Lansford continued the positive momentum from the new "Fridays in Lansford" with two festivals that returned to the borough over the weekend.

Borough officials praised the organizers of the Lansford Ethnic Festival and Coal Miners Heritage Festival during Wednesday's borough council meeting.Mayor James Romankow thanked the Lansford Alive Events Committee for holding its second annual Ethnic Festival in Kennedy Park on Saturday.He identified members Marie Ondrus and Irma Leibensperger for their contributions."I would like to say congratulations to both of you, because you were the ones who came up with the ethnic festival and music in the park," he said.Councilman Matt Walsh said that the Ethnic Festival's location at Kennedy Park does a great job of attracting passers-by."People drive through on the highway, it gets a buzz going, gives a sense of community," he said.Leibensperger said that the attendance for the event was well over 500 people. She said that the events committee's other big event, Music in the Park, has also grown."I think it's looking up. There are a lot of good people coming in," she said.Romankow also praised the organizers of the Coal Miners' Heritage Festival.The festival, which celebrated its 10th anniversary on Sunday, is held each year at the No. 9 Mine and Museum on Dock Street. Romankow said the event was "packed."Hundreds of visitors explored the mine. There were local food vendors and musicians.The event is highlighted by a competitive coal-shoveling contest."There were a lot of people. It was busier in town both days," he said.Romankow also offered praise for the recent Fridays in Lansford, which showcases the mine, a farmers market, as well as the Lansford Historical Society Museum located on East Bertsch Street.Restaurants all over town are offering specials to mark the day. Romankow also singled out the new Coal Miners' Bar and Grill at Patterson and Center streets."And the new bar and grill has a special, $5 cheesesteaks on Thursday," he said.Council also approved a contract with Kattner Oil to provide fuel oil to the borough at a cost of $1.699.The Lansford farmers' market will be held on Saturday instead of Friday. The time and location are the same, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tunnel and Ridge streets.