Around Phoenixville

Schuylkill River Greenways is celebrating two decades of paddling along the river with the upcoming Schuylkill River Sojourn. The annual recreational experience encompasses five Pennsylvania counties (Berks, Chester, Montgomery, Schuylkill and Philadelphia) and is just a couple of days away with a kickoff celebration on June 1 and the first boat launch on June 2. Two of their full-trip paddlers have done the sojourn every year since 1999, the first year the sojourn was launched. They also have several individuals doing the sojourn for their very first time this year including a group of students from Reading Area Community College. Schuylkill River Greenways NHA invites you to this historical recreational activity. For more information and to register, visit http://www.schuylkillriver.org/sojourn.aspx .

This Sunday, June 28th, the Schuylkill Canal Association will be hosting its 32nd Canal Day. For the last 32 years people have been gathering on the last Sunday in June to support and celebrate Schuylkill Canal Park, with Canal Day. This year the Schuylkill Canal Association has added a Beer Garden that will be serving Sly Fox beer at the St. Michael’s Pavilion. Also new this year is a Civil War Camp Reenactment with tours and stories of the great conflict. While adults will be able to enjoy a cold beer on a summer’s day, kids will remain the main focus. Fishing poles will be available for children 12 years old and under who want to participate in the Kid’s Fishing Derby between 9:30-10:00. Popular rides such as the Orbitron and the Bungee Bounce will be back again this year along with Kid’s Crafts, Games, Face Painting and Story Tellers. Kids are also welcome to help the Locktender open Lock 60 and listen to the lively narrative of the Locktender. The Schuylkill Trail Run wi...

On Saturday, December 13, the Schuylkill Canal Association will be hosting their annual the Holiday Luminaria from 6-9pm. Celebrate the holidays with the Schuylkill Canal Association as we invite you to join us for the Holiday Luminaria, on Saturday, December 13th, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This magnificent holiday light show will be held along the Schuylkill Canal up to Lock 60 and the Locktender’s House in Mont Clare, PA, just across the river from Phoenixville, PA. See one of the most beautiful sights of the season as you observe well over a thousand luminary candles reflecting on the canal waterway. Towpath Road will be lined with candles from the Mont Clare Bridge / Rt. 29, all the way to Lock 60 and surrounding the Locktender’s House. Beginning at dusk, the candles are lit for a spectacular display. If there is a mist or light snowfall the scene is even more beautiful. The Locktender’s House; built in 1836, will be decorated beautifully for the holidays with natural greens a...

Looking for something a little more low key than the Firebird Festival (or something to do before heading up to watch it go up in flames)? The Schuylkill Canal Association has the answer. They are hosting their annual Holiday Luminaria from 6-9pm tomorrow night. Come see the most spectacular light show of the holiday season, hundreds of luminary candles lining the towpath up to the house. As if stepping back in time to a Dickens’ holiday scene, come inside to enjoy the beautifully decorated house, sing along with the joyful music played by Meadowlark and visit with Santa Claus between 6:30 & 7:30 PM with your little ones. Partake in holiday treats and hot cider and join in with SCA as we toast our friends with best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season. The Luminaria is cancelled only if there is a steady downpour of rain. The magnificent light display is even more mystical if there is a slight drizzle, misty fog or a few inches of snow truly creating a beautiful ...

The Schuylkill Canal Association (SCA) has a full day of activities planned for Saturday, October 19th, so get your friends together and head on over. Starting with an organized clean-up at 9 a.m., the day will continue with a guided BYOB (bring your own boat) paddle of “the loop” at 2 p.m. To cap things off, the SCA has once again assembled a brilliant lineup of musical talent for its Folk ‘n Fall fundraiser, which runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at St. Michael’s Park on Jacobs Street in Mont Clare, Pa. Tickets are $25 and includes music and a meal (roasted pig with sides or vegetarian lasagna with a vegetable medley). Children 14 years of age and younger get in FREE! Musical acts include The Mighty Manatees, DVD MUSICK, Holt 45 and Ted the Fiddler.

The Schuylkill Canal Association will be hosting its annual Holiday Luminaria this Saturday, December 15th, from 6-9pm. Come see the most spectacular light show of the holiday season, hundreds of luminary candles lining the towpath up to the house. As if stepping back in time to a Dickens’ holiday scene, come inside to enjoy the beautifully decorated house, sing along with the joyful music played by Meadowlark and visit with Santa Claus between 6:30 & 7:30 PM with your little ones. Partake in holiday treats and hot cider and join in with SCA as we toast our friends with best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season. New to the Luminaria this year will be luminary bags, pre-assembled and ready to take home. These bags will be offered for a minimal donation of $1.00/bag; $5.00/6 bags. A SCA volunteer will be stationed outside the Locktenders House for those who wish to take advantage of this offer. The Luminaria is cancelled only if there is a steady downpour of rain....

