Festivals, floats and fireworks will allow people to enjoy the scorching heat today without having to sit by the air conditioning.
Home Made Days continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Susquehanna State Park, where the Hiawatha riverboat is marking its 30th anniversary.
People on Friday flocked to the food and craft stands to see what people had for sale.
Article Photos
CRAIG S. McKIBBEN JR./Sun-Gazette
The view from the top deck of the Hiawatha shows the rail bridge crossing the West Branch Susquehanna River.
Margaret and Richard Harpster of Linden said they have been attending the Home Made Days event for about 20 years to look at the crafts.
This year, the food caught their eyes as they ate their lunch below a shaded pavilion.
"There's a nice selection of food," Margaret said.
The heat did not prove to be too much for the couple either.
"I love summer, so it doesn't matter," Richard said.
"There are enough shady, cool areas," Margaret said.
Today will start in the low 60s, a good five to 10 degrees warmer than Friday, said Paul Head, observing program leader for the National Weather Service office in State College.
"During the day it probably will make it into the lower 90s," Head said.
With humidity, temperatures will feel like upper 90s, he said.
Emily Krise, owner of Wired Melody, came out to the event to sell her jewelry, which she uses wires, pliers and color to design.
"It's going pretty well," she said. "I'm surprised with how warm it is how well it's going."
She sold jewelry last year at Home Made Days and said Saturday was the busier day because people were not working.
Public cruises on the Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat will be available at 11:30 a.m., 1 , 2:30 and 4 p.m. to celebrate the Hiawatha's 30th anniversary.
On Friday, Henry George and Steve Mraz of Cypress, Texas, sought shade from a tree as they waited for their cruise to begin.
They drove from Texas around the country without a destination in mind. After seeing the event advertised in their hotel, they decided to attend.
"We just took a week off and ended up here," George said. "It's nice."
175th celebration
in Ralston
A parade will begin at 10 a.m. from Brook's in Ralston to celebrate 175 years. A flag raising will follow the parade.
At noon, an auction for baskets and gift certificates will be held.
A duck race will start at the Rock Run Bridge at 2 p.m. and end at the Catholic church. Proceeds will go to the campers' scholarship fund at Camp Susque in Trout Run.
Games, vendors and music from Top Shelf also will be available.
On Sunday, a community worship service will be held in Ralston with the Revs. Duane Taylor, Dave Eggers, Ann Overmiller and William Graham.
A dish to pass community dinner will follow the service. The meat and table service will be provided.
Starting at 2 p.m., two buses will take trips to see the wind mills. Tours will be at 2 p.m., 3:15 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The trip will take an hour and 15 minutes.
Fanny Float
Farther west along the river, the Susquehanna Fanny Float will launch at 11 a.m., with registration starting at 9:30 a.m. at Haywoods on the Water, 610 Antlers Lane.
Head recommended wearing light colored clothing, drinking plenty of water and staying submerged up to the hair follicles to stay cool during that event.
"Bring a snorkle," he said for those going to the Fanny Float.
Proceeds from the float benefit Andrew's Special Kids Foundation, a non-profit that provides adaptive equipment for children with disabilities.
The Dice Run also begins at 11 a.m., celebrating its eighth year.
The festivities do not end when the sun goes down because holiday fireworks continue through tonight.
The Jersey Shore Town Meeting grounds open at 6 p.m. with "a magnificent fireworks show" starting at 9:30 p.m. Chris Ruble Band will play from 6 to 10 p.m.
In Millville, classic rock band Alive & Well will play at 7:30 p.m. with a fireworks at midnight by Pyrotechnico.
Fireworks will be seen over the lake in Galeton at the center of the borough at dusk.
Like with Independence Day, thunderstorms are expected at night, probably after 7 p.m., Head said.
A cold front is pushing in from the north, which will cool down temperatures over the next few days.
