Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Dogwood Festival features safe events
PHOENIXVILLE >> The coming lifting of most COVID-19 restrictions has not come soon enough for the 78th annual Dogwood Festival to plan a full event.
As a result, for only the second time in its long history, the community festival will not be held in person. However, events are planned this year thanks to some creativity on the part of the organizers.
“The Phoenixville Jaycees Foundation is determined to ensure the Dogwood tradition lives on. This year we developed a week-long calendar of both socially distant and outdoor, masked events to celebrate the spirit of Dogwood and our community in a safe way until we can return to normal,” according to the introduction on the event website.
Starting on Monday, May 10, a series of socially distanced and online events will mark this year’s celebration. All events, registrations and purchases can be made from https://www. phoenixvilledogwoodfestival.org.
May 10
• The festival will bring the tastes of Dogwood to your dinner table with a special edition of the PayIt-Forward Cafe series.
Ann’s Heart & the Phoenixville Jaycees Present a to-go meal from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. which can be reserved online at — annsheart.org/dogwood — the meal website.
Meal options include Pulled Pork or Chicken BBQ Sandwiches; BBQ
Jackfruit Sandwiches (Vegetarian); Chicken Fingers on a Stick; Pizza Rolls on a Stick; Potato Salad; Coleslaw; S’mores on a Stick (no-cooking required); Cotton Candy.
• Did you know Phoenixville’s Annual Dogwood tradition dates back to May 1943, when Retired Army Major General Edward C. Shannon dedicated a dogwood tree in Reeves Park as a memorial to the men and women of the Armed
Forces, many of whom had died in active service during World War II?
Since 1943, the Phoenixville Jaycees Foundation has the tradition of the Annual Dogwood Festival and Parade, with more than 100,000 visitors taking part in the annual festival and 13,000 spectators viewing what has become the second-largest parade in Chester County.
Learn more starting at 7 p.m. when Ryan Conroy of the Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area will present an online discussion of the history behind this annual tradition.
• Running through Sunday, May 16, there is a chance to buy a 50/50 raffle ticket and win 50 percent of all the cash raised.
May 11
You can learn more about opportunities to get involved in the community while networking with local nonprofit representatives during the Dogwood Festival’s NonProfit Night at Great American Pub Phoenixville, at 148 Bridge Street.
May 12
Bring some cash and a fully charged cell phone and visit Dogwood Beer Bingo at Root Down Biergarten! Games are $1/ game and winners will be awarded canned Root Down Beers. Mayor Peter Urscheler will be calling bingo, which can be played on your cell phone (though we will have paper Bingo cards available if
needed). No registration required — just show up and play.
May 13
The Dogwood Rhythm & Brews benefiting the Phoenixville Jaycees Foundation will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the Phoenix village parking lot next to Root Down Brewing company.
The event, featuring music from The Holts, Tom Flott, Tom Guest, and Cole Campbell, is made safer by allowing up to six people to purchase an eight-foot-by-eight-foot spot for between $50 and $85, depending on how close you want to sit to the band.
Those attending are asked to bring their own chairs. Beer and food will be available for purchase at the event.
May 15
• Individuals, clubs, nonprofits, or businesses have built shoebox floats for a virtual parade on Facebook at 1 p.m.
Floats will showcase original designs, recreate (or improve upon) a historical parade float, or tell a story. The theme of the parade is “Phoenixville Proud.”
Following the virtual parade, viewers can vote for their favorite float in the Facebook photo gallery between May 17 and May 21. The photo with the most likes by 11:59 p.m. on May 21 will be recognized as the Fan Favorite Winner and receive an award of $200.
• Also, children between the ages of 5 and 8 years old have entered the Annual Dogwood Princess and Prince contest. They will raise funds for next year’s program through GoFundMe.
The two contestants with the highest donations will be crowned Dogwood Prince, Dogwood Princess, or Dogwood Royal! The minimum amount raised to be recognized as a contestant is $10. Do your part in helping to raise money for next year’s Dogwood Festival.
May 16
The Dogwood Cornhole (double elimination) Tournament will take place at the parking lot at Main and Bridge streets, across from Molly Maguires.
It starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. Registration is $50 per team and all members must be 18 to register.
All players must bring their own set of bean bags. Each team will need four bean bags total, although beanbags can be purchased online for $15 and picked up at the event.
Teams can also purchase VIP tailgate spots for $30 and you will receive a 10foot by 10-foot space to set up a tent and chairs for team members and friends.
Major sponsors for this year’s festival events are the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation; Phoenixville Hospital/Tower Health; Devlin, Rosmos, Kepp and Gatcha Funeral Home; Shalkop, Grace and Strunk funeral Home and the Rotary Club of Phoenixville.