Bridgeport Founders' Day

Saturday, March 28, 2026
12:00-4:00 PM

Bridgeport Borough Public Works Garage
Corner of Mill Street & York Alley
(Behind the Post Office)

Rain date: Sunday, March 29

About Us

We can't wait to have you join us for our fourth annual Founders' Day event! Make sure to check out all of the info on this page to learn more about what to expect for this year.

A bigger and better event for 2026

There will be exciting activities for all ages including a “Founding Families” museum exhibit to pair with the MontCo 250 Initiative that everyone can take part in, an opportunity to support our local businesses at the vendor fair, lifetime award presentations focused on two widely known Bridgeport-based families, a chili cook off competition, and a beer garden for those over 21 years of age.

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Chili Cook-Off Competition

The fun behind Founders’ Day is celebrating our community’s roots and our ties to long-held traditions, so why don’t you join us in sharing your family’s secret chili recipe? A local fan favorite, chili cook-off competitions are always a fun event. If you don’t have a recipe to share but still want to join in the fun, anyone is welcome to participate as a taster/judge for only $5! You can pay by cash or Venmo at the event.

How Does it Work?

For Bridgeport Borough’s first-ever Chili Cook-Off Competition, a select few chili chef extraordinaries will compete for a $50 prize and the honor of being crowned Bridgeport’s best chili chef! Think you’ve got what it takes to best everyone else’s recipes? Apply for your spot by March 13, 2026, for your chance to enter the competiton here! Applicants will receive an email shortly after to notify them of their participation status.

2026 Founders' Day Swag

Want to help remember this festive day with some swag? This year, we’re selling Bridgeport-themed magnets! Make sure to visit the Information Booth at the event, and you can secure your piece of Bridgeport history for only $5 payable by cash or Venmo.

2026 Schedule of Events

*Schedule subject to change*

12:00
Main Exhibit (Public Works garage) Vendor Fair (Public Works lot), Beer Garden (Public Works lot), and 50/50 & Raffle (Info Booth) Open

12:15
Upper Merion Middle School Jazz Band Performs (Public Works lot)

1:00
Chili Cook-Off Competition Opens (Public Works garage)

1:30
Guest Speaker: Local Revolutionary War Hero Edward “Ned” Hector discusses his part in the war (Public Works Garage)

2:00
Bridgeport Lifetime Award Presentations for Denise Rambo & Sal Rotondo and Filmed Interview Screening (Public Works Garage)

3:00
Chili Cook-Off Competition Judging (Public Works Garage)

3:30
50/50 Raffle Drawing (Info Booth)

Special Thanks to Our 2026 Sponsors

For the award winner plaques

For hosting the beer garden

For their generous donation

Local Hero Level Sponsors

Historian Level Sponsors

Founder Level Sponsors

Founders' Day Maps

Missed Founders’ Day 2023? Want to go over the map exhibit again? Now you can! See the links below to take you to each of the seven maps that were on display during the event.

Montgomery County

The Dam

Ammasland

Montgomery, Pennsylvania

Growth of Bridgeport

Bridgeport, Pennsylvania – 1870

Swedes’ Ford