Firebird Festival in Downtown Phoenixville slated for Dec. 11

 (image courtesy http://firebirdfestival.com/)

December 11 marks downtown Phoenixville’s seventh annual Firebird Festival, which draws thousands of people to downtown for the entertainment, dining and the main event – the burning of the Phoenix bird.

This year’s bird is the biggest ever – reaching heights of 28 ft. at the head of the bird and 20 ft. at both wings. There are also seven towers, one for each year of the festival.

Entertainment throughout the downtown, including musicians, dancers and even fire breathers and eaters, starts at 4 p.m. The lighting of the bird is at 8 p.m.

A parade, beginning at 7:15 p.m. at Starr St. and winding its way down Bridge St. and ending at the Firebird site on the 300 block of Bridge street marks the beginning of the lighting of the bird.

The Phoenixville Arts and Entertainment Committee dreamed up the event as a way to bring people into downtown Phoenixville. It is based on the mythology of the Phoenix, who rises from the ashes of the one before it, symbolizing resurrection and renewal.

It is also representative of the town of Phoenixville, who has risen from the ashes, after the steel company was shut down in 1986; the town fell on hard times. Today, it is a bright, vibrant community that has gone through quite a renaissance.

One note, parking in downtown is already atrocious, even on the best of days. Public transit is the way to go if possible. SEPTA bus route 99 from King of Prussia and 139 that runs between Limerick and King of Prussia make stops in downtown Phoenixville. (Route 139 stops at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets – lots of free parking there, and you can do some shopping before you catch the bus!)

For more information on the festival and a schedule of the downtown entertainment, visit firebirdfestival.com.