The Tamaqua Historical Society will once again stage a summer extravaganza of food and music for Father's Day.

The society will present the 25th Annual Tamaqua Summerfest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in downtown Tamaqua, rain or shine.The free event offers entertainment for the entire family, according to organizers, and is the largest festival of its kind in the region."Summerfest is a great way to kick off the summer season and celebrate Father's Day with Dad and the entire family," said Dale Freudenberger, society president.Tamaqua Summerfest is held mostly outdoors and covers a five-block area of downtown and side streets."Lots of fun awaits children and those young at heart," Freudenberger said.A large craft and street fair will be part of the scene along West Broad and Nescopec streets. Vendors from all over the region will display hand crafts, unique items, jewelry, clothing, antiques and more.Many local organizations will hold fundraising events, and ethnic and picnic foods are always on the menu."Hungry appetites will have tons of great food to pick from made by local organizations and street vendors. There will be something for everyone including sit-down meals in downtown restaurants and with organizations' booths," Freudenberger said.EntertainmentTrain excursions will depart the Tamaqua train station at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.The always-popular Polka Joe Manjack of WLSH will spin polka tunes and chat with festivalgoers from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the Tamaqua Museum, West Broad Street. Manjack is a native of Tamaqua's Dutch Hill section and has been entertaining regional music lovers for decades.DJ Shawn Frederickson will continue the pace in the afternoon from 1 to 4.High-spirited entertainer Jack Kulp and his group 3 AM (Aging Musicians) will perform in front of M&S Hardware at West Broad and Railroad streets.Another local favorite, musician Dave Matsinko of Lehighton, will serenade festivalgoers with his music of the mountains.Matsinko will roam the festival area playing traditional American folk music, showcasing the spirit of our country's musical past.No old-fashioned summer festival is complete without art in motion, something to be provided by 1880s penny farthing bicycles.Tamaqua will have five on hand, weather permitting, when the Victorian Highwheelers take to the streets.Blacksmith Don Campbell will work the forge and anvil in the 1848 Hegarty Blacksmith Shop on Hegarty Avenue.At the same location, musician Jay Smar will entertain with time-honored folk music.Smar has toured Scotland twice, received recognition from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, performed at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, recorded music for the Welsh BBC documentary "The Welsh in America" and has been selected by the Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour to be on their professional touring roster.The Moser Log Home will not open for the festival due to renovations to access stairs.However, the 1874 Tamaqua Railroad Station will open for visitors, as will the 1910 industrial building housing Tink's Antiques, 28 S. Railroad St.The Tamaqua Historical Society Museum, 118 W. Broad St., will offer a sneak peak of a million-dollar overhaul. Visitors will be able to check out progress.Old-time horse drawn trolley car rides will be offered pulled by Leiby's famous Belgian Draft horses.The Tamaqua Street Machine Association will showcase antique and classic cars from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. along South Railroad Street.People's Choice trophies will be presented to the top vote-getters. Prizes will be announced at 3 p.m. Registration is free and all car enthusiasts are welcome. A DJ will be on hand, spinning favorite oldies for car show enthusiasts. There is no charge for the car show.Tamaqua Anthracite Model Railroad Club will hold an open house at the Nescopec Street side of 139 W. Broad St.The event is offered free to the public by volunteers of the Tamaqua Historical Society in cooperation with Tamaqua Borough and other groups and individuals.For more information: 570-668-5722.