Jim Thorpe Birthday Celebration
May 15 & 16, 2010
Jim Thorpe, PA
Presented by the
Jim Thorpe Chamber of Commerce
This event honors Jim Thorpe, a Native American, one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century, and our town’s namesake.
Jacobus Franciscus “Jim” Thorpe (Sac and Fox (Sauk): Wa-Tho-Huk) (May 28, 1888 – March 28, 1953) was one of the finest athletes ever to take any field. He won Olympic gold medals in the 1912 pentathlon and decathlon, played American football at the collegiate and professional levels, and also played professional baseball and basketball.
In 1950, The Associated Press named Thorpe the greatest athlete of the first half of the twentieth century. In 1999, he was ranked third on their list of top athletes of the 20th century.
- What’s Going On
The 14th Annual Jim Thorpe Birthday Celebration will be held on Saturday, May 15th and Sunday, May 16th, 2010 at Josiah White Park in Jim Thorpe.
The celebration starts with a Native American tribute at the Jim Thorpe Mausoleum on Saturday, May 15th at 10:30am, followed by the carrying of the lighted torch by the Olympian Cross Country and Track teams to the Jim Thorpe High School Stadium. After lighting the torch for the Carbon County Special Olympic Games the runners proceed on through town to Josiah White Park where they light the Olympic torch.
A resolution passed by Rep. Keith McCall (Carbon County) in the Pennsylvania House declaring May 15th as James Francis Thorpe Day in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will be presented.
The weekend includes free musical performances, Native American folklore, dancing and drumming, craft and food vendors, a clown for the children, a large Chinese Auction, headline show at the Opera House, and the arrival of the Steam Engine on Saturday coming from Tunkhannock.
Many fine crafts, vendors, great food, outdoor and Opera House performances will be in town all weekend for your enjoyment. For more information, contact Anne Marie Fitzpatrick, Event Coordinator, at 570-325-9281 or amnt1@ptd.net.
- How to Get Here
Click here for maps and directions.
- Where to Park
Parking in town itself is challenging on any weekend. The best thing is to simply avoid trying to park on Broadway. Instead, use the Carbon County Municipal Lot behind the downtown train station.
If you are arriving in Jim Thorpe on 209S from Stroudsburg, bear right through the light and in approximately 50 yards on your right, you’ll see the lot entrance. If you are coming from 903S, then cross the bridge and go left at the light. From Nesquehoning on 209N just proceed straight through the light. In about 150 yards you’ll see the lot on your left.
