Memorial Day Celebration Kicks Off Thursday Night

Memorial Day marks the traditional start of the summer season, and a lot of people can’t wait to have some fun. Maybe that’s why the Memorial Day holiday weekend gets an early start around here. It all begins Thursday night with the annual Boalsburg Fire Company Carnival.

Boalsburg Fire Company Chief Van Winter is a 30-year veteran. Winter says the carnival sort of marks the end of the school year, and it’s generally the first major event when the weather starts to warm up.

The carnival will undoubtedly help draw thousands of people to Boalsburg over the next four days. The fire company puts on a show, including amusement park rides, and lots and lots of food.

We’ll do roughly between 900 to 1,100 sausage sandwiches in a four day period, says Winter. “We’ll go through 40-45 cases of french fries … 800 halves of chickens … and I’ don’t know how many burgers we’ll go through.”

Fire company volunteers spend countless hours planning and getting everything set up. It helps that the members’ extended families pitch in, with boyfriends and girlfriends helping along with wives, husbands and children.

A word to the wise — chief Winter says, “Weather’s going to be cool, you might want to put a jacket on.”

There are a few things you should know about Memorial Day in Boalsburg. For starters, some roads will be closed on Memorial Day — starting at 7:30 a.m., East and West Main Streets, North and South Church Streets, North and South Academy Streets, Loop Road (from Chambers Alley to Main Street); Rockey Alley, East and West Pine Street and Old Boalsburg Road.

Visitors are encouraged leave their cars outside the Village and walk or use Loop Road to Chambers Alley to access the Village Area. West Main Street will also be open to Tennis Alley after the end of the Fun Run (about 10:00 AM).

As you know, Boalsburg claims to be the home of Memorial Day, so the carnival is only part of the fun. You’ll find the complete event listing below.

Boalsburg Fire Company Carnival Starts Thursday
The Boalsburg Fire Company’s annual carnival starts Thursday night, May 23rd at 6:00 PM. The carnival runs Thursday through Monday and features two wristband nights – Thursday and Sunday. More information on the carnival can be found by clicking HERE.

Fire Company Parade to Be Held Saturday
The annual fire company parade steps off on Saturday, May 25th at 5:00 PM. The following streets will be closed starting at 4:00 p.m.: East and West Main Streets, East and West Pine Streets, Wagner Street, North Church Street (from Boal Avenue to Chambers Alley) and Academy Street from East Pine Street to Chambers Alley.

33rd Annual Boalsburg Memorial Day Run on Monday
The race will be held May 27th starting at 8:30 a.m. It’s a four mile course through historic Boalsburg for runners and walkers, with all race proceeds benefiting Boalsburg-area causes. Race applications are available at Rapid Transit. You can register online by clicking HERE. 

Memorial Day Schedule

MAIN & CHURCH STREETS
• 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Pies accepted – 29th Annual Pie Contest
• 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Village Shops Open
• 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sidewalk Sales – Crafts & Food
Plant Sale – Garden Club – Zion Lutheran Church
• 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Organ Recital – St. John’s UCC Church 1861 Durner Organ – Ryan Ditmer, organist

MAIN STAGE AT THE DIAMOND
• 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. State College High School Jazz Band. Among the finest high school jazz bands in our country, this group has performed extensively in the states and abroad.
• 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Little German Band
Maypole Dance at 12:30 p.m. Featuring the Central PA Dance Workshop
• 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Nightcrawlers. Vocally sonic and rhythmically diverse, the NC shift from Indie, classic rock, soul, funk, and alt country with ease.
• 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. State College Community Theatre. Selections from the 2013 Summer Season
• 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pure Cane Sugar. Evokes exquisite vocals through sultry voices, soulful harmonies and powerful lyrics

BOALSBURG HERITAGE MUSEUM – 304 East Main Street
• 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Guided Tours; Featured Exhibit (free)
• 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Hot Pretzels – Beehive Oven
• 1:00 p.m. Awards – Memorial Day Essay Contest Winners
• 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Dan and Galla. “Feel good music” of many styles – Interactive and fun

PENNSYLVANIA MILITARY MUSEUM – Route 322 & Boalsburg Pike
• 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m Pre-war and classic antique cars at the Shrine. Allegheny Region Antique Automobile Club
• 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m Military Museum Open for tours (fee)

BOAL MANSION MUSEUM – 300 Old Boalsburg Road
• 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Guided tours – Columbus Chapel; Boal Mansion Museum (fee)
Civil War Encampments – 148th PA Volunteer Infantry – Hampton’s Legion Artillery
Dominion Science Center – Interactive science exhibits all ages
Craft demonstrations and sales
Food, drink and dessert booths – Including Amish pretzels & whole hog BBQ sandwiches
• 9:00 a.m. Hampton’s Legion Artillery Cannonade
• 9:30 a.m. Coburn Brass – Civil War brass music
• 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. 148th PA Volunteer Infantry vs Hampton’s Legion Artillary – Live Civil War Battle
• 11.00 a.m. Bellefonte Community Band – Patriotic brass music
• 12:15 p.m. Christopher Kent -Singer/songwriter – Original music
• 1:15 p.m. Boal Awards – Education, Historic Preservation, Community Service
• 2:00 p.m. OverheaD – Rock & roll
• 3:00 p.m. Gina Ricci – Rock singer – accompanied by Chris Lee on piano
• 3:30 p.m. OverheaD – Rock & roll
• 4:30 p.m. Gina Ricci – Rock singer – accompanied by Chris Lee on piano
• 5:00 p.m. Hampton’s Legion Artillery Cannonade

Memorial Day Service to Feature John Wainright

As has been the practice since 1864, the community will gather on the Diamond at 5:45 p.m. Monday, May 27th for the traditional walk to the cemetery. This will be followed by the 6:00 PM Memorial Day Service, featuring speaker John Wainright.

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