The small town of Phoenixville, PA is located about an hour outside of Philly. It is a town that I am proud to call home. It offers a culture all of its own. There is always something to do or somewhere to go. Here are some of the signs that you know you're from Phoenixville.
Bridge Street
Bridge Street is the heart and soul of Phoenixville. This strip is lined with restaurants, bars, ice cream shops, and small businesses. On weekends, no matter the season, you will always see groups of people going in and out of the many establishments.
Dogwood Fair
Each May, the long-anticipated Dogwood Fair comes to town and is set up in Reeve's Park in the center of town. The week long fair kicks off with the Dogwood Pageant, where the new queen is found, and finishes with a parade through town.
First Fridays
When spring weather finally arrives, so does First Fridays. Bridge Street becomes particularly busy with vendors and live music filling the street. Community organizations set up table to get the word out about their causes.
A million places to get great pizza
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No matter where you turn, you always see a place to grab a slice of pizza. From big chains like Pizza Hut and Domino's to independently-owned establishments like TD Alfredo's and X-Press, you're never out of options.
You're insanely proud of your school
Even if you didn't go to the Phoenixville Area High School, somehow, you find a way to bleed the purple and the white. Friday night football games aren't just for students and the family of the players, community members come out to support the Phantoms. If you attended the school, you were most likely taught by more than one teacher who is an alumni.
The North Side
This part of Phoenixville is seen as scary or run-down by some of the younger members of the community. But the North Side of town has been around since the time of the Steel Mill. The rows of houses just over the bridge were built to house workers from farther away so they could stay close during the work week and travel home on the weekends.
The Foundry
The beautiful building that sits behind Steel City Coffee Shop that hosts wedding receptions and other large, lavish events was once the place where steel was forged. On the bricks outside lay the names of the men who once worked there.
The Bridges
Phoenixville can only be accessed by going over a bridge. There's the Route 23 Bridge that connects Valley Forge to the town. The Mont Clare Bridge that takes you to Route 29 past Produce Junction. Then there's the High Bridge and the Low Bridge that connects the North Side of Phoenixville to the rest of the town.
The Blob Festival
When 1958 horror movie "The Blob" was filmed, the iconic scene where people run out of the theatre screaming was shot in Phoenixville. The Colonial Theatre is another staple of the small town. Every July, the town holds Blob Fest. The theatre plays the movie, and those who are sitting inside have the privilege of recreating the scene.
The Dunkin' Drive Through
Once Dunkin' moved across the street from its old location, the tiny parking lot issue seemed to be solved. But a new problem occurred that no one saw coming: the drive through. Now the street is backed up every morning with high school students and commuters alike as they try to get their morning pick-me-up.
Firebird Festival
Once a year in the fall, a giant Phoenix is built somewhere in town for the Firebird Festival. Then, on the night of the festival, it is set on fire. Dancers and costumed entertainers are also part of the festivities.
