my 2025 picnics and events
On this page I will list all the picnics, bazaars, festivals, & fairs that I attended during the 2025 picnic season. Also some comments about the event, and my rating of the event.
Due to the issue with my left foot and right knee,(it's no fun getting old) I will most likely only be visiting limited picnics this season. Feel free to e mail your ratings of any picnics you attend and I will publish them.
My Best 2025 Picnics (In no particular order)
Mary Mother of God Parish
Elmhurst Roaring Brook Fire Company
Clifford Fire Company
St. Joseph's Center
Triton Hose Company
St. Rocco's Parish
St. Jude's Parish
My 2025 Needs Much improvement picnics
(in no particular order)
Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish
Dickson City Day
Sherwood Park Summer Festival
Carbondale Pioneer Nights
______________________________________
Our Lady of the Abingtons
Dalton, PA
September 14, 2025
Rating 3 *** and 1/2 * out of 5
This is a decent last picnic of the season. They have plenty of handicapped parking and plenty of seating. The food is decent but a little expensive. The chicken BBQ was good but this year it was a little over cooked. But still a nice reasonably priced meal. You can walk around with your beer. Big flea market. The band the Quiet Men were OK. A little boring but good for this picnic. They played an entertaining set of Irish classics. Some pop and some country. They weren't drinking beer this year. The staff was courteous. I expect to come back again next year.
Felittese Festival
3rd. Street Old Forge
September 12, 2025
Rating 4 **** out of 5 *
This is a nice end of season picnic. There is no parking. I was lucky got a spot a block away. The food is good but very expensive. $5 for 2 pizzas. $6 for a three meatball platter. $5 for a medium ice cream. $3 for a can of Coke. No beer tent. They had seating but still could use more. The band Picture Perfect were excellent. Very entertaining show. They even had Johnny SuperStar sing one song. The staff was courteous. People do not control their brats. Running around like animals and run right in to you. Their head going one way and their feet running wildly in a different direction. When you walk slower with a cane. Like I do. This is not fun. I plan to be back next year.
LaFesta Italiana
Downtown Scranton
August 29, 2025
Rating 5 ***** out of 5 *
This is an excellent end of season event. If I was able to walk better I would go more than one day like I used to. The entertainment was great on the main stage. The Exact Change band when I arrived. Picture Perfect at the end of the night. On the small stage Big King Moose were good. There were plenty of Job Johnnies this year. There was an abundance of seating which was great. The food was good to excellent but very expensive. Bob Bolus's idiot propaganda truck wasn't on the grounds this year. Yeah! In the parking garage everything worked great this year. Only paid $4 even though the sign said $6. Yeah! My biggest gripe this year is the teenagers with their feet going one way and head going a different direction that walk right into you. Also people who bring their pet dogs. I love animals but that is no place to bring your dog. With all the food and what If the dog bites someone. All in all I had a great time and will be back next year.
Pittston Tomato Festival
Downtown Pittston
August 21, 2025
Rating 4 **** and 1/2 * out of 5 *
This is a nice picnic. The food is good but some of the prices are very expensive. They have some seating on the main grounds but could use more. Nobody uses the seating on the side street. The band Phyllis Hopkins Band were OK but not great. But they usually have the better bands on more busy nights. They also had a decent band in the firehouse where there was the bar. They had rides for the children which looked that they were ancient. Parking was tight as Grandma's girdle which was expected. I was lucky to get a spot 2 blocks away. No fun when you have trouble walking. It was an enjoyable way to waste a few hours. I will be back next year.
Carbondale Pioneer Nights
Downtown Carbondale
August 16, 2025
Rating 2 ** and 1/2 * out of 5 *
First the good. I was able to get a parking spot right across the bridge like last year. The chicken tenders were good and reasonably priced. The band Flaxy Morgan were excellent. Now the bad. Event was smaller than last year. Not enough seating. Most food was very expensive. The pizza stand had a child running it, not very efficient. People were allowing their brats to run like wild animals. Rather boring, not worth the ride from Scranton. Not sure if I will be back next year.
Sherwood Park Summer Festival
Dunmore, PA
August 15, 2025
Rating 3 *** out of 5 *
This was a small local picnic. There wasn't really a large crowd. I got a parking spot 1/2 block away. The food was decent and reasonable priced. They could definitely use more seating. You can walk around with your beer. The flying insects were brutal. I never remember bugs at the picnic. The band, The Ron Morgan Band were poor, but OK for this type of picnic. It is not a bad way to waste an hour or so. I will be back next year.
