Pocono Mountains, PA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/22/2006 -- The annual Pocono Garlic Festival will be held Saturday, September 2, 2006 in Stroudsburg from 10am-5pm. Admission is free, as are all events at the festival including live entertainment.

Four stages will be continually packed with entertainment all day long. Much of it will be performed by some of the area's most distinguished musicians. But there will also be the offbeat -- the garlic-eating tuba players, the opera singers belting loose with classical garlic arias, belly dancers performing with strategically-placed garlic cloves and dancers presenting the long-censored garlic fertility dance.

The food will be abundant, and in keeping with the purpose for the festival, garlic-oriented. About 35 restaurants and assorted maverick cooks and chefs are planning to dazzle festival goers with their creations. They range from the gourmet, to the tried and true such as garlic roasted pig, to the outright zany, like roasted garlic ice cream and garlic funnel cakes. There is so much food that many festival goers bring along coolers so they can take some home.

During the Pocono Garlic Festival, Stroudsburg puts out the welcome mat. All parking in the borough is free and there is a free garlic shuttle bus from additional parking areas near

Stroudsburg High School. Merchants along Main Street will join in the festival spirit with sidewalk sales.

Stroudsburg's Council recently proclaimed Stroudsburg to be the "Garlic Capital of the World." About 60 stands in all will be offering their wares, including garlic, food and crafts. For more details, please go to www.poconogarlic.com.

Sponsors and supporters of the event include the Borough of Stroudsburg, Cook's Touch Restaurant, Monroe County Commissioners, Pennsylvania Partnership for the Arts, Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Inc., Sarah Street Grill, Willowtree Inn and WBRE and WYOU news.

Comprehensive Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at 800poconos.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667). The Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Inc. is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Note to editors: Complete lists of food and entertainment are available as well as high resolution images. Cooks, entertainers and growers will be on-site for interviews.

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Pocono Mountains, PA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/21/2006 -- The Pocono Mountains, a long-time favorite driving destination for vacationers, anticipates a busy fall season despite high gas prices.

The majority of visitors to the Pocono Mountains come from nearby surrounding areas such as Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey and Delaware, all of which are a fairly short drive when compared to other vacation alternatives. Outdoor activities such as golfing, whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and various ways to view the fall foliage in conjunction with fall events and festivals, family attractions, historical sites and relaxing mountain escapes promise a busy fall season.

Robert Uguccioni, executive director of the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Inc. states, "In the past years, we haven't seen a significant increase or decrease in business in relation to gas prices. We don't expect anything different this year. With so much going on in the four-county region, fall is always a busy season."

If anything, the Pocono Mountains may actually see an increase in the number of visitors this fall due to high gas prices. A recent study by The Conference Board revealed that 63% of American families who have changed their vacation plans due to the price hike have decided to stay closer to home. With the Pocono Mountains in close proximity to Philadelphia and New York City in addition to many other major cities and towns, the Pocono Mountains is predicted to be a popular destination this fall.

Comprehensive Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at 800poconos.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667). The Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Inc. is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

This summer the Pocono Mountains four-county region will again host annual fairs for Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties. These fairs provide food, fun and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

Pocono Mountains, PA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/03/2006 -- This summer the Pocono Mountains four-county region will again host annual fairs for Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties. These fairs provide food, fun and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

The 7th Annual Carbon County Fair, located at the Little Gap Highway in Palmerton, has something for everyone. From August 9-13, those who want to get away can enjoy a quiet country setting, but by nightfall on Wednesday and Sunday, can experience plenty of color and noise with the skies lighting up for a firework spectacle. The fair will open at 3pm and close at 11pm nightly and will feature an African Safari theme. Admission is $4 per person with children 10 and under free. This fee includes musical and midway entertainment.

Monroe's Annual County Fair, the 85th Annual West End Fair, located in Gilbert will be held August 27-September 2. The fair features amusement rides, pony rides, craft tent, petting zoo, band shell, live entertainment and more. Gates open at 10am. Admission is $4 per person for individuals 13 years of age or older. Amusement rides and select activities require additional fees.

The Pike County Fair is a family fun event for all ages. This year's event will be held at the Best Western Inn at Hunt's Landing in Matamoras August 22-26. The fair includes agricultural exhibits, entertainment, demolition derby, food and much more. Be sure not to miss out on all the excitement.

The 144th Annual Wayne County Fair will be held on August 4-12 at the fairgrounds in Honesdale. Fair features a stunt show, fire fighter's competition, demolition derby, 4-wheel drive truck-pull, harness racing, fireworks, woodmen's competition, farm tractor pull, horse pull and more. Make it a family tradition. Cost is $7 per person (18mos and older). Midway opens at noon.

