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Event

GET TO KNOW: THE DOWNINGTOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE

Dianne Plaugher is Co-Chair of the Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas Inc., along with her husband Steve Plaugher. Each year, the tree lighting and parade brings our community together along Lancaster Avenue, while families and neighbors cheer on the floats. A group of 12 volunteers coordinates the event throughout the year and addition help is brought in for coordinating the dozens of floats and community groups that paritipate in the parade. We asked Diane a few questions about the tradition, here’s what she had to say:

Explain what your non-profit does in the community:

Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas Inc. provides a Christmas Tree and Tree Lighting Ceremony for the community followed by a wonderful Christmas Parade.

How many years has the Downingtown Christmas Parade been happening?

Steve and I have been involved since at least 2002.

Explain how far in advance you begin planning the event:

We meet once a month the entire year. More meetings are added as we get close to the event date.

What types of traditions can someone expect to see during the parade?

Plenty of bands, community groups and Santa and Mrs. Claus.

What’s the best part about volunteering for the Downingtown Christmas Parade?

Knowing that you are helping to put on a quality Christmas Parade for the community to enjoy.

What’s your favorite memory of the parade?

Each year is different – the best part of each year is riding behind Santa’s float, being able to see the amount of happy faces that line the streets of Downingtown enjoying the parade.

Where can you find the best pizza in the borough?

Anthony’s Cucina Fresca

How can people get involved?

We need volunteers! Contact Diane at dtownchristmas@aol.com for details.

They’re also holding a “Nite at the Races“ fundraiser on Saturday, May 20 at St. Anthony’s Lodge – get the details, here.

SUMMER JAM SERIES : FRIDAY, AUGUST 26

Final Fridays of August from 6 PM 10PM at the Gazebo in Kerr Park

It’s our final Summer Jam Series of the summer! Last month the music festival brought hundreds of families, friends and neighbors to the heart of Downingtown on the final Friday during the summer months. This year we’ll still feature a unique selection of local musicians, food and crafts along with the addition of a beer garden all in a new location in the lush greens of Kerr Park food. Presented by the Downingtown Main Street Association and Kimberton Whole Foods, this community event is the perfect start to a summer weekend. Visit us at Kerr Park, in the lawns by the Gazebo and check out unique craft vendors, as well as a variety of tasty options including The Happy Pita, Mompops Artisan Popsicles, St. Anthony’s Restaurant and a beer garden hosted by Station Taproom with cocktails served by Manatawny Still Works!

SUMMER JAM SERIES: FRIDAY, JULY 29

Final Fridays of June, July & August from 6 PM 10PM at the Gazebo in Kerr Park

The Summer Jam Series is back! Last year the music festival brought hundreds of families, friends and neighbors to the heart of Downingtown on the final Friday during the summer months. This year we’ll still feature a unique selection of local musicians, food and crafts along with the addition of a beer garden all in a new location in the lush greens of Kerr Park food. Presented by the Downingtown Main Street Association and Kimberton Whole Foods, this community event is the perfect start to a summer weekend. Visit us at Kerr Park, in the lawns by the Gazebo and check out unique craft vendors, as well as a variety of tasty options including The Happy Pita, Mompops Artisan PopsiclesSt. Anthony’s Restaurant and a beer garden hosted by Station Taproom with mixed drinks served by Manatawny Still Works!

6:00 Kenny Lawson

Kenny Lason is a local musician whose rich vocals and acoustic stylings bring new depth to roots rock and folk tunes. He is the lead guitarist for the Billy Penn Band who have played locally and opened for numerous big name acts.

6:30 Robb Balchunas

We welcome singer, songwriter and guitarist Robb Balchunas, player of rock and country since 2004. With countless gigs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, California, Maryland and Delaware, he is also the owner of Pryme Tyme Entertainment since 2001. We look forward to hearing his music with influences from Jason Mraz, John Mayor, Green Day, CCR, John Melloncamp and Luke Bryan.

7:00 Sam Schmidthuber

A gifted singer and performer at 14, Sam has been performing locally at different venues since the age of 9. He recently auditioned for America’s Got Talent on a pass from a show producer, and won the 2016 PA Farm Show Has Talent Contest. When not performing his own shows, he is frequently a guest singer for local bands.

8:00 Free Range

We welcome back Free Range, a local Americana, classic rock, blues and folk fusion band. Check out some live recordings, here!

8:45 Billy Penn Band

The Billy Penn Band brings its roots rock jam to Downingtown Mainstreet Associations Summer Jam Series on July 29th. Formed in the mid 80s, the Billy Penn Band started as an acoustic duo and evolved into one of the premier early jam band acts in the Philadelphia area, also playing extensively at Penn State. After establishing themselves as innovators of “unplugged” acoustic interpretation of rock music, they switched to an all out electric assault. In this phase, the band helped carve out a place in the Philly music scene for the jam acts that followed, becoming a headline act celebrating the emergence of a powerful new genre of music. While covering many songs of the Grateful Dead, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, the band did so at a high energy level that did not simply imitate the original artists, including a legendary rap version of Dylan’s Tangled Up in Blue. This interpretive read on jam band music led to a unique sound and style for Billy Penn Band’s original songs they showcased while sharing stages with Phish, Max Creek, Albert Collins, Toots and the Maytals, and Ginger Baker of Cream. Original members Ken Lawson (guitar) and Jerry Marks (bass) are joined by Dave Halivand (drums) and Ed Artz (keyboards). Note: Ken and Ed also appear in the recently released and critically acclaimed Kenn Kweder documentary “Adventures of a Secret Kid, the Mass Hallucinations of Ken Kweder.”


Thank you to our generous community sponsors!

Kimberton Whole Foods

E. Kahn Development Co.

Bruton Financial

Green Mountain Energy

Mattioni Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

Downingtown Collision

Moose Lodge 1153

Synergema Digital Marketing

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Thanks to all of our 2016 supporters!