Park gets gift from tourism board

UPPER MERION >> The Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board presented a record breaking donation to Valley Forge National Historical Park July 17 — proceeds raised during this year’s annual Revolutionary Run (Rev Run).

The tourism board presented a check for $56,500, the third consecutive year the donation has been increased.

This was the 14th year for the Valley Forge Revolutionary Run (Rev Run), a five-mile run through the park that is sponsored by the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board. This year’s event was held April 28, and attracted more than 1,500 runners.

“It was an awesome year and a new record for money raised for the park,” Ed Harris, chief marketing officer for the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board, said in an interview.

Since its inception in 2006, the Rev Run has raised more than $450,000 for park infrastructure improvement projects and programming to enhance the visitor experience, according to the agency.

The check presentation was made at the General Friedrich von Steuben Statue, located near the park’s Grand Parade Trail, and was an “intentional” decision according to Harris.

“It is a really beautiful vista view of the park. We wanted to be able to speak to how Rev Run contributes to keeping the park the beautiful gem it is,” he said.

The statue is located in a section of the park in which Rev Run funds will help with structural improvements and beautification. Funds will also benefit other sections of the park that align with the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board’s goals to help improve the county’s history, health and wellness initiatives, according to the agency.

Speakers at the event included Montgomery County Commissioners Dr. Valerie Arkoosh and Joseph Gale; Valley Forge National Historical Park Superintendent Steve Sims; Rev Run Race Director Kirsten Tallman; and Lisa Karl, vice president of sales for the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board.

“Over the past few years, new races have been popping up across the area, which makes putting on a race like this competitive. We’re really proud of this race,” Harris said of Rev Run.

“The race has become a special event on the calendar for runners, and it has expanded to include a dog walk and a kid’s walk to make it more of a family experience in addition to being a serious run.”

In addition to the check presentation July 17, the logo for the 15th anniversary Rev Run — scheduled for April 2020 — was unveiled, along with the goal of surpassing $500,000 in total donations to the Park in 2020.

Visitation to Valley Forge National Historical Park provides a significant economic impact to the region, according to the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board. In 2018, the park attracted 1.8 million visitors and contributed $46.5 million in economic output and 426 jobs to the local economy.

SUBMITTED PHOTO The Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board recently presented a check for $56,500 to the national park — proceeds from this year’s annual Revolutionary Run (Rev Run). Historical reenactors join, from left to right, Rev Run Committee Member Barb Pollarine; Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board President and CEO Mike Bowman; Montgomery County Commissioner Chairwoman Dr. Valerie Arkoosh; Rev Run Race Director Kirsten Tallman; Valley Forge National Historical Park Superintendent Steve Sims; and Montgomery County Commissioner Joseph C. Gale for the check presentation July 17.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rev Run Race Director Kirsten Tallman poses with the race’s new 2020 logo in celebration of the run’s 15th anniversary in April. The logo was unveiled July 17 during a presentation of a donation to the park by the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board.