The Downingtown FallFest is an annual Chamber of Commerce and Downingtown Borough event that draws thousands of visitors seeking food, crafts, and beer from co-partner Victory Brewing Company.
This year, VFW Post 845 was a bronze sponsor and set up a booth to inform the public what our post is all about and to recruit more veteran and social members. The event was held on Sunday, October 15 on Green Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Downingtown.
Over 220 businesses and organizations had display booths to sell products or disseminate information. During the five-hour event, Post 845 accepted donations for Buddy Poppies totaling $566 for the Relief Fund and provided information to potential new members. Current adjutant and former Post Commander, Marty Peterson, collected a long list of names of potential members for further follow-up.
The booth was manned at various times by John Mitchell, George Ramirez, Lou Franconi, Marty Peterson, Paul Dougherty, Walt Irons, and Bob Fernholtz. According to comrade Fernholz, a good time was had by all!
Pictured above, VFW Post members who helped man a table at the October Fall Festival in Downingtown included (from left to right) adjutant Marty Peterson (half hidden by woman in plaid jacket), chaplain Lou Franconi, senior vice commander Thomas Flick, and John Mitchell.