One of Schuylkill County’s largest street festivals, Tamaqua’s 20th Annual Summerfest features a wide variety of attractions and free entertainment for all ages. The event will take place on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 20tht, from 10 to 5. The festival will be held rain or shine. A large craft and street fair will take place in historic downtown Tamaqua where crafters and vendors will display some of their finest works to the throngs of visitors expected to attend this annual event.
The Tamaqua Street Machine Association’s annual antique, classic and street car show will be featured along South Railroad Street, beginning at 10 a.m. The award ceremonies, including the People’s Choice Award, will take place at 3 p.m. The Historical Society will award three trophies made of Anthracite Coal. All show participants will also receive a dash plaque.
All of the Summerfest events are free to attend. This year, one of the strolling entertainers will be the entertaining and popular Chief Wahoo Miracle Elixir Medicine Show & Phydeaux’s Flying Flea Circus of Fate, who will transport festival goers back to the late 19th century, with his entertaining show.
Three museums will be open for viewing, including the 1848 Hegarty Blacksmith Shop, Hegarty Avenue and Nescopec Street, the Tamaqua Historical Society Museum will be open at 118 West Broad Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the 1801 Burkhardt Moser Log Home on East Broad Street will be open for tours from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
The Tamaqua Anthracite Model Railroad Club will hold an open house at their headquarters in the former Masonic Building at the corner of West Broad and Nescopec Streets. Club members will display a large HO-gauge layout and will be on hand to answer questions about the organizations and its goals.
“DJ Brandon Fritz will also be providing popular music on West Broad Street throughout the festival”. Other, free musical entertainment will be heard throughout the day at this popular street festival.
Leiby’s Belgian Draft Horses will provide the power for their popular horse drawn trolley rides around the downtown. .
Great food is always a big draw at the Summerfest and this year is no exception. Many local organizations and food vendors will offer a variety of homemade and ethnic favorites along the festival route. In addition to the street and sidewalk displays, several downtown Tamaqua businesses will remain open for business during the festival, including Carolyn’s Quilt Shop at 109 East Broad Street. Carolyn’s will feature some in store specials for the day of the festival.
“The Summerfest is one of the Historical Society’s major fund raising events and funds raised by this festival are used to help preserve the history, artifacts and historic sites of the Tamaqua area” said Freudenberger. “Summerfest is a fun-filled day for the entire family and a great place to spend Father’s Day!” The festival will be held rain or shine.
For further information, or to register for any of the events, call the Tamaqua Historical Society at (570) 668-5722
