The 15th Annual Coal Miners’ Heritage Festival will be held July 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the grounds of the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum in Lansford.

The unique, fun and educational event celebrates northeastern Pennsylvania’s rich anthracite coal region history with ethnic heritage, food, folk music, hand crafts and customs.

“The Annual Coal Miners’ Heritage Festival is presented by the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum in Lansford and is our largest annual event,” said Dale Freudenberger, secretary at No. 9.

Admission to the festival grounds and parking are free. The event will be held rain or shine.

A variety of crafters, artists, vendors and regional organizations will sell a variety of goods. Additional vendors and crafters are invited and can register by contacting dalefreud@gmail.com or 610-597-6722.

Visitors can take an underground tour of the No. 9 Coal Mine for a nominal charge. It is the world’s oldest operating deep mine and was opened in 1855 by the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company and last mined in 1972 by the Lanscoal Company. The average temperature in the mine is 52 degrees so visitors should bring a light jacket. They’ll ride into the mine in enclosed mine cars pulled by an original mine locomotive.

The nearby museum in the original 1912 brick miners’ wash shanty houses one of the largest collections of anthracite coal mining artifacts, tools, photographs and memorabilia in the coal region.

The free coal miner’s competition is the most popular event. Anyone over the age of 16 is invited to participate in the 2 p.m. coal shoveling competition where competitors shovel a pile of coal in the shortest time. Trophies will be awarded.

The old time and interactive “Wash Day” demonstration will show the chore of washing clothes by hand in coal patch towns.

Other outdoor exhibits include local historical society exhibits, vintage coal region posters, a restored vintage mine locomotive, an operating antique coal screen, a display of old time moonshine making equipment, the miners bath day display, antique coal region beer trays exhibit, The Dorrance Mine Fan preservation project and more.

A variety of great music typically found in the coal region will be featured, including the WMGH Magic Polka Machine live broadcast with Polka Joe Manjack. Other entertainers include the Breaker Boys, Jay Smar, Dave Matsinko and DJ Shawn Frederickson.

Coal region historical re-enactors will stroll the grounds. Several early antique vehicles and a traditional home delivery hi-lift coal truck will be on display but there is no formal car show.

Homemade ethnic foods and other popular summertime offerings will be available from local organizations and food vendors.

Children’s entertainment includes old time coal sack races with prizes, bounce house, kiddie train ride, games and Buster the Clown.