It’s the middle of October and fall foliage is at its peak in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Not only that, but the weather forecast promises sunny skies and highs in the upper 60s this weekend.
Coffin Race in Berwick
For a deadly good time, participants will race in coffins on wheels at the inaugural event hosted by TriCounty Lumber & Supply in Berwick.
John Albrecht, the owner, said they will race on a 400-foot flat surface.
“There’s five people to a team, one rides the coffin and four push," he explained. "Three people have to be holding on at all times pushing or they’ll be deemed out of control."
Each team must provide their own coffin in accordance with the official rules and specifications.
“Me, I could build a coffin in two hours,” said Albrecht. “I’m a woodworker and a carpenter.”
For those who don’t have experience, TriCounty Lumber has instructions for how to build a coffin on its website. The company even sold a few ready-to-race caskets.
There will be a coffin parade before the race. The fastest team will win a $500 prize. There will also be food vendors, carnival games and raffles.
Berwick Coffin Race
Saturday, October 19
1 - 5 p.m.
TriCounty Lumber
235 South Poplar St., Berwick
Plein Air painting event
Plein Air, French for “outdoor,” is a tradition that brings artists together to depict the scene around them.
Locals will gather at Trolley Trail in Lackawanna County this weekend to create artwork for an upcoming gallery that will raise funds for Countryside Conservancy.
Walkers, runners and bikers are invited to watch the creativity flow with the fall foliage during this two-day event.
Visual artist Cadee Gillette, who often runs on the trail, worked with the nonprofit land trust to create the event that combines two of her passions. She will be oil painting this weekend.
“There’s something about getting a whole group of artists together,” she said. “Magic happens.”
The artwork will be displayed and sold at The Gathering Place in Clarks Summit on November 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. Half of the proceeds will benefit Countryside Conservancy, and the rest will go to the artists.
“We have five miles of non-motorized trolley trail that people can use,” said Amber Trunzo, operations coordinator at Countryside Conservancy. “This is a new way to use the trolley trail and maybe a way to get a different audience out on the trail.”
More than a dozen artists are registered and everyone is welcome.
“It could be your first time painting or your 100th time,” Trunzo said. “You could be eight or 98.”
Plein Air two-day event
October 19 & 20
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Trolley Trail, near Church of the Epiphany
Hands-On History Day at Eckley Miners' Village Museum
The preserved coal mining town and museum in Carbon County will host a day of fun and discovery this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be Psanky art demonstrations and the Tamaqua Anthracite Model Railroad Club will have a display.
A scavenger hunt and butter-making is planned, and tours will be given of the village. Admission for Hands-On History Day is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $6 for children. 0 to 2 year olds get in free.
Hands-On History Day
Saturday, Oct. 19
11 a.m. - 4p.m.
Eckley Miners' Village Museum
Weatherly, PA
Other events:
- St. Mary's Antiochian Orthodox Church in Wilkes-Barre will host the Middle Eastern Food Festival Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The menu will include tabouli, kibbee, grape leaves and more.
- A Stomp Out Soldier Suicide Run/Walk is scheduled for Saturday morning in Peckville, Lackawanna County. Helping Heroes NEPA will host the event at Blakely Borough Recreation Complex starting at 9 a.m. The run is 2.2. miles, and the walk is one mile.
- WVIA Be My Neighbor Day will be held Saturday morning at the Pittston Memorial Library. From 9 a.m. to noon, there will be children's activities and meet-and-greets with Daniel Tiger and Katerina Kittycat. There will also be a Halloween costume parade. Donations of a new or gently-used book are encouraged to fill the library's shelves, and the first 500 children in line will receive a free storybook. Click here to register.