on Facebook at The Stourbridge Line.

Zane Grey’s legacy of literature and sportsmanship lives on in Lackawaxen. Come join the fun and learn more about the Western novelist from Lackawaxen. For more information call (570) 685-4871.

For a complete listing of events at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, please visit our website at www.nps.gov/UPDE, and don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.

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