We’re heading into August already! Can you believe it? But, not to worry, there’s a month of fun ahead (OK, so school starts around here on the 26th, but it is a short week)! There are so many local events, you’ll need to sharpen that pencil several times.
On Aug. 2, Our Lady of Victory Church is holding a Homecoming Bazaar. The event begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. Food, games and raffles to support the church. The church is located in Tannersville on Cherry Lane Road.
On Aug. 4, you may want to head up to Akenac Park in Dingmans Ferry to take in the 3rd Annual Pike County Pride Celebration. Beginning at noon, there will be speakers, vendors and games. (Rain date: Aug. 18.) Food donations are requested for the Ecumenical Food Pantry and early parenting care items accepted for the DVA.
Perhaps you are a history buff or just have a yearning to know more about the past of the Poconos. In that case, mark the calendar for Aug. 8 at Shawnee Inn, Shawnee-on-Delaware, to enjoy the presentation “Having A Swell Time” presented by the Friends of the DWGNRA. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a presentation from Kathleen Sandt. Ages 17 and under as well as Friends members free; for others, a $5 per person donation is requested.
On Aug. 9 through 11, you can hop on over to the St. Matthew’s Annual Festival. Lots of fun events included and it is located on Ridgeway Street in East Stroudsburg.
On Aug. 10, you can do your part to make a child’s return to school brighter by donating to the Family Promise of the Poconos Back to School Drive with donations of school supplies for the new school year. For more information, call 570-420-8589 or contact tjohnson@familyprimisepa.org .
Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn more about or become a beekeeper. The program Introduction to Beekeeping will be held on Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. at the Eastern Monroe Public Library in the Hughes Community Room. Registration is requested at (570) 421-0800, ext. 317, but walk-ins are welcome.
A special kickoff will be held for Monroe County Meals on Wheels in conjunction with Eagles Rest Cellars (107 Eagles Rest Lane, Stroudsburg) on Aug. 15 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person and are limited. For reservations, call (570) 424-8794.
The next night, enjoy Stargazing at the Forevergreen Nature Preserve (Cherry Lane Road, East Stroudsburg) from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Join outdoor educators Jackie and Darryl Speicher for a night under the stars during the Perseid meteor shower. For weather updates, please register in advance.
Aug. 17 features two adventures. The first is one of the Brodhead Watershed hikes at 10 a.m. in the Nothstein Preserve. For more information, call (570) 839-1120. In the evening, head over to East Stroudsburg to enjoy the rescheduled The Big Bang on Crystal Street beginning at 5 p.m. It’s an early start to the end of summer celebrations.
Looking for a different experience? Join the Church of St. John at their (first ever) Outdoor Mass on Aug. 18 at 5 p.m. at Poconos Park in Bushkill (Bushkill Falls Road). Bring your chair and enjoy this vibrant eucharistic celebration in the outdoors. All are welcome. For more information, visit www.churchofstjohn.com or call (570) 223-9144.
Enjoy a free community concert (every Tuesday) on Aug. 20 on the lawn of Shawnee Inn, Shawnee-on-Delaware, where Lonesome Found, an Americana folk-rock band will be entertaining beginning at 7 p.m. Bring your blanket or chair and enjoy!
On Aug. 24 you can head up to the Lackawaxen Township Volunteer Fire Department (774 Route 590, Lackawaxen) from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. with fireworks at dusk and The Fabulous 45’s Band entertaining from 7:30 to 11 p.m.
Perhaps you enjoy a good evening of opera. If so, then on Aug. 24, head to The Milford Theater for the New York City Opera presenting An Evening of Opera beginning at 7 p.m. This is a fundraiser for Opera! Pike! Park!. For tickets, visit https://www.ticketmaster.com/opera-pike-park-fundraiser-milford-pennsylvania-08-24-2024/event/020060B7CDE081AC .
The month of August would not be complete without the Pocono State Craft Festival, held at Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm (347 Quiet Valley Road, Stroudsburg) on both Aug. 24 and 25. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
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Two events round out the month. One is the Poconos Polish American Festival on Aug. 31 at Poconos Park, featuring everything Polish including food, kids' activities, music, plus celebrities and athletes directly from Poland. The event is from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. (off Bushkill Falls Road). And then there is the free community event, the 15th annual StroudFest in Stroudsburg. The event begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m. and features music at multiple stages throughout the day along with vendors, retail, crafters and beverage vendors along Main Street.
Hope you’ve sharpened that pencil and filled in the calendar, because the last “unofficial” month of summer is filled to the brim with fun!
Debbie Kulick is an EMT who writes a weekly news column for the Pocono Record.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: August events in the Poconos: Festivals, stargazing, fireworks, opera, more | Kulick
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