Springbrook Township Fire Company
Route 690 Springbrook Twp
August 14, 2025
Rating 4 **** and 1/2 * out of 5 *
This always is a very nice picnic which also has a cow flop. I was lucky to get a handicapped parking spot right behind the band. The food is good and reasonably priced. My only question was why soda was $2 at one stand and $1 at a different stand. Also the crowd was much smaller than other years. The band Jug O Jack were ok but not great but were listenable. I will definitely be back next year.
St. Jude's Parish
Route 309 Mountaintop, PA
August 10, 2025
Rating 5 ***** out of 5 *
This picnic is great as expected. The food is good and reasonably priced. I got there earlier enough this year to get a handicapped parking spot. The chicken dinner is delicious but expect to wait in a long line. The chickens were a little smaller than last year. The picnic is in a beautiful grove. You can walk around with your beer. There is plenty of seating. The young DJ they had for entertainment was excellent. I will definitely be back next year. It is a long ride but worth it.
Dickson City Day
By Eagle Hose Company
Eagle Lane Dickson City
August 9, 2025
Rating 3 *** out of 5 *
This is a small uneventful picnic as expected. When I arrived there was plenty of parking. There was only about 50 people on the grounds. I thought oh boy boring!. The food was acceptable. There were plenty of seating when I got there. It was set up weird. The one group of food stands was over 150 yards from the other food stands. The siren went off and 45 minutes later the parade had arrived and so did the crowd. The band Flatland Ruckus were good for country music. They even has a marching polka bandski who played a polka. All in all not a bad way to waste a few hours.
St. Rocco's Parish
Bunker Hill Section of Dunmore
August 8, 2025
Rating 5 ***** out of 5*
This is one of the best of the season. The food is great and reasonably priced. They have a huge variety of food. This year I parked at St. Anthony's and took the shuttle. It is a little difficult for me to climb into the shuttle. There was plenty of seating to listen to the band and to eat. The band Jeffrey James band were excellent but not as good as Picture Perfect. I cannot understand how people allow their brats to run around uncontrolled like animals. Not looking where they are running. Running right into your legs and cane. Then the parents just giggle instead of controlling the brat. You can walk around with your beer. I will definitely be back next year and for their pasta dinner in October.
St. John the Evangelist
William St. Pittston
August 7, 2025
Rating 3 *** and 1/2 * out of 5*
This is a small somewhat boring picnic that used to be much bigger. The food was good and reasonably priced. Parking right across the street from the church. They had a huge indoor flea market, bingo, and game area. Indoor rest rooms. No beer tent. The band the Tax Men were excellent as expected doing their usual Beatles tribute. Now the bad. They use those very annoying food tickets. Also parents do not control their brats allowing then to run like animals. Most likely I will be back next year.
Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish
Rebecca St. Throop
August 2, 2025
Rating 2 ** out of 5 * (being generous)
The picnic was boring as expected. Here is the good and the bad. First the good. They had plenty of seating. There was plenty of close by parking. The two piece band was listenable. The potato pancakes were delicious. Now the bad. The meatball sandwich for $5 was good but you needed a microscope to see it. The pizza was cold taken right out of a box. Almost every garbage can was full. Most of the tables were dirty, not wiped off. They use those very annoying food tickets. Parents were allowing their children to run uncontrolled. The area where the food is was very narrow, hard when you use a cane to walk. As of now I will not be back next year.
Triton Hose Company
Route 6 Tunkhannock, PA
July 30, 2025
Rating 5 ***** out of 5 *
This was an excellent picnic as expected. The food was good. The pizza and the roast beef sandwiches were excellent. Everything was reasonably priced. The parking at the donut shop was only $3 this year. There was plenty of seating. The staff were friendly. The band The Third Degree were surprisingly very good. They had plenty of rides for the children. This is a very enjoyable picnic a long ride from Scranton but worth it. I will be back next year.
St. Joseph's Center Summer Festival
Grounds of Marywood College
July 26, 2025
Rating 5 ***** out of 5 *
This is definitely one of the best of the season. The food is great and they have a huge variety. The volunteers are very pleasant and helpful. Even the parking attendants were great this year. They do not have any entertainment but they do not need it. The best thing it supports St. Joseph's Center which is a great cause. I could even stand Corny Joe S. for this week for what he does for St. Joe's. I will be be back again next year.
Christ the King Parish
Betty Street Eynon, PA
July 25, 2025
Rating 4 **** and 1/2 * out of 5 *
This is a very nice picnic. The food is good and reasonably priced, although the service is a little slow. The potato pancakes are delicious and this year there was no line. They have some seating but could use more in the area where the band is playing. The band Pour Decisions were good. The beer tent is small. They have a huge basket raffle. I like the way they have passages from the bible on the various stands. Parking was very tight as expected. I found a spot on Main Ave at a small plaza. I will be back next year.
