HEGINS - An anticipated musical tradition at Hegins Park will carry on this year, under the leadership of Leon Eshelman's family and with assistance from local businesses.
The 38th annual Community Day will kick off July 12 and will feature two shows by Re-Creation U.S.A. at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and song and dance by local talent at 5 p.m.
"Donations from local businesses and professional people have made the continuation of Community Day possible," Valeria Eshelman, Leon's widow, said.
This year's event, though, will be without it's patriarch.
Leon Eshelman, a Hegins businessman, passed away Oct. 4, 2013. One of Eshelman's favorite hobbies, according to his family, was organizing the annual Community Day to support Re-Creation's service with hospitalized veterans.
Park visitors will be treated to a variety of musical entertainment throughout the day.
Re-Creation's 39th edition will present "Sing a Song of America," a grand celebration that highlights popular American songs and rousing patriotic music.
Local talent slated to take the stage includes Gabrielle and Kieffer Quandel, Kylee Clark, Emily Kimmel, Cory Leitzel and Jared Kehler.
Several organizations benefit from the Community Day festivities, as local civic and church groups man food stands as fundraisers throughout the musical celebration. Food stands open at 3:30 p.m.
BBQ chicken dinners will be served by the Hegins Fire Company. Hamburgers and hot dogs will also be available. The Lions Club will be selling french fries; and the soda and beverage stand will be manned by Spot Light Kidz.
Admission to Community Day is free, but a freewill offering will be collected to support Re-Creation's mission to provide therapeutic entertainment programs to veterans' administration hospitals.
The young people who perform with Re-Creation are not paid for their service, according to Re-Creation's website. They set up, change costumes, visit hospital rooms and wards, assist patients to the show area, perform for them, return veterans to their rooms, pack up and load equipment and drive on, averaging 300 miles a day.
Re-Creation visits more than 150 VA Medical Centers and State Veterans Homes across the nation each year and performs more than 300 concerts annually. The Port Trevorton entertainment group was founded by Hugh Brooks and is under the direction of Jay Muller.
Re-Creation will also offer a sacred concert at 10:30 a.m., July 13 at Friedens United Church of Christ, Chestnut Street, Hegins. Everyone is invited to hear them present their message.
For more information, visit www.Re-CreationUSA.com.