If you like festivals, you'll love our Pioneer Day Celebration held each year on the third Saturday in August...

On Saturday, August 16, 2008, Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train in Ashland will hold its 16th Annual "Pioneer Day" in celebration of its 46th Anniversary. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition to its regular coal mine tours and steam train rides, a variety of special events will be held in Higher-Up Park, which is adjacent to the Tunnel. The Higher-Ups Park offers plenty of picnic tables and a beautiful enclosed pavilion which is used by reservation for family reunions, parties and school groups.

Entertainment will be provided for visitors taking the coal mine tour by "The Breaker Boys." This group, made up of Tom Symons, Tom Symons, Jr., and Stu Richards, dresses in authentic coal miner's garb and entertains with coal mining lore through stories and song. Appearing on the bandstand in the park will be the locally popular San Antonio Rose which features a mix of country and oldies classics. Visitors are invited to bring lawn chairs as seating is limited around the bandstand area. A large craft fair will also be held throughout the park. Over 80 crafters feature a wide variety of beautifully hand-crafted items and new collectibles.

Activites for children are also planned, including face painting and a free petting zoo with a variety of baby animals. The Ashland Area Historic Preservation Society will offer an Ashland area historic display along with fundraising items for sale. The Ashland Downtown Revitalization group which is made up of volunteer citizens and business owners will have information and fundraising items for sale to help with their endeavors to preserve/restore historic buildings and revitalize the downtown business district.

A large variety of foods, including ethnic favorites, will be available under the big tent, in the Pavilion, and throughout the park. Several community organizations will be offering chicken BBQ dinners, Mrs. T's pierogies, bleenies, pizza, hamburgers, and bake sales, along with several other food concessions. Another added event for those who want to come to the park to relax will be BINGO. Games will start at 1:00 p.m. next to the Pavilion area. The Pennsylvania Museum of Anthracite Mining, which is located only 100 yards from Pioneer Tunnel, will also be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is offering free admission on Pioneer Day.

Plan to bring your family and spend the day at Pioneer Tunnel. There will be something to enjoy and entertain for everyone, regardless of age. If you haven't done it before, take an informative tour of a real anthracite coal mine and learn about our rich coal mining heritage. Take a relaxing, scenic ride on the "Henry Clay" steam train. Visit the Pioneer Tunnel's souvenir and gift shop which features unique souvenirs and jewelry made from coal, along with many other unusual gifts. Have lunch or a snack in the Pioneer Tunnel lunch and snack bar or enjoy some of the delicious food that will be offered throughout Higher-Up Park.

Enjoy the craft show, play some Bingo or just relax while listening to the music in the park. On Pioneer Day, free parking and continuous free shuttle service will be available on the 1948 REO Open Air Fun Bus from 23rd & Center Sts. (Gitman Bros. parking lot) in Ashland to Pioneer Tunnel from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pioneer Tunnel is located at 19th & Oak Sts. in Ashland, Schuylkill County, just off State Route 61. For more information, call 570-875-3850.

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