Wrightsville has a long and interesting history, and that history will be celebrated at the 46th annual Heritage Day. Organized by Historic Wrightsville Inc. (HWI), the celebration will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. along Fourth and Locust streets.
Because the date corresponds with the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attack, HWI will honor local first responders with a recognition program beginning at noon. The organization will also introduce the Kenneth Stoner Award for Excellence and Community Service in memory of the past president of HWI and an active community member who passed away this year.
Heritage Day will also include a Civil War encampment by the 45th Pennsylvania Volunteers, Company K at the Wrightsville Historical Museum, located at 309 Locust St. "The man who built our building, Calvin Budding, was a member of this unit during the Civil War," explained Joyce Heiserman, chair of events for HWI. The encampment will include three programs - Life of a Soldier at 10:30 a.m., Manual of Arms and Firing Demonstration at 11:30 a.m. and Civilian Homefront at 1:30 p.m. A display on Wrightsville's first responders and the disasters they responded to will be unveiled inside the museum.
Susquehanna Dodge will sponsor a car show, Heiserman said, noting the show is open to all vehicles but will focus on Jeeps. "We thought that would be nice since jeeps were used in World War II and were used by first responders," she stated. "We're inviting anyone with a Jeep, old or new, to participate." A local Model A club will also be participating in the car show. "And, if anyone has a first responder vehicle, they are welcome to enter that as well," Heiserman stated. A People's Choice award will be presented.
Heritage Day will also feature an interfaith cornhole tournament at 10:30 a.m., with two-member teams from local churches competing, as well as old-fashioned games for children. Music will be provided by the Emigsville Band. Food will be available for purchase from food trucks and vendors. "We'll have our popular cheddar cheese wedges," Heiserman shared, adding that the item sells quickly and reservations for the cheese can be made by calling the museum at 717-252-1169. Additional food will include chicken corn soup, root beer floats and homemade apple sundaes. The organization's holiday tea cookbook will be available for purchase, and tickets will be sold for HWI's Stories by Lantern Light ghost tour in October.
Heritage Day was originally created to display and honor the local heritage of the community, Heiserman said, and this year's celebration will continue that tradition.
"There's a lot of local history and heritage in Wrightsville," she stated. "This year's Heritage Day connects the past with the present, from the Civil War to 9/11."
For more information on Heritage Day, call the museum at the aforementioned number or email historicwrightsville1983@gmail.com.
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