4th of July celebrations were special this year

The nation’s birthday was celebrated with a fresh exuberance born from 15 months of pandemic separation

POTTSTOWN — The pursuit of life, liberty, and most definitely happiness were on full-throated display Sunday as a post-pandemic Pottstown threw off its COVID-caused isolation, got its marching shoes on, and made its way down to High Street for a long-awaited parade and street festival.

WYOMISSING — Thousands of people turned out Sunday for traditional Fourth of July festivities in Berks County, enjoying the sort of celebrations that were either held online or canceled altogether last year due to COVID-19.

NORRISTOWN — As the pandemic subsides, freedom rings as the nation observes the national holiday. While a bit scaled back, the Municipality of Norristown found a satisfying way to celebrate Independence Day at Elmwood Park with food, music (provided in early Sunday afternoon by Wildflower) and festivities.

BERWYN — After a one year absence due to the pandemic, Easttown Township celebrated July 4th with an old fashioned bike parade Sunday through the village of Berwyn.

UPPER SALFORD — Independence Day started a day earlier this year as the 33rd annual Red, White & Blue Parade was held the morning of July 3.

From Berks to Delaware counties and in towns in-between, the Fourth of July and the nation’s birthday were celebrated last weekend with a fresh exuberance born from 15 months of pandemic separation.

The enthusiasm among friends and families — cousins, grandparents, entire neighborhoods — was palpable along parade routes and in lines at food vendors and beer tents throughout the region.

After a year that saw deadly storms and damaging flooding, the (mostly) clear skies Sunday and Monday were also welcome.

“We prayed so hard, and it worked this time,” said Amy Wolf and Amy Francis, the “two Amys” who have spearheaded Pottstown’s GoFourth! celebration for the past several years. The celebration relies on a group of volunteers led by the two neighbors who plan the event and organize fundraisers throughout the year to pay for it, only to experience in recent years the weather spoilers of flood, heat and ill-timed thunderstorms.

The fireworks in Pottstown drew a particularly large crowd. Not only was Memorial Park filled with people on blankets and lawn chairs to watch the evening extravaganza, but nearby parking lots and streets were jammed as thousands enjoyed the shared experience of exploding lights and colors.

“I think it brings everybody together at a time when we really need to be together,” said Joseph Palmieri, who moved to the area from Staten Island, N.Y.

In Wyomissing, people lined the streets of the 1.5-mile parade route as neighborhood homes played host to parties, while others in attendance walked to The Stone House afterward to play games, eat a hot dog and enjoy music by the Wyomissing Band.

“People were just happy to be out and feel a sense of normalcy that we haven’t been able to have in awhile,” said Dan Macrina, director of parks and recreation for Wyomissing.

The challenges of the past 15 months were not forgotten, as the Wyomissing parade was dedicated as a tribute to essential workers for their sacrifices fighting the coronavirus. “We’re thankful we were able to give recognition to the essential workers, everybody that had to continue to go to work every day even during the pandemic,” Macrina said. “The thing that stood out to a lot of us is you didn’t realize all the essential professions — the grocery workers, parcel delivery drivers. We take all that for granted.”

Not taken for granted — and very much on display last weekend — was the privilege of standing alongside others, no distance required, and seeing unmasked smiles, greeting friends with handshakes and hugs and enjoying a day when politics and opinions were put aside in the name of celebrating one nation with liberty and justice for all.

It was the collective liberty and freedom to be together that was missed last year and during the long months in-between. The Fourth of July was an opportunity to celebrate a turning point in control if not eradication of the coronavirus. The towns of this region let loose, and a good time was had by all.