A flurry of activity will take place in and around Maytown square on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, when a ceremony to honor servicemen and servicewomen is held along with a street fair.

The events will begin with the 61st annual Antique, Art, Craft and Collectible Show, which will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The show will feature a variety of vendors selling antiques and homemade items. Food, including breakfast, will be available beginning at 8 a.m.

At 2 p.m., a program will be held in the square. State Rep. Tom Jones will dedicate engraved bricks honoring members of the community who are veterans or have made an impact on community organizations. Local Boy Scouts will be recognized for earning their Eagle Scout awards, and several state dignitaries will be in attendance, including Tracy Seiders, the state vice president of the American Legion Auxiliary, and Karla Zaar, the state chair of Americanism for the American Legion Auxiliary.

People will have an opportunity to win an American flag blanket, hand-crocheted by Nila Grose. All proceeds from the events of the day will benefit veterans, including a veteran named Carl, who is a permanent patient at the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center and who is supported by the members of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 809.

Sara Gutshall of the American Legion Auxiliary has coordinated the Memorial Day events for many years.

"Veterans deserve our respect and honor," she said. "I have brothers, cousins, uncles who were veterans. Patriotism is very important to me. Our veterans deserve the best from us because they gave their best for us."

Over the years, Gutshall has taken an active role in restoring the Maytown square, which features monuments recognizing local service members of various wars. She was instrumental in overseeing the installation of iron archways over the four walkways into the square, and she recently worked with local blacksmith Stan Newcomer to add lanterns to each archway. The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 809 will donate eight American flags to line the walkways of the square as well.

Gutshall, now 84, was born and raised in Maytown. "I wanted to bring the square back to what I remember it was like when I was a child," she shared. "It's an important part of Maytown."

The auxiliary is selling engraved bricks to honor military members and veterans. To place an order, call Gutshall at 717-426-2107.