For more years than most area residents can remember, July 4th in the Upper Perkiomen Valley always included an all-day series of activities at East Greenville's New Goshenhoppen Church Park.

        The event was held for decades by the now defunct Upper Perkiomen Valley Jaycees organization.  After the group folded in early 2008, the banner for holding the celebration of our nation's birth was picked up by the Upper Perk Ministerium and the Upper Perk Prayer Evangelism Network (UPPEN).  The group decided in 2008 that, rather than hosting their fourth annual Perk Fest at the Red Hill Park, they would try to involve all area churches to participate in Freedom Fest, a four-day event that would be held at New Goshenhoppen Park.

        This year's event will be hosted by Love Upper Perk and the name of the event has been changed to "Hometown Fourth of July."

        Scott Roth of Love Upper Perk has indicated that the group has only recently taken over the reins of the annual celebration and is working feverishly to pull everything together.  Performers and presenters so far include: singer-songwriter Carly Clark, The Red Hill Band, and Vets for Vets.  A complete schedule of events will be published in the July 2, 2015 edition of the Town and Country.

        Plans for the traditional water battles by area fire companies are in the works along with a schedule of musical entertainment that will begin at 5 p.m. with a fireworks display starting around 9 p.m.  Food and drink concession stands will be available.  The afternoon hours after the water battles and before the scheduled musical entertainment are traditional slow times for the event, when attendance tends to plummet.  No activities are currently scheduled for those times, but plans could change over the next two weeks and those planning to attend should watch for the final schedule in the Town and Country, according to organizers.

        Roth also shared that the event is in need of funds to help finance the celebration.  Local businesses, professionals and individuals are encouraged to donate to help keep the annual program alive.

        Donations can be made to Love Upper Perk at 104 Main Street, East Greenville, PA 18041.  In the memo field indicate "2015 Hometown Fourth Of July."