June 20 Deadline Looms for GoFourth! Vendors

Blogger's Note: The following was submitted by the Pottstown GoFourth! organizers.

The spectacular Fourth of July fireworks organized by the all-volunteer Pottstown GoFourth! committee will be back this year as the Borough of Pottstown and visiting neighbors gather to celebrate Independence Day. 

Unfortunately, last year’s fireworks and GoFourth! Festival had to be cancelled, for obvious reasons.

The pyrotechnics show will begin in Memorial Park at 9 p.m., produced by International Fireworks and sponsored by Precision Polymer Products, Inc.

Most of the other GoFourth! festivities will not be staged at the park this year due to access issues caused by the closure of the King Street bridge and the loss of the Memorial Park footbridge, as well as pandemic-related crowd restrictions still in place during the earlier stage of event planning.  

Food vendors ranging from dessert treats to empanadas and Latin food will be sold in the park beginning at 6 p.m.  Parking to view the fireworks will be available at the premium viewing area at Memorial Park for $25 per car.  Gates will open for premium ticket holders at 6 p.m.  To purchase tickets, visit www.pottstowngofourth.com or www.eventbrite.com/e/153798855517.

In addition, free parking will be available on the parking lot at Montgomery County Community College’s South Hall, 101 College Drive.  The Colebrookdale Railroad Fireworks Express will depart at 7 p.m. from the Boyertown station, arriving in plenty of time for the show.  Tickets are available at www.colebrookdalerailroad.com.

Sponsorships are still available and greatly appreciated.  Visit www.pottstowngofourth.com/sponsorships.  Volunteers also are needed: www.pottstowngofourth.com/volunteer. 

The heart of downtown Pottstown will be buzzing with family-friendly activities on July 4.   The day will step off with the Rotary Club Parade at 11 a.m., following a route along High Street from Adams to York Street.

Street Fest activities will be set up between Charlotte and York Streets from 1 to 5 p.m.

There will be a “pop up” beer garden as well as food offerings including snow cones, ice cream, Betty’s Lemonade, and other treats, not to mention food from local High Street restaurants.  

Artisans will be selling handcrafted wares along the street.  Applications for food and crafts vendors are still being accepted until June 20; go to www.pottstowgofourth.com/vendor-apps.   

High Street will ring with live music from Brian Fitzy (1-2 p.m.), Hector Rosada (2-3 p.m.), and Modern Luxe (3:30-5 p.m.) -- all back for GoFourth! by popular demand.  

A “Kids Fun Zone” will feature a magician, face-painting, arts and crafts activities and more, thanks to the generous sponsorship of ROG Orthodontics.  The Rain Gutter Regatta will be run by Cub Pack and Boy Scouts of America Troop 146, with the start of the official regatta beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Don’t forget about the Rotary Duck Race which raises funds for area nonprofits, beginning at 3 p.m. This year’s Duck Race will be conducted virtually; tickets will continue to be sold at Street Fest.

Pottstown GoFourth! recognizes Gold Level Sponsors Fox Rothschild LLP and PECO.  As noted, additional sponsorships still will be accepted.

Donations toward this community event and the Rotary Club of Pottstown Parade are welcomed (and donors will be recognized in the Pottstown Mercury).  

Please visit www.pottstowngofourth.com or send a check made out to “TCN” (TriCounty Community Network) and marked for Pottstown GoFourth and send it to P.O. Box 1362, Pottstown, PA  19464. Donation boxes also will be placed throughout the Borough.

“We can’t wait to see our community and friends gathered in Pottstown again, especially after having to cancel the parade and other July 4 activities in 2020 due to the pandemic,” said Amy Wolf, co-chair of Pottstown Go Fourth!  “Support for the return of this event has been very enthusiastic.  We hope people continue to donate so it can be a true celebration for the town.” 

Amy Francis, co-chair, noted the downtown location will help recognize and drive traffic to the many small businesses that showed grit and collaborative spirit during the pandemic – as well as new businesses that have opened despite the challenges. 

“Our Pottstown businesses have been so resilient, and they are so happy to again be serving our community members,” Wolf said.  “Street Fest and the other July 4 activities will spotlight Pottstown’s revitalization and allow Borough families and visitors alike to celebrate our beautiful hometown.”