- Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 July 2015 15:50
The annual Whiskey Rebellion Festival took over the city of Washington beginning on July 9, 2015 with an opening ceremony, the Washington Health Systems Health Fair, the Washington Main Street Farmers’ Market, and a free performance by the Washington City Orchestra.
A highpoint of this festival is the tarring (chocolate syrup and molasses) and feathering of the tax collector (Jason Dille). Photo by Alice Harris |
Friday, July 10 saw free performances by local bands Ruby Red & the Dirt Devils, Billy the Kid and the Regulators, The Jakobs Ferry Stragglers, and The Black Lilies, finishing the day with fireworks over Washington.
Saturday began with a parade down Main Street, reenactments of Whiskey Rebellion events, heritage craft sales, and the day finished with the tar and feathering of tax collectors.
Sunday featured a car cruise on Main Street. An active camp was set up at Schneider's Fort in Washington Park with demonstrations of weapons, stills, cooking, and native crafts and skills. The Hughes Log House, also in Washington Park, provided free activities including pony rides, a petting zoo, and 18th century games and activities.
The David Bradford House and gardens, the LeMoyne House and gardens, and the Washington County Courthouse were open for free tours all weekend. The Whiskey Rebellion Festival, which celebrates the heritage of Southwestern Pennsylvania and the significance of the Whiskey Rebellion in this region has grown tremendously in the last years, with a record number in attendance for 2015.