To help raise funds for the 2019 PottstownGoFourth! celebration and fireworks on July 4 in Memorial Park, the GoFourth committee has created a stunning 2020 calendar depicting beautifully restored, historic Pottstown homes.

The calendar spotlights a few of Pottstown’s architectural gems through artistically rendered photographs of homes or buildings that will be featured on the Historic House Candlelight Tour this coming December. Photographer Carol Brightbill, of Pottstown, depicted the homes from a variety of angles and used color and creative graphic touches to create images that pop from the pages. The Pottstown Holiday House Tour also benefits PottstownGoFourth!, with all tour proceeds helping to kick off next year’s celebration.

The PottstownGoFourth volunteers still need to raise a few thousand dollars of the $55,000 goal to fully fund this year’s festival – an event which promises to be bigger and better than ever, with an even greater array and number of festival food vendors. To help raise funds, a limited number of the 2020 calendars are on sale now at The Carousel at Pottstown gift shop, 30 W. King St., and Studio 36 Bead Shop & Artisans Gallery, 105 E. High St. Calendars and other Festival merchandise also will be sold on Sunday, June 30, at the Redner’s grocery stores in Pottstown and Douglassville; as well as at the Festival on July 4.

Tax-deductible donations also can be made by donating online at the Festival website (www.pottstowngofourth.com) or by sending a check made payable to the TriCounty Community Network (TCN); donors should note “Attention: GoFourth” in the memo line on the check. Checks may be mailed to Pottstown GoFourth! Festival, PO Box 1362, Pottstown, PA 19464. Entirely funded by donations and sponsorships — without a penny of taxpayer dollars — this year’s GoFourth Festival will begin at 11:30 a.m., immediately after the Rotary Club-sponsored July 4 parade beginning at 10:15 a.m.

After attending the parade, hungry marchers and spectators will be pleased to find more than 20 different food vendors will be dishing up fare ranging from pizza cones, dumplings and egg rolls, gourmet tater tots, and authentic Caribbean food, to traditional fair goodies such as funnel cake, shaved ice, roast beef and pork sandwiches, French Fries, and ice cream – to name only a few possible menu items. The popular Sly Fox Beer Tent also will return for thirsty adults.

While nibbling, guests can browse the offerings of quality arts and crafts vendors, participate in numerous kid-friendly activities, ride on the Colebrookdale Railroad, watch the Rotary’s traditional duck race, or simply enjoy a full line-up of live, professional music (more details on all of this below).

The highlight of the day for many will be a spectacular, old-fashioned fireworks display by International Fireworks of Douglassville, Pa., at 9:15 p.m.

Fireworks cost about $1,000 per minute in addition to ancillary costs such as security costs, permits, and traffic control. “We cannot begin to fund this festival through bucket collections alone,” says Co-chairperson Amy Wolf. She notes that it’s not too early to sponsor next year’s (2020) fireworks, and Pottstown GoFourth! Fundraising must occur continually to ensure sustainability of this major event.

The committee still is recruiting volunteers to help keep things running smoothly both before, during, and after the Fourth of July festival. In addition to having a lot of fun with community-minded citizens, all volunteers receive a Pottstown GoFourth! shirt (while supplies last). To volunteer, please visit the online sign-up site.

Businesses or individuals interested in learning more about becoming a sponsor and its benefits can find information at PottstownGoFourth.com or email PottstownGoFourth@gmail.com.

The festival is jam-packed with activities geared toward families, including the noon to 5 p.m. return appearance of “Grandpop Bubbles,” a performance artist who creates enormous bubbles to delight young and old alike. Grandpop Bubbles’ performance and all of the children’s activities for the day are being generously sponsored by ROG Orthodontics.

Other attractions will be inflatable rides and attractions, from noon to 8 p.m.; Rainbow the Clown face-painting artists from 1 to 5 p.m.; and a Rain Gutter Regatta presented by Pottstown Cub Scout Packs 249 & 146 from 5 – 7 p.m. Community members interested in participating in the Rain Gutter Regatta please contact Raymond Rose at 484-366-7096.

This year’s Featured Community Partner is The Colebrookdale Railroad, which will offer short runs from noon – 4 p.m. (adults $10/children $5) and a Fireworks Express Run at 7 p.m. starting at the Colebrookdale Railroad Boyertown Station. Fireworks Express passengers will enjoy VIP seating for the fireworks display. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.colebrookdale.com.

The Pottstown GoFourth! organization is a Pennsylvania not-for-profit corporation, operating under the 501 (c)(3) umbrella of the TriCounty Community Network, which manages all GoFourth! finances and reporting. Co-Chairperson Amy Francis emphasizes not a penny of taxpayer money supports the July 4 festivities, which is why fundraising is so essential.

“No Pottstown Borough funds help to pay for this celebration,” Francis says. “It is completely funded by sponsorships and donations made by businesses and individuals who want to offer our greater Pottstown community a fun, family-oriented event — a happening that showcases all the positive community spirit and amenities Pottstown has to offer.”

Please look for updates about Pottstown GoFourth! at www.pottstowngofourth.com and at www.facebook.com/PottstownGoFourth and www.twitter.com/GoFourthFest.

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