Founders Day to End with a Bang

And the winner is…

The company has agreed to sponsor the at the end of Lansdale’s first Founders Day. The top spot was worth $10,000.

At the recent borough council meeting, councilwoman Mary Fuller was so pleased to announce the sponsor that she dressed up for the occasion, sporting a red sweater with sequined fireworks and an American flag emblazoned on the front.

“I told myself I would wear it when I reached my goal and could not only bring fireworks to Lansdale, but have raised enough money to cover the cost of fireworks in Lansdale,” Fuller said.

As of the meeting, Fuller said Founders Day has received $30,325 from various sponsors throughout the community, including businesses and residents.

“Several weeks ago, Pete (Reinert) from the radio (WNPV) asked what the goal was when we sent out the sponsorship packages. We knew we wanted $10,000 in fireworks. Off the top of my head, I said we’d like to raise $25,000,” she said. “I like to aim high, and I’m glad I did.”

Wisler Pearlstine, LLP donated $5,000 as the Kids Zone Platinum sponsor. Both and donated $2,500 as well.

Silver sponsors at $1,000 donations each include Rex Heat Treat; borough engineer Remington, Vernick and Beach; Hangley, Aronchick, Segal and Pudlin law firm; and Delta Development Group. The latter are developing the Madison Parking Lot.

Bronze level sponsors at $500 each include Chip Schofield of – Fuller said Schofield donated $500 and then Univest donated another $500 – Berk Wiper Converting; Pennoni Associates; Richard Strahm and ReMax Realty Group; borough manager Timi Kirchner; Kevin Dunigan; the Burnell Family; ; and .

Fuller also gave a shout out to patron level sponsors: Jean Fritz, Rich and Nancy Frei, Rose Chapman, Linda and Chip Brighthaupt, , and councilmen Dan Dunigan, Mike Riccio and Mike Sobel.

Founders Day, scheduled for August 27, is a celebration of Lansdale and its history. There will be events for the family throughout the entire day as well as various food vendors and entertainers.

“You’re going to want to be in town,” said Fuller at a June council meeting. “The festivities will begin at 9 a.m. and run straight through to the conclusion of fireworks around 10 p.m.”

The day will begin with the Lansdale Farmers’ Market on Railroad Avenue.

Coincidentally, it is also the day of the Lansdale Festival of the Arts in Memorial Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

After the close of the farmers’ market, the Lansdale Business Association will take over Railroad Avenue for the rest of the day to feature various vendors, food services and children’s activities.

Fuller also announced that Founders Day will have an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. in front of , with the help of . As Lansdale is now an official Classic Town of Greater Philadelphia, the organization wanted to be involved with the day, Fuller said.

“We’ll have a whole hullabaloo,” Fuller said, adding that she and others will give some opening remarks and thank sponsors. “We will be unveiling our banner and a few people will be saying a couple of words. I hope some of our big sponsors will be on hand. The wallflower that I am my arm will probably be twisted to make a comment.”

Fuller also said the will have a blast from the past for residents who remember Shelly’s. A booth from the soda shop will be on display and available for visitors to take their picture with, Fuller said.

The homestead will be open for tours, as well as the research center.

At 4 p.m., will have a showing of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” Star Wars characters will be at the event around 5:30 p.m. for photo opportunities and autographs.

Parks and Recreation Director Carl Saldutti said the geocaching portion of Founders Day is moving along and they have created a design for the medallions they will place in the cache boxes.

One side of the medallion will say “Inaugural Founders Day, August 27, 2011” and the other side will say “Lansdale, PA, 19446,” Saldutti said. Both sides will have the Lansdale’s “L” design incorporated into their designs, he said.

Saldutti said one of the medallions will have a travel bug attached to it so it can be tracked. The travel bug will also have a “mission,” Saldutti said. Its mission will be for the finder to rebury the medallion in another town, anywhere in world, as long as the town’s name begins with an “L,” Saldutti said.

“Some of these things travel thousands and thousands of miles,” Saldutti said.

Fuller said the geocaching is a tourist draw.

“We think that will bring more people who aren’t in Lansdale, they will come geocache that day,” she said.

At the June meeting, borough President Matt West amusingly asked if the coins will be .

Both Fourth Street and White’s Road pools will be open for free to the public on Founders Day.

“If you get a little overheated with all the events, go take a dip and try out the swimming pools,” Fuller said.

Other Founders Day events are coming along, Fuller said. She said B101 will be set up by the Kugel Ball and they are looking into have business set up sidewalk sales along Main Street.

“We are fine tuning the Kugel Ball area,” she said.

Fuller said they are coming up with parking locations and will be creating maps and signs to show people where to park for the day.

Saldutti said he is looking forward to the event.

“Looks like it’s going to be a great day in Lansdale…another great day in Lansdale,” Saldutti said.

Editor Tony Di Domizio contributed to this story.