We did it!!! With the help of about 40 of our members, the Rotary Club of Pottstown successfully organized and sponsored the return of the Fourth of July Parade and produced the 26th Annual Rotary Duck Race. Jean Spotts and Dick Frantz co-chaired the Race with the help of Bob Thomas and Robin and Steve Smith and others. There were more than 3291 pink, yellow, and blue ducks released in the Manatawny Creek on the 4th as part of the Pottstown GoFourth Festival. They were competing for 70 prizes. We raised more than $16,000 for local organizations. After we deduct our expenses, we will distribute the balance on a pro-rata basis to the twenty-five non-profit agencies that participated with us. It was great to see several of our newer members helping to sell certificates, and plucking ducks from the water at the finish line. (Ask Tyler Gofus about the ones that almost got away.)
Many people in the community appreciated the return of the parade. Again, Bob Thomas and Steve Smith organized the decorating of the float pulled by Hank Saylor on his tractor. Our new president, Mike Bright walked with our group along with about fifteen of our members who walked and rode down the parade route waving American flags and carrying the Rotary Club banner. Our big yellow inflated duck was the hit of the parade. Doris and Alycia Wertman, Kirsten Gieseler handled the registrations and organized the parade line-up. Donna Manley and Len Gieseler guided the participants into the parade.
The parade is fully funded. We received several contributions from the community and donations contributed along the parade route. Participants paid a fee to be included and Donna Manley sold advertisements that were included in the PCTV broadcast.
We received a tremendous amount of goodwill publicity in both The Pottstown Mercury and the Reading Eagle. Both papers were extremely complimentary of Rotary’s efforts. They published several articles with many photos. Our choice of Sue and Bill Krause was befitting of their many contributions to the community. They also received nice recognition from both newspapers.
The newly formed Pottstown GoFourth Festival organized and sponsored events in Memorial Park on Monday and Tuesday that were a wonderful community celebration.