Boalsburg Memorial Day Weekend Events Return

Boalsburg Fire Company’s traditional Memorial Day weekend events are set to return after a two-year absence resulting from uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fire company’s carnival starts Thursday night and continues through Monday at the station grounds on East Pine Street, while the parade will take place on Saturday afternoon. More events, including Monday’s annual Day in Town, are scheduled throughout the weekend around the village, which lays claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1864.

Dating back to the 1960s, the carnival now generates about $20,000 a year for the volunteer fire company — important funds that provide help for expenses like a new engine that will soon be completed. But Chief Van Winter says the first things that comes to mind when asked about the events’ importance are seeing kids enjoy the rides, community members coming together and forging bonds.

“It’s a big fundraiser for us, but it’s the community aspect,” Winter said. “People see us [out on a call] but here we get to see each other, get to know each other better.”

The carnival runs 6-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, after the parade until 10 p.m. on Saturday, 2-6 p.m. on Sunday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday. Thursday and Sunday are wristband days, with unlimited rides for $20.

Winter said he believes a few more rides have been added for this year, along with all the usual amusements, food and activities attendees have come to expect.

For the parade, no pre-registration is required. The parade lineup is set for 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, with the parade stepping off at 5 p.m. sharp. The route will follow:
West Pine Street
East Pine Street
Boal Avenue
East Main Street
West Main Street
Wagner Street

Marching groups will be staged at Blue Spring Park on Wagner Street. Emergency vehicles will be staged on Bailey Lane off of West Main Street and other large vehicles will be staged on West Main Street. Personnel will be out to assist with directions.

Winter said there has been heightened interest in the parade this year.

“We’ve had a lot of people call to ask about the parade,” he said. “It may be a little longer just from all the people who have asked about it.

Monday is Boalsburg’s Day in Town, which includes the Memorial Day Race starting at 8:30 a.m. in Blue Spring Park. Throughout the day, the village will have vendors, live entertainment, activities and demonstrations, with additional events taking place at Boal Mansion, Boalsburg Heritage Museum and the Pennsylvania Military Muesum.

The day culminates with the procession at 5:45 p.m. to the cemetery, where the annual Memorial Day service, emceed by Jeff Brown, will take place starting at 6 p.m.

Check the Boalsburg Memorial Day, Boalsburg Fire Company and Harris Township Facebook pages for any scheduling updates.

Boalsburg Memorial Day Weekend Schedule

Thursday, May 26

6-10 p.m. Boalsburg Fireman’s Carnival (Wristband Night, $20 unlimited rides)

Friday, May 27

Pennsylvania Military Museum open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

6-10 p.m. Boalsburg Fireman’s Carnival

Saturday, May 28

8-10 a.m. – Preregistration & T-shirt pick-up for Memorial Day Run at Blue Spring Park

Pennsylvania Military Museum
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Open to the public; WWII Living History Encampment
Firing and static Demonstrations 11 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.; 1-1:30 p.m.; and 3- 3:30 p.m.
Lecture by local historian at 2 p.m.

Boal Mansion
10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tours of the Columbus Chapel & Museum; Special textile, military uniform & gown exhibit in the museum conservatory

3-4 p.m. – Parade lineup begins, boalsburgfire.com for info5

5 p.m. – Boalsburg Fireman’s Parade

After the parade-10 p.m. – Boalsburg Fireman’s Carnival

Sunday, May 29

8-10 a.m. – Preregistration & T-shirt pick-up for Memorial Day Run at Blue Spring Park

Boal Mansion
10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tours of the Columbus Chapel & Museum; Special textile, military uniform & gown exhibit in the museum conservatory; 19th Century Cricket Game Demonstration on Boal Mansion Grounds

Zion Lutheran Church
9-10 a.m. Colonial liturgy service with patriotic hymns
10:15-11:30 a.m. Worship Wagon colonial liturgy service with patriotic hymns

Pennsylvania Military Museum
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Open to the public; WWII Living History Encampment
11-11:30 a.m. and 1-1:30 p.m. Firing and static Demonstrations ; and 3- 3:30 p.m.
2 p.m. Lecture by local historian

2-6 p.m. Boalsburg Fireman’s Carnival (Wristband Day, $20 unlimited rides)

Monday, May 30, Memorial Day

A Day in Town

7:15-8:15 a.m. Registration for Memorial Day Run, Blue Spring Park

8:30 a.m. Memorial Day Run

9 a.m.- 3 p.m. St. John’s Church baked goods sale (outside); soup sale (inside); kids games in the yard

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Boalsburg Garden Club Plant Sale

10 a.m.-4 p..m. 120+ vendors on Church and main streets

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

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Blacksmith Shop blacksmithing demonstrations featuring John Wood and Eric Johnson (Located on the east side of the Township Building, 224 E. Main St.

10 a.m.-noon – Dan & Galla Musical Show at the Heritage Museum

10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Memorial Day Stage Entertainment
– 10:30-11:30 a.m. SCAHS Jazz Band
– 11:30 a.m.-noon St. Joseph’s A Capella
– Noon-1 p.m. Little German Band
– 12:30 p.m. Maypole Dance, Central PA Dance Workshop
– 1:30-2:30 p.m. Screaming Ducks
– 2:30- 3 p.m. Bob Timney
– 3-4 p.m. Pure Cane Sugar

5:45 p.m. Walk to the cemetery

6 p.m. – Cemetery Ceremony (emceed by Jeff Brown)

Boal Mansion
9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Special 30-minute tours of the Columbus & Museum Armory
10 a.m.-5 p.m. 19th Century Cricket Game Demonstration
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Artisans and food vendors, history book sale, kids activities and bounce house
11 a.m. and 1 p.m. WWI Doughboy Reenactors bayonet drill demonstration
Noon and 2 p.m. WWI Doughboy Reenactors rifle demonstration
Live Music
– 10: 30 a.m. Bellefonte Municipal Band
– 12:30 p.m. JT Thompson & The Denicats
– 2:30 p.m. OverHead

Pennsylvania Military Museum
9 a.m.-5 p.m. AACA Car Show
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Museum open

Boalsburg Heritage Museum, 304 E. Main St.
Follow the balloons to the Boalsburg Heritage Museum to tour the house, see antique carriages and wagons in the barn, and sample a cookie baked on the open-hearth fireplace in the summer kitchen. Enjoy Bees Knees Coffee and refreshments from Cakes by Tati .Music all day long beginning at 10 a.m. with the Dan & Galla Musical Show.

Chat with friends and neighbors in the garden where adults and kids can play games. Throw seed balls into the wetlands and learn the art of “Nature Printing.” Meet Mattee Stoicheff, a State High student and the 2021 Centre County Grange Fair Queen, and Sandy Faller, the museum intern and member of the Penn State Blue Band.