A Day of Play in Phoenixville

There were strict instructions on what this story should say. 

"It should say 'Estuardo is a star,'" explained youngster Estuardo Salazar. 

It's true. Salazar scored two goals—out of the four total—in a celebrity match played as part of Community Soccer Day. The event was hosted June 4 by the Phoenixville Recreation Department and Alianzas de Phoenixville. 

The Phoenixville Area Soccer Club lent its grounds for the day, which was packed full of activities. Mr. Magic of Exton, the VickMar mariachi duo, the Soccer Shots, a demo by Phoenix Karate and representatives from the Philadelphia Kixx Soccer Camps rounded out the day, along with the celebrity match held as the event wound down.

Dolores Winston, community programs superintendent with the borough's recreation department, said the day was a great success, and a good way to reach out to the growing Latino community in Phoenixville. She said the community soccer days may become more regular. 

"This is the beginning of something great," she said just after the celebrity soccer match wrapped up last Saturday. 

That match ended up 4-0, with the blue team taking home the bragging rights. Winston said she was happy with the turnout by the local celebs. 

"That was the fun of it—knowing we could get leaders to come out and support this," Winston said. 

Dr. Lou Beccaria, president and CEO of the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation, never played soccer before but found himself in the goal for the yellow team.  Several other local leaders admitted to never setting foot on a soccer pitch before, but at the end of the celebrity match, many expressed interest in doing it again.

The Phoenixville Recreation Department's next event is the 16th Annual Father's Day Celebration on June 19 at Reservoir Park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Art in the Park was also held Friday. Watch Phoenixville Patch Monday for photos from that event.

Alianzas de Phoenixville works to bring the Phoenixville community together and reach out to the Latino population. Alianzas helps with "El Puente," Phoenixville's monthly Spanish and English newsletter. 

Participating in the celebrity match were Beccaria, Susan Mostek of the Phoenixville Library, David Gill of the Phoenixville Recreation Department, Allison Peffle of the Phoenixville Recreation Department, Bob Peffle of West Philadephia High School, Jay Jackomin of Phoenixville Area Soccer Club, Melissa Gibbons of the Phoenixville Recreation Department, Maria Santillan of Chester Counseling Center, Rose Padilla of Alianzas de Phoenixville, Angel Salguero of Antigua Guatamala, student Sissi Mausch, Jeff Bayly of Reading, Ginny Ysa of Chester Counseling Center and Dorcas and Manny of Chester County Intermediate Unit.