Sunday Evening Reception at September Greenways & Trails Summit in Scranton Showcases Local History, Flavor, and Culture

Attendees of the Sunday Evening Reception for the 2023 Pennsylvania Greenways & Trails Summit in Scranton (September 17-19) will find themselves immersed in a historical setting from Scranton’s industrial past, tasting the locally-inspired catering, and listening to the uniquely fun sounds of a local oompah band. This major Summit kickoff event will give everyone in attendance a true slice of life experience from northeastern Pennsylvania (affectionately branded as “NEPA”) chock full of the region’s history, flavor, and culture.

HISTORY

The location of the reception is the Scranton Iron Furnaces, a striking backdrop for the event. Located near the Steamtown National Historic Site, the Scranton Iron Furnaces represent the early iron industry in the United States. The four massive stone blast furnaces are the remnants of a once extensive plant operated by the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Company. Started in 1840 as Scranton, Grant & Company, the firm had the largest iron production capacity in the United States by 1865. By 1880 it poured 125,000 tons of pig iron, which was converted in its rolling mill and foundry into T-rails and other end products.

The Scranton Iron Furnaces educates the public about the site of the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company and its impact upon the nation’s industrial revolution demonstrating the relevance of industrial history in our lives. The Scranton Iron Furnaces are administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and are actively supported by the Anthracite Heritage Museum and Iron Furnaces Associates, which is a non-profit community based organization.

Source: Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum.

FLAVOR & CULTURE

The reception will feature an Oktoberfest-themed menu courtesy of Posh Events. Beer cheese, pretzels, and German Chocolate Cake are in the mix, for example.

Musical guests The Schützengiggles Oompah Band will provide atmospheric music for the reception. Oompah music is unlike anything else you’ll ever hear–if you know, you know! (And if you don’t, you’ve got to come to this reception and find out.) Eastern European heritage encompasses a wide swath of the NEPA area, and the Oktoberfest thread of the reception is meant to connect to that local cultural heritage.