Dogwood Festival, an 80-year tradition, returns May 17
Since 1943, Phoenixville’s Annual Dogwood Festival and Parade have celebrated the area’s longstanding commitment to service and community.
The 2023 Dogwood Festival presented by Videon Chevrolet of Phoenixville will make a grand return on Wednesday, May 17, to Saturday, May 20, in Phoenixville’s Historic Reeves Park. The Festival will feature carnival rides, games, concessions, and other food, craft and non-profit vendors. On Saturday, May 20, at 1 p.m. the Annual Dogwood Parade will take to the streets of downtown Phoenixville.
An estimated 50,000 visitors take part in the Annual Dogwood Festival with 10,000 spectators viewing the Annual Dogwood Parade, which is the secondlargest parade in Chester County.
As Phoenixville celebrates the history and tradition of Dogwood, this year there are some exciting new additions to the festival.
New this Year: Dogwood Superbands
In addition to $32 daily all-you-can-ride wristbands, this year for the first time Dogwood Superbands are available for $75, allowing you to ride unlimited rides for the entire fourday festival. Dogwood Superbands are available for presale only through May 6 at givebutter.com/dogwoodsuperband.
Dogwood Beer Garden
On May 18-20, Dogwood Beer Garden will take place on 3rd Avenue adjacent to the Dogwood Festival. Local, craft beer will be available for purchase benefiting the Phoenixville Jaycees Foundation.
Aunt Mary Pat Bingo
On Saturday, May 20, from 4-6 p.m., bingo hosted by DelCo comedian Aunt Mary Pat will take place at the Reeves Park Bandshell. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at givebutter. com/ampbingo23.
Dogwood Tree Planting
To celebrate the origin and namesake of the Phoenixville Dogwood Festival, the Borough of Phoenixville will be planting a Dogwood tree at the Main Street entrance to Reeves Park following the Dogwood Parade on the afternoon of Saturday, May 20.
Sensory-Friendly Parade
Inspired by the new All Accessibility Playground at Reeves Park, this year’s parade will feature SensoryFriendly experiences for children and adults who may require a low-sensory environment.
On the Dogwood Parade route along Main Street between Walnut and Washington streets, a SensoryFriendly area will ensure parade participants proceed without lights, sirens, horns, music, yelling or other loud noises. Additionally, participants will reduce audience interaction and stay as close to the center of the road as possible in the designated area.
Dogwood Festival and Parade History
It all began in May 1943 when Retired Army Major General Edward C. Shannon, former commander of the 28th Division (Pennsylvania National Guard), dedicated a dogwood tree in Phoenixville’s Reeves Park. This tree was a memorial to the men and women of
Phoenixville that served in the Armed Forces, many of whom had died on active duty during World War II.
The weather for the first Dogwood Parade was reported to be a “perfect spring day” attracting almost 7,500 spectators. Serving as the Grand Marshall was Phoenixville’s Mayor Arthur H. Tompkins, who was joined in an open car by General Shannon and Col. Henry Beeuwkes, the first commander of the newly opened Valley Forge General Hospital, now the University of Valley Forge Campus.
The Rotary Club of Phoenixville had a horsedrawn float with a large Rotary wheel, the edges of the float were surrounded by flags of the United Nations countries. The Junior Red Cross had blood donors riding on a large float adorned by greens featuring a large “bottle” of blood with the words “That They May Live.”
Adolf Muller, president of the Valley Forge Dogwood Association, walked beside the Junior Red Cross float. The Phoenixville High School Band, under the direction of Walter Sample, provided marching music for the soldiers as they marched from the Valley Forge General Hospital.
Regina Glowacki, a 1943 Phoenixville High School graduate, became the first Dogwood Queen. This status was earned based on the large number of War Bonds and War Stamps she sold. Glowacki’s efforts helped to raise over $8,154.85 for the war effort which was a central theme for early Dogwood celebrations.
Today, in 2023, organizers continue this tradition through our Dogwood Royalty Campaign to celebrate children and teens who fundraise for their community: givebutter.com/dogwoodroyals23.
About the Phoenixville Jaycees Foundation
The Phoenixville Jaycees Foundation is part of the Phoenixville Jaycees tradition which dates back to 1952. The mission of the Phoenixville Jaycees Foundation is to provide individuals with a platform where they engage in events, programs, and partnerships that better our community. All proceeds raised from events go towards strategic initiatives centered on improving our overall community. For more information about the Phoenixville Jaycees visit PhoenixvilleJaycees.org.
Additional information about the Dogwood Festival can be found at PhoenixvilleDogwoodFestival. org.