SHAMOKIN - Firehouse burgers will be cooked up and sold Saturday by former city Mayor Jim Yurick and company, with proceeds benefiting Shamokin's 150th anniversary celebration in 2014.
It's the first of three fundraising events on the horizon for the anniversary committee. Ticket sales for train rides at the May 25 Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts and a June 22 chicken barbecue and 5K run/walk will also benefit the committee in its efforts to organize the celebration.
Yurick's famous half-pound firehouse burgers are a hit locally and are known to sell out quickly. The event begins at 4 p.m. at Independence Fire Association, Market and Arch streets.
The firehouse burger is $6, and with sauce on one side is the tamest of the Yurick's original take on the American classic. There's also the SOS burger, which is $6 and includes sauce on both sides; the Mayor's Maniac, $7, with sauce on the top, on the bottom, and in the middle; and the Wizard, $7, cooked like the maniac and comes with additional hot sauce.
Those with milder tastes can still enjoy a great burger: plain burgers and cheeseburgers will be sold for $5. A plain hotdog is $3; make it a firehouse for $4.
Each order comes with chips and a pickle.
Yurick will be joined in the Independence kitchen by his youngest son, Kyle Yurick, as well as Bruce Victoriano, Jim Vetovich and Terry Kerris. They have donated their time and proceeds to the anniversary committee, as they have done in the past for other good causes.
Train ride
This year's train ride during the Anthracite Heritage Festival will cover more ground than in years past.
The train will depart the Water Street municipal parking lot and travel north through Shamokin, into Coal Township and through Tharptown. It will continue towards Paxinos, passing through Shamrock Mills and into the Reed Industrial Park before reversing course and heading back to Shamokin.
There are two departure times: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are on sale by calling 898-7311 or 847-3842. Children young enough to sit on a guardian's lap may ride free of charge.
The passenger excursion is possible through the cooperation of the Penn Valley Railroad, the Shamokin Valley Railroad and the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority.
Benefit barbecue
Tickets are now being sold for the chicken barbecue benefit to be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 22 at Claude Kehler Community Park, Third and Arch streets. The cost is $9 and includes 1/2 chicken, baked potato, baked beans, cole slaw, roll and dessert.
Call 492-6181 or 809-2848 for chicken barbecue tickets only.
The 5K begins at noon June 22 at the Kehler park. The cost is $15 or $20 with a meal. To register for the 5K (with or without a meal) call 898-7311.
The next meeting of the 150th Anniversary Committee will be held at 7 p.m. May 15 at the Independence Fire Company. The public is encouraged to attend.
Look for updates and more at www.facebook.com/ShamokinCelebration.