TREVORTON - Mindy Shingara and the Heritage Days Committee want the August event they're planning for Zerbe Township to be the first of many to come.
"We want to involve everyone. There's not much to do in town. We're trying to get everyone young and old together in this town," the event organizer said at her business, Mindy's Luncheonette, 830 W. Shamokin St.
Trevorton Heritage Days is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 20, and Sunday, Aug. 21. A parade will start at noon Saturday with a parade followed by the festival until 8 p.m. at the Trevorton Foundry and Pool House. The festival will pick up at noon Sunday with a talent show at 2 p.m.
The idea started a few months ago, said Shingara. She would often discuss with customers about how the village used to be. With the older generation dying out and the younger generation forgetting their heritage, the group wanted to do something to preserve the village's history. The group initially considered finding a building where they could display photographs and memorabilia, and eventually set their sights on a festival.
The most significant part, said Shingara, is the committee collecting the history of Trevorton in a "first-of-its-kind unique way" and asking residents for memorabilia, photographs or copies of photographs from Trevorton's first days through the present. Interested locations include the Market Street School, the North Franklin Colliery, the Strevens Colliery, the Trevorton High School, the Doodlebug Park, the Trolley, the foundry and any business, old or new.
The photos and items collected will be displayed inside the Trevorton Pool House during the event. They will be framed and donated to Zerbe Township for display after the festival.
For the parade, the committee is looking for antique cars, classic trucks, horse and buggies, military vehicles, trolleys, floats - such as a mine car, old wagons and children willing to dress in old-fashioned attire.
Other events include a coal bucket guessing game, in which participants will pay to make guesses at how many pieces of coal are in a bucket; historic trolley rides, and a bonfire, during which speakers will talk about old Trevorton memories.
Since it's the festival's first year, food and game stands will be offered free to all non-profit organizations, groups, teams, churches and clubs.
The committee is starting this festival with no money, so Shingara and others will be visiting local businesses and patrons to solicit funds. Anyone willing to donate items or money is asked to drop them off at Mindy's Luncheonette, Angie's Market, the Trevorton VFW, the Trevorton Legion or the Zerbe Township Municipal building by July 31. For more information, contact Shingara at 850-5784. The money raised at the festival will benefit future festivals.