MINERSVILLE - With food, shopping and a variety of activities, residents and visitors young and old Sunday went out to enjoy the community's 18th annual Spirit Day.
Focused on North Street, the celebration went from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
About 25 people stood in line about noontime for 75-cent bleenies sold by St. Matthew the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church about noontime on Sunday.
"We have a reputation for making excellent bleenies," said Vincenza Roscoe, a parish volunteer, about the blending of potatoes, onions, salt, eggs and flour needed to make the coal region treats.
She estimated about 1,100 bleenies had been sold.
Helen Krammes, 70, of Hegins, ordered six and so did her friend, Helen Bluff, 85.
"I love the food, the camaraderie, the people and the entertainment," Krammes about why she comes to Spirit Day.
Funnel cakes, pizza and other food was sold by various local churches and organizations. The Minersville Historical Society sold ornaments and other items to benefit its work. The 2013 ornament was of a 1931 Hahn fire truck from Forestville.
Jennifer Quinn, event chairwoman and president of the Minersville Business and Professional Association, event sponsor, said she was pleased with the number of people who attended, estimating 800 to 1,000 folks were on hand at the time.
This is the first year Quinn has spearheaded the event. The former chairwoman, Anna Kubilis, had stepped down.
Justine McCormick, 38, of Ashland, atteded to watch her children and father-in-law in the Cressona Band.
Paul Leonard, 51, of Pottsville, celebrated his birthday during the event, enjoying a halushkie he described as "real good."
Sherrill Brennan, 53, of Pottsville, said Leonard, her fiance, was having fun. They came for the food and to meet people, she said. Their dog, Lola, a 1-year-Shitzu, also had a chance to meet other dogs during Spirit Day..
Among the available fare were birdhouses, purses, football-related items, pet products and treats and even information about Wayward Animal Rescue, a local group that helps reduce the cat population in the county by having them spayed.
Children were able to use a blue net to scoop up goldfish at a booth near the First Congregational Church of Minersville. They had a choice of taking home a goldfish they scooped up or taking home a balloon instead.
The Cressona Band and others played music in front of the Minersville High Rise complex.
The Citizens of the Year Award, given by Minersville borough, this year went to two Minersville Area High School students, Grace Lescavage, a junior, and Morgen Woodford, a senior. The women noticed district Superintendent M. Joseph Brady on the ground Feb. 20 after he had left his office.
"They were instrumental in saving his life," Quinn said.
The young women also received the Hero Award for helping Brady. The award is given by the Spirit Day Committee.
Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage, state Sen. David Argall, R-29 and state Rep. Neal Goodman, D-123, presented a citations to the students, Quinn said.