PHOENIXVILLE PA – Two high-profile events in Phoenixville – the 175th anniversary of the borough’s founding, and its fire department’s 150th birthday – are reshaping the 2024 parade that is part of its annual Dogwood Festival.
The festival, begun in 1943 and observed on Armed Forces Day to honor currently active members of the U.S. military, returns May 14-18 (Wednesday through Saturday) at locations in the borough. Most of its activities will be centered at Reeves Park, 401 Main St., Wednesday to Friday from 6-10 p.m. and Saturday from 1-10 p.m.
The Phoenixville Jaycees Foundation, which organizes and supervises the event, reports that more than 50,000 people attend it every year.
Plenty to see, hear, and do
Rides, food, drinks, vendors, music, and a variety of entertainers will be part of the four-day gala. If rides are your idea (or that of your children or grandchildren) of a good time, one-day all-you-can-ride wristbands will be available for purchase at $35; and ride “superbands,” good for the duration of the festival, will be sold for $65. Individual ride tickets also will be available.
Scheduled to appear on the Dogwood Festival stage at the Jaycees bandshell in Reeves Park are:
- Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., the Dogwood Royalty Crowning; 6 p.m., Crescendo; 6:30 p.m., the Reading Rebels Rebellets Dance Team; 7 p.m., the Phoenixville Area High School Jazz Band; an at 8 p.m., Cole Campbell;
- Thursday at 6 p.m., Smooth Riders, a “Dave Matthews Band Experience;” and at 8 p.m., Brown Sugar, “a Rolling Stones tribute;
- Friday at 6 p.m., Daniel Rodriguez; 7 p.m.Quick Chilled; 8 p.m. Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise; and at 9 p.m., Anthony C; and
- Saturday at 3 p.m., Latin Dance Group; 4 p.m., a special two-hour Bingo game hosted by comedian Aunt Mary Pat with tickets available online; at 6 p.m., The Holts; and at 8 p.m., Vinyl Roots.
If you’re downtown and of legal age, you may also want to stop by Thursday through Saturday at the Dogwood Beer Garden located on 3rd Avenue.
Join or follow the parade
This year’s celebratory parade starts Saturday (May 18) at 1 p.m. on Smithworks Boulevard. It will be larger, and its route extended, to accommodate more vehicles and participants. The borough’s anniversary and fire department’s birthday both will figure prominently. Public and private organizations can join in too, by applying to enter using an available online form.
The parade route moves along Smithworks and aside French Creek to Main Street, then proceeds down Main to pass Reeves Park, and ends at 5th Avenue.
Want to see the parade from the best vantage points? The Jaycees recommend taking up positions on Main Street from Smithworks to 5th; on the Schuylkill River Trail from Paradise Street to the Main Street trailhead; or on Smithworks, also from Paradise to Main.
Photo used by Travels With The Post from the Phoenixville Dogwood Festival Facebook page