Committee welcomes band for Old Home Week Carnival

June 3, 2012

This will be a common sight in a few weeks, when the Punxsutawney Fire Department will hold its annual Old Home Week celebration Tuesday, June 26, through Saturday, June 30, at the carnival grounds behind the Punxy Plaza. Enjoying last year’s carnival rides are Charlie Burkett (left) and Philip Dunmire. (File photo by Larry McGuire/The Punxsutawney Spirit)

PUNXSUTAWNEY — The Punxsutawney Fire Department’s Old Home Week celebration will offer a different form of entertainment for the first time, as a live band will perform one night at the carnival located behind the west side of the Punxy Plaza.

Ridin’ Shotgun will perform from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 29, at the carnival grounds.

“We’ve been exploring alternatives to draw more people into the carnival, and by having a band, it should bring out some of the people who don’t ride rides,” said Tami McFarland, chairperson for the Punxsutawney Fire Department’s Old Home Week committee.

She said overall, the plans for Old Home Week are going very well, and J&J Amusements will be back again this year.

The carnival will run from Tuesday, June 26, through Saturday, June 30, and the fire department will offer three one-price nights Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Firefighters will sell advance tickets beginning this week at various locations, including County Market, Peebles and Wal-Mart.

“If you don’t purchase the advance sale tickets, you will pay significantly more if you wait to purchase them
on the carnival grounds,” McFarland said.

Once the carnival opens Tuesday, the fire department is not allowed to offer the discount tickets.

She said the price remains the same as last year for advance sales: Seven tickets for $10, and $13 to purchase all the rides for one-price tickets in advance.

McFarland also thanked Pete Pape, of the Lindsey Fire Company, for again acquiring prizes from area merchants for the nightly drawing this year.
She said there has also been a good response from potential units for the annual parade.

The parade is scheduled for 4 p.m. June 30, with the lineup beginning at 1 p.m.

Anyone who might be interested in entering a unit may call 938-5524, 952-2626 or e-mail McFarland at firemama2020@hotmail.com.