Festival brings glimpse of history, sense of normalcy
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - A competitor shovels coal in the coal shoveling competition at the 13th Annual Coal Miners' Heritage Festival in Lansford.
LANSFORD, Carbon County – Today marked the 13th edition of the Coal Miners’ Heritage Festival held at the No. 9 Coal Mine in Lansford, a few hundred yards from the Schuylkill County line.
“We had a good turnout all day,” Dale Freudenberger, organizer, told the Sentinel. “We think people are anxious to get out, and so many events, even planned for the rest of the summer, are cancelled in many places.”
Freudenberger, along with a few dozen others, observed the coal shoveling contest, which he said draws contestants from near and far. Contestants were tasked with shoveling about a half ton of coal in the shortest amount of time.
Vendors and displays varied. One stand, hosted by the Tamaqua Anthracite Model Railroad Club, featured a model railroad set, while another featured memorabilia from former local breweries, including Shenandoah’s Columbia, Mahanoy City’s Kaier, and Mount Carmel’s Anthracite.
Some people, like Tom Symons, wore authentic coal miner patch town gear, and a re-enactment was staged at 1:00pm.
Food vendors were on site as well, including local fire companies, Boy Scouts, and Joe’s Pierogies.
In addition to the festival fare, the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum was open and operating during the festival itself.
Festival-goers were asked to maintain social distancing while on the grounds, though masks were required in the museum and on the tour.
According to a media release, the mine opened in 1855 and was actively mined in some capacity until 1972, before becoming the tourist attraction it is today.
Full Photo Gallery
About Author
