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 Visitors to the Schuylkill Canal’s Lock 60 in Mont Clare on Sunday, March 16, had a colorful surprise. A “little leprechaun” had turned the canal’s water green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.
“Everybody’s an Irishman this weekend,” laughed Schuylkill Canal Association executive director Betsy Daley as the group hosted its annual St. Patrick’s Day Hike and Treasure Hunt.
“Since the Irish were the ones that built the canal, you have to give them a little extra recognition,” she remarked.
Because Easter came so early this year, the association supplemented the usual search for gold and silver coins with an Easter egg hunt. Children of all ages were invited to search for the treasures in the meadow at the Lock 60 picnic grove.
As the children, and their parents, grandparents and others, approached the meadow after walking from the Locktender’s House, excited oohs and aahs filled the air. At the signal, the youngsters began to dash about the meadow, gathering up the colorful treasures.
After the field was emptied, the children trooped back to the Locktender’s House to exchange their coins for treasures – assorted plastic animals, tattoos, yoyos, noisemakers and more. The youngsters also eagerly looked through their eggs for the treasures hidden inside – more toys as well as candy.
Continuing the Irish them, Meadowlark, a husband and wife duo consisting of Jansen Wendell and Elisa Lang, performed Irish music inside the house. Lang played the autoharp, also known as a chorded zither, and five-string banjo. Wendell played the mandolin and fiddle.
The Paoli duo performed a variety of toe-tapping jigs, reels and waltzes, including tunes Wendell composed “in the traditional vein.”
Although the day began overcast and chilly, Daley later commented, “It turned out to be a really nice day. The sun broke out just in time for the hunt and all the kids came and had a really good time and really enjoyed it.”
Light refreshments were served, and visitors were able to learn about the history of the Schuylkill Navigation Co. and the life and times of the people involved in its operation during the 19th century.
An added attraction for the youngsters, with several taking part, was the opening of Lock 60.
The Schuylkill Canal Association hosts open houses at the Locktender’s House on the third Sunday of most months. The programs are free of charge to visitors of all ages, but donations are gladly accepted.
For more information, call SCA at 610-917-0021 or visit www.schuylkillcanal.com.
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