Norristown Bicentennial Celebration Kicks Off with a Party at Elmwood Park

In honor of Norristown’s 200th year anniversary, the county seat of Montgomery County is kicking off a year-long celebration of community, culture and heritage at on Saturday, March 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to a release issued by the municipality.

Live music, historical re-enactments, community art, local foods, and more will highlight the bicentennial kickoff presented by Conicelli Autoplex, 6ABC and The Times Herald. Residents from the 19401 and 19403 zip codes will also enjoy free admission to on Saturday, March 31, made possible by donations from Dave and Buster’s in Plymouth Meeting.

“We appreciate how the community has supported us for the past 50 years and we always try to give back,” said Dominic Conicelli, Sr., presenting sponsor, Conicelli Autoplex. “The people of Norristown have always been so great to work with, plus I won’t be here to see another 200 year anniversary. This is significant.”

Montgomery County commissioners Josh Shapiro, Leslie S. Richards and Bruce Castor will join the opening ceremony at the Elmwood Park bandshell, from 11 to 11:45 a.m. The opening ceremony will feature a performance of the original arrangement of the "Star Spangled Banner" and a performance by the Color Guard, followed at noon by historical re-enactments of daily life in the Federal Period (1820s) featuring the W.S. Hancock Society of Norristown. Members of the Norristown Karate Club will demonstrate their skills from 1 to 1:45 p.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m. the eight-piece, Norristown-based Allen Reynolds Band will take the stage. 

Throughout the day, the will provide guided tours of Norristown with stops at Selma Mansion and , also celebrating its bicentennial.

The will encourage families to release creative energy with paint and brushes in an organic color study on recycled vinyl. Kids can enjoy old-time games, inflatable play structures, balloons and clowns. They can even have their faces painted. 

Norristown eateries and Chef Keith Taylor’s will be among the food vendors. Norristown Bicentennial flags, cookbooks, lapel pins and other memorabilia will be available for purchase.

Bicentennial events throughout the year include a May 19 bike race hosted by the and organized by the Main Line Cycling Club; a June 23 Gospel and Blues festival; a July 4 parade and fireworks; and a September 15 Festival del Grito de la Independencia de Mexico (Mexican Independence Day Festival).

Additional sponsors of the Norristown Bicentennial are the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau, Reflections, Telemundo, El Zol, Keystone Mercy Health Plan, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, PECO, Law offices of Cullen and Conwell, LLC, and Shoprite. 

For more information about the Norristown Bicentennial, go to www.norristown200.com.