PIKE COUNTY, Pa. — Every summer, people flock to Lake Wallenpaupack for a quiet family getaway in the Poconos.
"We see people who came as kids, bring their grandkids back, or their sons and daughters are bringing their kids to Lake Wallenpaupack to enjoy the water and surrounding areas," said Stacey Kleinhans with East Shore Lodging
Before we say so long to summer, another year of Wally Lake Fest packs the best parts of summer into a three-day festival.
Debbie Gillette with the Chamber of The Northern Poconos says it's a tradition started to boost tourism in businesses.
"14 years ago, believe it or not, the full weekend before Labor Day was the slowest weekend in the Pocono mountains for tourism and overnight stays and things to do," said Gillette
Organizers say you don't need a boat to enjoy everything Wally Lake Fest offers.
"We have live musical entertainment at so many businesses around the lake starting Friday night going through Sunday afternoon. We even have a band here on the beach on Sunday," said Gillette
The big draw is Wallypalooza, which features live music on the water that you can still enjoy on land.
"You can actually sit up on the Tafton dike overlook and hear the bands; they are right in front of you, so there is lots to see and do," explained Gillette.
With an anticipated 20,000 people expected for the weekend, businesses like East Shore Lodging expect a boost in people coming for a boat tour.
"It's a narrated history tour of the lake you learn a bit about how and why the lake became what it is today and pretty soon we will be celebrating 100 years of the lake," said Kleinhans.
Wally Lake Fest kicks off this Friday. For a list of activities and events, you can click here.