SHAMOKIN - The seven-year itch is nowhere to be found with the Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts. It seems the love affair the community has with this hometown event is stronger than ever.
With a record number of vendors, polka music new to this year's entertainment lineup and several new attractions, the festival, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, continues to grow.
"I am amazed at how we've grown and how the festival is far beyond what we ever thought it could be," said Jeanne Shaffer, executive director of the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities, the festival's main sponsor. "It truly has taken on a life of its own."
There are more than 100 vendors for 2012, and popular attractions such as train rides, trolley rides and horse-drawn wagon tours to see sites throughout Shamokin and Coal Township will be back again this year. Live historical performances and tours at Shamokin Cemetery have been popular since year one, and this year tours will be offered at the area's Catholic cemeteries.
Fun starts Friday
Perhaps the growth of the event is best reflected in the festival parade, which started in the second year as the event expanded to two days. The parade helps kick off the festival in a big way on Friday night.
"We may need all of Water Street to hold the parade participants," Shaffer said about the staging area.
Parade chairwoman Pamela Brennan Burns said approximately 40 to 50 organizations, businesses and individuals are registered.
"This will be the first year to have a number of antique cars as part of the parade," she said. "We have the Knoebels float, Rotary and the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center floats as well," among others.
The parade will feature high school bands from Shamokin Area, Line Mountain and Shikellamy.
Tom Kutza, long-time DJ for the former WISL radio and the county's retired tourist promotion director, is the grand marshal.
Following the parade, Marla and the Juniper Street Band will play at the festival main stage, next to Independence Fire Company at Market (Route 125) and Arch streets. Also on tap Friday night is the lighting of memorial luminaries, which will be placed along the sidewalk on Lincoln Street near Market.
Off to running start
Saturday's events begin at 9 a.m. at Shamokin Area Middle/High School's Kemp Memorial Stadium for the third annual Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts 5K Run or Walk. The 3.1-mile race takes participants on a course in and around the Shamokin Area campus, and has been well attended in its first two years.
Downtown along Market Street, the festival itself kicks off at 9:50 as bells ring at all churches throughout city and township. That's followed by the blowing of the large whistle from the city's former Cameron Colliery; a recorded performance of Chris Farrell's "In Shamokin," which was the theme of Shamokin's 125th anniversary celebration from 1989; the national anthem by Angela Kinder and a prayer by the Rev. Sam Bellavia, pastor at Shamokin Christian and Missionary Alliance Church.
Opening ceremonies will feature two special events: a butterfly release in memory of Frederick "Fritz" Reed, a longtime festival supporter and leader of the cemetery tours, who died in December at age 82 (the cemetery tours are also dedicated in Reed's name this year).
The Pennsylvania Association State Retirees Educational Support Foundation will present to Shamokin Area school employees their Lauretta Woodson Awards at the festival. Given to a educator and support professional to recognize their efforts on behalf of students and public education.
Receiving the awards will be Elementary School art teacher Richard Wehnke, chosen for her outstanding efforts and programs he had designed and instituted at the school, and support professional Ethel E. Dinklocker, a faithful and loyal employee of the district.
And plenty of art!
Not to be forgotten, of course, is that this festival is about art. It can be seen in some of the beautiful crafts displayed by vendors. It can be seen in the clothesline art hanging from the trees along the grass plots that divide Market Street and the three-plus blocks of vendors that line both sides. And it can be seen at the nearby Northumberland County Career and Arts Center, where the current exhibit, "Local Landmarks: Favorite Places" continues.
Welch Art Studios will present two shows as well from students, including their Masterworks projects and this year's special exhibit, entitled "Bits and Pieces."
Also at the center, a conductor's hat and vest worn by John Denchak on the final train ride depicted in the Mike Zyla painting "Last Train from Shamokin" will be on display in the Art Studio.
Also on display at the studio will be a scale model of a coal breaker with figures done by local artist Mike Riley.
The atmosphere and art combined are exactly what Shaffer and her small but dedicated band of volunteers hoped the festival would be when it started in 2006.
"Through (promotional) cards at the visitor centers and word-of-mouth advertisement from people that come, it just gets bigger and better," Shaffer said. "And that's great for the area."
Shaffer said word about the festival has traveled throughout the state and the eastern seaboard and noted how the growing list of vendors has reached 120.
"If I had the space, we could bring 200 vendors," Shaffer said.
She has a long list of people to thank for helping make the festival a success, and praised the cooperation of city officials and workers. She said there are many volunteers who help plan and carry out the activities, and even some unique community involvement such as players from Shamokin Area High School's football team, who empty trash cans and otherwise help keep the area clean throughout the seven-hour festival.
While there is so much to see at the festival, Shaffer encourages visitors to stop first at Booth 17, an information station operated by the arts council. Program booklets, maps and other details are available to help visitors get the most from the festival.