The Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2026.
Inductees will be honored on Oct. 3 at an induction ceremony at The Kirby Center for the Creative Arts, on the campus of Wyoming Seminary, in Kingston.
The 2026 arts category inductees are:
Edie Adams: Tony winner and Emmy nominee, who appeared in classic films such as “The Apartment” and “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”
Nick Adams, Oscar-nominated actor who made a name for himself in mid-century Hollywood
Mark Cohen, photographer whose intense, invasive style captures the aesthetic of Luzerne County and its residents
James Karen, longtime character actor who was best known for his roles in films like “The Return of the Living Dead,” “Mulholland Drive,” and “Poltergeist”
George Korson, folklorist who kept decades of coal mining history alive through his recordings and writings.
Jozef Murgas, Wilkes-Barre’s “Radio Priest” who was a champion of Slovak culture, painter, botanist, butterfly collector, and community leader
Bruce Price, architect whose local legacy goes beyond the buildings he designed
The 2026 entertainment category inductees are:
The Back Doors, whose global fame was due to their excellent balance of adherence to the Doors’ performance style and their own unique spin on the music
Cabinet, the bluegrass band that bends genre conventions to create something all music fans can enjoy, as evidenced by the massive crowds they have drawn
Dakota, whose career was defined by a major tour opening for Queen and multiple albums filled with slick, ultra-listenable rock tracks
Thomas Hrynkiw, classical pianist who was celebrated for his accomplishments in the musical arts
Mere Mortals, rock group known for their dogged commitment to playing to high-quality original material, becoming one of the most acclaimed and respected local bands of the past 40 years
The Cino Paci Band, Pittston-based musical ensemble that has entertained the community for over a century
Eddie Rambeau, hit-making machine whose album, “Concrete and Clay,” is a landmark in the history of Luzerne County music
The 2026 impact category inductees are:
The Briggs Family, founders of the iconic, nationally-known blues festival that bears their family farm’s name. Inductees include Richard Briggs and Alison Briggs, founders of the Briggs Farm Blues Festival; and Dylan Briggs and Dena Briggs, producers of the Briggs Farm Blues Festival.
Jim Della Croce, manager, publicist, and concert promoter whose list of clients reads like a who’s who of the music industry’s biggest acts, labels, and venues
Thom Greco , concert promoter and nightclub owner whose many ventures in the hospitality industry have made Luzerne County an arts and entertainment destination
John Walson, founder of Service Electric and one of the original innovators in establishing cable television, and the person most responsible for bringing HBO to Wilkes-Barre households
The 2026 Distinguished Achievement Award goes to:
Brian Benedetti, leader of the Fine Arts Fiesta, who has helped transform the event from niche to mainstream over nearly five decades.
Fine Arts Fiesta, annual event that has spotlighted various art forms on Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square for 70 years.
“We are thrilled to announce the induction class of 2026,” said the Steering Committee of the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame in a statement. “Each inductee is quite worthy of this recognition, and we are looking forward to celebrating their many accomplishments later this year.”
Ticket info for the Oct. 3 induction event at The Kirby Center for the Creative Arts will be announced soon. For information, visit www.luzernecountyaehof.org or www.facebook.com/LCAEHOF.
