WINDBER — Music blasted and engines roared here this weekend as the community honored its heritage.
Thousands braved intermittent showers to fill the streets and vendor areas for Windber’s annual Miners’ Memorial Day festival.
“We are celebrating our coal mining history and remembering the miners,” said Sandy Pritt, president of event-coordinator Eureka Coal Heritage Foundation. “This is a tribute to the coal miners: Past, present and future.”
Saturday’s scheduled featured a lineup of live music acts, an evening motorcycle show and fireworks.
On Sunday, Windber looked like Motor City, with more than 200 show cars lining Graham Avenue and adjacent areas.
“It’s always a nice family-oriented event,” said Paul Veney, president of Laurel Highlands Mopar Club. “We always come up with several members of our car club. We come up and have a good time on Sunday afternoon here.”
That’s just the way it’s supposed to be, car show Chairman Naz Taormina said.
“We don’t really judge the cars,” Taormina said. “We always wanted it to be a fun day.”
In addition to categories such as “nicest Chevelle,” and “Nicest Street Rod,” the two dozen trophies included awards such as “Best to Burn Rubber” and “Best to Take to the Prom.”
“We call them fun awards,” Taormina said. “We don’t do serious judging.”
Food booths, crafts and games allowed many community groups and businesses to raise money, but Miners Day is not primarily a fundraiser, Pritt said.
The Eureka Foundation signs up sponsors to underwrite the event.
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