61st Conshohocken Soap Box Derby on July 4 Sponsored Again by Conicelli Autoplex

Come out and encourage the kids competing to go to the national races in Akron later in July.

Have a full day of fun watching kids from 8 to 18 compete in three classes to race in the national Soap Box Derby later in July, a race that's been called "the greatest amateur racing event in the world."

The 61st Conshohocken Soap Box Derby will be held on Fayette Street between 5th and 8th Streets on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 starting at 8 a.m., and is again sponsored this year by Conicelli Autoplex of Conshohocken.

Sanctioned by the national All-American Soap Box Derby, the race is for boys and girls from 8 to 18 who construct and race their own Soap Box Derby cars, with the winners being awarded trophies and cash prizes.

The All-American Soap Box Derby
is held annually in Akron, Ohio.

Begun in 1934 in Dayton, Ohio, and moved to Akron the following year due to its hillier terrain, the Soap Box Derby has been run every year since, with the exception of the World War II years. Youngsters from throughout the United States and from several foreign countries come to Akron with the race cars they have built and driven to victory in their home communities.

The top three winners in each of three divisions will qualify for the World Championship in Akron, Ohio, which will take place on July 21, 2012.

Last year’s Conshohocken race featured 34 contestants with 15 children in the stock division, 13 in the super-stock division, and six in the masters division.

The goals of the Soap Box Derby program have not changed since it began in 1934. They are to teach youngsters some of the basic skills of workmanship, the spirit of competition and the perseverance to continue a project once it has begun.

Those interested in participating can sign up on the website of the All-American Soap Box Derby, which offers complete information about qualifying, building the cars, and all about the decades-old history of the race.

It will be a full day of family-oriented fun with food, refreshments, games, exhibits, and most importantly, the 61st edition of a perennial favorite Conshohocken event, proudly sponsored again by Conicelli Autoplex.

Norristown 4th of July Parade Sponsored by Conicelli Autoplex

2011 Independence Day Parade

On Wednesday, July 4, 2012, the borough of Norristown will hold its annual 4th of July festivities, highlighted by the Independence Day Parade. The Parade is being sponsored again this year by Conicelli Autoplex.

The parade, the centerpiece of a full day of activities for children and adults, will start at 10:30 a.m. at Airy and DeKalb Streets, travel down West Marshall to Stanbridge and end in Elmwood Park.

The parade has grown larger every year, and this year will feature participation by: The Verdi Band, Uptown String Band, German Brass Band, The Colonial Revelers, Norristown Little League, NAHS Cheerleaders, First Presbyterian Church, Boy Scout Troop 752, Norristown Car Club, Norristown American Legion Post, Bob Wright’s Antique/Classic Cars, W.S. Hancock Society, Higher Ground International Church, Hogs & Heroes Foundation, Judge Margaret Hunsicker, Judge William Nicholas, Marine SSgt. (ret.) Hullinger, Norristown Area Taekwon Do Club, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, Norristown Fire Department, Norristown Police Department, Swedesburg Volunteer Fire Company, Norristown Forest #31 Tall Cedars of Lebanon, and Representatives Mike Vereb and Matt Bradford.

Participants in the 2011 Independence Day Parade.

Parade Schedule
8:30 - Celebration 5k Run
10:30 - Independence Day Parade, Bandshell Events, Singing of the National Anthem
12:30-4:00 - North Pole Amusements
12:30-1:30 - Kids' Entertainment with Judy Tudy
1:30-2:30 - Party Faces by Celie
2:45-3:30 - Caricaturist
3:45 - Independence Egg Hunt
6:00-8:00 - Motown Revue
Dusk - Fireworks

The snack bar will be open all day, and various vendors will be serving attendees in the bandshell area.

Conicelli Autoplex is proud to be a sponsor of the ongoing Norristown Bicentennial.

For further information, please call 610-270-0467.

Conicelli Autoplex Co-sponsors Gospel, Jazz & Blues Festival at Norristown's Elmwood Park

On Saturday, June 23, 2012, Conicelli Autoplex co-sponsors the tenth event in Norristown's year-long Bicentennial Celebration: a Gospel, Jazz & Blues Festival held at Elmwood Park on Harding Blvd., from noon until 6 p.m.

Enjoy live music throughout the day in Elmwood Park, featuring both local and national artists. The Festival has something to appeal to every member of the family: contemporary and traditional gospel music, jazz and blues favorites, free amusement rides for the kids, clowns and balloons, face painting, tastings from Norristown's commemorative cookbook, Recipes and Remembrances, as well as numerous vendors and food options. Calvary Baptist Church will open a time capsule from 1902, and a new time capsule will be created in honor of the Bicentennial.

Among the artists slated to appear are: Vicki Yohe, Pure Springs Gospel recording artist, will sing her hit single "Because of Who You Are" and additional songs; Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson, a Stellar Award winner, will offer a tribute to Thomas A. Dorsey, acclaimed as the Father of Gospel Music, with renditions including Dorsey's popular "Take My Hand, Precious Lord". Dorsey, originally a very popular secular jazz musician, created a new form of music he coined "gospel" after the tragic death of his wife and son during childbirth.

Additional entertainers performing at this year's Norristown Gospel, Jazz & Blues Festival include: Latrel Maloy, Mary Moore, Paul King Latham, Markaan Smith, and also local artists The Bailout Adult Jazz Ensemble and Easy Does It.

Schedule:
12 p.m.: Welcome, introductions, history of gospel music, performances by local talent
1 p.m.: Blues and jazz groups perform
2 p.m.: Performances by Vicki Yohe, Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson, 200-voice Combined Choir of Norristown
4 p.m.: Mixture of music

For up to date information or queries about the Gospel Jazz & Blues Festival log onto www.mlkstat.com or call (973)332-7626. 

For Information regarding past and future Bicentennial events log onto www.norristown200.com.

Conicelli Autoplex of Conshohocken is proud to be a co-sponsor of the year-long Norristown Bicentennial events.