PHILIPSBURG — The fireworks show at Philipsburg Heritage Days is back on this year, after a two-year absence because of the reconstruction of Cold Stream Dam. It will be quite the show, according to event chairman Jim Pollock.
“They shoot the fireworks over the lake and you can see the reflection in the water and it is really pretty great to see,” said Pollock. “It is just beautiful.”
The annual festival kicks off with an awards ceremony Tuesday, July 10, and the festival kicks off in earnest Wednesday, July 11, and runs until Sunday, July 15, which is car show day.
Along with the return of fireworks at 10 p.m. Saturday, July 14, the festival has a “Going Green” theme this year, with an emphasis put on recycling. Pollock said the town is looking as beautiful as ever with the improvement at the dam and area parks made by the borough, and Heritage Days wants to promote that as much as possible.
“Looking through town, with all the historic buildings and all the work the borough has done, it is beautiful. We want to encourage people to be a part of that and keep it clean, and promote the town,” said Pollock.
To go along with the going green theme, the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council will be displaying its interactive WoodMobile at the festival through Friday, July 13, at noon. According to its website, the WoodMobile educates the public about Pennsylvania’s forests and sustainable forest management. It is a great way for members of the public to test their knowledge about one of Pennsylvania’s biggest resources, said Pollock.
Fun children’s activities will be going on throughout the festival, which is sponsored by Cen-Clear and other local agencies. Pollock said the activities encourage participation among children.
The Sports for All Hearts 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, July 14, kicks off a big day. Organized by the YMCA of Centre County’s Moshannon Branch, the race starts downtown at 8 a.m. Money raised by the race goes toward helping children and teens with special needs and autism participate in sports.
After the race, the streets will be busy with the grand parade beginning at 2 p.m. With 17 bands, it is one of the bigger parades in the area, according to Pollock. After the parade, there will be a drum and bugle corps presentation with five bugle players.
The fun is all-festival long at Heritage Days, with lots of great food and entertainment throughout, said Pollock. The watermelon eating contest the first night is something both kids and adult will love to participate in, he said.
A Heritage Days schedule is available at www.philipsburgheritagedays.com.
