LONACONING — For more than 20 years, there has been an annual tradition in Lonaconing, and this year’s focus particularly is on the heritage and history of the town.

“The brochure for George’s Creek Days features Heritage House on the front and a nice description on the back,” Andrea Bowden, member of the heritage house committee, said. “Heritage House will have a backyard exhibit, some artifacts representing potential exhibits: coal mining, schools, household items, pictures, veterans, picture of the house, architect’s drawing, etc.”

Though the planned Heritage House is the former home to local historian Mary Meyers, the displays will be up in the back yard, which adjoins the Iron Furnace Park for Sunday in the Park.

Sunday in the Park is one of the highlights of the events that begin with a cruise in on Friday night that is sponsored by the George’s Creek Cruisers from 6 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, there will be a Buckwheat Pancake and Sausage Breakfast at the Pythian Hall from 7 to 11 a.m. The 19th Annual Lonaconing Iron Furnace Five Kilometer Run and Half-Mile Walk will begin at 8 a.m. at George’s Creek Elementary School. The awards ceremony will be held at 9:15 a.m.

The George’s Creek Regional Library will be offering a tour of the History Room from 1 to 3 p.m. on the history of Coal Mining on George’s Creek, hosted by Sandra Grandstaff in memory of Meyers.

The evening ends with the Central High School Alumni Dinner, which has become a tradition along with the other events of George’s Creek Days. Classmates from Central High School — which closed its doors in 1953 — meet together at the Firemen’s Armory.

This is all followed by Sunday in the Park, which begins at 3 p.m. and will end at 8 p.m., with music by the 40 West Variety Band playing throughout the day, along with special games for the kids at 4, 5 and 6 p.m.

“Going from 3 to 8 has been to accommodate people who would like to have Sunday dinner there,” Grandstaff said. “It’s a more comfortable time of day ... There will be music and entertainment, good food and crafts and games for the young people. It’s a small town social event, a good time to renew old friendships with people coming in for the Central Alumni reunion.”

There will be other games throughout the day, sponsored by local businesses and organizations, as well as a variety of food, including a chicken barbecue, fish, fries, pizza, homemade ice cream and Polish sausages.

Local businesses and groups will be holding sales and fundraisers as well. According to Mark Greenwald, town councilman and adviser for Boy Scout Troop 26, the event is one of the troop’s biggest fundraisers.

“It’s nice that the Boy Scouts are running the concessions and rides for Vince Green,” Greenwald said. “Therefore, some of the money goes back into the community.”

Events continue with an Ice Cream Social at First Presbyterian Church on Main Street from 5 to 7 p.m. On Tuesday, there will be a chicken dinner at First United Methodist Church on Church Street, with sit in meals from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and carry-outs from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. On Wednesday, there will be a free swim at Dan’s Mountain State Park from 12 to 6 p.m. Thursday will begin with a bake sale at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, held in front of Marhsall’s Confectionery on Main Street from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The evening will end with the annual George’s Creek Regional Library campfire behind the library from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

On July 3, there will be the George’s Creek Communities Fireworks Display at the Westmar Middle School Athletic Field. Rides and Entertainment will begin at 5 p.m. with the fireworks display set for 9:30 p.m. The rain date for the event is July 5.

Other events later in the month include the Fireman’s Street Time on July 10 beginning at 7 p.m. and on July 11 the Firemen’s Parade at 6 p.m. followed by the Street Time. Both are held at the engine house on Douglas Avenue.

Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@times-news.com.