Harmony in the Woods, near Hawley, seeks larger occupancy ahead of fourth season

Peter Becker, Tri-County Independent
·1 min read

Palmyra Township officials have been notified that Harmony in the Woods, an outdoor amphitheater near Hawley, is interested in expanding the maximum number of patrons from 150 to 225.

The entertainment venue, which opened in 2020, begins its schedule of 22 concert dates July 5, running through Sept. 7. The landscaped amphitheater, carved on a slope, is nestled in a forest just beyond Hawley Borough, off Route 6 (Welwood Avenue) on the way to Lake Wallenpaupack.

Edward Sader, project manager for the Harmony in the Woods, talked about the plans at the Palmyra Township (Wayne County) supervisors' April 1 meeting. The Harmony board looked at traffic, emergency action plans, and the Americans with Disabilities Act and parking accommodation and access for people with mobility issues.

More: Harmony in the Woods has returning favorites, new performers in summer 2024 lineup

Although the nearby Lake Region branch of The Dime Bank gave approval to use its lot for auxiliary parking, due to the extra traffic monitoring required, Harmony chose to use its own site. Harmony asked the township for a change to the conditions applied at the conditional use hearing prior to the venue opening, allowing for an increased maximum occupancy. Last year, Harmony increased the size of its parking lot by adding two more ADA parking spaces.

Harmony in the Woods is hosted by The Foundation for Harmony Presents, a charitable 501(c)(3) organization. The concert venue, nestled in the forest near Hawley, is in its fourth season in 2024. There are 22 concerts set from July 5 to Sept. 7. Photo by Nicholas Synder.
Harmony in the Woods is hosted by The Foundation for Harmony Presents, a charitable 501(c)(3) organization. The concert venue, nestled in the forest near Hawley, is in its fourth season in 2024. There are 22 concerts set from July 5 to Sept. 7. Photo by Nicholas Synder.

Sader said Harmony has been well able to provide security and traffic control at its own site, with the present entrance at 19 Imagination Way.

Supervisors scheduled a public hearing to amend the conditions, 15 minutes before the 7 p.m. supervisors' meeting on Monday, May 6, at the township offices. Sader said that they have had great support from neighbors and would be interested to see how they like it, four years later.

Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Poconos venue Harmony in the Woods seeks to expand occupancy