GENERAL RELEASE
CONTACT: Terry Day (570)662-4844
For immediate release
#0103-00 Code:
1 Date: 8/15/00
MANSFIELD, PA—
They played a game and made history.
When the 1892 Mansfield
University football team played a game under lights at the Mansfield Fair, electricity
hadn't been introduced into Mansfield yet. In
fact General Electric was only six months old. The
light display was simply a demonstration of some new technology.
The September 28th game against Wyoming Seminary went into the history books as the world's first night football game.
It also gave birth to one of the region's most colorful events, the Fabulous 1890s
Weekend, held the last weekend in September.
A team effort by Mansfield University, the Greater Area Mansfield Chamber of
Commerce and the entire community, the ninth annual Weekend begins Friday, September 29 at
3 p.m. with crafts, food, music, soccer games and the popular old time Tabernacle Service
that evening, followed by a square dance.
The Weekend moves into full swing Saturday. In
addition to the 11 a.m. Motorless Parade, the 1890s tradition continues with hot air
balloons, Cooper's Battery B First Light Artillery, headed by General Ulysses S. Grant,
the Old West saloon, quality crafts, food, and a fully staffed Children’s Area.
Entertainment will include Professor Marvel’s zany Medicine Show, the Banjo
Man, Spare Parts, and award-winning performer Ray Owen.
“There are several new acts and features
this year,” said Dennis Miller, MU public relations director and co-chair of the 
Weekend. “The
highlight will be the New York Mutuals.” The
Long Island-based team re-enact 1890s baseball. The
team takes great pride in the historically accurate plays, uniforms and equipment, Miller
said. The Mutuals will play the Mansfield
University baseball team during the afternoon as well as conduct demonstrations on
baseball’s formative years. “We
thought this would be a perfect addition to the weekend and tie in with the great
tradition of Mountie baseball,” Miller said.
The Weekend culminates with the nationally famous re-enactment of the world’s
first night football game. The action-packed and humorous show is followed with a
fireworks display set to music. The 1890s
fireworks has gained a reputation for being large, intense and involving.
“We’re really excited with the lineup this year,” Miller said. “We’ve worked every year to bring in
period acts that are entertaining and educational. Aside
from fun, part of our goal is to renew our pride in our history, both locally and
nationally.”
"Stepping into Smythe Park during the Fabulous 1890s Weekend is like walking back into another century," Miller said. "It's a huge effort that involves just about every club and organization in town and at the university."
Admission for the weekend is a $2 Fabulous 1890s button. Sorry, no dogs allowed on
the Smythe Park grounds during the Weekend.
For information, contact The Greater Area Mansfield Chamber of Commerce, Mansfield,
PA 16933.
Phone (570) 662-3442.
For details check the Mansfield University website at www.mansfield.edu under
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