SHAMOKIN -- An overflow crowd of more than 2,000 people lined Independence and Market streets on Friday to watch the Heritage Parade, the kickoff event of the third annual two-day Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts.

The festival continues today at 9 a.m. (through 4 p.m.) at various venues throughout downtown Shamokin.

Watching the parade from a side street was Jeanne L. Shaffer, festival committee chair.

"This is very exciting," she said with a smile, as the crowd built up before the 6 p.m. parade start. "This is what we've worked all these months for."

Observers along the route were not only enjoying the festivities, but also seemed to like being outside on this cool, yet sun-drenched late afternoon day.

Grace Manney, of Shamokin, admitted, "This is the first time I've attended the festival, and I really liked the parade. It seemed like a good place to be to start the Memorial Day weekend. Besides, with the price of gas, it's nice to have something to do near your home."

Harry Mattis, of Shamokin, is a regular festival goer. "I wouldn't miss it," he said, as a row of fire engines passed by. "I come every year. I come to honor our town and who we are."

Dawn Renn, also of Shamokin, said what she most liked to see were "all the kids coming out to enjoy the festivities. This is really becoming a family outing for a lot of folks, and it's easy to see why. All the kids playing. And the good food. This is a delightful way to spend a few hours."

Linda Szabo, of Kulpmont, a shy six-year-old who was accompanied by her mother, Carol, summed it up between bites of her hot dog. "I liked it all. I liked the cars and the fire trucks. This is fun."

Music during the parade was provided by the Shamokin Area High School Marching Band, the Shikellamy Marching Braves Band, and the Commonwealth String Band.

Fire engines from the Shamokin Fire Department, Coal Township Fire Department and Kulpmont Fire Departments also participated.

Afterward the Chamber bestowed four "best of" trophies to parade participants:

n Most creative: The Daily Item float, featuring "Inky."

n Most patriotic: Ralph Starr, in his flag-draped car

n Most entertaining: The Subway Sub-Man