Fleetwood continues its 150th Celebration with the sold-out celebration gala on August 12th at the Fleetwood Vol. Fire Co. Social Quarters Banquet Hall on Franklin and Washington Streets in Fleetwood.
“The 150th Celebration has been going like gangbusters with terrific attendance and enthusiasm from our entire community,” said Kelly Ebeling Schaeffer, Chairman of the 150th Celebration. “The Celebration Gala promises to be one of the biggest, fanciest parties that Fleetwood has ever seen!”
The sold-out event features a red-carpet arrival beginning at 5:45pm with local dignitaries, residents, and performers from the night’s headline entertainment, The Sinatra Show. Guests will be greeted by Natalia Cabera, Miss Fleetwood and Julia Kaskey, Ms. Fleetwood, both recently crowned with their titles as part of the 150th anniversary celebration.
The world premiere of the award-winning documentary Finding Fleetwood will also take place. Finding Fleetwood is a film on the history and people of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania over the past 150 years.
Twenty-four residents – ranging from age 13 to 91- share their experiences of growing up and living life in this special town. The traditions and memories come alive as they reveal how living in Fleetwood has influenced their own lives. From The Hill Car to Rauch’s Drug Store to Strause’s store – history over the years in Fleetwood is brought to life in this portrait of Fleetwood then and today.
The film was written and directed by Eric D. Schaeffer, a 1980 graduate of Fleetwood High School and is narrated by Emmy-award winner, Kathie Lee Gifford. The film recently received the 2023 AVA Digital Gold Award for Long Form Documentary.
“I wanted to give something back to this special town that I grew up in and spent the first 20 years of my life enjoying. My family still resides in Fleetwood, and I had a great time discovering all the history as well as the character of the town and its residents,” stated Schaeffer. “I couldn’t be happier with the final print of the film and look forward to sharing it with the residents and everyone who has a connection to Fleetwood.”
The Celebration Gala also features The Sinatra Show starring Sergeant Major (ret.) Bob McDonald with Tony Nalker on Piano and Scott Silbert on Saxophone. Bob McDonald celebrates the songs and life of legendary crooner Frank Sinatra, with classic hits from Ol’ Blue Eyes’ concerts and movies, worthy of any Rat Pack. McDonald is well known to Washington, D.C. audiences as the singer of the National Anthem for the Washington Capitals and Washington Nationals. Bob served as Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army Chorus — a role in which he performed nationwide and overseas for our troops, presidents and visiting heads of state.
The evening also includes a special toast to Fleetwood by Mayor Tammy Gore as well as a dance to top off the evening.
The Celebration Gala is sponsored by The Blank Family, F.M. Brown’s Sons, Inc. , and Breakfast Brothers. The Sinatra Show is sponsored by Beth Pile and the 150th Celebration is sponsored by East Penn Manufacturing Co. and Fleetwood Bank.
Anyone not attending the Gala is invited come to the Fire Hall and watch the Red-Carpet Arrivals which will begin at 5:45pm at the corner of Franklin and Washington Streets in Fleetwood.
