Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and that means five days of events in Boalsburg to celebrate and remember.
The village’s ties to the founding of the national day honoring those who lost their lives in service to the United States date back to 1864, in the midst of the Civil War when three women decorated the graves of soldiers buried in the Boalsburg cemetery. That gesture by Emma Hunter, Sophie Keller and Elizabeth Myers was the start of a tradition, one which stakes Boalsburg’s claim as the birthplace of Memorial Day. Though other towns lay claim to being the founding place of Memorial Day, there is no arguing the draw that Boalsburg’s annual celebration has become.
This year’s events kick off on Thursday with the start of the Boalsburg Fire Company Carnival.
Here’s a look at the full schedule.
BOALSBURG FIRE COMPANY CARNIVAL
Thursday through Monday, on the fire company grounds, 113 E. Pine St.
The carnival features a full midway of rides and games by Sunshine Shows and concessionaires with a variety of food options. The fire company will be selling barbecue chicken dinners, burgers, hot dogs, sloppy joes, fries and drinks. Bingo will take place in the truck room.
• Thursday, 6-10 p.m., Wristband Night, $20 wristband for unlimited rides.
• Friday, 6-10 p.m.
• Saturday, Parade Day. The carnival will be open following the parade, which starts at 5 p.m., until 10 p.m.
• Sunday, 2-6 p.m., Wristband Day, $20 wristband for unlimited rides.
• Monday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Barbecue chicken dinners will be available starting at 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Monday (none on Sunday). Dinners are $12 or $10 for just a half chicken.
BOALSBURG FIRE COMPANY PARADE
5 p.m., Saturday
Parade line-up will begin at 3 p.m. and the parade will start at 5 p.m., rain or shine.
The parade will leave from Blue Spring Park then travel east on Pine Street, right on to Boal Avenue, right on to Main Street to Wagner Street and returning to Blue Spring Park.
5K WALK TO REMEMBER OUR FALLEN
8 a.m. Saturday, Pennsylvania Military Museum, 51 Boal Avenue
Organized by local nonprofit A Soldier’s Hands, the ceremony and 5k walk to honor those who have given their lives in service to the country. More details.
LIFE AT THE FRONT: WORLD WAR II
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Pennsylvania Military Museum, 51 Boal Avenue
Encampments will offer a look into life on the front lines and how Operation Overlord changed the course of the war and the lives of the soldiers who fought in it. Food will be available for purchase from Rebelz Food Truck.
‘DAY IN TOWN’
Starting at 8:30 a.m. Monday
• 8:30 a.m.: 3.8-mile Memorial Day Run starting in Blue Spring Park.
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: AACA car show at the Pennsylvania Military Museum. On-site parking is $5.
• 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: More than 120 arts, crafts and food vendors on Church and Main streets.
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Blacksmithing demonstrations at the Blacksmith Shop (east side of the Township Office at 224 E. Main St.).
• 5:45 p.m. Walk to the cemetery
• 6 p.m.: Memorial service at the cemetery. Jeff Brown will be master of ceremonies and author Cathy Horner will be keynote speaker.
Entertainment on the Diamond:
10:30 am: State College Area High School Jazz Band
11 a.m.: Judging of the pie making contest
Noon: The Little German Band
12:30 p.m.: Maypole Dance by the Central PA Dance Workshop
1:30 p.m.: JR Mangan Band with Veronica
3 p.m: Pure Cane Sugar
COLUMBUS CHAPEL AND BOAL MANSION MUSEUM MEMORIAL DAY FESTIVAL
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, 163 Boal Estate Drive
Memorial Day events and activities at the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum will include:
• Live music by JT Blues and the Bellefonte Community Band
• Food, drink and craft vendors and artisans
• Basket raffle at the Visitor Center
• Horse-drawn carriage rides ($5)
• Face-painting and bounce house for kids
• 30-minute Columbus Chapel tours ($5) at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
• 30-minute Museum Armory tours ($5) at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
BOALSBURG HERITAGE MUSEUM
Starting at 10 a.m. Monday, 304 E. Main St.
• Bees Knees Coffee and Cakes by Tati will be on-site.
• 10-11 a.m.: Local authors including Leon Stout, Cathy Horner and Joan Brower, Randolph Thomas, Thomas Range and Lewis Lazerow, Elizabeth Ritter, Ken Hull, Matt Maris and Roland E. Wilkerson Jr. will be on hand to meet and sign books.
• 11 a.m.: Free Range Band
• 1 p.m.: Reading of 5th-graders essays on “What Memorial Day Means to Me.”
• 2 p.m.: The Cardinal Brass Band
