Danielle Chicano Abington Journal Intern
NICHOLSON – Bridge Day has become an annual celebration in Nicholson since the bridge’s 75th anniversary and residents plan on keeping the tradition alive for many years. On Sunday, September 13, the Nicholson Women’s Club will sponsor the 94th anniversary of the construction of Nicholson Bridge and they are not stopping there. According to Karin Wellings, Vice President of the club, they are hoping for a big celebration to commemorate the bridge’s 100th anniversary in 2015. For now, however, the focus is on this upcoming Bridge Day which will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Main Street in Nicholson located at routes 11 and 92.
This year’s events will be similar to last year’s, with the addition of “New Adventures at Nordahl Park” to celebrate the town’s new foot bridge over Martins Creek. Located a few blocks away from Main Street, Nordahl Park will be filled with old-fashioned games and activities such as tug of war, sack races and even a dunk tank.
The additions at Nordahl Park to Bridge Day are sponsored in conjunction with the boy scouts, the American Legion and various merchants in town. This year there will also be a raffle for hot air balloon ride. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20 and the winner will be announced at 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Nicholson Women’s Club booth on Bridge Day and the winning ticket can be redeemed within one year.
At 2 p.m., there will be a history walk concentrating on the evolvement of the churches in town. The guided walk, which was new to Bridge Day last year, lasts about 45 minutes to an hour.
Like last year there will be a special train ride from the Steamtown National Historic Site over the legendary Nicholson Bridge, taking place on Saturday, Sept 12. The train leaves from Scranton at 1 p.m. and will return about an hour and a half later. Passengers will be able to enjoy the scenic view from the bridge during the train ride, which does not stop in Nicholson.
Many of the vendors from past years will also be returning to celebrate the 94th anniversary of the Nicholson Bridge and offer their goods and services. Some include David Burman with his decorated T-shirts and denim shirts; Sharon Mislevy, a local beekeeper with honey, Bill Slaters who offers Nicholson Bridge souvenirs; Florence Franceski with seasonal crafts and Robert Lippi who offers free tap-dancing lessons and provides tap shoes. Two new vendors this year will be Patty Spencer and Dawn Bundy selling homemade soaps and “Fassy Albert Soaps,” providing homemade soaps and pet care products.
“I enjoy it because of the variety of vendors,” says Wellings “You meet a lot of local friends. I know that, too, from other people, even those that don’t live here, they just come back and just walk around and meet people.”
Some other events planned are a pet show, which will take place at 11 a.m., a performance by the Wyoming County
Players from 1 to 1:45 p.m. and a chicken barbecue beginning at 11 a.m. The North Search Rescue and Recovery Dogs will also be there at 11 a.m. Live entertainment during the day includes performances by the T-town Twirlers, Dancing Princesses and members of the Nicholson Guitar Studio between 1 and 3 p.m.
The Nicholson Women’s Club invites all to join in the festivities at the 94th anniversary celebration of the Nicholson
Bridge. All proceeds benefit the club, which, in turn, supports and sponsors community organized events and activities throughout the year. For more information about Bridge Day contact the Nicholson Women’s Club at 570.942.6747 or 570.942.4443.