In Sign of Hope, Council OKs Parades, Park Events

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In 2019, the color guard kicked off Pottstown's annual Memorial Day parade. This year's parade is scheduled for May 31.

In much the way the natural world begins to awaken after a long winter, Pottstown may be awakening after a long pandemic-driven winter of discontent.

In a series of acts some might describe as extreme optimism, borough council Monday granted unanimous approval to no fewer than six events that were cancelled last year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

In a clear sign that we're still not out of the woods yet, all of the approvals are contingent on a COVID-19 safety protocol plan being submitted, reviewed by police and fire officials, and approved by the borough manager.

This year's Pow Wow will be held May 1 and 2 in

Riverfront Park.

• Already approved was the Seventh Annual PowWow on Mantawny Creek on May 1 and 2 which, will take place in Riverfront Park this year and is being billed as "Where Manatawny Creek Meets the Schuylkill River."

This change in venue is due largely to the pedestrian bridge between the main park and "the island" being out as well as the King Street bridge being closed for replacement.

• Council also has approved the annual Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 31. That will necessitate closing of High Street from Bailey to Manatawny Streets, from 8:45 a.m. to11 a.m.

The parade is sponsored by the Pottstown Joint Veterans Council. If you would rather recognize area veterans sooner, a drive-through car show photo booth event will be held at the Red Horse Motoring Club, 132 E. Third St., on Saturday, April 17.

The Pottstown Rumble volleyball tournament will be

held in Memorial Park on Junes 25, 26 and 27.

Those who register at http://bit.ly/VIP-FUNDRAISER can have a photo of their car or motorcycle taken by Keeler Photography and prizes will be awarded. Proceeds benefit the Veterans Island Project at Memorial Park.

• Council also approved the Parks and Recreation Department's monthly comedy shows in Memorial Park set for June 23, July 28, Aug. 28, and Sept. 22 from 6:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The shows raise money to pay for a new pedestrian bridge over Manatawny Creek which was wiped out by flooding in 2019.

Also on Monday night, the borough approved applying for a $250,000 grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to help pay for a new bridge, but a local match will likely be required.

July 4th Fireworks are also planned.

• Also approved was a the request of the Pottstown Rumble to include a beer garden for the Volleyball Tournament to be held June 25, 26, 27 from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., in Memorial Park. Borough Manager Justin Keller explained this year's event will not include a "beer tent," which makes social distancing difficult, but will allow beer to be carried into a fenced in viewing area, and there will be no bleachers.

• The thumbs up was also given by council for a re-configured Independence Day event. As of now, the Rotary Club's Independence Day Parade will be held on July 4, resulting in the closure of High Street from Madison to Manatawny Streets, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Rotary Club will also hold its annual Duck Race fundraiser and tickets are already on sale.

• And the GoFourth Festival, usually held in Memorial Park, will instead be a street fair on High Street , resulting in the closure of High Street from York to Charlotte Streets, from 1 to 5 p.m. thanks to a unanimous council vote.

The Independence Day Parade is a go.

And yes, there will be fireworks under the current plan.

GoFourth organizers have announced that Precision Polymer Products, a local business, is the Fireworks Sponsor for this year and Fox Rothschild LLP and PECO are Gold Level Sponsors. More sponsorship information will become available in the coming weeks.

Click here to see Tweets from Monday's council meeting.