Dozens of events planned for Boalsburg’s Memorial Day weekend. See the schedule

This year marks the 162nd anniversary of Boalsburg’s Memorial Day Weekend celebration, and some of this year’s events fall in line with a major, nationwide occasion.

The United States’ 250th birthday is this year, and while the majority of Centre County’s America250PA celebrations are unfolding on or around the Fourth of July, some related events are also planned this weekend in Boalsburg, the self-proclaimed birthplace of Memorial Day.

This weekend’s celebration will run from Thursday to Monday evening, and will feature things to do for visitors of all ages, including a carnival, historical tours, reenactments, a parade and more.

Below is a full schedule of events, as listed in a Boalsburg Village Historical Society social media post.

Thursday, May 21

• 6-10 p.m. — Wristband night at the Boalsburg Fireman’s Carnival. Wristbands cost $25 and provide unlimited access to rides for the duration of the carnival’s hours.

Friday, May 22

• 2 p.m. — Drop-in tour at The Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum for $15 a person.
• 6-10 p.m. — Boalsburg Fireman’s Carnival
• 6:30 p.m. — World War II Veteran John Homan talks about his 34 combat missions as a B-24 bomber pilot at the Pennsylvania Military Museum, 51 Boal Ave.

Saturday, May 23

• 9-10:30 a.m. — A 5K Walk to Remember the Fallen sponsored by the military museum and A Soldier’s Hands. Online registration costs $20 for veterans, $25 for everyone else.
• 10 a.m. to noon — Pre-registration and tee shirt pickup for Memorial Day Run at Blue Spring Park, 230 Wagner St.
• 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. — Civil War-themed demonstrations, displays and reenactments will be held for the Battle Cry of Freedom: A Civil War Experience at the military museum. A full schedule for the experience is available online.
• Noon to 3 p.m. — “The Keeping of Liberty” presentation at the Boal Mansion, admission costs $5
• 3:30 p.m. — Parade lineup begins, lineup information available on Facebook
• 5 p.m. — Boalsburg Fireman’s Parade
• From parade’s end to 10 p.m. — Boalsburg Fireman’s Carnival

Sunday, May 24

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Civil War-themed demonstrations, displays and reenactments will be held for the Battle Cry of Freedom: A Civil War Experience at the military museum. A full schedule for the experience is available online.
• Noon to 2 p.m. — Pre-registration and T-shirt pickup for Memorial Day Run at Blue Spring Park
• 2 p.m. — Drop-in tour at The Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum for $15 a person
• 2-4 p.m. — Free Boalsburg Heritage Museum tours at 204 E. Main St.
• 2-6 p.m. — Boalsburg Fireman’s Carnival. $25 unlimited ride wristbands will be available for purchase again
• 4-7 p.m. — The Civil War Ball at the Boal Mansion Museum’s ballroom

Monday, May 25 — “A Day in Town”

• 8:30 a.m. — Memorial Day Run
• 9 a.m to 2 p.m. (or when sold out) — Pie and drinks will be for sale at a booth in front of St. John’s United Church of Christ, 218 N. Church St.
• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or when sold out) — Chicken and corn soup sale inside St. John’s United Church of Christ
• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — A quilt show and the Centre Pieces Quilt Guild will be in the sanctuary of St. John’s United Church of Christ.
• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — More than 140 vendors will line Main and Church streets.
• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Military museum merchandise and information booth open.
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Antique Automobile Club of America Car Show at military museum
• 9:30-10:30 a.m. — The America250 birthday cake will be on display at the Diamond
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Free children’s festival on the St. John’s United Church of Christ’s east lawn, which includes a bounce house, craft activities and more
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Boalsburg Fireman’s Carnival
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Boal Barn Snack Bar open
• 10: a.m. to 4 p.m. — Visitors welcome at the Boal Heritage Museum
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Free blacksmithing demonstrations by John Wood and Eric Johnson at blacksmith shop, 224 E. Main St.
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Historical reenactors, 19th century embalmer Dr. Ralph Aitkin, Tom Melville displaying 19th century pickup cricket games, basket raffle at the Boal Museum visitor center, face painting for kids, food, drink, craft vendors and artisans
• 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. — $5 tours of the Columbus Chapel. Parking also costs $5.
• 10:30 a.m. — Daughters of the American Revolution Historian presents “Henry Dale, Boalsburg Patriot,” followed by a reading of the Gettysburg Address
• 10:30-11:30 a.m. — Bellefonte Municipal Band plays at Boal Mansion porch
• 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Entertainment on the Memorial Day Stage at the Diamond, including performances by the State College Area High School Jazz Band, the Little German Band, a maypole dance by the Central PA Dance Workshop, The Screaming Ducks and A Rock Show.
• 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. — $5 tours of the Boal Museum armory. Parking also costs $5.
• 10:45 a.m. — The cutting and serving of the America250 cake
• 11 a.m. — Magic show by Mark Weidhass on St. John’s United Church of Christ’s east lawn
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Tours of the Zion Lutheran Church
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — “For You: The Keeping of Liberty” performance at the Boal Barn Playhouse, 163 Boal Estate Drive. Admission is $5
• 11:30 a.m. — State Rep. Paul Takac, D-College Township, to speak at Boal Mansion porch about America’s 250th anniversary, honoring local fallen heroes.
• 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. — America250PA Mobile Experiential Unit
• Noon — Sweet Temptations by Terri opens at the Boal Heritage Museum
• Noon to 2 p.m. — Boalsburg-local Free Range Band performs at Boal Mansion porch
• 1:30 p.m. — Wheels of War: A Guided Armor Tour at the military museum (starts at the Sherman Tank)
• 5:45 p.m. — Walk to Boalsburg Cemetery for Memorial Day service
• 6 p.m. — Memorial Day service