COTA's 31st Annual Jazz & Arts Festival is being held September 5-7 in the idyllic little town of Delaware Water Gap, PA. This celebration gets more popular every year thanks to the dedication of the volunteer-driven COTA organization and the participation of talented musicians from the Poconos, Pennsylvania, and beyond. Be sure to check out the excellent website which offers visitors a multi-media sneak-peek in to the festival's highlights. Also, find directions, ticketing information, schedules and more!

See the likes of Dave Leibman, Saxophone Warrior, who is a headliner again this year.

Past headliners include the music of Pocono native, Mark Williams,  and Vicky Doney, another Pennsylvania artist.

And, of course, Bob Dorough (of Schoolhouse Rock fame! and more) will be there as always.

You probably recognize the Lost Ramblers with Neil Morris, as these guys play ALL OVER the Poconos in gigs big and small!(Also check out the Pocono Bluegrass and Folk Society)

The Deer Head Inn on main street (Route 611) in the Gap offers jazz enthusiasts a year round option for enjoying music. Visit their website for information on performers, dinner and lodging availability.

Music from morning and into the night at the COTA Jazz Festival...

Above: Blue Sparks From Hell

A big thank you for the photos goes out to Bob Weidner Photography!

(ps: Bob is another famous, albeit humble, musician hailing from the Poconos...perhaps he will honor the Poconos Real Estate Blog with an exclusive interview someday :))

Are you going to be in the Gap this weekend? Have you ever been before? Please post a comment and share your thoughts!

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is a huge expanse of natural beauty just waiting for you to enjoy. Encompassing  40 miles of the Delaware River and its surrounding watershed, as well as 100 miles of hike-able trail including 27 miles of Appalachian Trail, this Pocono treasure is a destination to visit again and again. The Park website is packed with lots of information-I encourage you to check it out and browse around.

I have not been there yet this year, but the recent beautiful weather has me longing to go. I took the photos accompanying this article during a hike last year which we accessed from the New Jersey side at the Kittatinny Point Visitor Center off of I-80.

There are access points for the trails in the Borough of Delaware Water Gap (off of Mountain Road behind the famous jazz club, The Deer Head Inn), and in Dingmans Ferry at the Dingmans Falls Visitor Center. There are also various overlooks and picnicking areas along the river via Route 611, south of DWG, north of Portland.

There are so many things to do at this spot: birding, photography, rock climbing, site seeing, biking, and so much more. Check out the Calendar of Events for programs, lectures and other ways to enhance your appreciation for the natural beauty which is right here in our backyard.

Detailed maps of the various areas of the Park and the River, parking areas, camp sites, historical buildings, boat launch areas, trails, etc., are found here.

There are no entrance fees to get in to the park or trails - imagine that, a FREE attraction in the Poconos! There may be fees for camping and other extras.