Millersburg Celebrating its Bicentennial

Millersburg is celebrating its bicentennial with events all year including fireworks and a talent contest on July 3 and a fun-filled week of festivities, August 27 - September 3.

"Celebrating 200-Years and the Future Begins With Us" is the theme of the BiCentennial-2007 Year in Millersburg, a charming town of nearly 4,000 residents and businesses in Upper Paxton Township, north of Berry’s Mountain, with the Susquehanna River to the west.

The people of Millersburg are holding this celebration to mark the legacy of the town and to provide a path to the future for the community. Millersburg was settled in 1805 by Daniel Miller, who was born in May of 1755, the ninth son of Christopher and Anna Miller. As an adult, Daniel often visited his brother and family in Upper Paxton Township and conceived the idea of building a town. After contacting William Von Phul in 1790, Daniel later built an 18-by-20-foot cabin near the current intersection of Pine and Market streets, bringing his family to Millersburg prior to the August 1790, U.S. Census. In 1805, Daniel built a larger brick house that still stands at the corner of Pine and Walnut streets. This house is the oldest building in Millersburg and is listed on the Pennsylvania Register of Historic Places. Daniel's plan for the town of Millersburg, consisting of more than 114 acres, was filed in Dauphin Count Court in 1807 based on a survey by Peter Williamson.

In the early years, Millersburg contained between 70-80 dwellings, two stores, two taverns, three churches and several mills. Enjoying a position of some importance, because of its access to the Wiconisco Canal, to the local Lykens Valley Railroad & with Harrisburg by the "Main Line" as well as proximity to the coal fields to the East in Schuylkill County, Millersburg flourished as a rural farming, manufacturing and transportation center.

The annual fireworks and a talent contest will be held July 3 in Riverfront Park, along the Susquehanna River, as one of the BiCentennial-2007 Celebration Events. Admission and parking throughout the town are free. Handicap parking will be available on a portion of Brubaker's parking lot adjacent to the park. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Portable restrooms will be located at both ends of the park. Vendors will provide a variety of food and drinks from 2:00pm to closing. Also available at the park are Historic Paddle-Wheel Ferry Boat rides. Walk-on passengers are $4 each for a round-trip for ages 4 and over. Last run of the ferryboats on the Millersburg side of the river is 6:00pm. A portion of the proceeds from the July 3 event will be given to the Millersburg Ferry Boat Association to offset operating costs. The finale of the Colgate Country Showdown Talent Contest, featuring eight winners from three previous contests, will begin at 7:30pm on the stage near the Millersburg Gun Club at the Pine Street Landing. The contestants are competing for a $1,000 grand prize. The fireworks will begin at 9:30pm.

The weeklong celebration, August 27 - September 3, will feature crafters, food and product vendors and entertainment for young and old. Many traditional, historical and unique activities and events are scheduled. The "Grande Parade", with the famous Clydesdale horses, will step off at 10:00am on September 1. Other events include fire department parade; bicycle, boat & canoe races; fishing derby; golf tournament; carnival; talent contestl; patriotic-themed pageant & church services; garden, architectural and historic places tours; craft exhibits & demonstrations; a football game; reunions and dedication of the 2007 time capsule.

Throughout the celebration, the "Millersburg History" book and accompanying souvenir program, as well as especially designed commemorative items will be for sale. The town will be decorated with stationary and hanging floral arrangements and banners. Following live auctions of original BiCen-Calendar Art and handcrafted, artist-decorated BiCen-Benches, the celebration will draw to a close with a spectacular fireworks display at River Front Park. Admission and parking are free. Scheduled events will be held rain or shine. For complete details, times and dates of events, visit www.Millersburg.com.