2018 Jim Thorpe Birthday Celebration
Event Sponsors
Presented by the
Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corp.
and
Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency
The 23rd annual Jim Thorpe Birthday Weekend will be hosted on Saturday, May 19th and Sunday, May 20th. 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 19th 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 May19, 2018 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.
JIM THORPE HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM
Special Olympic Track & Field Competition - Saturday Only
MAUCH CHUNK OPERA HOUSE
Saturday, May 19: N.Y.'s Finest/ Police Tribute
Sunday, May 20: Paragon Ragtime Orchestra
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.
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
Date and Time
Saturday May 19, 2018 Sunday May 20, 2018
May 19th & 20th
Location
Jim Thorpe
Fees/Admission
VENDORS APPLY ONLINE HERE
The 23rd Annual Jim Thorpe Birthday Celebration honoring James Francis Thorpe will be held on Saturday, May 19th and Sunday, May 20th, 2018 at Josiah White Park in Jim Thorpe. The celebration starts with a Native American Tribute at the Mausoleum followed by the carrying of the lighted torch by the Olympian Cross Country and Track teams to the Jim Thorpe High School Stadium to light the torch for the Carbon County Special Olympic games and then on through town to Josiah White Park where the Olympic Torch will be lit. A Resolution that Rep. Doyle Heffley had the Pennsylvania House pass declaring May 19th as James Francis Thorpe Day in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will be presented and read. The weekend consists of musical performances, Native American folklore, dancing and drumming, craft and food vendors, a clown for the children, a large Olympian Auction and John Thorpe (Grandson) visit.
To apply for a vending site or for more information, please contact Event coordinators Anne Marie Fitzpatrick or Ray Brader/Nature?s Trail at 570-325-9281 or email amnt1@ptd.net.
OLYMPIAN AUCTION ITEMS ARE ALSO NEEDED and can be dropped off at Nature?s Trail, 5 Broadway, Jim Thorpe or a committee member can pick them up if you call 1-570-325-9281 or email amnt1@ptd.net. Items will be accepted up until May 15th but the deadline to be on the sponsor board and in the event flyer is May 1st.
Please consider helping us offset the growing cost of organizing the Jim Thorpe Birthday Celebration. It takes many volunteer hours and a considerable amount of resources to promote our town's events.
