SHAMOKIN - A revised lineup has been released for Friday's Anthracite Heritage Festival Parade, set to kick off the eighth annual Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts this weekend.
Participants in the parade can begin forming on Water Street, between Rock and Market Street, at 5:30 p.m. Drivers of emergency vehicles and fire trucks are asked to assemble in the Water Street parking lot between Eighth and Market streets.
At 6:15 p.m., a number of classic car enthusiasts will drive on the parade route for a vintage car cruise. Following the parade, the cars will be on display at Claude Kehler Community Park.
The parade will kick off at 6:30 p.m. traveling one block on Rock Street, then turning west onto Independence Street, left onto Market Street and ending at the corner of Market and Pine Streets, or near the high rise.
Those attending the parade are asked to keep the municipal parking lot at Independence and Rock streets vacant to allow the high school bands to have adequate space for formation.
The new parade lineup is as follows:
Section 1 - Marine Corps League color guard, grand marshals the Schmidt family (descendants of Max Schmidt, one of the founders of the F&S Brewery, Shamokin), Shamokin Mayor George Rozinskie and Northumberland County Prothonotary candidate Meg Bartos, state Rep. Kurt Masser, Knights of Columbus, Geisinger Children's Miracle Network Miracle Child Curtis Lahr III, Brady Fire Company flag, Knoebels Amusement Resort, 1930 Model A vehicle.
Section 2 - Shamokin Area Middle/High School band, Shamokin-Coal Township Little League Baseball, Shamokin Rotary floats with prettiest baby and Santa Sleigh, Bear Gap Vaulters, Northwestern Academy, Indian Hills Golf and Tennis Club, Leo Mirolli vehicle.
Section 3 - Line Mountain High School band, Shamokin-Coal Township Girls Softball League, H&R Block, Clear Channel Radio, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Northumberland County Career and Technology Center, The News-Item van and walkers, Thank A Veteran, Victorian Highwheelers.
Section 4 - Shikellamy High School band, Boy Scout Troop 250 and Cub Scout Troops 254 and 3254, Girl Scouts, Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, Chris Grayson vehicle, Aaron's Sales and Service van, Jack Williams Tire, additional participants who did not register before the parade, Sump Pumpers of Shenandoah, AREA Services and all other emergency vehicles.
During the parade, members of the Brady are asking the public to place cash donations on the flag during the parade. The funds will then be donated to the Soldiers Circle organization and earmarked for the effort to bring the Moving Vietnam Memorial to Shamokin in 2014.
The theme of this year's parade is "The Anthracite Region: A Great Place to Live, Work and Play."
Shamokin Area Middle/High School principal Chris Venna, festival committee member Lanza Williams, Brewser's SportsGrille co-owner Geno Welsh and Luzerne County Community College Northumberland Campus director Nicole Edmondson will judge the entries.
Cash prizes will be awarded for best representation of the area, most creative/decorative, best dressed/costumes and best of show.
Award winners will be announced at the festival stage, Market and Arch streets, by Marla Kane, lead singer of Marla and the Juniper Street Band, following the parade. Prizes can be picked up there.
