The 33rd Annual Tamaqua Summerfest took on a new appearance Sunday after the event’s midway moved to a new downtown location.

In deference to handicapped attendees and others who found it difficult to navigate crowded sidewalks of West Broad Street, the event moved all vendors to nearby South Railroad Street.

The two-block area is the town’s original industrial zone once home to sprawling 1846 Tamaqua Iron Works, purported to be the largest foundry in Pennsylvania in its prime.

There, tents and vendor stands lined both sides of a street which previously hosted the Summerfest car show. The car show did not take place this year, falling victim to the new layout.

While the car show was missed and has been a sentimental, favorite attraction, organizers said the new layout proved successful.

“It’s working out well,” said Dale Freudenberger, society president.

“We had a few challenges setting up in the morning since this was our first time. But we had no problems. We have 75 vendors, which is our normal turnout.”

Crowds were strong all day with thousands enjoying a sunny Father’s Day.

“I’m here handing out flyers for the Lansford Alive Downtown Fall Festival,” said Donna Valent, Lansford.

The Sept. 28 event includes the Grace Community Church Block Party and a Jukebox Cruisers car cruise.

A Tamaqua resident took advantage of the strong crowds to perform a civic duty.

I’m here registering people to vote. I’m focusing on the youth vote,” said Grant Johns, who will enter eleventh grade at Tamaqua Area High School.

Johns said the effort will lead him toward a Troop 777 Eagle Scout badge. He was assisted by Isabella DiCarlo of Tamaqua.

Another vendor was Reilly Bauer of Lansford, the reigning Miss Amazing Pennsylvania.

“It’s a program for girls and women with disabilities,” she said.

Bauer and her mother were staffing a booth with hopes of raising funds to permit Bauer’s attendance at July’s national pageant in Chicago.

Shoppers took advantage of the proximity of vendors, perusing and buying crafts, food, Father’s Day gift items and antiques, all offered within steps of each other and without having to cross side streets.

Other attractions were open to the public along West Broad.

The Tamaqua Area Historical Museum hosted an open house as did the Tamaqua Anthracite Model Railroad H.O. scale train display. Also open was the 1848 Hegarty Blacksmith Shop on Hegarty Avenue with host Ethan Lapp. Lapp said he’d already addressed several groups of visitors before noon.

Adjacent to the blacksmith shop is a new Tamaqua Area Wagon Works Museum with early wheels, a primitive sleigh, and other transportation implements.

“The place is still in its growing stages,” said Freudenberger.

Three scenic train excursions departed the Tamaqua train station and three educational bus tours of Lehigh Anthracite mining operations boarded from the parking area of Tommy’s Italian Specialty Restaurant where visitors rode in a luxury coach.

The popular Tamaqua fire police Rubber Rubber Duck Race took place midafternoon with a finish line at the Cedar Street bridge near Boyer’s Market. The event featured several thousand dollars in prizes and is a significant fundraiser for the group of first responder volunteers.

Tamaqua Summerfest is one of the largest summer celebrations in Schuylkill County and is coordinated by volunteers of the Tamaqua Area Historical Society.