Fireworks for 140 Years

So, what do you get for a town celebrating its 140th birthday?

Fireworks, trains, art, farmers' markets, free swimming and lots and lots of food.

August 25 marks the second annual Lansdale Founders Day event, an all-day entertainment spectacular that marks the 140th anniversary of the founding of Lansdale Borough with the "Town on Track" theme.

Maybe you've been seeing the yard signs posted in front yards and right-of-ways in and around Lansdale. If you want one, check out Lansdale Borough Hall or ask for one at Sign-a-rama on West Main Street.

The biggest event - aside from the 9 p.m. fireworks best viewed from Penndale Middle School - is the SEPTA New Hope and Ivyland Excursion Train.

Councilwoman Mary Fuller said at the Lansdale Council work session last week that there are three locations to buy tickets: Lansdale Borough Hall, Lansdale Library and Henning's Scale Model Trains.

The excursion train will run from New Hope to Lansdale, and then from Lansdale to New Hope, with stops in Warminster.

The train will also run three round-trip excursions between Lansdale and Souderton.

The first round-trip leaves Lansdale at 11:30 a.m. The second trip departs at 1 p.m. and the last trip departs at 2:30 p.m.

As far as the New Hope-Lansdale excursions, tickets are $79 for coach and $99 for first class. Get tickets for these trips at the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad's website.

Fuller announced that at the Lansdale Council business meeting, she will announce the recipient of the Lifetime Achivement Award, to be presented the morning of Founders Day.

Coincidentally, Founders Day also occurs on this year's Lansdale Festival of the Arts in Memorial Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The following is the itinerary for Founders Day:

• Lansdale Farmers' Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Railroad Avenue
• Lansdale Festival of the Arts: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Memorial Park
• Founders Day Opening Ceremony: 10:15 a.m. at Railroad Plaza
• SEPTA Train Display: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lansdale Train Station
• Open Houses at Lansdale Borough Hall, Lansdale Police Station and Jenkins Homestead: Ongoing between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Model Train Display: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Lansdale Library
• Fairmount Fire Company Open House: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Free Swimming at White's Road and Fourth Street Pools: Noon to 7 p.m.
• Family Corner at Railroad Avenue and Century Plaza: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Restaurant Festival: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Railroad Avenue and Century Plaza
• Fireworks: 9 p.m. at Memorial Park

Check out more at www.DiscoverLansdale.org and at www.lansdale.org