CURTIN VILLAGE EVENT

Celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday on Sunday afternoon, July 12, from 1-4 p.m., at Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village, 251 Curtin Road, Howard.

Initiated, researched and presented by volunteers, “Echoes of the Revolution on Eagle Iron Plantation” celebrates the stories of five Revolutionary War soldiers who settled on or near Eagle Iron Plantation after the war and left enduring legacies in this region.

Those five soldiers were Philip Barnhart (1758-1843), Lawrence Bathurst, Jr. (1757-1845), Richard Gunsalus (1756-1838), John Holt (1756-1831) and Evan Russell (1760-1838).

Five 10-minute presentations will be offered simultaneously every 20 minutes from 1 to 3:40 p.m., and visitors may attend any or all of them. A 90-minute guided tour of Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village will begin at 2 p.m., and the Curtin Mansion and Eagle Furnace Complex will be open for touring throughout the afternoon.

Visitors will also enjoy period foods and interactive children’s activities that offer a family-friendly way to experience the Revolutionary War era.

Admission is $5 per person for ages 11 and older. Children 10 and under are free. Tickets may be purchased at the door or welcome table.

A companion rail excursion departs Bellefonte Station at 1 p.m. and arrives at Curtin at 1:45 p.m., with the return trip leaving Curtin at 3:15 p.m. and arriving back in Bellefonte at 4 p.m. Tickets for “The American Pioneer” ride are available through bellefontetrain.org. Admission to Curtin is included in the ride ticket.

This event supports the preservation and restoration of Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village, managed by the all-volunteer, non-profit Roland Curtin Foundation.

JACKSONVILLE FESTIVAL

The Jacksonville Cemetery Association’s annual Jacksonville Festival will be held on Saturday, July 18.

Documentation shows that the festival dates back 100 years, so this is a milestone year for the festival as well as for America’s celebration. The festival is always held on the third Saturday in July.

The food stands should be ready starting at 5 p.m. so come out and support the festival.

There will be games for the kids and adults, a dime pitch, raffles, lots of your favorite festival foods and live music.

New this year in celebration of America’s 250th birthday will be a Baking Contest and a Kids Poster Contest.

Bakers are needed to enter the pie baking contest using only red, white and blue flavors!

Those pie flavors will be blueberry, cherry or apple! The pies being entered into the competition should be dropped off at the Marion Township building on Friday evening, July 17, from 6-8 p.m., or on Saturday morning from 9-11 a.m. You can also bring your pies to the festival grounds at 4:30 p.m on Saturday. Be sure to bring a small paper with your name and phone number with your pie entry when you drop it off.

Judging will be done at 5 p.m. at the festival and winners will be announced right after the tasting.

All of the pies entered will then be donated to the festival’s dessert and ice cream stand where they will be sold throughout the evening. The proceeds from your pie donations will help to benefit the cemetery association!

Also new this year for the kiddos is a poster decorating contest. The contest is for children in kindergarten through fifth grades. The theme is All Things Patriotic. Kids should decorate a poster (size 22 inches X 28 inches) and drop them off at the township building during normal business hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The winners will be announced at 7 p.m. during the festival.

LIGHTHOUSE CAMP CONCERTS

Lamar Lighthouse Camp has announced its Summer Concert Series. Each of the concerts will be held on Sunday evening beginning at 6 p.m. The concerts are free, with a love offering taken each week.

On July 5 the Cragun Family will entertain, followed by The Larry DeLawder Family on July 12.

The concerts continue each Sunday evening through Sept. 27.

Lamar Lighthouse Camp is located along Route 64 in Lamar. More info is available at www.lamarlighthousecamp.org or by calling 570-337-0203.

LIONS NEWS

— Snow Shoe Lions Club is selling “Lucky Lotto” raffle tickets for $5 each for a chance to win $1,000 in Lottery scratch off tickets. The winning number will be the one drawn in the Pick 3 Lottery game on Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available from any Lions Club member.

— Milesburg Lions Club holds a weekly Bingo every Thursday night at the Milesburg Community Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. and Bingo starts at 6:45 p.m.

— Howard Area Lions will have their food distribution on July 6 and July 20 at their food bank headquarters, the former Beech Creek Elementary. Folks can come for food aid from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. More Lions or community volunteers are sought to help fill the boxes from the basement and place them into cars. Those seeking food must live in the Lions servicing area which includes Blanchard and Howard Borough as well as the townships of Boggs, Curtin, Liberty, Marion and Walker in Centre County and Beech Creek Borough and Beech Creek Township in Clinton County.

