WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Residents of Wilkes-Barre Township will party like it’s 1774 this weekend, celebrating the town’s 250th anniversary.
Mayor Carl Kuren, who is in his seventh 4-year term leading the township, said the celebration will get underway at 10 a.m. Saturday with a parade through the township.
“All residents are welcome to be in the parade,” Mayor Kuren said. “We will also have a ceremony at the municipal building and a dedication.”
Mayor Kuren noted that the township “is older than Pennsylvania and older than the U.S.”
The mayor said the celebration will start early and continue into the night with bands and games and fireworks.
“We will also have an antique car show and the night will end with a spectacular fireworks display,” Mayor Kuren said. “I want to thank Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown for his help and providing the city’s band shell for the bands at the arena.”
The 250th Anniversary Community Celebration on Saturday, Aug. 24, is a free-to-attend community even.
“It’s going to be an unforgettable day of fun for the whole family, featuring live music that’ll get you dancing, delicious food from more than 20 local vendors, thrilling rides and games for all ages, and a fireworks display worthy of the momentous milestone,” Mayor Kuren said. “Don’t miss out on this historic celebration — come make memories with your community at the Mohegan Sun Arena this weekend.”
Semiquincentennial celebration schedule
Saturday, Aug. 24
Mohegan Sun Arena
• Joe Stanky & Cadets: noon to 2 p.m.
• Billie Fink & the Georgetown Outlaws: 2 to 4 p.m.
• Los Peligrosos: 4 to 6 p.m.
• Jesse & Friend: 6 to 8 p.m.
• Eddie Day & the Starfires: 8 to 10 p.m.
• Fireworks: Dusk
There will also be food trucks all day, along with games, a cornhole tournament and axe throwing.
Incorporated in 1774, Wilkes-Barre Township is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year. Mayor Kuren announced earlier this year that a committee was formed to oversee the planning of the special 250th anniversary celebration.
Arena celebration set for Sept. 21
In celebration of a quarter-century of providing live entertainment in northeast Pennsylvania, officials from the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority and ASM Global, managing entities of the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, earlier this year announced a community celebration concert at the venue on Sept. 21.
At a news conference in March, Donna Cupinski, board chair for the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority, distributed captain’s hats to members of the anniversary committee and then announced “Sailing Through Time,” the 25th-anniversary community celebration that will feature the nautical-suited and captain’s-hat-clad band Yachtley Crew.
“The arena as it exists today would not have been possible without the champions that have served before us,” said Cupinski. “It took an immense amount of hard work and dedication from so many to move us from the initial ‘Arena YES’ campaign to our storied reputation as a pillar of live entertainment within Northeastern Pennsylvania.”
Arena General Manager Stephen Poremba has been with the arena for more than 20 years.
“We are immensely grateful for the incredible support we’ve received from our allies, partners and guests over the past 25 years,” said Poremba. “This event is not only a celebration of our milestone anniversary but also an offering of appreciation for the supportive guests and partners that have helped to get us this far.”
Ticket information
Tickets for the Sept. 21, event start at $25 and are available on Ticketmaster.com and in-person through the venue’s NBT Bank Box Office.