Town looks to change date of celebration

ROACHDALE -- The group spearheading the PRIDE movement in Roachdale is hoping they may be able to change the date of their celebration. A meeting is planned at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the library at Roachdale Elementary School.

Years ago, an annual Fourth of July event made Roachdale the place to be on the holiday. It was a summer festival complete with a parade and children's activities. The local Lions Club was involved and even an infamous Roach race was held.

When the Lions Club disbanded, the event faded away.

Two years ago, a group including Connie Edwards, Debbie Sillery, Jenni Engel, Jana Brothers, Joannie Knapp, Darrell Sandusk, Bonnie Yarhaus and members of Delta Theta Tau Sorority pulled together to bring back the Summerfest celebration.

Dubbed the Roachdale Pride, this group joined with VFW Post 3284, which hosts a fish fry on July 3, to bring back the parade and other events.

"With the disappearance of the original SummerFest, families found new activities to be involved in over the holiday. This makes planning a successful event more difficult," said Yarhaus.

"For this reason, the current event volunteers have arranged a meeting on March 31. People wanting to preserve and grow Roachdale community connections are needed to attend this meeting and determine what they can do to be part of the cause," she added.

The current volunteer group is looking at a June 19 date for a one-day celebration event.

Last year, even the Roach Race returned to the event thanks to the Stephen Edwards family. But weather issues, financial problems, road construction and the need for more volunteers have caused the group to consider changing the date of the event. They are also appealing for more volunteers.

"Without more volunteers, the future of a summer event is dim," Yarhaus said.

Anyone willing to work with the group or with ideas on helping to make it a success is invited to attend the Wednesday night meeting at Roachdale Elementary School.

For more information, contact Yarhaus at 522-1430.