Mirror Mirror...

Brynn Lecato, 9, of Norristown, looks into a mirror to view her newly painted face at the Elmwood Park Zoo during the zoo's opening day events Saturday, March 31, 2012. Photo by Christine Reckner/Times Herald Staff

Norristown Bicentennial Celebration Article by Christine Reckner

NORRISTOWN — Children and adults trudged through muddy grass Saturday afternoon to celebrate Norristown’s 200th birthday at Elmwood Park.  

The event began with a kickoff celebration which consisted of speeches from all three Montgomery County commissioners, Norristown council, Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge William Nicholas, and Hank Cisco, Norristown’s ambassador, as well as an opening prayer by Bishop Richard McCray.

“Today’s been wonderful,” said Howard Scott, of Norristown. “All three commissioners spoke very highly of what we’re doing here in Norristown and the ambassador came in his party garb and Seuss-like tophat.”

Children ran freely, oblivious to the dreary weather, clutching strings of balloons, jumping inside inflatables and throwing footballs, all while sporting handpainted designs on their faces.

Throughout the day, The Fire Chief’s Memorial Bandshell was humming with energy, from historical reenactments by the W.S. Hancock Society, to the Norristown Karate Club Demonstration, to a live concert by the Allen Reynolds Band.

“We had a rough start but people have been really interested in coming out and supporting the community,” said Collections Manager of the Histrorical Society Jeff McGranahan. On celebrating Norristown’s bicentennial McGranagan said, “It’s always been about the people remembering the people of the past and recognizing the people of the present.”

Many prominent organizations in Norristown were present with booths of stocked with goodies and information.

Free food was provided by the Norristown recreation department and Zachary’s BBQ.

For some, the event brought on memories of the past.

Local George Marks, a Norristown Area High School graduate of 1960, said that what he liked the most about growing up in Norristown was the five movie theaters and downtown shopping.

“Back then we didn’t have the King of Prussia Mall,” said Marks.

Scott mentioned that what was particularly notable about the event was it drew a lot of people who had moved away from the area.

“That was very interesting, to see people come back to their roots.”