Ron Best, chairman of the Knox Horsethief Committee, made a recent pledge in regard to this year’s annual festival:”It’s gonna happen – one way or another, it’s gonna happen.”
Best was chairing the committee’s meeting when he made the pledge, and everyone appeared upbeat about the festival’s return after it fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
Although Horsethief Days is scheduled Aug. 14 through 21, many of the details are still being finalized. The biggest “what if” is obtaining state permits for the closing of Route 208 for various events.
If the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation does not grant a road closure permit, the Horsethief Days Committee is prepared to move most of the major events to side streets or other locations.
“If worse comes to worse, we can bump some things around,” committee member and Knox Borough Council President Jack Bish Jr. said.
The committee also continues to secure sponsorships for the festival.
Although the fireworks show is 50% paid for, Bish reported expenses for other needs – such as insurance – are expected to e higher this year.
Citizen of the Year
Each year, the Horsethief Days Committee honors a Knox-area resident for their lifetime contributions to the community.
For 2021, however, the committee has nominated the community at large as its Citizen of the Year.
Committee member Tiki Kahle said many members of the Knox-area community came together during the past year.
She said they made sure children were able to get their educational opportunities, donated food to food banks, helped shut-in neighbors, organized parades for graduates and sports teams, and made differences in the lives of so many people that it would not be fair to try to pick a lone Citizen of the Year.
Kahle said trying to name each person who made a difference in 2020 would only lead to someone inadvertently being left off the list.
The committee will release a statement of the community honor in the coming weeks.
The events
Among the events discussed at the committee meeting:
– The softball tournament, scheduled Aug. 14 and 15, is “a go.” The tournament could include a whiffle ball tournament for children.
– Lawnmower and garden tractor races are set for Aug. 18. “It’s a go as long as we get that street permit,” Kahle said.
– The antique tractor pulling contest is tentatively scheduled Aug. 15, behind the fire hall.
– The Knox Lions Club will host its bike race and power wheels event on the evening of Aug. 19.
– Committee member Tim Guzzo reported the Winkler Car Cruise is set for Aug. 20, and participants will receive a plaque.
– The annual “Jeep Invasion” is scheduled Aug. 21. The committee approved the purchase of 144 participation mugs for the event.
– The Knox Volunteer Fire Department Horsethief Parade will be held the evening of Aug. 21. A wine walk is expected to not take place this year at the fire hall due to low participation in the past.
-“Billy and the Neptunes” will perform a concert at some point during the week, most likely during the car cruise along Main Street.
– The closing fireworks display is scheduled Aug. 21.
The Horsethief committee will meet again this month and in July to finalize the schedule’s times and locations. Other events and activities are expected to be added. Food and craft vendors are invited to participate in the weeklong festival.