— Howard Area Lions will have their food trailers at the Orviston Festival on Friday evening, July 10, and all day on Saturday, July 11. Again, more Lions are asked to take a turn helping in the food stands.

FIRE NEWS

— Pleasant Gap Fire Company’s flea market will be held each Thursday through Aug. 20. The flea market will run from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Food, produce, antiques, collectibles, crafts and more will be available at the flea market each week. Please call Mark at 814-355-2753 if you’d like to be a vendor.

There are also a few bonus flea markets happening on specific Sundays during the summer months. Those Sundays will be July 12 and Aug. 9. The flea markets will be held at the Pleasant Gap Fire Company’s carnival grounds, 475 Robinson Lane, Pleasant Gap.

— Miles Township (Rebersburg) Fire Company’s carnival will be on July 9-11. Parade starts at 7 p.m. on Thursday evening with line-up starting at 6 p.m. at the township building. Brush Mountain Band will perform after the parade.

On Friday night Hitchcock Railway will perform. Carnival runs from 5-11 p.m. and features rides, games, food and raffle drawings.

Saturday night will see the Kiddy Tractor Pull starting at 6 p.m. with registration at 5 p.m.

Be sure to get your raffle ticket for the Miles Township Fire Company’s Gun Raffle that’s planned for Sept. 12. Tickets are $10 each of 3/$20 and will be available at the carnival or from any fire company member. The grand prize is a 2026 Polaris Ranger 1000 RTV.

— Snow Shoe Fire Company’s carnival is scheduled for July 14-18, held at the Snow Shoe Carnival Grounds at 310 E. Sycamore St. The carnival kicks off on Tuesday evening with rides, games, food, music, raffles and more. The parade is on Wednesday, July 15, starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening is Kids Night with half priced ride wristbands. Rides provided by Bartlebaugh Amusements. Saturday night is the grand finale fireworks show starting at 10:30 p.m.

Be sure to get your tickets for the fire company’s annual raffle that will be held on Aug. 1 from noon to 5 p.m.

— Gregg Township (Spring Mills) Fire Company’s carnival will be on July 30-Aug. 1. Parade is on Thursday evening. On Friday night, from 7-10 p.m., The Needhams will be performing live music.

— Pleasant Gap Fire Company’s annual gun raffle will be held on Sept. 12 at the carnival grounds, 475 Robinson Lane, Pleasant Gap. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the station or from any fire company member. There are 25 gun and cash prizes along with other chances to win during the drawing. Gates open at 11 a.m. and the drawing runs from noon until 4 p.m. Food and beverages will be provided. Must be 21 with a photo ID to enter.

If other fire companies are having carnivals or special events, please be sure to send me an email with the details if you’d like it included here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

— Milesburg Food Bank is open on Tuesday, July 7, from 1-3 p.m. This food distribution is held the first Tuesday of each month at the Milesburg Presbyterian Church.

— Blanchard Church of Christ will have their Food Pantry open on Wednesday, July 8, from 3-5 p.m., at the church. For more info call the church office at 570-962-2423.

— Orviston Celebration will be July 10 and July 11. Friday night kicks off at 6 p.m. with the Whiffle Ball Slugger’s Derby. Saturday starts bright and early with breakfast at 7 a.m. followed by an Opening Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. The whole day features an assortment of activities (horseshoes, the parade, live entertainment, craft and food vendors, raffles and more!) The parade is at 2 p.m. You must purchase your tickets for the basket raffle before 6:30 p.m. since winners will be drawn and announced right after the Brick Float at 6:30 p.m. Closing remarks will be at 9 p.m. and the last prize drawing winners will be announced before the Fantastic Fireworks Finale begins at 9:30 p.m.

— There will be a Ballroom Dinner/Dance on Sunday, July 12, at 2 p.m., at Lambert Hall, Bellefonte. For more information call/text Rod at 717-543-8348.

— Faith Chapel’s Bargains and Blessings Community Closet will be open on Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in conjunction with the annual Roger White Fun Fair being held at the church. Gently used, good quality clothing, shoes and accessories for the entire family are available. Sizes range from infants to 3X and are priced at $5 per bag full. Bags will be provided.

— Faith Chapel Church in Hunter Run is having their annual Roger A. White Fun Fair and Silent Auction on Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the church. There will be a moon bounce, games, food, baked goods, a jello eating contest at 1 p.m. and the Silent Auction winners chosen at 2 p.m. Special guests include a balloon artist and the Bald Eagle State Park environmentalists.

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Howard Happenings is written and compiled by Tammy Coakley who can be reached by email at tammysue0115@gmail.com or by telephone at 814-625-2684.