Sep 12, 2010 By Tara Rack-Amber for The 3 min read

Multicolored sun umbrellas and scattered lawn chairs dotted the lush hillsides of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, as the crowd soaked up the rays and the sounds of musicians at the third annual Coal and Coke Heritage Music Festival that was held Saturday. “Our tickets sales have been very good,” said Gina Jones, co-chairwoman of the event. “I’m saying about 2,000 (people in attendance).”

“The festival provides a wonderful venue for a family to enjoy the beautiful day, to learn more about the region and to meet some coal miners,” said Susan Brimo-Cox, co-chairwoman of the event.

This year, those attending the festival had an easy time recognizing the miners at the event. Coal miners were asked to wear their mining helmets and safety belts, which entitled them free admission to the event.

One such miner was Wilber Longsinger of Fairchance.

Longsinger worked at the Isabel Mine from 1948 to 1985.

“You get used to it,” said Longsinger of his time working in the mines. “It is a job.”

Longsinger attended last year’s festival and decided to return this year because of the good time he experienced.

“People we knew worked all around here,” said Longsinger about coal mining in the region.

Those wishing to learn more about Longsinger and his fellow coal miners were able to visit the Coal and Coke Heritage Center at Penn State Fayette.

The center provided information about the coal and coke industry and the people that lived and worked the mines while making their mark in the region. Artifacts in the center gave visitors a real feel of what life was like for coal miners in Fayette County.

“The center is featuring exhibits about the wives and children of the coal miners,” Jones said.

One couple taking in the sights of a replica kitchen in a coal miner’s home was Eugene and Evelyn Burchianti of Uniontown.

The Burchiantis reflected on their connections to the coal industry.

“My dad was a coal miner,” said Evelyn Burchianti. “Just seeing the coal buckets, helmets and lanterns brings back memories.”

Eugene Burchianti’s family did not work in the mines, but they were instrumental in the mining industry by supplying the miners with valuable equipment needed for their job.

“My dad owned a store in Masontown that supplied tools to the miners,” he said.

“I can remember seeing the carbide lanterns in their little boxes.”

Even though their experiences with mining were different, they both were touched by the impact of mining in the area and agreed on the importance of remembering the history of mining and passing it on to future generations.

“I would love to take my granddaughter here,” said Evelyn Burchianti.

Whether visitors came to reminisce, like the Burchiantis, or to remember life in the mines, like Longsinger, others came to enjoy the food and music with family and friends. The festival provided an opportunity to come together as a community and to celebrate the heritage of the region.

With diverse acts, including the Augsburg German Band, NewLanders, The Jerry Onesi-Jack Nicolette Trio, Harold Betters, Brass Knuckles Band, Stereotype, Joe Gruscheky and The Houserockers, The Chris Higbee Project and The Clarks, visitors were able to truly experience a tapestry of music.

“I hope they (the community) realize, with it being the third year, we (Penn State Fayette) are really committed to the community,” Jones said. “(We want them) to come here and enjoy the beautiful campus and the event.”

“We are looking forward to next year’s festival, which will be held Sept. 10, 2011,” Brimo-Cox said.