Happy 150th to Frackville: Week of festivities kicks off June 27
The United States of America's 250th year as a nation isn't the only major milestone being celebrated communitywide in Schuylkill County. Frackville Borough was officially incorporated in 1876, making this its sesquicentennial - or 150th birthday.
Expressions of community pride started popping up all over town in April with a fire hydrant painting contest. A small sample of the social media share-worthy artwork: One bears the likeness of Olaf from the "Frozen" animation franchise, another looks like a space shuttle, and yet another has the distinct exterior of St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church.
According to sesquicentennial committee member Kim Phillips, painting Frackville's hydrants is a throwback activity from the 1976 U.S. bicentennial, when they were painted red, white and blue, and 2001, which was Frackville's 125th birthday.
Phillips described the multigenerational creativity that's been channeled into the hydrant painting contest as "off the charts" and said that the committee is working on a way to recognize all the participants. Awards will be presented during the Community Picnic on June 28.
"It's just nice to see everybody's participating," she said. "The creativity is just unbelievable. … Now we see Pottsville's doing it, Tamaqua's inquired about it."
There's also a Frackville 150 house decorating contest that's captured residents' imaginations. Judging is scheduled to take place July 1 and 2. "People who aren't even participating in the contest are still decorating their homes, trying to throw in as much (America) 250 and Frackville 150 spirit as possible," Phillips said.
This week, a sold-out sesquicentennial historical walk of Frackville was led by local historian and Facebook content creator Gary Klem. "It is so refreshing to see everybody being happy and inspired," Phillips said.
And in case you haven't heard, or followed the Frackville PA Sesquicentennial Facebook page, there's a full week of events to go check out, starting Saturday, June 27 and continuing through July 3.
At a glance
June 27: 6:30 p.m. Community Parade, featuring five parade divisions and three mummers bands. Stepping off from the High Street Complex/little league field, it travels south on Centre Street, turns right onto Pine Street, left onto Fourth Street, left onto Spring Street, right onto Centre, left onto Frack Street, right onto Lehigh Street and right onto Arch Street concluding at the Elks lodge at Third and Arch. It's a rain or shine event.
June 28: 1-10 p.m. Community Picnic, Memorial Park. Bring your own picnic and blankets/lawn chairs. Activities include an ecumenical service from 1-2 p.m., music by the Cressona Band from 2-4 p.m., a "Growing Up Frackville" presentation by Gary Klem at 3, a town-wide scavenger hunt from 4 to 6, and music by Maggie & the Mutts from 7 to 10.
June 29: 6-10 p.m. First Responders Night & Community Health Fair, Memorial Park. There'll be food and music by JFK from 7-10 p.m.
June 30: 6-9 p.m. Frackville's Got Talent & Art Show, Frackville Borough Gym. A suggested $2 cover charge benefits the Frackville Ministerium Food Bank. Frank Jordan from 1950s and '60s regional favorites The Jordan Brothers closes the show. The lineup features the First United Methodist Church Bell Choir, St. Joseph the Worker Children's Choir, Jason Shockley, The Soul Sisters and Novices of St. Joseph's Music Ministry, Alicia Catizone and Tiffaney Maley solo and together, Elaine Mykolayko, Kaitlynn Fetterolf, and Sylvia Yonolunas.
July 1: 5-10:30 p.m. Youth Night at the Frackville Community Pool. Free swim from 5-8 p.m., music by Stranger Agents from 7 to 10, "Movie in the Park" at 9. The featured movie will be the top vote-getter on a ballot of five recent movies that was available at the pool, Phillips said.
July 2: 6-10 p.m. Veterans Night, Memorial Park. Veterans with any link to Frackville are welcome to come out and be honored. Entertainment includes DJ music by JB Sound from 6 to 7 and the band Sakes Alive from 7 to 10.
July 3: Fireworks show at dusk launched from the Frackville High Street Complex.
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published June 26, 2026 at 6:51 PM.