FLEETWOOD’S FINEST SPRING GALA ANNOUNCES 2027 HONOREES FOR THE FLEETWOOD CADILLAC AWARD AND FLEETWOOD HOMETOWN HERO AWARDS
Fleetwood Bank to Receive Fleetwood Cadillac Award
Betty & Ray Buss, Michael Mayer and William Strause Named Hometown Heroes
Friends of Fleetwood Parks is proud to announce the 2027 recipients of Fleetwood’s Finest, a biennial celebration recognizing the individuals and organizations whose dedication, generosity and community spirit have helped make Fleetwood a special place to call home.
Fleetwood Bank will be the recipient of the 2027 Fleetwood Cadillac Award for Extraordinary Community Service. The award recognizes a local business or organization that has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to supporting Fleetwood and the people who call it home.
Fleetwood Bank has been part of the fabric of the Fleetwood community for more than a century. Founded in Fleetwood in 1907, the bank has grown alongside the community, serving generations of families, businesses and organizations while remaining deeply connected to its hometown roots. Through changing times, Fleetwood Bank has continued a tradition of personal service, local leadership and community involvement. Its long history is not only measured in years, but in the relationships, it has built and the role it has played in helping Fleetwood grow and prosper for generations.
The 2027 Fleetwood Hometown Hero Awards will be presented to Betty and Ray Buss, Michael Mayer and William Strause in recognition of their outstanding commitment to the Fleetwood community. Each of this year’s honorees has made a lasting difference through service, volunteerism, leadership and a willingness to give back. Their contributions represent the very best of Fleetwood and the community spirit that has helped shape the borough for generations.
“For more than 150 years, Fleetwood has been built by people who understand that a strong community doesn’t just happen—it takes people willing to give their time, talents and resources to make a difference,” said Friends of Fleetwood Parks President Patty Keeney. “Our 2027 Fleetwood’s Finest honorees are wonderful examples of that spirit, and we are excited to give our community the opportunity to celebrate them.”
The honorees will be recognized at the Fleetwood’s Finest Spring Gala on Saturday, April 3, 2027, at the Fleetwood Fire Company Social Quarters Banquet Hall. The special evening will bring together friends, family, community leaders and supporters to celebrate the honorees and their contributions to Fleetwood. The gala will feature Red Carpet Arrivals, Dinner, Tributes, Desserts and Dancing to Erich Cawalla and the Uptown Band, creating a memorable evening of celebration and community pride.
Fleetwood’s Finest was created to shine a spotlight on the people and organizations who work behind the scenes to strengthen the community, support their neighbors and preserve the qualities that make Fleetwood unique.
Tickets and more information is available by clicking on the button below. VIP tickets are $75 and include an exclusive Cocktail Hour with the Honorees. General admission tickets are $50. The Fleetwood’s Finest Spring Gala will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Fleetwood Fire Company Social Quarters Banquet Hall on Franklin Street in Fleetwood.
Berks Fiddle Fest Is This Sunday, September 20
It’s shaping up to be an incredible year for Berks Fiddle Fest, with exciting new programming and unforgettable performances added to the 2026 lineup!
New this year, the festival will feature a special headliner concert by Nyke Van Wyk, an internationally recognized violinist known for blending classical and Celtic traditions with contemporary energy. His appearance offers a rare chance for our community to experience world-class artistry in an accessible, hometown festival setting—and it’s a performance you won’t want to miss.
Opening the festival’s featured concert is Midnight on the Water, weaving traditional fiddle tunes into pop, jazz and R&B songs. Their performances and educational work across the country reflect the very heart of Friends of Fleetwood Parks’ mission—honoring tradition, fostering cultural preservation, and bringing people together through music.
In celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, Berks Fiddle Fest will also welcome the Brandywine Colonials Fife & Drum Corps. Their stirring music and historic pageantry provide a living connection to our nation’s past and add a powerful, patriotic moment to this year’s festivities.
With these three exciting additions—and so much more planned—Berks Fiddle Fest 2026 promises to be one of our most memorable festivals yet. Mark your calendar, spread the word, and get ready to celebrate music, history, and community all in one place! See you September 20th!
THE EVENT IS HELD RAIN OR SHINE.
PRESENTED BY FRIENDS OF FLEETWOOD PARKS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ALL EVENTS AND INFORMATION ON THE BERKS FIDDLE FEST IS LOCATED ON THE DROP DOWN MENU PAGE.
2026 FIDDLE FEST SPONSORS & SCHEDULE
Fleetwood Events Monthly Newsletter
Sign-up for the monthly newsletter of news and events for the Fleetwood Parks. Send your email address to friendfwood@icloud.com to get on the list. The newsletter is also published on the borough website as well at: fleetwoodboro.com
Tiger Nation
The Tiger Nation committee is inviting the borough, businesses, groups, and individuals to celebrate through the arts. Our goal is to beautify our community with artistically created life-size sculptures of the school district’s tiger mascot and to allow members of the business community, the school district, and the citizenry to learn more about one another in appreciation of the any skills, abilities and creative gifts available and the support provided within the community. Working together and having fun, establishing friendship bonds among the many groups within the community, is an important part of our mission.
To Sponsor a Tiger:
For any individual, business or organization to sponsor one of the tigers will cost between $3,100.00 and $3,500.00, depending on which model is selected. The price covers expenses: fabrication of the tiger, shipping and handling, stipend to the artist, clear coating, promotional and sponsorship expenses incurred by the Friends of Fleetwood Park through the Tiger Nation Initiative. All checks are made payable to: Friends of Fleetwood Park. NOTE: Installation of the tiger at a designated location is not available through Tiger Nation project; materials for installation and arrangements must be made by the sponsor. Tiger Nation can recommend details and individuals to facilitate installation. Sponsors assume responsibility for the care and upkeep of finished tiger sculptures.
For questions, and to place an order for a tiger, please contact Caren at tigernationart@gmail.com
Support Friends of Fleetwood Parks Today
Help us make a difference in the lives of others by making a donation to Friends of Fleetwood Parks. Every contribution counts!
Donations should be sent to:
FOFP
P.O. Box 604
Fleetwood, PA 19522
Checks should be made out to: FOFP
All donations are tax-deductible
Special Thanks to Our 2026 Funders
