PHILIPSBURG — Starting Tuesday, Front Street will fill with people coming together to “Celebrate Philipsburg.”
That’s the theme of the 2012 Heritage Days festivities, which run through Sunday. This year’s events mark the 15th anniversary of what began as a celebration of the borough’s bicentennial in 1997.
“I love it. It’s the best local festival I go to,” said Jennifer Lee, of DuBois.
From a street fair and a parade, the celebration has grown each year, with themes that have focused on the contributions of veterans, educators, churches, businesses and service organizations.
A calendar that put children’s activities on one day and senior events on another has evolved into a jam-packed weeklong schedule with something for everyone every day, such as the children’s activities sponsored by Cen-Clear Child Services, and a round-robin of musical talent on the Edward Navasky Memorial Sound Stage. More activities, like clogging, Zumba and karate demonstrations, will bring the party into the middle of Front Street, as well anticipated annual favorites like the water-melon- eating contest.
In between those activities, festival- goers will be exploring streets packed with vendor booths and concession stands.
For many, though, events culminate on the weekend, with Saturday bringing the Philipsburg-Osceola PTO’s 5K Race for Education, the Grand Parade, the finals of a two-day karaoke contest, and the band Mocking Birds at the Cold Stream Pavilion, followed by fireworks sponsored by the municipality. Sunday continues events with the annual car show on Front Street and cow chip bingo at the Philipsburg-Osceola Memorial Field.
Megan Calon, of State College, will be bringing her four kids for the hometown feel of the festival, as she does every year. “It’s just very community. It’s great for friends and family,” she said.
