Several activities are planned starting this weekend leading up to the 20th anniversary of the Quecreek Mine rescue.

The plans include a car cruise and celebrations at the Somerset County rescue site, among others.

The events will commemorate the rescue of nine miners after they accidentally broke into an abandoned mine, unleashing millions of gallons of water that blocked their exit and trapped them 240 feet underground. They were rescued after 77 hours in the early morning hours of July 28, 2002 through a hole drilled on a Lincoln Township farm.

Dozens of rescuers came together to craft a plan to reach the men — John Unger, Robert Pugh, Blaine Mayhugh, Ronald Hileman, Mark Popernack, John Phillippi, Randy Fogle, Dennis Hall and Tom Foy. Hall, 68, died May 13.

The site, south of Jennerstown at 140 Haupt Road, Somerset, now serves as a memorial and education center.

Here are the events, according to the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation:

• Saturday, Miners Night at Jennerstown Speedway Complex. Former Gov. Mark Schweiker will be in attendance and there will be a tribute to the miners during intermission.

• Sunday, car cruise at the Christ Casebeer Lutheran Church, 10377 Somerset Pike, Somerset, next to the rescue site. The lot opens at 11 a.m. and the cruise will run from noon until 4 p.m. A food truck will be available.

• July 22, Rescuer Day at the rescue site from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be representatives from agencies that assisted during the rescue, including Mine Safety and Health Administration, local drillers, firefighters and others.

• July 23, Family Day at the rescue site from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. with the Pennsylvania State Police Honor Guard. Other events include a petting zoo and children’s activities. During both events at the site, the rescue story will be told every 90 minutes and food trucks will be on hand.

• July 24, the miners will be honored at PNC Park in Pittsburgh during the Pirates game at 1 p.m.

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