Schuylkill Plus Magazine

This year Danville will celebrate it’s 12th Iron Heritage Festival by celebrating the ‘Melting Pot’ of cultures that helped develop our area. The week will be full of activities and events focusing on the German, Swiss, Welsh, Scotch, Irish, and Eastern European people who became part of Montour County and America.
The festival is held all around the Danville area, not just on Mill Street or at the Danville Middle School, but most events can be reached by walking from parking areas in town. There are over 100 events planned for this year’s festival and only a few paid events.
Starting a few weekends for the festival don’t miss the IHF Tour of Churches where area Churches will be having open house and telling of their history and ethnic heritage of their past. Also a few weekends before IHF will be the IHF Garden Tour, organized by the Montour County Master Gardeners.
Thursday, July 22 we start out the festival in style as the IHF parade steps off at 7 p.m. with the newly organized American Legion Post #40 Color Guard followed by The Avalon String Band playing their selection from the 2010 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia, “Fiddler on the Roof.” This national renowned Mummers Band will delight audiences of every age as they prance down the street in bright costumes. Many other bands and floats recognizing ethnic groups will also participate in the parade. Our own Danville Community Band will be last in line to make the statement that; musicians from many countries came together, their songs and styles shared to form bands in their new communities to become one voice.
Friday there will be free music on Canal Park Stage from noon to 3pm. Don’t miss the other Friday events which will accumulate in a fantastic ‘An Evening with the Celts’. One of the few paid events, you will be welcomed to the Danville Ballroom on Mill Street by the grace music of the Bagpipes. Also entertaining is Charlie Zahm,” one of the most popular soloists at Celtic music festivals, Maritime and Early American music events anywhere east of the Mississippi. With a baritone voice some have described as “coming along once in a generation.” Next on stage are the “ Principal Players of the Brandywine Harp Orchestra”, America’s premier harp orchestra. They blend together a marvelous mix of harping, singing and dancing in their Celtic harp programs.
Saturday is our full day of events. The 2nd annual 5k IHF race will take off at 9am on the dot and run thru the historic bike trail. Enjoy two stages of free music where you will be able to here music and songs from many different countries and cultures, such as an Oompah Band, a polka band and even the sounds of Cow Bells. Visit the food court filled with ethnic food and drink. High Wheel Bicycles will be riding around showing off their skill on these tall skinny bikes. At the Danville Middle School complex stop in and watch the national quote tournament, or the 1st annual Tennis tournament. Wander through the artisan encampment and learn how they made paper, furniture and our iron utensils and tools. Pet the lambs from Owens Farms and learn where the wool comes from the spinners are using. See a real furnace in operation by Danville’s own blacksmith.
We are please to welcome author Patrick Malone, to Danville. Professor Patrick Malone will discuss the mining and transport of anthracite with a focus on the nineteenth-century iron industry in Danville, Pennsylvania. As an industrial Archaeologist, Malone uses a combination documentation and material evidence to examine industrial and urban history. Patrick M. Malone is Professor of Urban Studies and American Civilization and Director of the Urban Studies Program at Brown University.
We welcome back Rich Pawling who will take you on a journey using music and historical interpretive segways to interpret Conrad Weiser’s contributions to our nation.
Don’t miss touring the oldest house in Danville, the Montgomery House now a museum honoring Montour County’s past. While there meet 4 authors who have made Danville proud by telling of history and events that took place once upon a time.
After a full day of events do not miss the fireworks display over the Susquehanna River.
On Sunday, take an airplane ride, see collectibles cars and motorcycles and have breakfast or lunch. A heritage church service will be held at the Mahoning Presbyterian Church in the morning. At 3pm a ‘Gymanfa Ganu’, a Welsh festival of scared hymns will be held at the Mahoning Presbyterian Church.
Finish up the weekend with a Hymn sing overlooking the beautiful Susquehanna River.
We could never describe or tell of all the events that will take place during the Iron Heritage Festival. The official IHF Program will be available in June at various venues around the area. The website will be updated weekly as plans progress. Danville and IHF items as well as tickets can be bought at The IHF Company Store at 316 Mill Street. Questions can also be directed to the Company Store. Phone # 570-275-6700
www.ironheritagefestival.net