Editing Heckscherville, Pennsylvania (section)

==Irish Festival==
[[File:Stone along Valley Rd near Heckscherville, Cass Twp, Schuylkill Co PA 02.JPG|thumb|Stone along Valley Rd. near Heckscherville]]
Heckscherville hosted an annual "Irish Festival", beginning in 1987 until 2010.  This festival celebrated the settlement's Irish heritage, and was the main fundraiser for the village's Clover Fire Company. The members of the volunteer fire company and village residents were the main coordinators of the event. Before his death in 2001, Joseph Callaghan was the main coordinator and chairman of the Irish Festival. During this time, it was considered one of the best Irish Festivals on the east coast. Local hotels would often be completely booked during the weekend of the festival, with people coming from as far as Anchorage, Alaska.

The festival was also known as "Irish Weekend"; it featured aspects of Irish culture from food to family. A wide assortment of food vendors provided Irish comfort foods, including Irish stew,  potato pancakes, soda bread, scones, and [[colcannon]] (a mixture of cabbage, onions, turnips, mashed potatoes). Irish music was also an integral part of the festival. It has been the launching pad for one Philadelphia based band Blackthorne. Other acts who have performed during the festival include The Molly Wogs, Ceann, The Martin Family, The Irish Lads and Irishtown Road. In addition to the stage bands, other entertainment includes storytelling, Irish plays and Irish dancing.<ref name=church>[http://www.friendsofstkierans.com/ Friends of St Kierans]</ref>