The Tamaqua Historical Society will present its 24th Annual Tamaqua Summerfest this Sunday (Father’s Day, Sunday June 15, 2014) from 10 AM to 5 PM in downtown Tamaqua. Popular features of the festival include scenic train rides, large craft and street fair downtown, car show, variety of entertainment and food.
“Tamaqua Summerfest is a free event that offers fun for the entire family,” said Dale Freudenberger, President, Tamaqua Historical Society. “Summerfest is a great way to kickoff the summer season and celebrate Fathers Day with Dad and the entire family.”
Freudenberger added that vendors, stretching from Nescopeck to South Railroad Street, from all over the region will display hand crafts, unique items, jewelry, clothing, antiques, and much more throughout the downtown. In addition, many local organizations will be holding fundraising events during the day.
In addition to numerous food vendors, local restaurants will also be open during the festival.
Blacksmith Don Campbell will be working at the forge and anvil in the 1848 Hegarty Blacksmith Shop on Hegarty Avenue.
Freudenberger mentioned that the Moser Log Home of Tamaqua’s founder located will not be open this year until the bridge construction is completed on East Broad Street.
Tamaqua’s Railroad Station, built in 1874, will be open for tours; including Vonz Restaurant and historical photos of Tamaqua railroad heritage decorating the walls.
Tamaqua Anthracite Model Railroad Club will feature an open house at its spectacular model train display located in the lower level of the Masonic Building on Nescopeck Street.
The Tamaqua Historical Society Museum, at 118 West Broad Street, is currently closed awaiting the start of major renovations beginning this Summer.
Old time horse-drawn trolley rides, pulled by Leiby’s famous Belgian Draft horses, will be offered around the festival streets.
Tamaqua Street Machine Association will showcase antique and classic cars from 10 AM to 3 PM along South Railroad Street. People’s Choice trophies will be presented to the top three vote-getters, plus a coveted Mayor’s Choice trophy is to be awarded as well. Prizes will be announced at 3 PM. Registration is free and all car enthusiasts are welcome. A DJ will be on hand. There is no charge for the car show.
Stop in this week and purchase train tickets in advance for three train excursions departing from Tamaqua Railroad Station during the Summerfest.  Circa 1920s passenger coaches pulled by a diesel locomotive will take passengers through some of the most scenic areas of Schuylkill County on the railroad. This rail route was first opened in 1829 by the Little Schuylkill Navigation, Railroad and Coal Company. It was the first railroad in the nation to use steam power to haul Anthracite coal. The rail line connected the rich coal mines in the Tamaqua area to the Schuylkill Canal in Port Clinton. The first locomotive was the Catawissa which tool its maiden trip in 1831. Prior to 1831, the railroad operated with horse-drawn rail coaches for passengers as well as coal. It is also the third oldest rail route in the United States.
The first of the train excursions on Father’s Day will depart from the historic 1874 Tamaqua Railroad Station at 11 AM and take passengers southbound to New Ringgold and return. The 1 PM and 3 PM trips will also depart the Tamaqua Station and head north through the 150-year-old Tamaqua Tunnel ending on top of the famous railroad ‘High Bridge’ north of Tamaqua, and then return.
“This will be the first time summer train excursions are being offered in Tamaqua in several years,” noted Freudenberger. “The trips are sponsored by the Tamaqua Historical Society in partnership with the Reading, Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad and Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.” 
Tickets for the Fathers Day train excursions can be purchased in advance at the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce office at 114 West Broad St. in Tamaqua.  Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 to 4 PM. Wednesdays from 9 to 3 PM.  Call (570) 225-1089 for tickets or information. Ticket prices for adults 13 and older are $12.00. Children age 4 through 12 are $9.00. Age 3 and under ride free with each paying adult. All passengers must have a ticket to ride. Advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended. Seats are not assigned. Any tickets not sold in advance will be sold on a first come, first served basis the day of the excursions at the Tamaqua Railroad Station.
The always popular Polka Joe Manjack of WLSH will be playing the Polka tunes and chatting with festival goers in front of the Tamaqua Museum on West Broad Street from 10 AM to 1 PM followed my DJ Brandon Fritz in the afternoon.  Music by ‘3 AM’ will entertain in front of M&S Hardware at West Broad and Railroad Streets. Folk musician Jay Smar will perform near the Hegarty Blacksmith Shop during the day. The Tamaqua Community Arts Center will be open for visitors at 125 Pine Street (Rt. 309 North) across from the Family Dollar shopping center. Buster the Clown will also entertain children along the festival route during the afternoon.
Summerfest is one of the largest annual celebrations in Downtown Tamaqua and provides a great way to get outdoors, enjoy the summer weather, and celebrate Father’s Day with Dad and the family.
For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce’s Summerfest and Train Ride information line  at (570) 225-1089.

Click HERE to view Tamaqua Summerfest photos from past years.