05/31/2026
PLYMOUTH — Patriotism and local pride were put on display in Plymouth this weekend.
A parade and festival were held in the borough Saturday to honor America’s semiquincentennial, the 160th anniversary of the founding of Plymouth, and the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Plymouth Historical Society.
“It’s going to be exciting,” parade chair Earl Cunningham, president of the Historic Shawnee Cemetery Preservation Association, said in an interview before the event. “Everybody’s going to share the memories and everybody’s going to have a good time.”
The parade processed across Main Street with floats ornamented in red, white, and blue, from groups such as local American Legion posts, fire companies, churches, schools, politicians, and other community organizations. Food like kielbasa, water ice, and cupcakes were available along the parade route and attractions like bounce castles were set up just by Wyoming Valley West High School. There was also a ceremony held at the borough municipal lot after the parade.
Cheryl Lupher came to the festivities with her grandchildren Lucario, 6 and Silas, 3; and her friend, Donna Williams, a lifelong resident of the borough. Williams said she took pride in the long history of her community and was eager to come out to the parade – and, of course, grab Plymouth staples like potato pancakes.
“I’ve lived here all my life, and it’s 250 years for the country and 160 years for Plymouth,” Williams said.
Joe Stan, a borough resident of more than 50 years, said he was glad to see events like the parade Saturday and the annual kielbasa festival.
“It’s just cool that the community came together with a celebration of our independence and decided to do this,” Stan said. It’s a great thing for the town….We need to celebrate our independence and really remember our history, that’s for sure.”
While the parade was right outside their door for some, others traveled a little farther to celebrate their local history.
Sharon O’Boyle, who grew up in Plymouth, traveled to the parade along with her daughter, Julianna from northern Virginia – and they did not have the longest trip in the family. O’Boyle also came to parade with her sister Kathy, who lives in Florida; and her other daughter Allison, who lives in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands with her children Cali, 6 and Wynn, 3. Doreen, O’Boyle’s sister who stayed local in Plymouth, organized the far-flung family’s gathering.
O’Boyle said the parade was reminiscent of when Plymouth celebrated its centennial 60 years ago when she was a young girl.
“I think this is really good for Plymouth, it brings people together,” O’Boyle said. “We’re having a big celebration to celebrate history, the history of Plymouth and the history of our country.”
Members of the Wyoming Valley West Color Guard perform during...
Members of the Wyoming Valley West Color Guard perform during a parade celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States, 160th birthday of the Plymouth Borough, and the 40th birthday of the Plymouth Historical Society on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Local schools took part in the parade, including Wyoming Valley West junior Brianna O’Kane, the treasurer of Valley West Student Council. She marched with faculty advisor Christina Sickler, who said she was proud the Spartans could share in celebrating the borough’s history.
“Our school is located in Plymouth, so we’re part of the community,” Sickler said. “We felt it was fitting that we represent it.”
Enthusiasm for the borough’s storied history was on display everywhere Saturday and was perhaps best represented by the reenactors for the 24th Connecticut Militia Regiment, a group that fought in the Wyoming Valley and major campaigns throughout Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary War, and is the ancestor of the modern 28th Artillery Division of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Reenactors for the 24th Connecticut dressed in the militia’s Revolutionary War colors for the festivities.
“Most people think the history of this valley starts with coal, and it doesn’t,” said 24th Connecticut member Jeff Smith, who has volunteered with the group for 41 years and helped man a tent for the group Saturday. “It starts way back.”
Gerry Marcin, a member of the 24th Connecticut who marched in the parade, works as a blacksmith and designed much of his regalia he wore Saturday.
“It’s a good representation and it gets people interested in history,” Marcin said. “A lot of people have roots back to the 18th century in this valley and it’s one of those things where you can carry on that history.”
Heather Ruseskas, co-chair of festivities Saturday and a member of the Historic Shawnee Cemetery Preservation Association, is one person with those roots. She said two members of her ancestors served in the Revolutionary War and are buried in the borough, and reflected warmly on the history being celebrated with the parade.
PLYMOUTH — Patriotism and local pride were put on display in Plymouth this weekend. A parade and festival were held in the borough Saturday to honor America’s semiquincentennial, the 160th anniversary of the founding of Plymouth, and the 40…