Clifford Hose Company
Route 106 Clifford, PA
July 24, 2025
Rating 5 ***** out of 5 *
With several ariel shots going off in the air, then a very loud siren. It's parade time. Or is it. 40 minutes later the parade arrived with the usual equipment. The parade lasted about 30 minutes and was enjoyable. The food is good and reasonably priced. They had a huge variety of food. The roast beef was excellent as expected. I got a very close handicapped parking spot. Also they had antique rides for the children. The chainsaw carver was there and is talented and entertaining as usual. I missed the fireworks because I went on Thursday. The band was fair but listenable. I will definitely be back next year. Even though it is a long ride but is worth it.
Germania Hose Company
Foote Ave. Duryea, PA
July 19, 2025
Rating 4 **** out of 5 *
This year this picnic gets a slightly higher rating. The food was good and very short lines at the stands. The potato pancakes and the pizza were very good. But they do use those annoying food tickets. The parking attendant was GREAT! He got me a handicapped space very close to the grounds. There were plenty of games for children and adults. Rides for the children. Plenty of seating. Huge beer area and no beer cage, walk around with your beer. Unfortunately I didn't bring my gas mask. Because the band The Handsome Devils STUNK! Loud and very little talent. They would have a five star rating if they get rid of the food tickets and get a band that is at least slightly listenable. I will be back next year.
St. Joseph Marello Parish
William St. Pittston, PA
July 17, 2025
Rating 3 *** and 1/2 * out of 5 *
This year this picnic gets a slightly lower rating. The food was good. But they use those annoying food tickets. The staff at the food stand were more interested in tapping on their phones that waiting on the customers. They had plenty of games for children and adults. Large indoor flea market. Air conditioned rest rooms. Plenty of seating and space to watch the band. They shouldn't allow pets on the grounds. I almost got knocked to the ground by a large dog that tried to grab my sandwich by an idiot walking 3 dogs. The band the Tax Men were good as expected. Doing all the hits of the Beatles and some deep album cuts. Easy parking at the gas station as expected. I will be back next year.
Nativity of Our Lord
Stephenson St. Duryea, PA
July 12, 2025
Rating 3 *** and 1/2 * out of 5*
This year this picnic gets a slightly lower rating. First the shuttle parking. The mini bus/van was not easy to get in and out of for a person who has difficulty walking like me. Also the shuttle stopped at 9pm. I would have stayed longer if the shuttle ran longer. The driver didn't seem like he was too happy. Second they eliminated the second seating tent that they had other years. So seating was very tight and limited. The food was great and reasonably priced but the volunteers at the food stand weren't that efficient. You can walk around with your beer. The Sperazza Band was excellent. I wish I could have stayed longer. It was still a nice picnic but not as good as other years.
Covington Fire Company
Route 435 Covington Township
July 10, 2025
Rating 3 *** and 1/2 * out of 5 *
This is a decent picnic. The food is good but very expensive. Huge variety of food. Plenty of seating. They had many rides for the children. The handicap parking was close by and the attendants were courteous. The men's room was not OC (odorifically challenged) this year. The band Cellar Souls was poor to decent. You can walk around with your beer. It was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.
Dalton Hose Company
Off Route 632 Dalton, PA
July 9, 2025
Rating 4 **** out of 5 *
This is a better picnic. The food is good and reasonably priced. They have a huge beer tent. The band, John B band, was decent. Great for a slower day at the picnic. Handicap parking was quite a distance away. Older rides, but safe for the children. The Chinchilla hose company pizza was great. It was an very enjoyable way to spent a few hours. I will be back next year if I am able.
Elmhurst Roaring Brook Fire Company
Off Route 435 Elmhurst, PA
June 28, 2025
Rating 5 ***** out of 5 *
This is one of the best picnics of the year. The food is great and reasonably priced. You can walk around with your beer. They have a huge basket raffle. Plenty of free parking, including handicapped parking. The staff is friendly. The band Crimson Tears played a long enjoyable mix of classic rock and hits. This year they had a laser light show too. All your friends were here. Even that annoying siren at the hot wings stand didn't go off as much this year. I will be back next year if I am able to.
Mary Mother of God Parish
West Market St.
Scranton, PA
June 13 & June 14, 2025
Rating 5 ***** out of 5 *
The Mary Mother of God parish block party was great as expected. The food is great and reasonably priced. The potato pancakes were excellent as expected. The games were fun. The volunteers were friendly and helpful. Picture Perfect on Friday was excellent as expected. The Chatter on Saturday were good for a variety of pop and rock music. There was plenty of seating. There was a huge basket and dining around raffle. They even had the diaper derby again. Parking was tight as expected but it was worth the little walk for this one of the best picnics for the season.
