Midvale Miners Jubilee looks to next year
Liam Gibbs, 8, of Midvale prepares to launch a Stomp Rocket at Kid’s Day at the Midvale Miners Jubilee.
After a fun filled, perfect weather weekend at the first ever Midvale Miners Jubilee has festival organizers already looking forward to next year.
This year’s festival honored the Midvale Lions Club with a commemorative plate and Christmas ornament.
“The Lion’s club was chartered in 1956 and they have one of the longest running Halloween parades in the county, they hold an Easter Egg hunt, and help families at Christmas time,” said Candie Wilson, a member of the festival committee. “They do a lot for the community.”
Next year the festival will remember the memories of five men killed in an explosion in Mine #4. They are hoping the remaining families will be able to provide a photo of their relative for display.
The explosion happened Saturday morning, Jan. 3, 1931, in the No. 4 mine.
Those who lost their lives that day were:
- Simon Boggiana, 27, of Barnhill, who was the unmarried son of Mrs. Lena Boggiana.
- Charles Carnahan, 32, of Roswell, the married father of two children.
- Marcus Renneker, 31, of New Philadelphia, the married father of four children.
-Clyde Ohler, 40, of Barnhill, the married father of two children.
- Lutric DeMattio, 29, of Midvale, the married father of three children.
The funeral services were held Jan. 6, 1931, for the victims of the first major mine explosion ever recorded in Tuscarawas County.
Anyone with photos and information on these men may contact the committee, which includes William L. Weaver, Mark and Vicki Bassett, Randy and Donna Cadle, Stephenie Wilson, Rod and Candy Wilson, Midvale Mayor Larry Kopp and his wife, Lynette, Donna Kohler and Brenda Stafford.
Many people and children showed up to enjoy the festivities, including approximately 75 children for the Kid’s Day event held Saturday.
“I’m so happy,” said festival committee member Brenda Stafford who was dressed as a clown for Kid’s Day. “It was one of the best days, the looks of joy on the kid’s faces, and how appreciative they were. They asked if they could have their pictures taken with me. They loved everything.”
A game by the Canal Dover Redlegs vintage baseball club was described as “fantastic.” The hungry baseball players were also huge supporters of the baked goods auction purchasing many of the goodies.
Among the scrumptious items auctioned off were a variety of pies including elderberry, blackberry, rhubarb, apple, pecan, sugar free root beer float, and the bestselling pie – a coconut cream went for $45. Other goods included cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and cheesecake.
A Midvale Mine cake, in honor of Mine #7, was made by Missy Graham Metcalf, whose father was once the mayor of the village. The auction raised more than $500 for the festival.
A collection of items featuring Midvale’s history, including the history of the Midvale School, was featured in the pavilion at the park including some historical mining items on loan from the collection of Tom Hawkins. The display featured a hat with an oil light atop it that showed the dangers miners faced.
A quilt featuring photos from the Mine-ding Midvale’s History book was auctioned off to support the festival and then the buyer donated it to the Mine-ding Midvale’s History collection.
Other activities at the festival included food vendors and a beer garden, commemorative auction, the musical groups Badstone, and LaFlavour, inflatables, New Towne Cloggers, a car show, and Powerslam Pro Wrestling.
Organizers felt the first festival went well but hope to see more participation in some of the events, including the 5K race next year. They would like to thank their sponsors including Addy Polaris, BLT LLC, Buckeye Landscape & Design, C & K Automotive, Cronebaugh Auction Services, Dirty Dog Car Wash, DK’s Bar & Grill, Dover-Phila Federal Credit Union, Flex Technologies Inc., First National Bank of Dennison, Herron Heating & Cooling, KDRP (Keurig Dr. Pepper,) Kimble Companies, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, Midvale Auto Body and Detail, Midvale Lion’s Club, Midvale Methodist Church, Renner & Daughter Concrete Construction, Rich Industries, Inc., Signs & Graphics by Coney, Smith Ambulance, Superior Mobile Homes, TDT Septic & Excavating, Thrasher Engineering, Truck Sales & Service, Tusco Rifle Club, Tusky VFW, Twin City Kids, Willandale Golf Sales, and Wood Electric among others.
More information and photos of the 2023 inaugural event are available on Facebook at Midvale Miners Jubilee.