Reactions When Norristown Gains Positive National Attention

Last night, Norristown was featured in an episode of Pretty Little Liars on ABC Family. Although there is no "Norristown Zoo," we all knew what they were talking about. Norristown's very own Elmwood Park Zoo! For our town of 30k residents, having a name-drop on the network's highest rated show has a bigger impact than you think!

The new episode marked 30th consecutive wins for Tuesday night's most-watched show. Using the trend #AriaFindsOut, the show reached 5500 tweets per minute, including the scenes at the "Norristown Zoo." So why is this important for Norristown? The show is based off of a fictional PA town of Rosewood but commonly references actual places in Southeastern PA, where the author Sara Sheppard was born. With the show's popularity, fans automatically Google places and businesses mentioned in the episode to see if they are real.

What did PLL fans see when they Googled "Norristown Zoo"?

"Well would you look at that. There is a zoo in Norristown!"

So looking at it as an outsider, I just learned of a real zoo that my favorite show just mentioned. "Next time I visit the Philadelphia region, I will visit it."

No doubt, tourism will boost from this miniature name-drop from last night's episode. This is a good thing for the Zoo and for Norristown. Fans of the show (12 million on Facebook) now know of an actual town in PA that the show "visited" and could very well be interested in visiting. 

Although the episode wasn't actually filmed in Norristown (Vancouver, CA), it still brings much needed positive attention to our town. This is a great thing for Norristown, since we are crossing our fingers that tourism/business comes back to the town so we can get back on our feet.

Another thing that happened in last night's episode was reaction from Greater Norristown residents who noticed the reference. Pride.

It's been a while since Norristown, PA has made national attention in a positive way. When that happens, residents get a sense of pride back which is often missing when it comes to getting our town back on the right path. 

I collected a few tweets from last night's show of reactions of fans when they heard "Norristown Zoo" was in the new episode of Pretty Little Liars.

Dying that Pretty Little Liars is at the Norristown Zoo. #SoClose2MyHouse

— Maryam Elarbi (@MaryamLRB) February 19, 2014

Norristown Zoo!!!! #PrettyLittleLiars

— Courtney (@courtnnaaay) February 19, 2014

"Norristown Zoo" was in #PrettyLittleLiars. Don't worry, our reptile house lights don't ever freak out like that. pic.twitter.com/Qse2W5oKjp

— Elmwood Park Zoo (@ElmwoodParkZoo) February 19, 2014

I love how pll uses towns in pa that I know. Like Norristown Zoo? My Grandmother lived there, and I always loved visiting.

— ∞Ashley ∞ (@ashleey_knau) February 19, 2014

Norristown Zoo, aka Elmwood Park Zoo - one of our faves, @official_krista? Love all the PA references! #represent #homesick #PLL

— Kayla Caldwell (@kaylamcaldwell) February 19, 2014

#PLLayWithShay @shaymitch I love how this episode mentioned Norristown, PA considering I live the next town over. HAH i had a wtf moment

— Lexie Gambale (@LexieGambale) February 19, 2014

Woah Spencer said Norristown zoo (elmwood park)!! Local shoutouts #PLL

— Kara Hedash (@kara_hedy) February 19, 2014

SPENCER JUST SAID "NORRISTOWN ZOO" ON PLL.

— Stephanie Angelucci (@earthtosunshine) February 19, 2014

On PLL they go to the Norristown zoo and I used to live in Norristown🙊

— Lela Gunderson (@LelaWren) February 19, 2014

The "Norristown Zoo" on Pretty Little Liars though 😂👏👏👏👏

— Princess Aut (@Authud) February 19, 2014

Pretty Little Liars mentioning Norristown. That's where my grandparents live ☺ #imisspa

— Shannon Sullivan (@ShannonSully13) February 19, 2014

No Ambrose Pavilion at Norristown Zoo. :( #PLL http://t.co/VSrN8aMm27

— Grace Simms (@GraceSimms) February 19, 2014

Norristown Zoo! (or Elmwood Park, same thing) #PLL #PAshoutouts

— AK (@AbbyKar) February 19, 2014

So cool to have my home town of Norristown Pa be a scene on @ABCFpll #PrettyLittleLiars

— Heather Booz (@butrflbrat26) February 19, 2014

They mentioned #Norristown in tonight's #PrettyLittleLiars!!! OMG!!! I live right near the Elmwood...um, Norristown Zoo :)

— Andrew Muszynski (@AndrewMuszynski) February 19, 2014

Omg pll was at norristown zoo whaaaat

— Jackie (@super_her0ine) February 19, 2014

Norristown showing up in #PrettyLittleLiars

— Alyssa Morrione (@lyssiel0ve) February 19, 2014

And the tweets go on forever and are still rolling in from the DVR-ers. 

The message from this is that a simple shout-out or "tweet" can change an image of a town we all grew up in. To get Norristown back in a positive light, you have to speak positive about the town. The show's writer could have easily said "Philadelphia Zoo" but instead went with Norristown. Take pride in the fact that we're getting attention to our town and let's keep the momentum going!