Good Neighbor Day celebrates Downingtown
July 4 is more than Independence Day in Downingtown — it’s “Good Neighbor Day.”
In its 31st year, residents (and some good neighbors who live outside the municipality) will gather at Kerr Park starting at 8 a.m. to celebrate the birth of the country, and to remember what it means to be a good neighbor.
Always held on July 4, the day starts with several races, in 5k, 10k and 15k varieties, as well as a slower 5k, aptly named “Freedom Walk.” The day is capped off with fireworks at 9:30 p.m., with food and family-friendly activities in between.
Peter Kellerman is one of the good neighbors who helps organize the event. Involved for 12 years, even before he was a Downingtown resident, he used to head up the bicycle race. But since that event got too large to coordinate and went the way of the dodo, he was reassigned, and now heads up the food and crafts aspect of the celebration.
“Good Neighbor is a slogan for Downingtown — it’s a good neighbor community, and the event is meant to celebrate the town,” Kellerman said.
The celebration has a bigger meaning than races, funnel cakes and fireworks, though. The proceeds for the day are distributed to the fire companies that have rescue units servicing the Downingtown School District, Kellerman said. Those include Alert Fire Co., Minquas Ambulance, Uwchlan Ambulance, East Brandywine Fire Co., Glenmoore Fire Co., and West Bradford Fire Co.
“I’m not sure how much the event will bring in this year, but in past years, we have brought in well over $10,000,” Kellerman said.
He said he’s expecting a few thousand people to attend the event, though it varies from year to year depending on which day of the week July 4 falls. With the Fourth falling on a Saturday, the event could draw fewer people, as more people will be traveling.
On planning for the neighborly day, “It’s gotten to be a routine thing,” Kellerman said. “I know what I’ve got to do, and everyone else does, too. We don’t even have that many meetings anymore,” he said jokingly. “Each person on the committee knows what they need to do to pull the day off. It almost runs itself now.”
Runners can begin arriving as early as 6 a.m. for the 8 a.m. races. Kerr Park is located in the corner of Wallace Avenue and East Pennsylvania Avenue, Downingtown. For more information, or to register for one of the races, visit www.goodneighborday.com.
Always held on July 4, the day starts with several races, in 5k, 10k and 15k varieties, as well as a slower 5k, aptly named “Freedom Walk.” The day is capped off with fireworks at 9:30 p.m., with food and family-friendly activities in between.
Peter Kellerman is one of the good neighbors who helps organize the event. Involved for 12 years, even before he was a Downingtown resident, he used to head up the bicycle race. But since that event got too large to coordinate and went the way of the dodo, he was reassigned, and now heads up the food and crafts aspect of the celebration.
“Good Neighbor is a slogan for Downingtown — it’s a good neighbor community, and the event is meant to celebrate the town,” Kellerman said.
The celebration has a bigger meaning than races, funnel cakes and fireworks, though. The proceeds for the day are distributed to the fire companies that have rescue units servicing the Downingtown School District, Kellerman said. Those include Alert Fire Co., Minquas Ambulance, Uwchlan Ambulance, East Brandywine Fire Co., Glenmoore Fire Co., and West Bradford Fire Co.
“I’m not sure how much the event will bring in this year, but in past years, we have brought in well over $10,000,” Kellerman said.
He said he’s expecting a few thousand people to attend the event, though it varies from year to year depending on which day of the week July 4 falls. With the Fourth falling on a Saturday, the event could draw fewer people, as more people will be traveling.
On planning for the neighborly day, “It’s gotten to be a routine thing,” Kellerman said. “I know what I’ve got to do, and everyone else does, too. We don’t even have that many meetings anymore,” he said jokingly. “Each person on the committee knows what they need to do to pull the day off. It almost runs itself now.”
Runners can begin arriving as early as 6 a.m. for the 8 a.m. races. Kerr Park is located in the corner of Wallace Avenue and East Pennsylvania Avenue, Downingtown. For more information, or to register for one of the races, visit www.goodneighborday.com.
