Events for Independence Weekend and Beyond

I'm taking July 4th off here on the Diary (hopefully, if the weather gods are kind, I'll be out watching the parade), so here are the events for the next week a day early. Remember, you can find more events at the calendar links in the column to the right.

Tonight at 7 pm, Christ UCC Church at Noble and W. Marshall presents their annual FREE Independence Eve Concert in the church parking lot. The Concert will feature The Song Sheets (folk, Broadway, kids songs), N. Cameron Chandler (standards), and special guest Josh Myers. Bring a lawn chair. Refreshments will be available. IN CASE OF RAIN, come anyway--the concert will be held in the church basement.

ACTIVITIES for JULY 4th -- The weather is supposed to clear up and be sunny later in the day Friday. Hopefully the rain will clear out in time for our parade.

7:30 am, Register for the 5K Run at Norristown Area High School. The Run starts at 8:30. Proceeds from the race will be donated to the Literacy Council of Norristown.

10:30 am -- Our annual Parade begins at Airy and Dekalb, proceeds down Airy to Astor, right on Astor to W. Marshall, left on W. Marshall to Stanbridge, right on Standbridge to Sterigere, right on Sterigere, ending at Elmwood Park. You can watch from anywhere along the route. The streets involved will close at 9:30. I suggest avoiding Airy at Dekalb all morning unless you're in the parade, since they'll be lining up and organizing big vehicles.

When the parade's over--around noon, The Old School Band will begin a FREE concert of music from the 50s through the 80s in the Elmwood Park band shell. The refreshment stand will be open, same as Sunday nights, so you can get your lunch right there.

1-3 pm, kids' games and activities, near the band shell in Elmwood Park

6 pm, another FREE concert at the band shell, this time by the Sofa Kings (Motown, R&B, classic rock).

FIREWORKS at dusk.

Saturday and Sunday is Walla Fest at the Centre Theater on Dekalb, starting at 4 pm both days. Walla Fest is billed as "a multi-night music and art show located right outside of Philadelphia, in the not-so-on-the-map neighborhood of Norristown." $8 for one day, $12 for both days. Email wallafest@yahoo.com for more information or check their Facebook event page.

Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm at the Pal Center, the N-town ballers are holding their first female open gym, inviting all ladies young and old who enjoy basketball to come out and have a good time. Bring your daughters, nieces, goddaughters, and cousins who love basketball and want to learn more. Ages for female youth is 7 to 13. Anyone older will be hooping with the Old Heads!! More information about the youth games will be provided on July 6.

It's the first Sunday of the month, meaning Elmwood Park Zoo will be FREE to Norristown residents from 2 to 5 pm. Bring a valid ID. Children must be accompanied by adults.

Sunday night at 7 pm at the Elmwood Park band shell, still another free concert, this time with Mark Reno as Elvis. Refreshments available.

Tuesday night at 6 pm is a North End Town Watch meeting at Montgomery Hose Co, Freedley and Pine. All residents are welcome to attend.

Also Tuesday night at 7 pm at Municipal Hall, Planning Commission Meeting.

Wednesday from 2 to 4 pm, at the Montco OIC, Arch and Basin, you can learn how to use Microsoft Office with this FREE class. Participants will learn functions of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher, Access and Outlook. Registration is limited to 8 spaces per session. To register, call (610) 279-9700.

Next Friday night the Norristown Business Association presents another Family Feud night, 7 pm at Caffe Galileo. The Arts Council champions defend their title against the still un-undefeated Feed The Burbs. This is always a fun night.