This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.
PHILIPSBURG — A corner of Centre County will be celebrating its heritage along with the America 250 celebration at the annual Philipsburg Heritage Days event this week.
The event is held the week following the Fourth of July holiday and follows the schedule established by the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts in State College to allow joint marketing for both events to increase attendance.
Heritage Days will be held in Downtown Philipsburg from July 8-11 with this year’s theme designated as “Let Freedom Ring.”
According to Syed Karimushan, one of the organizers, there have been a few changes to this year’s celebration.
For the first time, there will be an ATV Ride-In sponsored by FiveStar Powersports on Friday and Saturday.
“ATV riders can use certain roads leading to downtown Philipsburg on their buggies, park at designated parking spots and visit Heritage Days for food, exhibitors and entertainment,” Karimushan said.
Also new this year is the 250th Anniversary Quilt that will be on display at the Rowland Theatre downtown.
“We worked with the Moshannon Valley Quilters Association to make a community quilt, where we asked community members to donate a block and the MV Quilters put it together as a 250th Anniversary Quilt,” Karimushan explained. “It will be unveiled on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at the Sound Stage, and then it will be on display at one of the windows at the Rowland Theatre. “It’s a beautiful piece of work, themed for the 250th Anniversary — full of red, white and blue,” Karimushan added. “We’re very excited to show it to the community.”
Saturday’s Grand Parade will start at noon for the second year in a row instead of the 2 p.m. time slot it has occupied for several years.
“We had the parade start at 2 p.m. forever, and last year we decided to change it to noon,” Karimushan said. “In July, even a couple of hours make a difference in mid-afternoon heat, and it allows us to have more time for activities downtown, before people start gathering for entertainment and fireworks at Cold Stream Dam.
He described Saturday as typically “a lull day” — so the committee is adding more entertainment this year.
Stephanie & the Wild Hearts will perform a concert at the Lee Industries Sound Stage at 4:30 p.m.
“We haven’t had a concert on a Saturday in a really long time, so we’re hoping this will make Saturday busier than past years,” Karimushan said. “We encourage food vendors to stay open on Saturday, so there’s your last chance for some great fair food.”
This year’s parade features at least 11 bands — and some of those bands are Drum and Bugle Corps groups. The popular Drum and Bugle Corps presentation returns to this year’s schedule following the parade at the Philipsburg Towers at 2:30 p.m.
“Last year, we had over 90 floats (in the parade), so we should be in that ballpark this year,” Karimushan said. “The parade is one of the best in the area and attended by many. People start putting out chairs and reserving spots almost two nights before the parade, that’s how much they look forward to this.”
The parade is judged by the Delaware Valley Parade Judges, a professional judging group that has been adjudicating the parade since 1997.
Following the parade, the usual fireworks display will be held at Cold Stream Dam at 9:30 p.m. along with music entertainment at the amphitheater area.
“Last year we tried out a foam bath for the kids, where huge foams made out of baby shampoo mixed with water are shot out of cannons, and kids can basically get covered in soapy foam,” Karimushan said. “I was a little worried how parents would react to that idea, but when many parents joined in, I figured it was a hit. We are bringing it back this year.”
Numerous food vendors — old and new — will be on hand along with crafters and exhibitors, added entertainment at the sound stage, many educational and fun activities at the CenClear Kids Zone, and more.
“We’re hopeful that the weather will stay good and vendors and entertainment will increase foot traffic in downtown Philipsburg than past years,” Karimushan said. “All in all, we’re expecting another successful Heritage Days week.”
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Tuesday, July 7 (Soft opening)
- 7:30 p.m. – Stage Crew Block Party with music by Zero Tolerance at the Lee Industries Sound Stage on Front Street. A few food vendors will be open.
Wednesday, July 7
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Kidz Zone Activities at CenClear and Partner area on Front Street by Philipsburg Towers.
- 2 p.m.- Voorhees Blue Band at Lee Industries Sound Stage
- 4:30 p.m. – Community Quilt Presentation at Lee Industries Sound Stage
- 5:30 p.m. – Moshannon Valley YMCA Student Youth Theatre presents songs from Wizard of Oz at Lee Industries Sound Stage
- 7 p.m. – Watermelon Eating Contest on Front Street by Philipsburg Towers
- 7 p.m. – Down to the Wire classic rock at Lee Industries Sound Stage
Thursday, July 9
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Kidz Zone
- 1:30 to 5 p.m. – Art Show at Holt Memorial Library
- 3 p.m. – Low Jack mixed music at Lee Industries Sound Stage
- 7 p.m. – The Moore Brothers variety music at Lee Industries Sound Stage
Friday, July 10
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Kidz Zone
- 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Art Show at Holt Memorial Library
- 7 p.m. – Hair Force One 80s metal at Lee Industries Sound Stage
Saturday, July 11
9:30 p.m. – Fireworks at Cold Stream Dam
parade at the Philipsburg
Towers at 2:30 p.m.
12 noon – Grand Parade
2:30 p.m. – Drum & Bugle Corps Presentation on Front Street near Philipsburg Towers
4 p.m. – Parade winners announced at Lee Industries Sound Stage
4:30 p.m. – Stephanie & the Wild Hearts mixed music at Lee Industries Sound Stage
8 p.m. – Lighted Foam Party at amphitheater area near Cold Stream Dam
