“2020 Festival In The Park”
Punxsutawney, PA – In response to the Punxsutawney Borough request for an organization to step-up to coordinate a 2020 Barclay Square Festival, the Punxsutawney Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is pleased to announce there will be a 2020 “Festival in the Park”. Council approved the Chamber’s request for the use of Barclay Square, Harmon Field, and two Borough side streets, as well as permit free downtown parking during the Festival Week.
Bob Cardamone, Chamber Executive Director, stated “planning for the 2020 Festival has begun and an initial list of events and activities includes concerts, food vendors, artisans, family activities, car show, and sidewalk sales. Cardamone stated the Punxsutawney Fire Department expressed thanks for being invited to be part of the 2020 Festival and agreed to use the approved side streets and Harmon Field for their activities and events.
As previously announced by Chamber President, Katie Laska, the 2020 Festival plans and finances will be available to the public, and excess Festival revenues will be donated to the Punxsutawney Borough for Barclay Square improvements and upgrades.
Cardamone stressed the primary role of the Chamber related to the Festival will be to facilitate and collaborate with Committees, fundraise, and ensure Festival finances are separately tracked and documented so the Chamber can demonstrate full and complete transparency and accountability to the public.
Laska announced a community meeting will be held Wednesday, August 7th @ 6:00 p.m. in the Jackson Theater located in the Community Center to receive 2020 Festival ideas and/or signup Volunteers. Laska and Cardamone emphasized previous Festival Committee members are welcomed and encouraged to participate on the new Committee to mentor new members and share their institutional Festival knowledge.
The Chamber, acting on behalf of the new Festival Committee, has already begun reaching out to vendors, businesses, civic groups, and individual sponsors to help provide the financial support the new Committee needs to create the infrastructure for the 2020 Festival, and anyone interested in providing financial support should contact the Chamber at (814) 938-7700 or via email at chamber@punxsutawney.com.
Laska stated, “the 2020 Festival has already secured 19 of the previous year’s food vendors and intends to expand artisan vendor opportunities and games and events to create a safe and family-friendly environment that residents and tourists will enjoy and look forward to each year.
