Festival, fireworks moved to Labor Day
Most Fourth of July events canceled by coronavirus outbreak
POTTSTOWN » Pottstown GoFourth! organizers are rescheduling the fourth annual family fun and fireworks festival to Labor Day Weekend due to the everevolving COVID-19 pandemic.
Also, this year’s annual Fourth of July parade sponsored by the Pottstown Rotary Club has been canceled.
Both the parade and Pottstown GoFourth! are entirely funded by donations and sponsorships, without a penny of taxpayer dollars.
This year’s modified Pottstown GoFourth! Festival will occur on Sunday, Sept. 6, from 4 to 9 p.m. in Pottstown’s Memorial Park, with a spectacular fireworks display by International Fireworks of Douglassville, occurring at 9:15 p.m.
(While there is not a rain date for the entire festival, the rain date for fireworks only will be Sept. 12.)
This year’s festivities will be kicked-off with the singing of the National Anthem by Jo Ann Bathurst at 4 p.m.
She will be followed by musical entertainment including Hector Rosado and Orchestra Hache, back by popular demand, and Funktion, courtesy of Entertainment Sponsor Precision Polymer Products.
Activities geared toward families will include inflatable “rides,” a face-painting artist, and a Rain Gutter Regatta presented by Pottstown Cub Scout Packs 249 and 146 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Community members interested in participating in the Rain Gutter Regatta should contact Raymond Rose at 484-366-7096.
Also back by popular demand will be the “Shire of HartshornDale,” demonstrating a variety of
Medieval and Renaissance skills and activities.
Once again, the festival will feature arts and crafts vendors and a food court area and beer garden. There are still some spaces left, but food vendor spaces will be limited this year to 10 slots.
Registration of new, remaining food vendors will open on June 2nd. For more information visit: www.pottstowngofourth.com/vendor-apps.
Pottstown United Brewing is the official beer vendor of the Fes
tival this year; and the PUB is brewing two special beers for the occasion, one to sell pre-festival from their 251 E High St. location and one to sell on festival day.
A portion of these special beer sales will financially support the Pottstown GoFourth! Festival. To help name the brew please visit the GoFourth! Facebook page www.facebook.com/PottstownGoFourth/ and offer your suggestions.
While the Fourth of July parade has been canceled, the Rotary still will hold its 29th Annual Duck Race on Manatawny Creek, also on Sept. 6, with a 6 p.m. launch.
By selling duck sponsorships, the Rotary helps to fund charities in the greater Pottstown area, including Pottstown GoFourth. To purchase a Rotary duck, go to pottstownrotary.org or purchase a duck at the GoFourth festival on Sept. 6.
Last year, more than 3,700 ducks were placed in the creek. The participating agencies received almost $14,000 to support their program activities.
Festival organizers need to raise about $39,000 to put on this greatly anticipated event, as no funds are pulled from taxpayer dollars.
Fortunately, GoFourth volunteers conduct fundraising events year-round, beginning with the Historic Pottstown Holiday House and Trolley Tours in December.
The ongoing fundraising has made it possible for planners to plan for the delayed GoFourth Festival this year despite the cancellation or delay of more recent fundraising events due to the pandemic.
A fundraiser originally scheduled for April 4 was rescheduled for June 5. Due to ongoing health and safety concerns, organizers are in the process of converting the fundraiser to an online event.
Plans are for a “Family Feud: State vs Local” competition game show and basket raffle via Zoom and broadcast on Facebook live at 5 p.m. on the GoFourth! Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/PottstownGoFourth/.
Tax-deductible donations can be made by contributing online at PottstownGoFourth.org, or by sending a check made payable to the TriCounty Community Network (TCN); donors should note “Attention: GoFourth” in the memo line on the check. Checks should be mailed to Pottstown GoFourth! Festival, PO Box 1362, Pottstown, PA 19464.
Businesses or individuals may sponsor various entertainment providers and activities — and in exchange they will receive outstanding publicity and other benefits including (for upper level sponsors) preferred seating during the fireworks display. To learn more about becoming a sponsor, go to PottstownGoFourth.com or email PottstownGoFourth@gmail.com.
Similarly, as noted, quality arts and crafts vendors can feature their wares, and community non-profit agencies are invited to participate in the event. Visit PottstownGoFourth.com website for relevant vendor applications: www.pottstowngofourth.com/vendor-apps.
Pottstown GoFourth! will be selling its always popular Festival merchandise, including newly designed, collectible 2020 Pottstown GoFourth! baseball caps and shirts, while limited supplies last. Friends can purchase GoFourth! merchandise at www.pottstowngofourth.com/gofourthgear
Once again Pottstown GoFourth! also will raise funds for next year’s 2021 Pottstown GoFourth! celebration and fireworks by selling a stunning 2021 calendar depicting beautifully restored, historic Pottstown homes.
The calendar spotlights more of Pottstown’s architectural gems through artistically rendered photographs by Carol Brightbill of Pottstown; the homes or buildings depicted will be featured on the Historic Pottstown Holiday House and Trolley Tours on Dec. 13, 2020.
The Pottstown Holiday House and Trolley Tours also benefits Pottstown GoFourth!, with all house and trolley tour proceeds helping to kick-off next year’s celebration. Visit the Pottstown GoFourth! website to get your tickets early, as last year’s event had soldout tours! www.pottstowngofourth.com/holidaytours
Look for updates about Pottstown GoFourth! at www.pottstowngofourth. com and at www.facebook.com/PottstownGoFourth and www.twitter.com/GoFourthFest.