Heritage Day set to make its debut

The 34th annual fall festival hosted by the GFWC-IL Coal City Junior Woman’s Club may have a new name and location, but organizers say the fun and friendship the community has come to know is staying the same.
After three decades in downtown Coal City, the club was faced with the decision of canceling the festival or moving to a new location as a detour around the reconstruction of South Broadway.
The club quickly learned canceling was not an option the community favored. Carbon Hill Mayor Rich Jurzak and his board stepped in and offered their town park for the festival and club members gladly accepted the invitation.
The move provided an opportunity to keep the festival and make a few changes, including a new name—Heritage Day.
The concept is bringing the communities together to celebrate the history of the area and the people who have contributed to the growth and success of the area.
This year’s event is set for Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with some after hours activities that will extend the day into night.
To celebrate the history of the area, one of the new additions to the festival will be a mini-museum set up in the park by Michele Micetich, curator of the Carbon Hill School Museum. The remote history museum will be featured in the park’s bingo stand.
The fall festival got its start as an open air craft show and that will continue, as will a day of entertainment featuring a number of local groups and activities for kids.
The move to Carbon Hill comes with some new events including a four-team softball tournament that will get started at the conclusion of a Coal City Unit 1 School faculty and staff game.
Additionally, the village of Carbon Hill will have its beer garden open throughout the day and into the evening.
The festival serves as the club’s main fundraiser with proceeds from the event utilized for college scholarships, programs for children and to support causes and programs within the community.
Organizers report they are looking forward to this year’s festival and hope the community comes out for a day of fun and celebration.
A complete schedule of events and list of food vendors appears in this edition.