Bloomsburg

Around Bloomsburg

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Town and around · Pennsylvania · 66k people

Bloomsburg

“The Only Town in Pennsylvania”

Bloomsburg · Berwick

A river town with a fair heart.

goldmaroon

Welcome to Bloomsburg! Whether you're here for the fair, the river, or just passing through, you'll find a friendly community with a lot of heart. Grab a whoopie pie and enjoy the small-town charm.

Clubs for Bloomsburg

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The room

One room for everyone around Bloomsburg. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Bloomsburg. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Susquehanna River The big river that runs through town
  • Bloomsburg Fairgrounds Home of the Bloomsburg Fair
  • Historic downtown Bloomsburg Main Street with shops and eateries
  • Bloomsburg University campus Home of the Huskies
  • Covered bridges Historic bridges scattered across the county
  • Farmland and rolling hills Scenic countryside surrounding the towns
  • Outdoors Kayaking on the Susquehanna
  • Outdoors Hiking on nearby trails
  • With kids Visit the Bloomsburg Town Park
  • With kids Attend a Bloomsburg University sports game
  • Evenings Local pubs in downtown Bloomsburg
  • Evenings Live music at the fairgrounds
  • Locals love Farm stands
  • Locals love Covered bridges

Through the year

  • Bloomsburg Fair September The biggest agricultural fair in the region, with rides, food, and livestock
  • Bloomsburg University Homecoming October Huskies football game and alumni gatherings
  • Berwick Riverfest July Summer celebration along the Susquehanna with music and vendors
  • Christmas in Bloomsburg December Holiday parade and downtown lights

Four distinct seasons with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for being outside, with mild temperatures and low humidity.

Talk like a local

“The fair”
The Bloomsburg Fair
“Huskies”
Bloomsburg University sports teams
“Downtown”
Main Street area in Bloomsburg

Getaways

  • Lewisburg Quaint college town with shops and restaurants
  • Sunbury River town with a historic downtown
  • Williamsport Home of the Little League World Series
  • Pottsville Coal region town with Yuengling brewery

Local flavour

Teams

  • Bloomsburg University Huskies NCAA Division II

Also rooting for Penn State Nittany Lions (NCAA football), Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL), Philadelphia Phillies (MLB), Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)

Eat and drink

  • Pierogies Eastern European dumplings, a Pennsylvania Dutch staple
  • Haluski Cabbage and noodle dish, often served with kielbasa
  • Whoopie pies Chocolate cake with cream filling, a PA Dutch dessert
  • Scrapple Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast meat made from pork scraps and cornmeal
  • Sheetz Local convenience store chain with made-to-order food
  • Wise potato chips Snack brand headquartered in Berwick, a local classic
  • Yuengling beer America's oldest brewery, from nearby Pottsville

Where people go

  • Susquehanna River Central waterway for recreation and scenery
  • Bloomsburg Fairgrounds Home to the annual Bloomsburg Fair, a regional institution
  • Covered bridges Historic wooden bridges scattered across Columbia County
  • Historic downtown Bloomsburg Victorian architecture and local shops
  • Bloomsburg University campus Husky pride and collegiate atmosphere
  • Farmland and rolling hills Pastoral landscape defining the region

Heritage and traditions

Bloomsburg-Berwick is proud of its small-town charm along the Susquehanna, its deep agricultural roots celebrated at the Bloomsburg Fair, and its tight-knit communities with a rich Pennsylvania heritage.

This time of year in Bloomsburg

  • Fall foliage drives October Scenic drives through rolling hills and farmland to see autumn colors.
  • Berwick Halloween Parade October A long-running, large community parade in Berwick with floats and costumes.

Say it like a local: “youse” — you (plural)

Festivals

  • Berwick Halloween Parade October A long-running, large community parade in Berwick with floats and costumes.

Landmarks with a story

  • Bloomsburg Historic District Listed on the National Register, with 19th-century architecture and a walkable downtown.
  • Columbia County Courthouse Historic courthouse in the center of Bloomsburg, built in the 1850s.
  • Berwick Historic District Preserves the town's industrial and residential past, including 19th-century homes.

Food traditions

  • PA Dutch chicken pot pie A hearty stew with wide noodles (not a pie), reflecting Pennsylvania Dutch roots.
  • Shoofly pie A molasses pie with crumb topping, a classic Pennsylvania Dutch dessert.
  • Chow-chow A pickled vegetable relish often served as a side or condiment, especially at family gatherings.

Music and arts

  • Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble A professional theater company in downtown Bloomsburg offering year-round productions.

A little history

  • 1855 The Bloomsburg Fair was first held
  • Late 1800s Berwick grew as a railroad and manufacturing town, including the Wise Foods chip factory
  • 1839 Bloomsburg was incorporated as a borough

Rivalries

  • Bloomsburg University vs. Lock Haven University PSAC football and wrestling rivalry
  • Game day Friday night high school football
  • Game day Bloomsburg University Huskies football
  • Outdoors Covered bridge driving tours
  • Outdoors Apple picking at nearby orchards
  • With kids Visiting the Bloomsburg Children's Museum
  • With kids Riding the rides at the Bloomsburg Fair

Central Pennsylvania accent with some Pennsylvania Dutch influence; locals may say 'crick' for creek and 'soda' for soft drinks. The tone is friendly and unhurried.

Only here

  • The Bloomsburg Fair has been held annually since 1855, making it one of the oldest continuously operating agricultural fairs in Pennsylvania.
  • Berwick is the birthplace of James H. McGraw, co-founder of McGraw-Hill Publishing.
New here? A few tips
  • Try a whoopie pie from a local bakery—it's a regional favorite.
  • Plan around the Bloomsburg Fair in late September; traffic and parking are busy.
  • Learn to say 'crick' for creek—it's part of the local charm.
  • Be ready for snowy winters; have a good snow shovel.
  • Take a drive on the covered bridge routes to see the countryside.

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Part of Sunbury area

Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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