Restaurateur Sam Allen spends a lot of time indoors.
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But when he has a few hours off, he often winds up outside, along the Susquehanna River.
Allen, who co-owns Bube's Brewery, Mount Joy, takes full advantage of the vast recreational playground that runs right through our backyard — hiking, biking, canoeing and kayaking along the river.
"I don't care what kind of outdoor recreation you like," Allen says.
"We probably have it."
Allen will combine his love for food and the Susquehanna at the first-ever River Experience, 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, on the riverfront grounds of Shank's Mare Outfitters, Wrightsville.
The festival, which benefits the Lancaster-York Heritage Region, will feature samples from several Lancaster County restaurants, wineries and breweries.
Now is a crucial time for the Susquehanna, says Allen, who serves on the board of directors for LYHR, whose mission includes preserving and improving future generations' access to the river.
It's an idea Allen and many fellow nearby restaurateurs strongly support.
"The river's been overlooked by these two counties an awful lot," he says.
"It's so vast that with a little more development of access, an awful lot more people could use it, and you wouldn't even notice they were there."
The River Experience will feature a perfectly natural backdrop: the Susquehanna itself.
Bube's staff will come armed with a German Wit beer and English nut-brown ale, along with blue cheese and bacon meatballs, tapenade and French bread toasts, and beer cheese spread and pretzel crisps.
"I really thought long and hard about (what to bring)," Allen says. "I wanted something summery."
The river runs tantalizingly close — less than a mile — to Prudhomme's Lost Cajun Kitchen, Columbia.
The restaurant's staff will cook a signature dish, David's Classic Pasta, on-site at the festival.
"We like to cook right there," co-owner Sharon Prudhomme says. "The smells are wafting, and it's more of an experience."
The Prudhommes' pasta packs plenty of aroma, with chicken, andouille sausage and sauteed vegetables in a light Cajun cream sauce, kicked up a notch with their own seasoning blend.
Outdoor cooking presents plenty of obstacles, not the least of which is keeping a steady flame. Prudhomme often stacks boxes to form a protective barrier from the wind.
"It's always a challenge, between the wind, weather and varmints," she says. "It makes it more exciting."
Al Duncan, CEO of the company that owns Miller's Smorgasbord, Ronks, also serves on LYHR's board of directors.
At the event, Miller's will offer a trio of made-from-scratch salads — broccoli, potato and shrimp — along with coconut-oatmeal and chocolate-pecan pies.
Duncan's own involvement stems from a desire to preserve the river for his grandchildren's generation — and beyond.
"One of the better-kept secrets in our community is the river gorge, how beautiful and magnificent it is," he says.
"What would we not have if others weren't thinking ahead?"
For Details
WHAT: The River Experience, hosted by the Lancaster-York Heritage Region
WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday (Rain or shine)
WHERE: Riverfront grounds of Shank's Mare Outfitters, 2092 Long Level Road, Wrightsville
DETAILS: Tastings from area restaurants, wineries and breweries; Susquehanna River boat rides; live music; living history; and a silent auction
Other Lancaster County participants include Bully's Restaurant and Pub, Lancaster Brewing Co., Nissley Vineyards and Winery Estate, and Turkey Hill Ice Cream.
TICKETS: $60; $50 in advance
BENEFITS: Susquehanna Heritage Education Fund, which supports education and interpretation of local cultural and natural heritage
INFO: Call 252-0229, or visit
www.StoriesoftheLand.com and click on "The River Experience."
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