BY CAMERON WERTZ
Blazing a trail into the past on old tracks is the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train, Ashland, with its 27th annual Pioneer Day event celebrating the history and heritage of the area.
The event, which also celebrates the tunnel’s 57th anniversary as a tourist attraction, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at 19th and Oak streets.
For the special occasion, the Pioneer Tunnel will be offering combination tickets for the coal mine tour and scenic rides on the steam train, Chastity Moran, business manager, said. The tickets will cost $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 2-11.
Visitors waiting to board, and while taking the coal mine tours, will be entertained with coal mining songs and stories by Stu Richards and Tommy Symons, known locally as the Breaker Boys.
Another regionally popular band, Light Weight Band, will be performing in Higher-Ups Park from 1 to 4 p.m.
“Bring a lawn chair and sit back and relax while listening to some great music,” according to an event press release.
Food and craft vendors, along with other groups and activities, will also be set up in the park.
Food, always a “highlight of Pioneer Day,” according to the release, will be sold by several local churches, organizations and food vendors. Dishes will include chicken barbecue dinners, bleenies, rib-eye steak sandwiches, haluski, halupki, hamburgers and hot dogs, pierogies, apple dumplings, bundukies, authentic Egyptian food and more.
Other organizations will be selling raffle tickets on themed baskets, fundraising items and will also offer pictorial displays and free information.
Free parking and shuttle service will be available from the Gitman Bros. parking lot at 23rd and Centre streets. For more information, call 570-875-3850 or visit the tunnel’s website, www.pioneertunnel.com.
Contact the writer: cwertz@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6004
