Annual Slickville Community Days inspired by town's centennial celebration

The northern end of Salem Township switches into high gear on the second weekend in August, as visitors join with local residents to celebrate the annual Slickville Community Days festival.

The event began in 2017, when the small community celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding as a coal mining town.

This year’s festival on Aug. 9 and 10 featured live music, activities for kids, a basket auction and food and craft vendors. Slickville’s fire department hosted the event on its grounds at Main Street and Route 819 and also organized a Friday evening parade.

Saturday’s schedule began with a 5K race and fun walk — including a portion of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail that runs through town — and ended with fireworks. A car show also was featured, along with an appearance by local native and children’s author Linda Guest-Peters.

The 5K race drew a record number of participants, in excess of 120, according to Cathy Guzzo, co-chair of the festival committee.

““We formed a group to celebrate our town’s centennial,” she said. “The group stayed together, and we’ve continued to have Community Days. People who grew up in town and have moved out of state come back.”

In 1917, the Cambria Steel Co. of Johnstown developed Slickville and its coal mining industry, which continued until 1943. At the height of activity, a rail line was extended to the town from Export.

According to a book compiled for the centennial, the town was named for Donald Slick, the mine’s first superintendent.

Guzzo noted many of the “patch” homes that were constructed decades ago for mine workers are still occupied by local families.

More information about the annual festival and other activities in the town can be found on the Slickville Community Happenings Facebook page.