91st All Home Days kicks off Saturday
ELYSBURG - For the 91st year, the All Home Days grounds in Elysburg will be buzzing with activities for the annual All Home Days celebration, running Saturday through Monday.
Beginning in 1919 as a way to welcome troops home from World War I, parades, craft shows, a 5K run and much more will bring thousands to the Elysburg grounds for the event.
"We are excited to have everyone coming again," Melissa Snarski, president, said. "We are one of the few events that have a live band performing every night, a karaoke show, basket bingo and sumo wrestling. We invite everyone to come on down and check it all out."
A new event this year will be a presentation by local animal shelters and Mostly Mutts. The event will be held each day of the celebration.
"Those groups will come in and show us how they save animals and keep them safe and alive, running a no-kill shelter," Snarski said. "They will be giving demonstrations and holding a raffle inside the craft buildings."
One of the most attended events will be the parade to kick off the event, starting at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Elysburg Alliance Church and ending at the All Home Days grounds.
The theme for this year's parade is "Musical Memories" and prize categories include pets, costumed instruments and groups, small floats and wagons and large floats and bikes. Groups can register at www.allhomeday.org or at the church before the start of the parade.
While many events will be the same this year, the sumo wrestling challenge, starting at 4 p.m. Sunday, will undergo a change.
"This year, we will be competing in three different divisions," said event organizer Scott Kramer. "While we will have the main competition for the Sumo Cup, trophies will also be awarded for the women and for those competitors ages 14 to 18."
Registration for the event begins at 3 p.m. with grudge matches starting at 4 p.m. and the sumo tournament at 4:30 p.m.
Other events planned for the weekend, include the landing of a Blackhawk helicopter at noon Saturday, a flower show, a car show, basket bingo, a soap box derby, the Elysburg Rotary 5K run and fun walk, horseshoe tournaments, chicken barbecue and the closing ceremony, a tribute to all who serve or have served in the U.S. military, with special music by the Vic Boris Trio.
The Elysburg Garden Club invites area residents to participate in its flower show at All Home Days.
Booklets are available at the Ralpho and Shamokin-Coal Township libraries or by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to The Elysburg Garden Club, 20 Grande Ave., Elysburg 17824.
The theme is "Hearts of America." Entries are due at the flower show building between 7 and 9 p.m. Friday, or between 7 and 9 a.m. Saturday. There are no entry fees or pre-registration. Ribbons will be awarded to the top prize winning entries.
All entries are to be picked up between 8 and 9 p.m. Monday.
Open to suggestions
While Snarski is excited about this year's slate of events, there is always room for improvement.
"If there is something that people want to see us bring to the event, let us know," Snarski said. "People love to come up with new ideas, but we need the volunteers to keep this going and give us a bigger and brighter All Home Days for years to come."
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