The Coal Miners Heritage Festival in Lansford, now in its 19th year, continues to offer something just not available anyplace else — a full-day celebration of authentic coal culture.

Attendees who flooded in to the 19th annual event during Sunday’s picture-perfect weather were treated food, music, tours and games, all focused on the life and times of anthracite coal.

“I put together a whole collection of coal mining tunes,” said troubadour Dave Matsinko, a Nesquehoning native.

Matsinko performed both outdoors and inside the No. 9 Museum. Among his tunes was a humorous industry song titled, “My Sweetheart’s the Mule in the Mines.”

Similarly, musical heritage specialist Jay Smar of Coaldale serenaded crowds with folklore and Pennsylvania coal mining tunes.

The day included underground tours of the world’s longest-operated anthracite deep mine. Also featured was a peek inside the newly constructed Fan House, displaying the massive, room-sized 150-year-old Dorrance Mine Fans and power generator.

Taking in the cultural activities was Tom Zimmerman of Lehighton. Zimmerman, of Zimmerman’s Dairy, is a longtime donor to the coal festival, boosting the work of volunteers by furnishing iced tea for the concessions stand.

“I’m glad to help,” he said. “Look at all the hard work these people do.”

Ruthie O’Dell of Plains Township demonstrated the labor-intensive chores of laundry day in a typical patch town, where women used old wringer washers or sometimes simply a washboard.

Tom Curney of Drums strolled the grounds dressed in a Victorian police uniform, a nod to the historic Coal and Iron Police.

The day was a hit for the Thear family of Nesquehoning, who took in the sights.

Lee Thear carried daughter Rosa, 10, a fifth grader, on his shoulders. Rosa was all smiles wearing her brand-new, pink squid hat.

“She got it just yesterday at Camden aquarium,” they said.

A highlight of the day was the traditional coal shoveling competition, with men and woman competing to see who is fastest at hoisting and heaving a quarter-ton of coal.

When the dust settled, top prize went to Shane Frederickson of Tamaqua.

Second place was captured by Kevin Klase, and third, Ramon Hernandez.

The unique, adult-oriented event is coordinated by volunteers Bill Harleman, Alex Shereba and Dale Freudenberger.

Ethnic foods of coal culture were especially popular, including stuffed cabbage, called halupki in the coal region, along with a type of deep-fried potato-and-onion pancake known as bleenies.

DJ Shawn Frederickson provided classic coal region music and manned the public address system.

For the kids, there were burlap sack races using authentic coal sacks.

The No. 9 Mine provides a special experience, a unique venue and activities not available anyplace else in Pennsylvania.

For instance, other festivals typically see children crawling into inflatable bounce houses. But the No. 9 Coal Miners Heritage Festival lets children crawl into history.

From its authentic, deep mine setting to its corps of volunteers who hail from coal region towns and are descended come from coal region families, Lansford’s mine festival stands apart, say visitors, who enjoy free admission, free parking and free picnicking under a covered pavilion.

The event combines coal region fun with culture, entertainment and education, putting the festival in a class by itself.