WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — You know summer is around the corner when a popular attraction in the Williamsport area sets sail on the Susquehanna River. The Hiawatha is back for its 42nd season.
"It's a beautiful day in Central PA, and we're just looking forward to all the events that are on the boat. We have wing night back, which people have requested year after year. We have dinner cruises, brunch cruises, we've got family night," said Capt. Mike Strunk.
"We have bingo cruises; there will be five of those this summer. People love those. We also have our adult Halloween cruise," said general manager Kim Cillo.
For the full list of cruise options, click here.
Crews put the riverboat into the water for the season last week.
Several times throughout the season, the boat transforms into a floating classroom. Your teacher is John Zaktansky. He's what's called a "riverkeeper." His job is to protect and promote all the river-based resources. On board the Hiawatha, that could mean showing off some pretty cool animals.
"We've had snakes before, we've had raptors, a variety of things. This year, we have eels coming on board," Zaktanksy said.
Or maybe you just want to enjoy the view with a drink in hand. Craft beer cruises are also back this year.
"We bring in three different breweries throughout the summer. We have three taps of beer on that the cruisers can sample and try," said Lenny Gugino from Durdach Brothers Inc.
Maybe you've taken a cruise on the staple of the Susquehanna, but what many people don't realize is that the Hiawatha is actually a nonprofit. All the money needed to keep this boat floating comes from the community.
"The goal is to promote tourism and the beauty of the area here. We've been sailing on the water for 42 years, and the goal is to give back to the community," said board chair Frank Pellegrino.
"Williamsport has a really rich history with the river. In the late 1800s, the whole river was full of logs and lumber. Williamsport was the lumber capital of the world. So that's part of the presentation we show on the boat," Strunk said.
To book your ride, click here.
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