PRESS RELEASE – The Tamaqua Historical Society will present its 30th Annual Tamaqua Heritage Festival on Sunday October 12 in downtown Tamaqua from 10 AM till 5 PM, rain or shine. For the past three decades, the annual event celebrates the fall foliage season in the community that historically has served as mining, railroad, and manufacturing hub of the coal region.
The festival encompasses about seven blocks of downtown Tamaqua, all within the Tamaqua National Historic District. Several thousand people flock to the popular event each year to celebrate our local history and culture, and enjoy the fall foliage, For many who attend the festivals in Tamaqua, it serves as a homecoming to get together with family and friends to attend the Heritage Festival and enjoy the outdoors before the winter sets in.
Railroads are a big part of Tamaqua’s heritage. The 1874 Tamaqua Railroad Station will be open for visitors to see the beautifully restored interior or enjoy a bite to eat while they are there.  The Tamaqua Anthracite Model Railroad Club will hold an open house at their headquarters at the corner of West Broad and Nescopeck Streets. Their display includes a huge operating HO model train layout which will delight young and old alike. There will be no fall foliage train rides at the Festival this year, but they will now be offered every year during the Tamaqua Summerfest on Father’s Day. In addition, the Tamaqua Historical Society and the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway and Reading and Northern Railroad will be co-sponsoring Santa Claus Special Train Rides from the Tamaqua station on Saturday December 20, 2014.  Information and possibly tickets will be available this Sunday during the Heritage Festival. While visiting the station on Sunday, stop by to check out the historic railroad equipment surround the grounds including two WWII era cabooses, a small lokie which used to operate at the Atlas Powder Co. in nearby Reynolds. There is also the black Pennsylvania Power and Light Co. fireless locomotive which used to operate at the PP&L Power Plant at Lake Hauto.  A small green Plymouth gasoline operated lokie which was owned and operated by PP&L at another location.
In nearby Depot Square Park, visitors can also see and ring the large bell displayed there which was originally owned by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company and used at the Lansford No. 6 coal colliery.
Visitors will also enjoy a short walk to check out the beautiful new East Broad Street bridge over the Little Schuylkill River. The bridge just reopened last week after a major renovation project which included preserving the original double stone arch bridge beneath it. On the front lawn of the Tamaqua Hi Rise in front of the flag pole, visitors can check out a rare find that was excavated during the bridge renovations. It is a large stone which was found deep in the river bed and is believed to be an original corner stone from a previous wooden covered bridge across the Little Schuylkill Bridge in the 1880s. The rare find was saved during the bridge renovations through the foresight of the contractor working on the bridge. The stone was donated to the Tamaqua Historical Society and is now on display in front of the High Rise. The date and names of those who built the earlier bridge are hand engraved in the large stone.
The 1801 Burkhardt Moser Log Home on East Broad Street just a half block east of the new bridge will not be open for tours on the inside until a new stairway is constructed in front of it. Visitors can walk up to the log cabin to view it from the outside. The log home will be open for tours again in the coming months.
Approximately one hundred crafters and vendors are expected to line the festival route this Sunday offering everything from beautiful handcrafts, to jewelry, woodcrafts, holiday decorations, artwork, needle crafts, clothing items, and much more.
Harmony Lodge #86 and Lady Harmony Rebekah Lodge #86 will present an old fashioned Pie and Pumpkin walk in Depot Square Park.
Blacksmith Don Campbell will be working at the forge and demonstrating his blacksmithing skills in the 1848 Hegarty Blacksmith Shop throughout the day. The Hegarty Blacksmith Shop is located along Hegarty Avenue, and was owned and operated by three generations of the Hegarty family from 1848 until 1973.  It was the oldest operating business in Schuylkill County when it closed. Admission is free.
Dr. Kelly’s Old Tyme Traveling Medicine Show will delight adults and children alike at the corner of W. Broad and Nescopeck Streets.  Autumn decorating supplies, fresh apple cider, and homegrown produce will be available at the Autumn Harvest Market at the corner of W. Broad and Hunter Streets on Sunday. Horsedrawn Trolley Car rides pulled by Leiby’s famous Belgian Draft Horses will be offered around the festival area. Boarding and tickets are at the corner of W. Broad and Berwick Streets. This popular ride originated at the Tamaqua Heritage Festival many years ago nearly 30 years ago and has become a staple at many festivals throughout the region. Stop by the Alpaca corral downtown to pet and learn more about these wonderful animals.
Always a popular addition to the festival is the Tamaqua Street Machine Association antique and classic car show on South Railroad St. The car show draws many beautiful and historic automobiles from all over the region. Registrations are accepted the day of the event beginning at 10 AM. Awards will be presented at 3 PM and a disc jockey will provide music during the day.
The Military Timeline Encampment and reenactors will represent various wars in our country’s history. They will be setup on the grass next to the American Legion Home in Tamaqua.
A variety of musical entertainment will be offered at several locations including folk musician Dave Matsinko, the 3 AM band, WMGH Polka program, and DJ Brandon along the festival route during the day. Many local organizations will also participate in the Heritage Festival with fundraising stands selling food, baked goods, calendars, and much more. Come out and support your local organizations.  Many food vendors will offering tons of favorite homemade ethnic foods and festival goodies.
A large display of historic Tamaqua area photographs will be exhibited at the Tamaqua Historical Society Museum on West Broad Street. While you are there take a look inside the now vacant museum building which is slated for major renovations coming shortly. See the before condition and come back when it is finished after the planned renovations.
For further information about the October 12th Tamaqua Heritage Festival, call the Tamaqua Historical Society at (570) 225-1089.