Hawley loves winter

HAWLEY — A one-stop winter wonderland. An old-fashioned Victorian Christmas in a quaint little town. Plenty of good cheer and lots of wintery fun.

These are some of the ways Hawley describes its annual Winterfest, a three-day extravaganza to be held this year from Friday, Dec. 11, through Sunday, Dec. 13.

First, a look at what's new: the Winterfest Flyer on the Stourbridge Line on Saturday and Sunday, and a hike and tour of the Lacawac Sanctuary on Sunday.

On the Winterfest Flyer, riders will take 40-minute, round-trip excursion down the Lackawaxen River in all its winter glory. The train will depart Hawley every hour on the hour until its return trip to Honesdale at 5 p.m. The trips are $10 per adult and $5 per child. Call 570-470-2697 for times and more details.

On Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., a naturalist-led hike leads festival-goers on a tour of Lacawac Sanctuary’s field station. Discover the area's rich natural and cultural history. Arrive for coffee and tea before a one-mile hike to the historic lodge and then return for a home-style lunch. Reservations are required, and restricted to ages 12 years and up. Tickets are $20 per person and $35 per couple. For more information, call 570-689-9494.

Holiday house tourHouses on Saturday's holiday house tour will twinkle with traditional splendor. It begins at Teeter’s Furniture on Main Street where an official house tour map will be available.

Purchase tickets in advance at the Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center, the Hawley Library and Teeters’ Furniture. On the day of the tour, tickets will only be sold at Teeters Furniture from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. Call 570-226-2141 for more information.

Music all weekendWinterfest is noted for its seasonal live music and performances, to be offered at the following venues:

Hawley United Methodist Church, 315 Church St. — Virgin Consort at 8 p.m. on Friday; Holiday Hand Bell Concert from 1 to 1:45 p.m. on Sunday. $15. Call 570-226-3875.

Hawley Library, 103 Main Ave. — Jinglebell Jazz from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Call 570-226-4620.

First Presbyterian Church, 815 Church St. — Jazz from a Charlie Brown Christmas at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Call 570-226-4835.

Ritz Company Playhouse, 512 Keystone St. — Christmas Show from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Call 570-226-9752.

Hawley Silk Mill — The Amigos at 8 p.m. on Saturday

Glass Wine Bar and Kitchen, Ledges Hotel, 119 Falls Ave. Call 570-226-1337.

The Settlers Inn, 4 Main Ave. Call 226-2993.

Gresham’s Chophouse, 2495 US-6. Call 226-1500.

Ehrhardt’s Pub, 205 PA-507. Call 226-4388.

Other highlights Beer tour — Eleven establishments, including newcomers Just Rumors and Cove Haven Resort, will participate in an adults-only beer tour, available all weekend. Visit hawleywinterfest.com for list of establishments.

Children’s Marshmallow Creativity Event — Children can build a “creature” out of edible supplies on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hawley Library. For children ages 4 to 10, accompanied by a parent.

Breakfast with Santa — Start Sunday morning off with breakfast with Santa at the Boathouse Restaurant, beginning at 9 a.m. Tickets are $12.95 for adults and $8.95 for children 12 and under. For more information, call 570-226-5027.

Ice bar — The Cocoon Coffee House’s Ice Bar will throughout the weekend serve specialty cocktails on handcrafted ice bars produced by Sculpted Ice Works. Complimentary samples will be available. On Friday the bar is open from 6 to 9 p.m.; on Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.; and on Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

Shuttle buses — Free Winterfest Shuttles will loop through town on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. So park your car once and take the shuttle to all activities. The shuttle will come by each stop approximately every 10 to 15 minutes. The stops are listed on the website.

Hawley Winterfest is presented by the Downtown Hawley Partnership, a non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the high standard of living the community and tourists enjoy.

For more detailed information, call the Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center at 570-226-2141 or visit www.visithawleypa.com.