Jubilee Day

The history of Jubilee Day goes back to 1923 when a group of local businessmen were in Gettysburg during a town wide celebration. It was decided then that their hometown, the borough of Mechanicsburg, needed such an affair.

During the next year the group, headed by the late J.A. Bushman, Manny Westhaufer, H. Clay Ryan and Russell Biddle, made plans for a gala affair and elected to name it Farmers and Merchants Day. The merchants felt that this day should be held to thank the people of the borough and the vicinity for their patronage during the year.

It was decided to hold the event in June during the lull of the Farmers springtime work so they would be able to visit and participate in the activities. Trying to make it an affair that residents of the area would not forget, it was agreed with borough council to block main street off from market to Frederick street and let the visitors roam the streets. For the next two years the affair was much the same. However, in 1926, some changes were made that are still in effect.

At a meeting of the automobile dealers and merchants Association of Mechanicsburg, which sponsored the affair, it was agreed to expand the exhibit area. With agreement of council, the group received approval to extend the exhibit area west to high Street and east to arch street, as well as Locust Street to the Pennsylvania railroad on Market Street. At that time, council said that no exhibits would be permitted upon the sidewalks since plenty of space would be available on the streets. The area now is main street east to walnut and west to York, south market to Simpson street and North Market to Strawberry Alley.

During this same meeting it was brought out by Ray E. Hutter Sr. That the automobile dealers and Merchants Association should become a permanent organization and function throughout the year instead of only once a year. The late W. Henry Wilson told the group that many people did not know the purpose of a Chamber of Commerce but this could easily be overcome. He also pointed out that Mechanicsburg was not listed in the “Blue Book”, but if a chamber were formed it would be placed in the door.

From this meeting of the merchants, the Mechanicsburg Area Chamber of Commerce was established on October 10 1927. Wilson was named the first secretary and served in this position for the next four years. The late Wilson Snelbaker was elected as the First President.

The committee then decided that the grand prizes for the event would be five $5 gold pieces. Activities during the event included judging of chickens, butter, eggs, corn, and cattle. Foot, Scooter and bicycle races for boys were held and two baseball games were set for Memorial Park. A band concert was held and the Grand Prizes were given away. This was followed by a dance at Franklin Hall, which is now the first bank and trust company building on the square. In 1928 it was decided to change the celebration from June to August 12 through 16 when community observed its’ 100th Anniversary of incorporation of the borough. Festivities were added to the centennial celebration.

In the mid-30’s the title Farmers and Merchants was dropped and the affair was just called Jubilee Day. Due to a fuel shortage because of the war, the affair was not held from 1940 through 1945. It was revived in 1946, at the conclusion of the war and has continued in full swing ever since.

Over the years some activities have been dropped some started and others revived. Some features that had been added were the flower show, Wildlife, Industrial and educational exhibits, art and crafts demonstrations, exhibits and musical entertainment.

One of the biggest affairs held in prior times was a treasure hunt, which is no longer in effect, as was a baby parade and an exhibit of antique cars and a Jubilee Day Queen contest. The chamber supports such things as new Christmas lights, trashcans, American flags and special promotions for the downtown business area and funding by the chamber for research and presently parking refinements.

When this celebration was first started, Mechanicsburg and the Surrounding area was almost entirely agriculture and much farm equipment and livestock was lined on the streets, since then, the new automobiles and many of the large industries have taken over exhibit areas. However, the chamber, which is the sponsor of the event, continued until 1975 to hold judging of the Cumberland County 4-H Livestock divisions to keep the agriculture aspect alive.

As far as the history can be checked, only one event was ever rained out in 1955.

The media has estimated as many as 60,000 people attend Jubilee Day annually. [www.mechanicsburgchamber.org]

This is the largest one-day street fair in the eastern part of the United States. [www.mechanicsburgchamber.org]

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