Is a Vision for Pottstown Wonka Vision?

Gene Wilder, the very first Willy Wonka.

The original "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" will be coming free to downtown Pottstown next month for a "community movie night."

To be shown at Smith Family Plaza opposite the borough hall on High Street, it will coincide with the last Nostalgia Night Car Show of the season on Sept. 1.

"The car show ends at 9 p.m., so that's when the movie will start," Main Street Manager Sheila Dugan told council during Wednesday night's council session.

Dugan said she expects about 100 people to stay on for the show, which will be held on a large screen.

Families are invited to bring a chair or a blanket to watch the Oompa Loopas romp and Augustus Gloop fall into the chocolate river.

The event is just one of the things that has convinced Borough Council President Stephen Toroney to support extending the lifespan of the Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority for another two years.


Borough Solicitor Charles D. Garner Jr. explained to council Wednesday night that when PDIDA was created in the 1980s "it had a sunset clause and it would cease to exist unless it was extended. Obviously, over the years it has been extended a couple of times."

But the last extension expires on Dec. 31. Council can vote to extend PDIDA's life any time before then.

Mercury Photo/John Strickler

Main Street Manager Sheila Dugan

"I would like to see a two-year extension, so as not to bind future councils," Toroney said.

"I would agree with that," said Council Vice President Jeff Chomnuk.

"If you had asked me two years ago, I don't think there would have been much chance of an extension, but with what Sheila's been doing, I think she's turning it around and has done a good job," Toroney said.

Dugan, who joked about the extension that "ten years would be wonderful, but two years is great too," said the timing is good because PDIDA planned to make a presentation to council next month about the progress it has made.

Previously the president of the PDIDA Board of Directors, Dugan was named the paid Main Street Manager on May 1.

The First First Saturday

The season's first Nostalgia Night will be part of First Saturday

Sure, the economy may be recovering ... a little.

But who can afford to take the family for day out on the town?

Actually, you can.

Because it's free.

This Saturday, starting at 10 a.m., is the first of the warm season's "First Saturday" events, a collection of family fun in downtown Pottstown.

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you already know about the Colonial May Fair that takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pottsgrove Manor; and the Latin Night, put on by CCLU at Academy Hall that Saturday night.

But that's not the half of it.

Starting at 10 a.m. is the Pottstown Relay for Life's "Paint the Town Purple" event at Smith Plaza, opposite Pottstown Borough Hall, 100 E. High St.

From there you can take a free trolley to the Carousel at Pottstown site, take a look inside to enjoy the progress they're making there, and participate in an "interactive art event."

An "interactive art event" was held at previous First Saturdays

Round the clock entertainment will continue all day at Smith Family Plaza.

They include:

• 12:30 to 1 p.m.: The musical duo of Fiorenza-Dowlin;
• 1:10 to 1:25 p.m.: The stepping squad from The Heart of God Worship Center;
• 1:35 to 1:50 p.m.: The Coventry Christian School Elementary Chorus;
• 1:55 to 2:15 p.m.: The Community Theatre Project will present "Dramatic Scenes."
• 2:20 to 2:50 p.m.: Premiere Performers Competition Team;
• 3 to 3:30 p.m.: The Pottstown High School Jazz Band (Click here see videos of some of their work).

In addition, a variety of performers, artists and other arts and sports organizations will have tables set up to provide information.

Visitors are also asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the Pottstown Cluster of Churches food pantry.

In addition to eating in one of downtown Pottstown's eateries, you can also pick up a treasure at the Community Yard Sale being conducted by the Gallery on High.

From 5 to 9 p.m., the first Classic Car Show of the season will take place on High Street and Hanover Street.

If you can't find something to do in Pottstown this Saturday, you might want to have your pulse checked.