The food, music and traditions of anthracite coal mining families were showcased Sunday, drawing thousands to Lansford in a sunny day of celebration.

Many visitors said they had ancestors or relatives who worked in the industry, but others were new to coal culture.

“I’m here for the first time and I have no mining heritage,” said Don Peiffer, 65, of Lebanon.

“But it’s my daughter’s birthday. She got a job as the first female conductor with the railroad and recently moved to Mountaintop. So we came here.”

Daughter Amber, 24, was in line to board the steel rail car shuttle to enter the No. 9 Mine. Her father stood and watched, absorbing the customs and traditions of generations of anthracite coal families.

Others came for socialization, music and tasty food.

“I’m enjoying a hamburger from Lansford Fire Company,” said Russ King of Coaldale. King is a longtime supporter of local cultural activities and volunteer with regional economic development initiatives.

A strong breeze seemed to offset the heat, allowing organizers to continue with more vigorous planned activities including burlap sack races and coal shoveling competition.

The popular shoveling contest drew one dozen able bodied men who dared to hoist three-quarters of a ton of coal in fastest time, vying for one of three prizes.

Top honors went to Shane Frederickson of Tamaqua. Second place was won by Pat Filanowski, formerly of Cumbola, now Kentucky. Third place went to Billy Dale of Tamaqua.

The event featured a live remote broadcast of the WMGH Magic Polka Machine with Polka Joe Manjack, a Tamaqua native approaching 50 years in broadcast media. Similarly, radio veteran Mark Marek of WLSH Radio’s Coal Region Connections was on hand to greet listeners and promote his recently published WLSH history book. Like Manjack, Marek, a Coaldale native, is approaching 50 years in electronic and print communications.

For one attendee, strong growth and popularity of all of the No. 9 festivals comes with a feeling of sentimentality.

Glenn Wagner of Lansford was one of the first No. 9 volunteers to step in more than 30 years ago at the formation of the original Panther Creek Valley Foundation.

He recalled earliest days, including the opening of the concrete barrier at the sealed mine.

“When they opened the mine, it flooded right across the road. I still have photos.”

Wagner, along with Jimmy Hauseman and Harry Murphy, are the only three surviving members of the original group. Wagner finds it heartwarming to see the success.

“There are more festivals now and I’m glad to see it continuing.”

Coaldale’s Jay Smarr, recording artist and local favorite, entertained with folk music and songs associated with mining.

Strolling musician and singer Dave Matsinko focused on tunes that showcased local culture while DJ Shawn Frederickson maintained the day’s momentum with upbeat tunes and sound effects.

All day long visitors could be seen standing in line to enter the 52-degree interior of the world’s oldest operating deep mine. Dating to 1855, it was operated by Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. It was last mined in 1972 by the Lanscoal Company.

The adjacent museum is housed in the original 1912 brick miners’ wash shanty.

Volunteer Dale Freudenberger said the festival puts an important focus on education, not only about mining itself, but about life and culture of the coal regions.

The event also served as the No. 9 Coal Miners Annual Picnic, a celebration postponed from July 9 due to weather.