This Sunday, June 24th, the Schuylkill Canal Association will be hosting its 30th annual Canal Day celebration. The event, being held from 9am-4pm, features live music, a river trail run, horseshoe tournament, 5 mile canoe/kayak race and the ever popular Canal Jousting. For more information, visit the SCA's Canal Day page .

Courtesy of Bob Hakun, local Pottstown artist and first place winner of the SRHA’s Schuylkill River Art Show, 2009 The various organizations involved with promoting the industrial history and heritage of the Schuylkill River in the greater Phoenixville area will be once again working together to present the 2nd annual Schuylkill River Shad Festival, scheduled for Saturday, April 28, 2012, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at two locations in Mont Clare and Phoenixville, PA. The Schuylkill Canal Association , the Phoenix Iron Canal & Trails Association , the Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area , the Phoenixville Green Team and Chester County Parks invite the general public to participate in the festival that will include history, education, recreation and overall fun on both sides of the Schuylkill River in the Phoenixville area. The festival will highlight the historic significance of the role the American Shad fishery played in the growth of the river communities up and dow...

On Saturday, December 10, the Schuylkill Canal Association will be hosting their annual Holiday Luminaria. SCA invites you to the Holiday Luminaria, Saturday, December 10, 2011 Celebrate the holidays with the Schuylkill Canal Association as we invite you to join us for the Holiday Luminaria, on Saturday, December 10th, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This magnificent holiday light show will be held along the Schuylkill Canal up to Lock 60 and the Locktender’s House in Mont Clare, PA, just across the river from Phoenixville. See one of the most beautiful sights of the season as you observe the hundreds of luminary candles reflecting on the canal waterway. Towpath Road is lined with candles from the Mont Clare Bridge / Rt. 29, all the way to Lock 60 and surrounding the Locktender’s House. Beginning at dusk, the candles are lit for a spectacular display. If there is a mist or light snowfall the scene is even more beautiful. The Locktender’s House; built in 1836, is decorated beautifully f...

The Schuylkill Canal Association presents the Folk ’N Fall Music Festival to celebrate the river, canal and its greenway on Saturday, October 1, 4 PM to 10 PM at St. Michael’s Park, Mont Clare, PA. A combination of music, kayak tours, kid’s games and the unique Frisbee game of KAN JAM sponsored by Sly Fox Brewery will entertain all who participate. Rain or shine. This annual fundraiser is to support the stewardship of the Schuylkill Canal Park and Lock 60. The entire park has been left battered and with debris strewn all over the area that needs to be cleaned up after the recent Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee extreme weather events. Your support will go a long way in getting the park back to its pre-storm condition for all to enjoy, especially for those who enjoy paddling. Speaking of paddling; join in with the guided canoe and kayak loop of the Schuylkill Canal and River starting at 2 PM. Bring your own boat and take part in the free, 2-hour paddle before the music festi...

The Schuylkill Canal Association is proud to present the 29th Annual Canal Day, Sunday, June 26, 9 AM to 4 PM in Mont Clare, PA! Canal Day is a great “Kid’s Day” that allows adults to have a fun day too. Thanks to the Sponsors; Exelon Power, Phoenixville Federal Bank & Trust and many local businesses, parents can help their kids make crafts, watch them play games and get their face painted while they listen to live music. Kids can join in on the Fishing Derby and see what they can catch in the canal from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, kids 12 & under should bring along their own equipment and there will be a limited amount of fishing rods available for those without. French Creek Outfitters will provide prizes for the top three anglers and bait & tackle for all. Rides such as The Trampoline and Orbitron bounce, spin and orbit kids to new levels of fun! Parents and kids can take a paddle boat ride on the canal for some relaxed fun. If the weather is cool, Great Valley Nature ...

On Saturday, December 11th, the Schuylkill Canal Association will be hosting their annual Holiday Luminaria. The Schuylkill Canal Association invites you to the Holiday Luminaria Saturday, December 11th, 6:00 to 9:00 PM, at the Locktender’s House, Lock 60 on the Schuylkill Canal, Mont Clare Come see the most spectacular light show of the holiday season, hundreds of luminary candles lining the towpath up to the house. As if stepping back in time to a Dickens’ holiday scene, come inside to enjoy the beautifully decorated house, sing along with the joyful music played by Meadowlark and visit with Santa Claus between 6:30 & 7:30 PM with your little ones. Partake in holiday treats and hot cider and join in with SCA as we toast our friends with best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season. The Luminaria is cancelled only if there is a steady downpour of rain. The magnificent light display is even more mystical if there is a slight drizzle, misty fog or a few inches of sno...