2017 Jim Thorpe Birthday Celebration - 22nd Annual

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Presented by the Carbon Chamber for Economic Development Corporation
and  Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency
 
This event honors Jim Thorpe, a Native American, one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century, and our town's namesake.
 
Jacobus Franciscus "Jim" Thorpe (Sac and Fox (Sauk): Wa-Tho-Huk) (May 28, 1888 – March 28, 1953) was one of the finest athletes ever to take the field. He won Olympic gold medals in the 1912 pentathlon and decathlon, played American football at the collegiate and professional levels, and also played professional baseball and basketball, bowled, rode horseback, and was even an accomplished ballroom dancer.
 
In 1950, The Associated Press named Thorpe the greatest athlete of the first half of the twentieth century. In 1999, he was ranked third on their list of top athletes of the 20th century.
 
The Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency will be sponsoring their 22nd annual Jim Thorpe Birthday Weekend on Saturday, May 20th and Sunday, May 21st.  This event is in honor of James Francis Thorpe, a Native American and “Athlete of the 20th Century”.
 
The festivities start off on Saturday, May 20th at 10:30 am with a Native American Tribute at the Jim Thorpe Mausoleum along with Don Wild Eagle, John Thorpe (Grandson), Carlisle Guests and Native Americans. At 11am, Our Olympian Cross Country and Track Teams will carry the lighted torch from the monument to the Jim Thorpe High School Stadium to light the Olympic Torch for the Special Olympic Track and Field Competition and then down 903 to the Heights, down Opera House Hill and then down Broadway to Josiah White Park for the lighting of our Olympic Torch.
 
The Varsity Cheerleaders will stretch a ribbon across Broadway in front of the County of Carbon Court House prior to the arrival of the runners.  Medals will be awarded to the team and coach and the resolution that Rep. Doyle Heffley had the Pennsylvania House pass declaring that May 20, 2017 has been named “James Francis Thorpe Day” in the Commonwealth will be read. Town dignitaries will also be invited to honor this occasion with their presence.
 
A large Birthday Cake will be presented, cut and pieces sold as part of the festivities for the weekend.
 
SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
 
ADDITIONAL FEATURES IN JOSIAH WHITE PARK AND DIMMICK LIBRARY
Earth lore & Dance by Don Wild Eagle & Family – Saturday & Sunday
Medicine Horse Drum Group – Saturday & Sunday
Brad & Luke Duo – Saturday and Sunday
Buster the Clown for the children – Saturday and Sunday
The Jim Thorpe Cheerleaders performance – Saturday only
The Faculty Brass Strolling through town – Saturday & Sunday
Terry Strongheart – Saturday and Sunday (Dimmick Library & Gazebo)
John Lyons– Saturday (Dimmick Library & Gazebo)
Train Rides – Saturday & Sunday  11am, 1pm and 3pm.
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JIM THORPE HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM
Special Olympic Track & Field Competition - Saturday Only
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MAUCH CHUNK OPERA HOUSE
Friday, May 19 - Kick (INXS Tribute)
Saturday, May 20 - Tusk (Fleetwood Mac Tribute)
Visit Mauch Chunk Opera House for more info and to purchase tickets.
 
SPECIAL GUESTS 
JOHN THORPE – (Jim Thorpe’s Grandson)
CHUCK & WANDA GENTILE (Ret. Sports Director)
(CARLISLE U.S. ARMY WAR COLLEGE)
       
OLYMPIAN AUCTION
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
JOSIAH WHITE PARK
Donated items being accepted and may be dropped off at Nature’s Trail, 5 Broadway, Jim Thorpe.
 
ATTRACTIONS, SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS OPEN ALL WEEKEND FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT.
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MANY GREAT CRAFT VENDORS AND LOTS OF GOOD FOOD WILL BE AVAILABLE ALL WEEKEND. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT ANNE MARIE FITZPATRICK/EVENT COORDINATOR AT 570-325-9281, amnt1@ptd.net

SPONSORSHIPS & OLYMPIAN AUCTION ITEMS WILL BE ACCEPTED UP UNTIL MAY 18^TH BUT THE DEADLINE TO BE ON THE POSTER BOARD AND IN THE EVENT FLYERS IS MAY 1^ST.
Also, when in face book I clicked on the notes tab under the birthday weekend and see that the vendor info and sponsorship info is from 2015, should this be changed?  I also put a comment under the vendor application that we are still accepting vendors except for jewelry and food, we have enough.  Thanks, Anne Marie
Nature's Trail
5 Broadway
JimThorpe, Pa. 18229
1-800-591-9281
www.natures-trail.com
 

JIM THORPE BIRTHDAY WEEKEND
2017 SPONSORS
 
WORLD RECORD CLASS
 
JIM THORPE NEIGHBORHOOD BANK
MAUCH CHUNK TRUST COMPANY
TIMES NEWS
JIM THORPE TOURISM AGENCY
MOOKIE WOOD ART
 
OLYMPIC RECORD CLASS
DREISBACH HOUSE
MARZEN HARDWARE
MAUCH CHUNK 5&10
 
GOLD RECORD CLASS
               JIM THORPE LIONS CLUB                             MAUCH CHUNK MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER
               443 AUTO SALES                                            ERIC M. SCHRANTZ –MAGISTERIAL DIST. JUDGE
               BILL & MARLYN KISSNER                              TERRY STRONGHEART
               MAUCH CHUNK HISTORICAL SOCIETY      WILDONER INSURANCE AGENCY
               CARMELLA’S ITALIAN BAKERY
 
SILVER RECORD CLASS
               DON LAINE CAMPGROUNDS                       PAST AND PRESENTS
               MAUCH CHUNK INK                                      NATURALLY YOURS
               SELLERS BOOKS & FINE ART                        CONJURED SOAP BOUTIQUE
               BEAR MOUNTAIN BUTTERFLIES                 DAN HUGOS
               ZIMMERMAN’S DAIRIES                               ANTONIO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT
               FLIGHTS OF FANCY                                        J&G FUNNEL CAKES
               ANTIQUES ON BROADWAY                          JIM THORPE ROTARY
 
BRONZE RECORD CLASS
               T.J.S ONE STOP                                               HUGH DUGAN REAL ESTATE
               DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE                            SYNDER TIRE
               MARZEN FEED & HARDWARE                     MULLIGAN’S
               SWARTZ’S ETCHINGS                                    RAINBOW’S END
               JENIFFER & RYAN CHRISTMAN                   MARIANNE MONTELEONE DESIGN
               PAM ARMSTRONG & JIM CHADWICK       MUGGLES MUG
               SCENTIMENTAL JOURNEY                            COUNTRY COTTAGE
               BEACON DINER – HOMETOWN                  EVERYTHING NICE
               SERENDIPITY                                                   TIMES HOUSE                   SOUND CHECK RECORDS