MIFFLINTOWN - Thursday's meeting of the Mifflintown Rotary Club provided members with an overview of the upcoming events commemorating the 200 years of Port Royal as a town. Guest speaker and local historian, Wayne Taylor, gave a presentation of the planned events for the Port Royal Bicentennial Celebration.
While the celebration will take place Sept. 28 through Sept. 30, there will be ongoing events leading up to the anniversary. Bus tours will be offered of Port Royal and the surrounding areas, including significant historical information for more than 140 locations. The bus can accomodate up to 48 people for the 32-mile tour. Tours will take place at 9 a.m. on Sept. 1, Sept. 5, and Sept 8 and will begin at the Juniata County Fairgrounds Gate by the cattle barn. Tickets are $5 per person and may be purchased at the Bicentennial Shop, 410 Milford St., Port Royal.
Books are available at the shop which detail the history of Perrysville and Port Royal through photos, text and stories. Also offered are an array of souvenirs including crocks, sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, banners, garden flags and children's items. Hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
A memorabilia museum and textile display will be located in the Floral Hall at the fairgrounds during the event. Barney Gray's personal display of memorabilia will be in the building behind the Floral Hall. There will be exhibits of race cars, antique tractors, old and new fire equipment and hit and miss engines. A store, kids activities and food concessions will also be available.
Another bus tour will be offered at 9 a.m. Sept. 28. The Port Royal/Tuscarora Valley High School reunion and luncheon will take place at 1 p.m. in the Community Building. The opening of the Bicentennial Ceremony will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Grandstand Stage at the fairgrounds. This opening will include a prayer and poem of Port Royal as well as a period dress contest, Miss Margaret Dancers, the announcement of contest winners, men's beard judging and entertainment by This Way Up.
A Civil War encampment will be set up Sept. 29 at Moyer Park. The Stephen Pomeroy Ride, a re-enactment ride through Port Royal, will take place at 9 a.m. and at 10 a.m. there will be a Civil War battle re-enactment with artillery. The parade will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 29. Entries are welcome and may be made by calling 527-4152 or 527-4075. Musical entertainers will perform from 5 to 8 p.m. on the grandstand stage.
A community church service will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 30 with pastors from Port Royal Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and Faith Bible Churches. After the service, a ceremony to honor veterans will be held.
For more information on the Port Royal Bicentennial Celebration, visit portroyal200.com.
