Jackson Township Community Festival to offer music, food, activities

VINCO, Pa. – A community gathering with music, food and activities will highlight an upcoming festival.

The 19th annual Jackson Township Community Festival will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Veterans Memorial Park, 200 Adams Ave., off state Route 271 in Vinco.

“The festival is a welcome to people, and a thanks for living in our area and contributing to the community. We try to keep it as local as possible, and it’s an appreciation of the lifestyle we enjoy here in the Jackson Township area,” said Brian McDermott, a festival committee member.

“We’re very pleased with the number of people who come out each year.”

The festival will open with a car cruise-in at 5 p.m. Friday.

There is no entry fee, and the first 75 vehicles will receive dash plaques.

“Everybody likes to get in there and get the prime parking spots, so they get there early,” McDermott said.

“The weather is going to be gorgeous, so we expect a pretty big turnout. We close off Adams Avenue so that the cars can park on both sides, and it gives everybody a lot of room to walk around and look at the cars.”

That Oldies Band will entertain at 6 p.m., followed by Octane at 8 p.m.

There will be 60 food and merchandise vendors, as well as festival attractions and activities, which will be open from 5 to 9 p.m.

“There’s a great variety of food with a wide range of tastes,” McDermott said.

Booths and attractions will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday.

Entertainment will feature Bone Jacked Band at 1 p.m., Dillons at 3 p.m., Campfire Acoustic at 5 p.m. and FUSE at 8 p.m.

Sunday will begin with Singer Hill Grace Brethren Church holding a community service at 10 a.m. under the tent.

Festival attractions and activities will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A cornhole tournament will begin at noon.

“Last year was the first year for it, and it was a huge success with good participation, so we decided to hold it again this year,” McDermott said.

John Michaels Band will perform at noon, and Us Three will entertain at 2 p.m.

“We try to get the most popular local bands because that draws in the people,” McDermott said.

“It’s a good variety and entertaining and good-listening music.”

There also will be children’s games and activities, a bounce house, face-painting, petting zoo, Exotic Adventures animal show, hayrides, a pedal power tractor pull and a cutest baby contest.

In addition, a basket party and 50/50 raffles will be held throughout the weekend.

“This is a fun, family-oriented event, and something that we hope to continue on,” McDermott said. “We want people to come out and enjoy themselves for the day and experience the atmosphere that we have here in Jackson Township.”

Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company will sponsor a beer and beverage tent.

There is no admission or parking fee.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/p/Jackson-Heritage-Festival.