Open house at the Water Gap

BUSHKILL — Superintendent John J. Donahue has announced that Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area will hold an open house at Smithfield Beach in the park’s Pennsylvania District from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Apr. 26. The event is being held in conjunction with National Park Week, which takes place during the last week of April. The park’s expanded amenity fees at Smithfield Beach will be waived for the day. The open house is an invitation to the public to learn about Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Exhibits showcasing the park’s search and rescue, river patrol, and wildland firefighting activities will be displayed. The open house offers a great opportunity for the public to interact with park rangers and learn about the outdoor recreational opportunities to be enjoyed in the park. Delaware Water Gap NRA’s partner organizations, from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, will have exhibits and displays highlighting their functions and operations within the park. There will be numerous displays, including free canoe rides, paddling demonstrations, a blacksmithing display, and a concert of live Appalachian music. There will be a remote control airplane air show held at Hialeah Field, which is adjacent to Smithfield Beach. The air show will start at 10 a.m. with the playing of the national anthem and a flyby of an airplane towing the American flag. Smithfield Beach is located on River Road just north of Shawnee-on-Delaware. From Interstate 80, take exit 310 and travel north for 6.7 miles on River Road. From US Route 209 in Bushkill, take River Road south for 5 miles from the intersection near Fernwood Resort. For more information, contact, Mike Macksoud at 570-426-2443.