The 30th annual Tamaqua Summerfest will be held this Father’s Day Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Tamaqua following its cancellation last year due to the pandemic.

The event will feature a large street fair, handmade crafts, street vendors, car show, food, a variety of music, children’s rides and games, historical tours, strolling performances, strolling historical re-enactors, horse-drawn trolley car rides, specials at many downtown restaurants and local craft breweries, and local organization booths from nonprofit groups.

Presented annually by the Tamaqua Historical Society, the Tamaqua Summerfest is the first big celebration of the summer season in the Tamaqua area. The Tamaqua Summerfest spreads over several blocks of West Broad Street, as well as South Railroad Street, Berwick and part of Nescopec Street and Hegarty Avenue in downtown Tamaqua. Crafters and street vendors will display their items for sale.

Steam train rides return to the Summerfest this year with three excursions being offered by the Reading and Northern Railroad at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. departing from the historic Tamaqua Railroad Station. The first and third trips will go north to the area of the Hometown High Bridge before returning, and the second trip will head south to the area of New Ringgold before returning. Passengers will ride in restored passenger coaches pulled by the No. 425 steam locomotive.

Tickets will be sold the day of the festival in front of the Tamaqua Station. Advance tickets can be purchased over the phone using a credit card by calling the railroad at 610-562-2102. Tickets can be purchased in person using cash only through Friday at Tinks Antiques on South Railroad Street in Tamaqua.

Jukebox Cruisers Car Club organizes the Summerfest Car Show begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday along lower South Railroad Street including the St. Luke’s parking lot. Three “People’s Choice” trophies will be presented to the top three vote getters at 3 p.m. No preregistration is necessary, and we encourage vehicle owners to bring out their antique, classic or street rod vehicles to show them off. There is no fee and all are welcome. Music will be provided by the Juke Box Cruisers disc jockey.

There will also be children’s rides, games, face painting and a bounce house. Buster the Clown will be strolling the festival route making balloon animals for the kids.

The 1848 Hegarty Blacksmith Shop, located on Hegarty Avenue, will be open for free tours. Hegarty’s Shop was the oldest continually run business in Schuylkill County when it closed in 1974 after being operated by three generations of the Hegarty family since 1848. It is now owned and operated by the Tamaqua Historical Society.

The Tamaqua Historical Society Museum at 118 W. Broad St. inside the former 1905 First National Bank Building on West Broad Street will also be open. Admission is free.

The Tamaqua Heritage Players will be strolling through the downtown dressed in period costumes. Check out the newly renovated Museum Annex and Gallery and see the major renovations currently underway upstairs and next door.

Visitors can board the horse-drawn trolley along Berwick Street near Wachovia Bank. The Victorian HiWheelers on their antique high-wheel bicycles will make an appearance along the festival route.

Ethnic and favorite festival foods will be offered by vendors and organizations along the festival route. Many other indoor dining opportunities and special menu items will be offered at the many fine restaurants and shops in downtown Tamaqua during the Summerfest.

A variety of music will entertain visitors including a live broadcast of the WMGH Polka Program with Polka Joe Manjack from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the Tamaqua Museum. DJ Shawn Frederickson will be spinning summertime tunes from 1 to 5 p.m., and there will also be a DJ at the car show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Legendary folk musician and clogger Jay Smar will be performing his local folk music and singing ballads from the coal region. He will be located by the Hegarty Blacksmith Shop during the day. There will also be strolling performances by musician Dave Matsinko performing traditional folk and American Heritage music on banjo, mandolin, guitar and mountain dulcimer during the day.

If you are into antiques, then there are special hours at Tink’s Antiques on Father’s Day with two floors of antiques, collectibles and jewelry to browse in a historic three-story brick warehouse on South Railroad Street.

For more information on the Tamaqua Summerfest or to register as a vendor or exhibitor, contact Dale at the Tamaqua Historical Society at 610-597-6722 or by email to dalefreud@gmail.com.