Tom Zimmerman II of Mahoning Township said it best about the weather on Saturday during the 11th annual Anthracite Heritage Festival at Mauch Chunk Lake Park:

"Whoever's in charge of the weather better be in charge again next year."It was a gorgeous day for the festival and the attendance was excellent, according to David Horvath, park director.Temperatures were in the 80s, warmer than when the park opened for swimming in May. The sky was virtually cloudless.This made for a great combination with the historical displays, vendors selling everything from doughnuts and soup to Native American jewelry, pumpkin painting, crafts and local bands playing mostly bluegrass and country music.The only problem Horvath and park rangers had all day is that the weather was so spectacular, a few of the attendees tried to sneak some swimming in at Mauch Chunk Lake.He said because there are no lifeguards, he couldn't allow the swimming. Some attendees did take time to park chairs on the beach and even rest their feet in the water.Throughout the day people brought chairs to shady spots or donned umbrellas to protect themselves from the scorching sun while listening to the bands."We had some new performers, some new bands this year," Horvath said. They included Grillbilly Project and Big Valley Bluegrass.Other bands were Coal County Express, Serene Green and Free Range Folk.Horvath said, "It's nice to see the bands we had in the past return. It's good to see the same faces."He said not only bands have returned but so did many of the spectators. He said he saw some people wearing T-shirts from earlier festivals.Each year, the festival has commemorative T-shirts for sale.Heritage, as the festival's name denotes, plays a big part in the event.Several members of the Switchback Railroad Museum were present to promote the museum.John Drury, a member of the museum, said they also were promoting their latest publication, "The Front Hill Families of Mauch Chunk."The softcover, 8½-by-11-inch book is part of the Kemmerer Park Carriage House Project and presents biographical sketches of eight influential Front Hill industrial revolutionaries. Among them are Josiah White, John Leisenring, Asa Packer and Erskine Hazard.Members of the Weatherly Area Museum visit the Anthracite Heritage Festival for the first time with memorabilia of Weatherly's history, including front pages of old newspapers and thick scrapbooks.Dave Matsinko of Franklin Township, formerly of Nesquehoning, set up a display of "Old Time Appalachian Folk Music." Matsinko wasn't selling anything. He merely was introducing visitors to longtime musical traditions in the Appalachians.Matsinko had all types of instruments on exhibit including banjos, dulcimers and guitars. He also played tunes for visitors on some of those instruments.He has recorded CDs of coal mining music and mountain music.Several civic organizations benefited from the festival.Boy Scout Troop 209 of Palmerton sold peach cobblers.The Mauch Chunk Charity Foundation sold soup and drinks to benefit the Gower Family of Franklin Township, who were affected by a tragic fire on July 15.Jay Llewellyn, a member of the foundation, said the group has been raising money for various causes for the past 3½ years, including the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and the Shriners Childrens Hospital. They also organized a student athlete scholarship for Michael Carpenter at Jim Thorpe Area High School. Carpenter, a former athlete at Jim Thorpe High School, died at age 25 in a car accident.Robert Coombe of Andreas said he was pleased when he saw the Switchback Railroad Museum display, which included a miniature version of the historic site. Coombe, who is in his 80s, grew up in Summit Hill. "I can still see it (the Switchback) running through Summit Hill," he said. "It's a shame they tore it down for scrap. It would be a good historical attraction. It was not noted for carrying passengers. It was noted for hauling coal."One of the most popular attractions of the festival was hay rides.Horvath said the festival is the last park-sponsored event of the year. "It signifies the end of the season for us," he said.He said camping will continue until the end of October. There are several events scheduled in October, including an Alzheimer's walk this coming weekend, a suicide prevention walk and the annual Switchback Scamper.The park will also be used for parking for Jim Thorpe's annual Fall Foliage Festival the first three weekends in October.Proceeds from the Anthracite Heritage Festival benefit the park's operating expenses.