Celebrations, Remembrance Part of Boalsburg Memorial Day Weekend

In 1864, as the Civil War still raged, three women — Emma Hunter, Sophie Keller, and Elizabeth Myers — decorated the graves of soldiers in the cemetery in Boalsburg, beginning a tradition and the starting point of Boalsburg’s claim as the birthplace of Memorial Day.

The village will once again commemorate Memorial Day and its heritage with fun events and times for remembrance.

Things get started Thursday night with the Boalsburg Fire Company Carnival, which will be held on the carnival grounds behind the fire station through Monday (see below for times). The carnival features midway rides and games and multiple food stands with barbecue chicken, hot sausage sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries and more. Bingo will be held in the truck room.

Wristband Days are on Thursday night and Sunday afternoon, when $15 gets individuals unlimited rides.

Saturday is parade day with lineup at 3 p.m. and the parade starting at 5 p.m. The carnival will be open after the parade until 10 p.m. The parade also celebrates the 125th anniversary of the Boalsburg Fire Company. A 125th anniversary celebration for the fire company is scheduled for July 22.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Pennsylvania Military Museum hosts World War II Revisited: Living History Bivouac, with living historians encamped on the grounds, portraying field life in the European Theater of Operations in 1944 and 1945. A short history of the war begins at 12:45 p.m., immediately followed by a tactical demonstration against German opposition. The bivouac is open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and there will be musical entertainment at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 

Memorial Day on Monday is A Day in Town, with a full slate of events. The day kicks off with the 37th Annual Boalsburg Memorial Day Run. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. in Blue Spring Park and the 3.8 mile run or walk begins at 8:30 a.m., winding through the historic village.

The Day in Town festival goes from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and features live music and entertainment, food and arts and crafts vendors. The Boalsburg Garden Club Plant Sale also will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m..

Also from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Boal Mansion Museum will be open with Civil War re-enactors, live music, food, arts and craft vendors, historic demonstrations, a petting zoo, and tours of the armory and Columbus Chapel. 

The Blacksmith Shop, 224 E. Main St., will have live blacksmithing demonstrations and the Boalsburg Heritage Museum will be open for tours.

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Military Museum grounds, the regional chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America will host its annual car show, with pre-war through modern classics on display throughout the grounds. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The day concludes with a walk to the cemetery from the diamond at 5:45 p.m. and a memorial service at 6 p.m.

Schedule

May 25

6-10 p.m. Boalsburg Fire Company Carnival, Wristband Night – $15 unlimited rides.

May 26

6-10 p.m. Boalsburg Fire Company Carnival

May 27

9 a.m.-Noon Pre-registraion and packet pickup for Memorial Day Run, Blue Spring Park

10 a.m.-4 p.m. PA Military Museum Open; World War II Revisited: Living History Bivouac

1:30-5 p.m.  Boal Mansion Museum open

5 p.m.  Boalsburg Fire Company Parade

After parade-10 p.m. Boalsburg Fire Company Carnival

May 28

10 a.m.-4 p.m. PA Military Museum Open; World War II Revisited: Living History Bivouac

1:30-5 p.m.  Boal Mansion Museum open

2-6 p.m. Boalsburg Fire Company Carnival, Wristband Day – $15 unlimited rides

4-7 p.m.  Civil War Ball at Boal Mansion (reservations required)

May 29

8:30 a.m. 37th Annual Boalsburg Memorial Day Run, Blue Spring Park

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Children’s Carnival, Side Lawn, St. John’s Church

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  AACA Car Show, PA Military Museum

10 a.m.-4 p.m. 130 vendors on Church and Main streets

10 a.m. 4 p.m. Boalsburg Garden Club Plant Sale

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Boalsburg Fireman’s Carnival

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Boal Mansion open with Civil War re-enactors, live music, food, arts and craft vendors, historic demonstrations, 19th century rides, a petting zoo, and tours of the armory and Columbus Chapel.

10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Boalsburg Heritage Museum, East Main Street, open for tours

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Live blacksmithing demonstrations, Blacksmith Shop, 224 E. Main Street

10 a.m.-5 p.m. PA Military Museum open

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tours of Nittany Theatre at the Barn, behind Boal Mansion

10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.  Memorial Day Stage Entertainment on the Diamond

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Quilting Bees Quilt Show, St. John’s Church Sanctuary

2 – 4p.m. Dan & Galla Musical Show at the Boalsburg Heritage Museum

5:45 p.m.  Traditional walk to the cemetery from the Diamond

6 p.m. Cemetery service