Jun 24, 2024 4 min read

In 2018, Michael Scott, publisher of the Herald-Standard, had just moved to the area and learned the city had a unique birthday.

It was founded on July 4, 1776, the same date our nation celebrates its independence.

He felt the special day was something to recognize and a great way for the newspaper to support the community.

“We at the paper wanted to do something to give back to the city, and it needed to be something the entire community could enjoy,” Scott said. “One of the first groups I contacted was the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Uniontown (RACU), and they suggested Marshall Park. They had plans to renovate and to complete the project could cost up to $300,000.”

In 2019, the first Founding Day Festival – slated for Saturday, June 29 this year – was celebrated with live music, food trucks, craft and artisan vendors and activities for children.

There is no cost to attend the festival, which raises funds to help the Marshall Park renovation project through business sponsorships, donations and car show registrations.

The event was stalled by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, but returned in 2022. By the end of three Founding Day festivals, more than $9,000 has been raised for the park.

“We’re using the funds we have as seed money to apply for matching grants. We’re actively applying for grants now and waiting to hear back,” Scott said. “I can’t wait to see it done, but once this project comes to fruition, it doesn’t mean the festival is over. We’ll sit down with the city and the RACU and pick a new community project.”

In fact, Marshall Park will be the new location for this year’s Founding Day Festival so visitors will have a chance to see just what the park could provide in the future.

“Part of the design of Marshall Park is to have a place to hold festivals just like this in Uniontown. We’ll haul in the stage trailer for live music and place it in the spot where the pavilion is to be built. We hope to set things up so people can see a version of what this could look like when completed,” Scott said.

While spearheaded and hosted by the Herald-Standard, the community has truly rallied around the cause.

Volunteers are hosting wagon rides, manning the kids’ zone, offering historical tours and more. Others are merging their festivities with the success of Founding Day.

“The annual Fayette Chamber fireworks will move from Sunday to Saturday to close out the festival with their show this year. The Uniontown Mall provides the best viewing,” Scott said. “We thought we can have one big day, starting at 9 a.m. and ending with 9:30 p.m. fireworks.”

New Founding Day activities include horse drawn Conestoga wagon rides and two separate historical tours.

“We’re bringing in an educational component with a trolley ride that includes a narrator, pointing out historic facts throughout the town and the (Fayette County) Historical Society will have a booth, promoting their self-guided historical walking tour,” Scott said.

The Herald-Standard will also bring back the HS Quest.

Beginning June 24, a special coin will be hidden in a public place in Uniontown and participants will be prompted to follow clues printed in the newspaper to locate it.

“People have a blast with this. They have until 3 p.m. June 28 to find and return the coin and they receive a treasure chest with a special prize,” Scott said.

Over the years, the festival has added new features, and Scott said, the expansion will lead up to a special celebration.

“In 2026, Uniontown will celebrate 250 years. We want to continue adding a little more to this event until we reach this milestone birthday,” Scott said.

Founding Day is June 29 and will begin with the Firecracker 5K Run/Walk hosted by the city of Uniontown at 9 a.m., followed by a variety of festivities from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. the same evening.

Marshall Park is located at 170 E. South St., Uniontown.

There will be a large tent for shade and picnic tables set up. Those who plan to make a day of it may want to bring chairs, blankets or umbrellas. Founding Day is a rain or shine event.