The Tamaqua Historical Society will present its 30th Annual Tamaqua Heritage Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in downtown Tamaqua. It will be held rain or shine.

For the past three decades, the annual event celebrates the fall foliage season in the community that historically has served as a mining, railroad and manufacturing hub of the coal region.The festival encompasses about seven blocks of downtown, all within the Tamaqua National Historic District. Several thousand people flock to the popular event each year to celebrate local history and culture, and enjoy fall foliage.Railroads are a big part of Tamaqua's heritage. The 1874 Tamaqua train station will be open for visitors to take in the restored interior or enjoy a bite to eat.The Tamaqua Anthracite Model Railroad Club will hold an open house at the corner of West Broad and Nescopec street. Their display includes an oversized, operating HO model train layout.There will be no fall foliage train rides this year, but information will be available on the Santa Claus Special Train Rides in December.Depot displayThe depot also features historic railroad equipment along the grounds including two World War II-era cabooses and a small lokie, which operated at the Atlas Powder Co. in Reynolds. There is also the Pennsylvania Power and Light Co. fireless locomotive, which used to operate at the PP&L Power Plant at Lake Hauto. A small Plymouth gasoline operated lokie once owned and operated by PP&L is also on display.At Depot Square Park, visitors can also see and ring the large bell, which was originally owned by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company and used at the Lansford No. 6 coal colliery.Visitors can also enjoy a short walk to check out the historic, restored East Broad Street bridge over the Little Schuylkill River. The bridge reopened last week after a major renovation project.On the front lawn of the Tamaqua Hi Rise in front of the flagpole, visitors can check out a rare find that was excavated during the bridge renovations a large stone which was found deep in the river bed and is believed to be an original corner stone from an 1880s wooden covered bridge. The stone was donated to the Tamaqua Historical Society.The 1801 Burkhardt Moser Log Home on East Broad Street will not be open for tours until a new access stairway is constructed. Visitors can view it from the outside. The log home will be open for tours again in the coming months.Approximately 100 crafters and vendors are expected to line the festival route offering everything from handcrafts, to jewelry, woodcrafts, holiday decorations, artwork, needle crafts, clothing items and more.Harmony Lodge #86 and Lady Harmony Rebekah Lodge #86 will present an old fashioned Pie and Pumpkin walk in Depot Square Park.Working blacksmithBlacksmith Don Campbell will work the forge and demonstrate blacksmithing skills in the 1848 Hegarty Blacksmith Shop. The shop is located along Hegarty Avenue and was owned and operated by three generations of the Hegarty family from 1848 until 1973. It was the oldest operating business in Schuylkill County when it closed. Admission is free.Dr. Kelly's Old Tyme Traveling Medicine Show will be at the corner of Broad and Nescopec Street. Autumn decorating supplies, fresh apple cider, and homegrown produce will be available at the Autumn Harvest Market at the corner of W. Broad and Hunter.Horse-drawn trolley car rides pulled by Leiby's Belgian Draft Horses will be offered. Boarding and tickets are at the corner of W. Broad and Berwick streets. An Alpaca corral will be set up downtown where attendees can pet and learn more about these animals.The Tamaqua Street Machine Association antique and classic car show will take place on South Railroad Street. Registrations are accepted the day of the event beginning at 10 a.m. Awards will be presented at 3 p.m. and a disc jockey will provide music during the day.The Military Timeline Encampment and reenactors will represent various wars in our country's history. They will be setup on the grass next to the American Legion Home in Tamaqua.A variety of musical entertainment will be offered at several locations, including folk musician Dave Matsinko, the 3 a.m. band, WMGH Polka program and DJ Brandon.Many local organizations will also participate with fundraising stands selling food, baked goods, calendars and more. There will also be a variety of homemade ethnic foods and festival goodies.A large display of historic Tamaqua area photographs will be exhibited at the historical society museum on West Broad Street.For more information call 570-225-1089.