Comprehensive Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at 800poconos.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667). The Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Inc. is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Pocono Mountains, PA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/01/2006 -- Families looking for an affordable, close-to-home summer vacation should look to the Pocono Mountains, where they can enjoy numerous fairs, festivals, attractions, exciting events and more! Plus, area lodging facilities offer affordable lodging packages perfect for a family stay.

Families can visit Camelbeach Waterpark in Tannersville and experience the new "Flowrider," the ultimate surf ride. Also ride the Checkered Flag Challenge, a complex of eight racing slides. Camelbeach now offers 22 waterslides, the most in Pennsylvania. Besides waterslides, families can raft lazily down the Blue Nile Adventure River, cool off in Kahuna Lagoon, play miniature golf and much more. Guests staying at Great Wolf Lodge can take a splash in the 78,000 sq. ft. indoor waterpark featuring 11 waterslides and six pools. Visitors can also go to Shawnee Place in Shawnee on Delaware where families can enjoy a toddlers area, two great waterslides, splash-down pools, kids venture river ride and more. Or, stopover at Carousel Water & Fun Park in Beach Lake and experience two waterslides, bumper boats, go-karts, mini-golf, kiddie kars, a batting range and much more.

In addition to waterparks, the Pocono Mountains offers great attractions sure to please such as Claws 'N' Paws Wild Animal Park in Lake Ariel, where kids can see over 120 kinds of exotic animals including a rare white tiger, giraffe, wolves, big cats, monkeys, reptiles, tropical birds and more.

The Pocono Mountains also hosts numerous fair and festivals this summer. NASCAR fans can visit Pocono Raceway for NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Weekend in Long Pond for the Pennsylvania 500 July 21-23.

Visitors should also head to Honesdale for Great Train Robbery Runs held Sundays in July and August, where they can board the Stourbridge Line Rail Excursion. Masked marauders on horseback ambush the Stourbridge Line during this round-trip from Honesdale to Hawley. This three and a half hour train ride along the Lackawaxen River includes entertainment and a one hour stopover in downtown Hawley for shopping and sightseeing.

A favorite destination for outdoor activities, the Pocono Mountains is home to nine state parks, including the 70,000-acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Families can take advantage of great outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, fishing, camping and paintball. Whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing are available at the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers in the Pocono Mountains.

Or, families can take a trip to Lake Wallenpaupack in Tafton, which features 52 miles of shoreline and indulge in great watersports, recreational activities, fishing, boating and more. Visitors can also go to Bushkill Falls in Bushkill, "The Niagra of Pennsylvania," and view magnificent waterfalls.

To experience the thrill of racing on a smaller scale, families can enjoy go karts at Costa's Family Fun Park in Hawley, Pocono Go-Karts in East Stroudsburg or S&S Speedways-Indoor Go-Karts in Snydersville. For even more fun on wheels, bring the kids to Big Wheel Family Roller Skating Center in East Stroudsburg or hit the skateboard ramps at Starting Gate Action Sports and Skate Park in Bushkill.

For a complete listing of affordable, family-friendly packages, visit 800poconos.com and click on "Money Saving Packages" under Special Features or call 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667). The Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Inc. is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The Pocono Mountains region is the perfect place for visitors to get pampered with a rejuvenating spa treatment or a relaxing “Girlfriend Getaway” shop, spa and stay package.

Pocono Mountains, PA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/31/2006 -- Hectic days filled with long meetings, endless emails, tag-you're-it phone calls and family responsibilities will leave even the most ambitious of people feeling a little rundown. Now more than ever before, the Pocono Mountains region is the perfect place for visitors to get pampered with a rejuvenating spa treatment or a relaxing "Girlfriend Getaway" shop, spa and stay package.

New, luxurious spas are on their way to the Pocono Mountains, along with recent additions. Pocmont Resort & Conference Center in Bushkill will invest in a multi-million dollar, 10,000-square-foot facility called Spa at Sugar Mountain. This spa will embrace the latest in comfort, design and service. The Shawnee Inn and Golf Course in Shawnee on Delaware will also be adding a spa to its amenities called Spa Shawnee. This spa has a projected opening date for 2007 and will include six treatment rooms, as well as a hair salon and manicure/pedicure station. The Lodge at Woodloch in Hawley is a $37 million destination spa that opened in June 2006. This full-service spa is a four-star, 58-room facility situated on 75 acres of land. The Great Wolf Lodge Aveda Concept Spa in Scotrun opened in October 2005, offering eight treatment rooms with more than a dozen massage selections, along with their indoor waterpark.

