Fun-filled outdoor expo celebrates recreation along the Susquehanna River.

There is no doubt about it, the Susquehanna River offers a world of beauty and opportunity for outdoor recreation. In recent years, more people than ever have shown an interest in activities on and along our backyard river. It runs right through the heart of NEPA, yet it is not always apparent where to go or how to plan that next outdoor adventure.

One organization that is working to help fill this gap is the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP). SGP works to connect people to this treasured corridor—the Susquehanna Greenway—to help provide the opportunity and resources for all to access hiking, biking, and paddling trails along our shared Susquehanna River.

This summer, SGP is raising that goal to a new level thanks to their 2nd Annual Susquehanna Greenway Outdoor Expo on Saturday, June 3, 2023, 10 AM – 3 PM.

Held at the Shikellamy State Park Marina in Sunbury, PA, where the North and West branches of the Susquehanna River meet, SGP is convening industry experts, outdoor professionals, and non-profit partners to share their tools, knowledge, gear, and resources with the recreating public.

The event will feature more than 50 vendors from across the state, including several entities from NEPA, to engage with attendees and offer a full slate of activities, presentations, and music performances—all at no cost to the public.

It’s just a day trip just outside of the NEPA region, and a great way to discover new opportunities to engage with the outdoors in the region and beyond!

With programming that includes Native American storytelling, a live wildlife program, intro to underwater photography, lumber history, kid-friendly activities, live music, food trucks, a beer garden featuring Pennsylvania craft brews, and more, there is something for the whole family.

Familiar, NEPA-based exhibitors include:

• Big Pappy’s Empanadas: Serving homemade empanadas, based out of Bloomsburg, PA.
• The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum: Offering a fun, nature themed craft for the kids.
• Bloomsburg River Poets: Celebrating poetry about the Susquehanna River, stop by their booth for some creative wordplay.
• Columbia County Lyme Support Group: Offering support and knowledge on the prevention of tick-borne illnesses in Pennsylvania.
• Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau: Showcasing the best places to play and stay in the counties of Columbia and Montour.
• Dallas Sporting Goods: Specializing in all types of fishing, they carry a complete collection of reels, poles, lines soft baits, and hard baits.
• Dida’s Incredible Edibles Ice Cream: Specializing in hand-dipped ice cream and other sweet treats. Dida’s also features old-fashioned milkshakes and sundaes made with any flavor ice cream that they have available.
• Paul’s Bicycle Shop: Featuring sales and service of new and used bicycles, electric bikes, skateboards, scooters, tricycles, recumbents, unicycles, and crafts.
• Treasure Hunting Outfitters: Have you ever wanted to search for lost treasure and history? Learn all about the exciting hobby of metal detecting! It’s an activity the entire family can enjoy.
• Wildlife in Need Emergency Response of Pennsylvania: A non-profit network of Pennsylvania volunteers who capture and transport injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife. Founded in 2017, WIN rescues approximately 2,000 animals each year, delivering them to licensed rehabilitators throughout the Commonwealth.
• M. Anderson Photography: Local wildlife photographer that covers NEPA and surrounding states. Birds are his main focus but enjoys all wildlife he crosses paths with.

The event will also feature opportunities to kayak on the Susquehanna River, try out a mountain biking course, a balance bike rodeo for the kids, learn how to disc golf, and other activities.

A full event schedule, map, and list of exhibitors is available at susquehannaexpo.com. You may also follow the Facebook Event for the latest announcements and updates.

SGP’s services and programs serve as a thread that links adventurers to everything they need to explore the outdoors along the Susquehanna Greenway including the area’s outfitters, heritage areas, outdoor clubs, and so much more.

Learn more about SGP’s offerings by visiting susquehannagreenway.org. Here you will find information SGP’s latest news & stories, upcoming events, the various regions of the Susquehanna Greenway, paddling routes, and the parks, trails, and river towns that can be explored within the corridor.