Fourth of July fireworks, parades around Delaware County
Here is a list of community activities coming up this weekend for the Fourth of July:
ASTON
The township’s 2017 Independence Day Celebration is held July 4 behind Sun Valley High School, starting at dusk. The State Champion Sun Valley High School Marching Vanguards have the concession stand open at the high school football fields to sell food and refreshments. For those parking on the other side of the street, the Aston Township Fire Department is selling food, refreshments and glow necklaces. Please bring lawn chairs and come out and join the Aston community in celebrating the 4th of July and the beautiful fireworks display that comes with it.
CLIFTON HEIGHTS
Clifton Heights starts Independence Day with a parade assembling at East Broadway and Maple avenues at 9 a.m., and starting at 10 a.m. There is a flea market from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Lower Field, Springfield and Sycamore avenues.
Parade awards are presented at 11 a.m. at the athletic field. Hot dogs, soda, pretzels and candy are available for sale. There is family entertainment at the athletic field from 7-9 p.m., with fireworks starting at 9:15. Entrance fee is $6 per person (children 3 and under with an adult do not need a ticket). Parking is $5 per car.
COLLINGDALE
The borough kicks off its Independence Day celebration with the roar of the motorcycles down MacDade Boulevard, followed by the launching of the Grand Parade. The parade features antique cars, fire departments, decorated bikes and floats, special guest Hegeman Stringband and the newly crowned King and Queen of Collingdale.
TX Body: The parade ends at Collingdale Park, with a performance from the McChords, field games, waterslides, pony rides and more. The events at Collingdale Park end at 2 p.m., when the celebration moves to a carnival at Collingdale Community Center. Fireworks are held at the Community Center at dusk. For advanced discounted carnival tickets, contact borough hall. For information on the day’s events, search for the borough on Facebook, email 4thofjuly@ comcast.net or call 610-5325028.
GLENOLDEN
The borough’s 4th of July parade begins at 10:30 a.m. July 4. The parade steps off from the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot at the corner of MacDade Boulevard and Ashland Avenue. All parade participants should meet at the lot at 9:30. Patriotic ceremonies follow at the end of the parade in Glenolden Park, Llanwellyn and Knowles avenues. There is music, food, and games in the park following the ceremonies until 3. All activities are weather permitting. Rain date is July 9.
Anyone wishing to volunteer to help at these activities may call Ed McCarron at 610-496-0764.
HAVERFORD
Historic Grange Estate, 143 Myrtle Ave., Havertown, holds a picnic supper with George Washington from 5-7 p.m. June 30, to start the July 4 holiday. Washington, portrayed by American Historical Theatre actor John Lopes, has a meet and greet guests and provides a 45-minute presentation followed by a question-and-answer session. The presentation is “youth friendly” and includes interactive components such as proper courtesies of the 18th century, and a “muster of the young troops.”
TX Body: Friends of the Grange hold a freshments sale with bottles of water, red, white and blue popsicles, cookies and brownies during the event. Start the Independence Day weekend by brining blankets and a picnic dinner to the Grange, where Washington visited when the property was owned by John Ross. For information, visit www.thegrangeestate.org or call the Grange office at 610446-4958.
LANSDOWNE
The borough starts its Independence Day celebrations on July 4 with a parade at 9 a.m. to Penn Wood High School football field. Prizes are given for best decorated bikes, marchers, large and small floats. At the field there will be music, the introduction of our Parade Marshal, a few short speeches, family games and activities, and free water ice for children. Evening events are held at the field with hot dogs, cotton candy and other snacks. Fireworks begin at 9 a.m. enjoyed while you listen to great music and visit with your neighbors. At 9 p.m., the fireworks extravaganza begins. For tickets, visit www.unionaa.org
MARPLE-NEWTOWN
The Marple Newtown Fourth of July Parade starts at 10 a.m. July 4, launching from St. Alban’s Circle in Newtown Township and heading to the Broomall firehouse at Malin Road in Marple Township. Those who want to march with bikes, strollers, wagons, and hand-drawn floats can register from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Saint Anastasia’s Church, 3301 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, and report to St. Alban’s Circle by 9:30. Participants are then directed to a line up spot. Once in line, check in at the registration desk to pick up participation plaque, parade book, and any last minute instructions. Rain date is 10 a.m. Saturday, July 8. For information, visit www.marplenewtownparade.com
MEDIA
Media Recreation Board holds its annual Independence Day celebration from 10 a.m.-noon July 4. The day of food, fun, and entertainment features a live performance by Silly Joe. There is a water slide, games for children and a bike decorating contest. For information, contact the recreation office at 610-566-5210, ext. 255.
NORWOOD
The Citizen’s 4th of July Association celebrates Independence Day with its annual fireworks display on Monday, July 3. The fireworks begin at dark at Lower Park, Winona Avenue and Amosland Road. The NAC have refreshments for sale and the 4th of July Association is selling glow necklaces (donations are also accepted). The borough parade is set for 8:30 a.m. July 4, beginning with a flag raising. The parade features performances from Quaker City and Woodland string bands. After the parade, a Baby Parade is held; pre-registration is required. Prizes for all parade winners are announced after the Baby Parade. Participants must have their number to collect their prize.
Following the parade, leg races begin at 10:30 and a pet show begins at 11:30. There are hamburgers, hot dogs, pretzels, soda, water, snow cones and funnel cake available for sale. Park activities conclude by 12:30.
