TUNKHANNOCK — Tunkhannock’s Founder’s Day pulls together activities that celebrate long-held Tunkhannock traditions as well as the introduction of new events. The annual celebration, set for Saturday, June 23, includes festivities that highlight the over 100 year-anniversary of an area businesses and also adds entertainment, music, over 150 vendors along with a great assortment of food.
Visitors to Tunkhannock can take part in Gay’s True Value 105th anniversary celebration, enjoy the unique historical displays at both the Historical Society and the Dietrich Theater, car shows at both Sherwood Chevrolet and Model A Day at Tunkhannock Ford, take a tour of “A Secret Garden” in the gardens of Ebb’s Landscaping and Candy Jar. Then top the evening off with Theater in the Park at Riverside Park’s rendition of “MacBeth,” relates Nancy Parlo, director for the Tunkhannock Business and Professional Association organizing the annual event.
Peoples Security Bank is returning as the presenting sponsor of the festival which begins at 10 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m.
Tioga Street will be closed to traffic from Warren Street to McCord Street, allowing visitors better access to the car show at Sherwood Chevrolet. To reduce the amount of traffic coming into Tunkhannock, there are two shuttle and parking areas. Traffic going through town will be diverted off Tioga Street onto McCord and away from Tioga Street.
For many years, Whipple Performing Arts Studio and the Wyoming County Players have played a large role in the success of Founder’s Day by coordinating a day of entertainment. They are not participating this year, so they can dedicate more time and energy to their theater and upcoming productions. This year, TBPA has organized a “Family Fun Zone” at the First National Bank parking lot behind the gazebo. This area includes Bounce House Party Rental fun activities, demonstrations and information from the Tunkhannock Area Robotics Team, Proctor and Gamble product truck and kids’ activities with the Tunkhannock Public Library.
A record number of vendors will offer a unique variety of metal crafts, art, fabric crafts, woodworking, jewelry, home décor, photography, and other unique trades and professions. Several non-profit and service groups are also taking advantage of the large number of people expected to provide information.
The Dietrich Theater will host a display of “Every Day Life in 1900 Wyoming Valley.” The office for the Wyoming County Press Examiner on Tioga Street is serving as a welcome center where visitors can stop for information and a copy of the Founder’s Day map.
Volunteers from the Ambulance Association will be on hand with rescue equipment. Medical personnel will also be available to answer any questions about the organizations.
Food being offered this year includes Egyptian street food, pretzel sandwiches, potato pancakes, pierogis, halushki, hot dogs and burgers, fries, barbeque, chicken tenders, Maple syrup-based treats, along with a great variety of breads and desserts, including strawberry shortcake. Additionally, vendors throughout the area will sell specialty food items.
Three separate locations for music will be offered this year, coordinated by Kitson Arts Alliance. The first location will be at the intersection of Warren and Tioga, the second will be at Kitson Art Gallery and the third will be near the intersection of Pine and Tioga across from Wyoming County Beverage. Performers include JP Williams, Blues, Farm Dog, Lindsey Nulton Van Gorden, Jessica Illuzzi, Matt Bennick and Alex Key.
Also members of the barbershop group will stroll through town and T. Town Twirlers will perform at the intersection of Tioga and Pine from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Wyoming County United Way will hold its annual Duck Derby. With several thousand dollars of prizes, the drawing is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Duck Pond. Artists from the Endless Mountains Council of the Arts will exhibit paintings, offering many for sale.
The Wyoming County Historical Society will participate in the annual celebration with tours of the genealogical library and museum. Since 1976, the Wyoming County Historical Society has worked diligently in the preservation of records, both vital and historical, pertaining to the heritage of individuals who have lived in and around Wyoming County. The historical society is located at the corner of Bridge and Harrison Streets.
This year, there are two shuttle bus locations, one located in the school district parking lot and the other behind Ace Robbins Gas and Propane at the United Methodist Church “The Gathering” field. There will be directional signage for each location.
For more information: www.tunkhannockbusiness.com
