The Kutztown community and people from across Berks County crowded along Main Street on Saturday, Aug. 1, for the Kutztown Bicentennial Parade. Many Kutztown groups and organizations entered floats or performed in the parade, becoming a part of Kutztown’s history.
Groups included the Kutztown Historical Society, Kutztown Community Library, FOE, Garden Club, Old Plow Boys, fire companies, local officials, Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce, Kutztown Strong, dance and musical groups, bands and so much more.
The grand marshals of the parade are Kutztown’s two oldest citizens, Kathryn Saul and Cathrine Madiera. Both were born in Kutztown and have lived in town for their entire lives, according to bicentennial chairperson Craig Koller.
Parade royalty included Miss Kutztown Bicentennial Erica Yurvati and Little Miss Kutztown Bicentennial Mary Hess.
Koller noted that Little Miss Kutztown Bicentennial is the great-great granddaughter of one of the grand marshals of the 1965 sesqui-centennial parade, Albert Sarig, who at that time was age 91.
The first band to march down Main Street in the Kutztown Bicentennial Parade was the KASD Community Band which included community members, alumni and students, ranging in age from elementary to late 70s, as well as myself, editor of The Kutztown Are Patriot.
The Community Band was formed for the Kutztown Bicentennial Parade. Kutztown Middle School band director Carl Zeplin invited all ages of students, alumni and community members to march. More than 90 people signed up for the band. For many in the Community Band, this was a chance to once again march in a band and to be part of Kutztown’s history while celebrating Kutztown’s 200th birthday.
“I like the camaraderie in Kutztown, paying homage to our town,” said Zeplin. “You only turn 200 years old once. It’s neat to see people coming back and supporting this.”
For eighth grader Owen Kulp, 13, who played the saxophone in the Community Band, he said, “I can say to my kids I was here when Kutztown was 200.”
Several teachers played also, including music teacher Shannon Sunday on clarinet, computer teacher Gene Sweeney on saxaphone and KHS English teacher Josh Chambers on trombone.
“I think this is fantastic,” said Chambers. “We have representation from the school district. We have teachers, administrators, a previous school board member, alumni, community leaders, everybody’s in on this band.”
This was Sunday and Sweeney’s first time playing clarinet and saxophone in a parade. They learned to play these instruments for this parade.
“We wanted to challenge ourselves and have a little fun,” said Sunday.
Hallie Schumacher, school counselor at KMS, learned to play the cow bell for the parade. The last time she marched was as a middle schooler.
“I joined to be part of the celebration. It’s so exciting,” said Schumacher. “I’m excited to see all the residents and families. This whole Bicentennial has been a blast. They’ve done an incredible job planning. This is the culmination (the parade and Kutztown Day on Aug. 2).”
Her father lived his entire life, 90 years, living on Main Street, so Schumacher was particularly excited about marching down Main Street.
KMS Principal Jim Brown also joined the band, playing bass drum, which he had not played since fifth grade.
“I joined because I thought Carl had a great idea to get everybody in the community involved and come back and play one more time with the middle school band,” said Brown.
For myself, marching down Main Street with a band again was an incredible experience, as was hearing the crowd cheer. But the best part was being a part of Kutztown’s history.
Winners of the Musical Group Awards:
1st Prize: Patriot Brass Ensemble, trophy and $500 from National Penn Bank
2nd Prize: Irish Thunder Pipes and Drum, trophy and $250 from Huguenot Lodge No. 377 Free & Accepted Masons
3rd Prize: Kutztown High School Pop Group, trophy and $100 from the Kutztown Bicentennial Committee
Winners of the Float Awards:The Bicentennial Parade Chairperson Award: Kutztown Fire Company. Award presented in honor of parade chair Steph Derstine, to the most outstanding float in the bicentennial parade.
The Judges’ Select Award: Kutztown Community Library. Award presented by the bicentennial parade judges to the most original entry in the bicentennial parade.
The Bicentennial Committee Chairperson Award: Kutztown Area Historical Society. Award presented, in honor of bicentennial chairperson Craig Koller, to the float that best honors Kutztown’s history in the bicentennial parade.
The Patriotism Award: Kutztown Fraternal Order of Eagles. Award presented, in honor of the Kutztown Lions Club, for the most patriotic float in the bicentennial parade.
The Spirit Award: Shaynah Kinner. Award presented, in honor of Senator Judy Schwank, to the float in the bicentennial parade that showcases Kutztown at its best.
The Mayor’s Award: Meitzler Hauling & Excavating Tribute Plow Boys. Award presented, in honor of Kutztown Mayor Sandy Green, to the float that reflects the most community spirit in the bicentennial parade.