RIDLEY PARK
The borough holds its Independence Day fireworks display at dusk on Saturday, July 1, at Eastlake Park, West Ridley Avenue and Constitution Terrace.
RIDLEY TOWNSHIP
The Leedom Fourth of July parade, hosted by the Leedom Civic Association, begins at 10 a.m. July 4 (rain date is Saturday, July 8). Bikes, cars and marchers line up at Leedom Elementary School, 620 E. Chester Pike, at 9 a.m. Floats need to register at leedomcivic@gmail.com or by calling Carli McCrea at 484-683-5560 prior to the parade. No registration is necessary for bikes, cars and marchers to participate in the parade.
Participating groups include the Boy Scout Troop 339, Ridley area Girl Scouts, the Leedom Little League, Ridley High School Marching Band, Leedom Bulls, Leedom Fire Company and other area Ridley Township fire companies.
The parade concludes at Leedom Community Center for a “family fun picnic” at 11 a.m., with the raising of the flag by Boy and Girl Scouts and the Pledge of Allegiance. Volunteer trumpet player Harry Reitz play Taps, followed by words of welcome from special guests and dignitaries, and awards for bike decorating contest winner. Free food includes hot dogs, chips, pretzels, juice and water. Games include a water
balloon toss, three legged races, potato sack races and smaller games. There is a moon bounce for children. Winners of all contests receive prizes. The Leedom Fire Company have trucks on display and children can try on fire gear. Parade volunteers will also have tables set up for selling “Let Leedom Ring” commemorative souvenir T-shirts for $10. All activates conclude around 1 p.m.
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP
Springfield Lions Club presents the township’s annual 4th of July celebration. Decorated bikes and floats judging is from 8-8:45 a.m. at Springfield High School, followed by a parade at 9 and Memorial Park activities start at 10. Activities include free ice cream, pony rides, free balloons and buttons, face painting, kiddie bounce floats
and field events. For information, contact Fred Huenerfauth at 610328-9951, email springfieldlionsclub@verizon.net or visit www. springfieldlionsclub.org
As part of the township’s celebration, there is a dedication of the annual Memorial Plaque at Springfield Volunteer Memorial wall. The names of volunteers who have performed exemplary service as a member of a Springfield community service organization for ten or more years are engraved on a bronze plaque. The dedication ceremony is at 8:15 a.m. at Springfield Volunteer Memorial Field, Saxer Avenue and Powell Road.
The inductees for 2017 are: Dr. Robert Sing, Ambulance Corps; Keith Broome, Athletic Association; Mark F. Sherwood, Sr., Fire Company; William J. Lavery, Lions Club; Douglas Carney, School District; Michael Johnson, Zoning Hearing Board; Christine Joachim, G.F.W.C. Junior Woman’s Club; Linda Tallant, G.F.W.C. Woman’s Club; Patrick “Casey” Wise, Youth Club; and John “Jack” Crawford,
American Legion.
UPPER DARBY
Join friends and family to celebrate Independence Day at Upper Darby Township’s premier fireworks show at 7 p.m. Monday, July 3. The evening kicks off with performances by the popular Philadelphia band Chico’s Vibe and the Upper Darby Summer Stage Shooting Stars.
The fireworks display takes place at the Upper Darby High School Memorial Stadium behind the high school, 601 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill. Gates open at 7 p.m. Admission is $4; cash only. Children ages 5 and under are free. Tickets are only sold at the gate. Parking is free. The event rain date is July 5.
The schedule of events and performances on Monday, July 3: Chico’s Vibe at 7:30. Come out to dance and sing along with the Delaware Valley’s greatest party band. Chico’s Vibe is proud of its Delco roots and is excited and honored to perform for a community that deeply values the arts and entertainment; Upper
Darby Shooting Stars at 9. The song and dance performance troupe features some of the region’s most talented teens and young adults; Fireworks display at 9:20. An exciting assortment of ground displays and aerial fireworks are set to uplifting songs and soundtracks.
Highland Park Fire Company, 24 Park Ave., holds its annual Independence Day Parade on Saturday, July 1. The grand marshal for 2017 former Upper Darby Police Officer Frank Donnelly. The parade is dedicated to all of the men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces who continue to keep Americans safe at home. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the firehouse. Rain date is July 2.
The parade features Upper Darby Police and Fire Apparatus, the Marine Corps League Detachment Color Guard, numerous pieces of fire apparati from neighboring fire companies, and the children from the community. Everyone is invited to parade with a decorated push, pull, or pedal vehicle, or just bring an American flag and
walk in celebration of America’s birthday. Prizes are awarded for the “Best Decorated” bicycles, tricycles, carriages, etc.
The fire company requests that the residents please do not park along the parade route from 8 a.m. until after the parade passes.
The parade begin promptly at 9 a.m. at the firehouse, heads south on Cedar Lane to Merion Avenue, and proceeds east to South Carol Boulevard. It then marches north on South Carol across West Chester Pike onto North Carol Boulevard, and west on Lathrop to St. Laurence Road. It concludes with a return to the firehouse on St. Laurence to West Chester Pike and then to Park Avenue.
There are free pretzels and drinks for all guests. The “Best Decorated” winners are then posted and awarded prizes. Activities include a water balloon toss and a hockey shoot-out with trophies for the winners. Guests may bring their bathing suits to cool off in the water stream from one of the company’s fire trucks.