Towamencin hears proposal for Fischer’s Park

TOWAMENCIN >> A new event could be a new way for residents across Montgomery County to build closer ties, as soon as this fall.

Township officials heard details last week about a proposed “Multicultural Fair” that could be held at Fischer’s Park in September.

“It’s a timely opportunity to try to bring this county together, from both sides of the county, and really accentuate the wealth of diversity that we have,” said organizer Carmina Taylor.

On behalf of the “Movement for Black and Brown Lives in Montgomery County,” Taylor outlined her proposed event to the township supervisors on March 24. The event would be an allday festival, hosted at Fischer’s Park on Sept. 25, using the park’s pavilions to host games, music, sports and displays from all seven continents. Those who attend would represent the various ethnic and racial groups that make up Montgomery County, sharing stories and traditions with all who attend, and Taylor said local and county lawmakers and officials could also be invited to meet and greet residents.

“This is an opportunity for people to meet other leaders, from other communities, to get a sense of who they are,” she said.

Why use Fischer’s Park? Because

“It’s a timely opportunity to try to bring this county together, from both sides of the county, and really accentuate the wealth of diversity that we have.” — organizer Carmina Taylor

it’s close to the geographic center of the county, has hosted large events like the annual Towamencin Day festival, usually held in spring but moved to September this year, and could provide plenty of space for safe distancing.

“The bottom line is, we’re in a good place in our society, and we have an opportunity to blend all the strengths that we have,” she said.

Supervisor Laura Smith said she liked the idea, but asked how it would differ from the International Spring Festival held, prior to 2020, at North Penn High School and sponsored by the Lansdale Public Library. Taylor said the fall multicultural festival could attract a different demographic and residents, with interactive games and sports in the park fields instead of static displays seen inside the high school.

“I think this is different, because we’re doing it with a different set of people. We’re just not doing the groups that are always there, we’ll ask community residents to help out, and I think it has more of an interactive and engaging piece throughout the day,” Taylor said.

Supervisor Chuck Wilson asked how the event organizers would deal with logistics like emergency vehicle access, staff overtime and parking. Taylor asked if the board had any point person to do so, and Wilson suggested meeting with the township’s special events committee that typically works through those details — and one more raised by township Manager Rob Ford.

“When we have our special events down there, we start panicking about the weather the week before,” said Ford.

“Our overflow parking is the field. If it gets wet, we can’t use it,” he said, adding that the main park field “turns into a huge lake” after heavy rains.

Taylor asked if organizers could plan on a rain date, like the day after the proposed Sept. 25 date; Ford said staff and the parks committee usually suggest a subsequent weekend, to allow weather to clear.

“If (flooding) happens on a Saturday, we couldn’t do it on a Sunday, so it’s best to have at least a week,” Ford said.

Supervisor Dan Bell asked what size crowd the organizers hope to draw, and Taylor said that could be worked on with the special events committee; supervisor Rich Marino asked about the event hours, and Taylor said her rough estimate was 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., but that could also be refined with the committee.

“We want to spread it out, have people be able to come in and out, and have things going on” for a full day, she said.

Wilson asked when Taylor would like to return with more details after talks with the events committee, and she said late May was likely.

“We’re glad you feel comfortable enough in this township. This is something we haven’t ever done at Fischer’s Park either, so this is new for us, too,” Marino said.

Towamencin’s supervisors next meet at 7:30 p.m. on April 14; for more information visit www. Towamencin.org.