28th Tamaqua Summerfest a success
Jack Bowman, left, Bob Schlorf (middle) and Chris Stein of the Tamaqua Fire Police collect the rubber ducks from the race. More than 1,100 ducks floated down the Little Schuylkill river in Tamaqua. See tnonline.com for a photo gallery and a video. JUSTIN CARLUCCI/TIMES NEWS
People wait to hear who won the rubber duck race at Tamaqua Summerfest. JUSTIN CARLUCCI/TIMES NEWS
Mother Nature cooperated just enough on Father’s Day during Tamaqua’s 28th annual Summerfest on Sunday.
Despite the overcast sky and a brief period of rain, there were still plenty of smiling faces and happy families exploring everything Summerfest had to offer.
One big attraction of the afternoon was the rubber duck race, which was hosted by the Tamaqua Fire Police.
More than 1,100 yellow rubber ducks were sold by the fire police, and on Sunday, they were dumped into the Little Schuylkill River in a race to the finish line, which culminated adjacent to Boyer’s Food Market.
The lucky duck that hit the finish line paid out $1,000. The race marked the fourth time that the fire police have hosted it.
Nobody left hungry, that’s for sure. The event was a perfect opportunity to bring dad for lunch or dinner. The aroma of many Schuylkill County favorites such as bleenies, pierogies and cheesesteaks filled downtown Tamaqua.
“It all started about two years ago, it was just kind of a hobby,” said Eric Wurst, owner of The “Wurst” Hot Sauce, whose homemade product seemed to be a hit downtown.
“I shared it with co-workers, family and friends, and they all found it to be full of flavor. It turned into a small events thing, I got goose bumps thinking about how it went form a hobby two years ago, to where it’s at now.”
The streets were full of vendors and local business owners. Crafts, clothing and decorations were some of the local items that were on display and available for purchase.
“This is our first year at Summerfest,” said Monica Akins of Delrose Awards of Lansford. “We’re really having a good time.”
The Tamaqua Historical Society was the perfect spot to stop in and learn a bit about the history of Tamaqua. The museum was packed full of artifacts, pictures and artwork.
“It was a busy day indeed,” said Bob Vybrenner, who was dressed up to replicate a coal miner from the 1800s. “It makes us very happy.
“We had visitors here, of course locally, and from out of state and from different parts of the commonwealth as well. Some of these visitors are amazed with how these coal miners lived in the 1800s.”
