COAL FESTIVAL

The BLOSSBURG COAL FESTIVAL is a popular annual event in Tioga County. The 13th Annual COAL FESTIVAL will be held May 25 - 28, 2005 and includes a parade, an ever-growing car show, craft sales and the Coal Museum. The Festival celebrates the history of coal mining in the Blossburg area.

Schedule of Events
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Fayette Amusements Family night Ride all rides 6-11 for only $12
	6 pm	Festival opens Coal Museum, craft & food booths open
Thursday, May 26, 2005
ACP/Ward Manufacturing Family Night (ACP/Ward Manufacturing employees and their families admitted to the Coal festival free w/ employee ID)
	6 pm	Coal Museum, craft & food booths open Carnival - ride all rides 6-11 for only $12 (or $10 w/Ward ID)
	7 pm	Talent Show
Friday, May 27, 2005
	6 pm	Carnival, Coal Museum, craft & food booths open Royalty Pageant
	8 pm	The Showstoppers Oldies Review
Saturday, May 28, 2005
All events will take place at Island Park unless otherwise noted. Other events may be added.
	9am	5k run - Sign Up for the 5k run!
	11 am	Parade (downtown)
	11:30 am	Chicken Barbeque
	12 pm	Coal Museum, craft & food booths open Denny Huber- magician/balloon artist
	12 pm	13th Annual Coal Festival Car Show Penn Dixie band & The Penn Highlanders will be playing at the Island after the parade.
	1:15 pm	East West Karate Demonstration
	2 pm	Annual Horseshoe Tournament
	2 & 4pm	The Black Mountain Cloggers
	3-4 and 5-7 pm	The Brass Majors Polka Band (in the pavilion) Several performances by "The Gerry Gessie "duo" show
	7 pm	Fade to Red
	Dusk	Fireworks!
Car show information: (570)638-3313 Craft Booths and other vendors: Kathy (570)638-0274 5K Race: Sign up here! Talent Show (570) 673-8223 General Questions and information: (570) 638-3313 or coalfestival@epix.net For more information about Blossburg Visit http://www.blossburg.org All visitors must purchase a $2.00 pin that is good for all four days of the festival and all events held at the Coal Festival. Advance ride tickets and admission pins available in Blossburg at First Citizens Bank, Bloss Hardware, Nationwide Insurance, Blossburg Boro office. The Coal Festival Committee would like to thank every individual, organization and business that supports the Blossburg Coal Festival. Special thanks to ACP/Ward Manufacturing, Laurel Health Systems, First Citizens National Bank, American Legion William B Wilson Post 572,and Williamson Road TV for their continued support.

Contact information:

To setup booths call Kathy at 570-638-0274
Car Show information contact Dave at 570-638-3313
General information call Dave at 570-638-3313 or contact us by e-mail at coalfestival@epix.net

Blossburg Coal Festival, PO Box 121, Blossburg, PA 16912

• Coal Festival Car Show Pictures
  
  1. Car Show volunteers
  2. Garry Ogden Memorial Trophy winner
  3. Best Car
  4. Best of Show
  5. Ladies Choice
  6. Pickup
     
     
• Horseshoe Tournament Pictures
  1. Horseshoe 1st place winners
  2. Horseshoe 2nd place winners
     
     
• Little Stinker Skunk Race
  1. Skunk Racing
  2. Skunk racing cheerleaders
  3. Restrained
  4. The Big Wheel challengers
     
     
• Rides, entertainment and people.
  1. Bouncing
  2. The Big Slide
  3. April and Kirk
  4. The Ambulance Association wins
  5. Eat and talk
  6. Watching the crowd
  7. Chris Ruble sings
     
     
• The Royalty Pageant
  1. The King and Queen
  2. Prince Contestant
  3. Prince Contestant
  4. Prince Contestant
  5. Prince Contestant
  6. Prince Contestant
  7. Princess Contestant
  8. Princess Contestant
  9. Princess Contestant
  10. Princess Contestant
  11. Princess Contestant
  12. Princess Contestant
  13. Princess Contestant
  14. Princess Contestant
  15. Proud parents.

The Blossburg Coal Festival is an annual event celebrating the history and heritage of the mining industry in Blossburg and the surrounding communities.

In 1992, Bernie Tokarz suggested to Jim Holleman that the community should honor our ancestors who started the town and the mining that was a main contributor to the town's existence. Jim presented the concept of the Coal Festival to the Blossburg Borough Council. Once the council approved the idea, plans began to take shape.

Blossburg Borough Secretary Sally Ward was selected as the first chairperson of the organizing committee, which also included Chet Tokarz (co-chair), Harriet Holleman (secretary),Georgette Hall (treasurer), Ralph Brennan, Chris Cooper, Pete Hall, Jim Holleman, Jerry Kostovick, Edna Matreski, Kathy Pearson, Bernie Tokarz, Joe Tokarz, and Howard Youmans. The committee exchanged ideas and solicited suggestions. Soon, the town buzzed with activity for the first five-day event. From Wednesday through Sunday, the Island Park would host booths, a carnival, a car show, and a parade.

The pavilion on Island Park was divided into two sections: One side was transformed into a general store, similar to the company store in Morris Run, and the other contained mining memorabilia contributed from area residents. A king, queen, prince, and princess were selected and rode in the Saturday parade with local and county dignitaries.

The Coal Festival is held Memorial Day weekend. It is now a four-day community affair with the same enthusiasm and activity as when it started. Many volunteers give their time and energy to make this festival successful and memorable. We give thanks to our ancestors for creating and developing this town and the mining industry.

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