Billie Payne is praying for sunshine on Sunday.

From 1 to 7 p.m., 20 vendors will fill Downtown Pottsville for the 37th annual American Way Fair.

"It rained all day last year. It was horrible," said Payne, chairwoman of the American Way Fair Committee, said Wednesday.

For 37 years, the city has celebrated the start of spring with a one-day street fair that features musicians, magicians, rides for children and food vendors.

Payne is hoping more than 1,000 people come out to fill the streets.

At 1 p.m., opening ceremonies will be at Centre and Norwegian streets.

The Pottsville Area High School Band will perform from 1 to 1:30 p.m. at Centre and Norwegian streets.

Richard Fries, the band director at Pottsville Area High School who's planning to retire at the end of the 2011-12 school year, will be participating.

Born in Altoona, Fries is a 1974 graduate of Penn State University... Read More