When women envision the perfect girls getaway, spa treatments often go hand-in-hand with shopping, a favorite female pastime. That's why the Pocono Mountains region offers great "Girlfriend Getaway" shop, spa and stay packages. Gals can stay at Skytop Lodge in Skytop or the Stroudsmoor Country Inn in Stroudsburg to relax with an in-house spa treatment and receive a free voucher discount book from The Crossings Premium Outlets in Tannersville, home to over 100 brand-name and designer stores. Additional information on the Pocono Mountains' Girlfriend Getaway lodging packages is available online at 800poconos.com.

In addition to Girlfriend Getaway packages, full spa services and treatments are available at the Arcadia Spa at Penn Hills Resort in Analomink, the Harbourside Health Club and Spa at Caesars Cove Haven Resort in Lakeville, Mountain Massage at The Resort at Split Rock in Lake Harmony, the Deerfield Spa in Marshalls Creek and the Pocono Manor Golf Resort and Spa in Pocono Manor.

Comprehensive Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at 800poconos.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667). The Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Inc. is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Pocono Mountains, PA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/28/2006 -- The Pocono Mountains is not only home to great shopping, dining, attractions and lodging, but also pristine natural surroundings found in the region's national parks. The four-county Pocono Mountains region of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne is home to two national parks and several historic sites including: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWGNRA) covers 40 miles of the Delaware River from north of Milford, Pennsylvania to south of Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania. It boasts 70,000 acres, on which visitors may camp, whitewater raft, canoe, hike and more.

The DWGNRA is also close to popular attractions, such as Bushkill Falls, the "Niagara of Pennsylvania," which has eight spectacular waterfalls and over two miles of trails. There are also a number of other waterfalls that are part of the DWGNRA and are free and open to the public. From north to south: Dingmans Falls, Silverthread Falls, Raymondskill Falls, Deer Leap, Factory and Fulmer Falls. All falls are within the George W. Childs Recreation Area. On their way to Dingmans Falls, visitors can stop at the Pocono Environmental Education Center, which sponsors interesting seminars, workshops, field trips, events, etc. geared to learning about the Pocono Mountains environment.

A short distance away is the Grey Towers National Historic Landmark in Milford. Grey Towers is the former home to the Father of American Conservation and twice Governor of Pennsylvania, Gifford Pinchot. It is now administered by the US Forest Service and free tours are offered seasonally.

The National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River is another national park in the Pocono Mountains. The Pennsylvania State Game Commission's Shohola Recreation Area is a great place to spot bald eagles and other rare wildlife. Visitors should be sure to stop and view Shohola Falls in the Shohola Recreation Area.

Visitors can also visit the Zane Grey Museum in Milford, the former home of the Father of the Western Novel, Zane Grey. It is now a museum administered by the National Park Service. Just across from the museum is a beach access to the Delaware River. Adventure seekers can get in a canoe or kayak here to take a journey down the Delaware River, which is one of the most popular summertime activities in the Pocono Mountains region.

The entire Upper Delaware Region is worth exploring this summer over a laidback self-guided driving tour. Whether you like peace and quiet or fun-filled family attractions, the Upper Delaware Region is the place to be. Visitors can pick up a map to lead themselves to the off the beaten path towns of Masthope, Milanville, Damascus and Equinunk. They should not expect too much action here, as this trip fulfills the desire for simplicity and natural beauty. However, visitors can go to the town of Hawley, which has historic treasures such as the Ritz Company

Playhouse, fine dining and accommodations or more outdoor recreation on Lake Wallenpaupack, one of Pennsylvania's largest man-made lakes. Visitors can also head on over to Honesdale, which offers shopping along the quaint Victorian Main Street and is home to the Wayne County Historical Museum, which features a replica of the Stourbridge Line, the first locomotive.

The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor traverses five counties, one being Carbon County in the Pocono Mountains. Carbon County gave birth to the Industrial Revolution with 83 tons of coal per year exported from the mines to New York and Philadelphia via the Delaware and Lehigh Canal. The town of Jim Thorpe, also known as "America's Little Switzerland," is well-known for its outdoor adventure and unique history. Situated in this National Historic District are several noteworthy sights including the Asa Packer Mansion Museum, Old Jail Museum, St. Marks Episcopal Church, Mauch Chunk Opera House, Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center, Old Stone Row and the D&L's Old Mauch Chunk Landing for the former N.J. Central Railroad Station.

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy biking, hiking or cross-country skiing on two well-known rails-to-trails: the Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail and the Switchback Trail. Mauch Chunk Lake Park affords ample opportunity for fishing, boating, swimming, camping and picnicking. Lehigh Canal Park is an ideal spot to walk or bike a restored section of the canal.

A short distance away from Jim Thorpe is Hickory Run State Park, famous for its Boulder Field, a large field of boulders created thousands of years ago by a glacier. Or, visitors can visit Lehigh Gorge State Park, where they can bike along the Rail Trail or whitewater raft the river.

Comprehensive Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at 800poconos.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667). The Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Inc. is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm