The 2024 celebration of Tunkhannock’s Founder’s Day will welcome some major new attractions with the arrival of The Reading & Northern steam locomotive #2102 in Riverside Park with over 700 passengers and crew from the Jim Thorpe/Nesquehoning area. Those attending Founders Day can get a glimpse of this historic train, please note that train rides and tours will not be offered during this event, but visitors will be welcome to take all the photos they wish. The annual celebration of Founder’s Day is being coordinated by the Tunkhannock Business and Professional Association.
Passengers will arrive at approximately 1pm and stay at Founders Day for several hours. TBPA is working with the Endless Mountains Visitors bureau and the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce to prepare for these visitors. There will be expanded vendor areas and two food areas; one near the intersection of Tioga and Pine and the other near the intersection of Warren and Church.
This year’s Family Fun Zone s returns to the First National Bank parking lot behind the gazebo and features a special Cornhole event with Tunkhannock’s Flying Bags Cornhole, along with performances by the Whipple Performing Arts Center, the Tunkhannock Area Robotics Team, the P & G Product Truck, the Tunkhannock Public Library, and TreHab Community Action.
“A record number of vendors has applied to the event this year”, relates Taylor Finan TBPA Board President. “The committee worked to select a wide variety of artisans, some popular vendors who have been with the show for years as well as some newer artisans representing unique talents and techniques for people to select a treasure or two from. Some of this year’s features include home décor crafted in unique materials, animal treats and fashions, farm fresh food, wood crafts and custom designed metal products for home and garden.”
Visitors to Tunkhannock can also tour the Classic Car Show and the Modal A car collection at Sherwood Chevrolet. Tunkhannock’s specialty shops and restaurants will also be ready to welcome visitors. Ebb’s Candy Jar will be offering Mushroom themed games and activities.
Bridgewater Church has a bounce and indoor cooling area.
The team at the Endless Mountains Veterinary Center has planned information and activities for all the pet lovers visiting the event. Attractions include basket raffles with proceeds going to the Griffen Pond Animal Shelter, the Wyoming County Humane Society. Additionally, both Turning Tails Dog Training, and For Paws Dog training will be doing demos.
A wide array of vendors will be offering art, fabric crafts, oil and water color paintings, woodworking, specialty food items, jewelry, home décor, photography, and other unique trades and professions. Several non-profit and service groups are also taking advantage of the great atmosphere to provide information.
The Dietrich Theater will host a variety of activities including a special 11 am free presentation Natural Wonders of Wyoming County. The presenters include Nicholas Sulzer, Vosburg Neck State Park Manager; Timothy Latz, Assistant District Forester; and Jeff Mitchell, hiking author and expert. Learn about Wyoming County’s first state park, Vosburg Neck State Park, and its new tract of the Pinchot State Forest, Miller Mountain. For more information see the Dietrich’s website. Tickets are available by calling 570-836-1022 x3 or at the Dietrich’s ticket booth while they last.
The Dietrich will also offer Strawberry Shortcake Sales, a basket raffle and a raffle on an 1880 Victorian Dome Steamer Trunk.
The Kitson Arts Alliance is working with TBPA to organize music at three locations; in front of Kitson Art Gallery, at the corner of Tioga and Warren near the Kristy Alinoski Photography studio (the former Old Store location) and Twigs, and also at the Intersection of Tioga and Pine, near Wyoming County Beverage. Line ups include the JP Williams Blues Band, Alex D. Key, Jacques Kuno, Gary Carl and Axe & Fiddle.
In the evening the Dietrich Theater will be hosting Romeo and Juliet in Tunkhannock’s Riverside Park, at 7:00 p.m. The free production will be performed by the Gamut Theatre Group and is sponsored by The Overlook Estate Foundation. Please bring your own blanket or chair.
Tioga Street will be closed to traffic from Warren to McCord Streets, allowing visitors better access to the car shows that is being held near the Sherwood dealership. To reduce the amount of traffic coming into Tunkhannock, there are two shuttle and parking areas. Traffic that is going through town will be diverted off Tioga Street onto McCord and away from Tioga Street.
Shuttle buses will be operating from the School District parking lot and the other behind Ace Robbins Gas and Propane at the United Methodist Church “The Gathering” field. There will be directional signage for each location.