Visit 69th St. for inaugural U.D. International Fest
UPPER DARBY » The township holds its inaugural International Festival from noon-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, in the 69th Street Business District. The event, which is co-hosted by Upper Darby Township and the Upper Darby Multicultural Commission, celebrates the township’s rich cultural diversity through food, music and merchandise.
On the day of the festival, 69th Street between Market Street and Walnut Street are closed to vehicular traffic. Festival attendees can stroll the length of “The Hill” at 69th Street where they can sample international cuisine from more than 20 local restaurants representing a variety of countries from Peru to Liberia, Mexico to Vietnam and beyond. Attendees can also stop by the area outside the Tower Theater, featuring a stage for a diverse range of live musical and cultural performers, as well as an enclosed beer garden for those 21 and over.
In addition to food and performances, more than two dozen stores in the 69th Street Business District offer special deals throughout the day. A new Old Navy store celebrates its formal grand opening as part of the festival.
“With more than 60 languages spoken in the Upper Darby School District, our township is truly an ethnic melting pot,” said Mayor Tom Micozzie. This festival is an opportunity to celebrate our cultural diversity and bring people together to gain a better understanding of the cultural traditions of their fellow residents.”
For an official program of events, list of food vendors, and details on the types of special discounts offered by retailers in connection with the festival, search for “Upper Darby International Festival” on Facebook.
Upper Darby restaurant owners or those with an idea for a cultural performance as part of the festival that helps showcase the township’s cultural diversity, call Janice in Mayor Micozzie’s office at 610-734-7626 or email udfoodfest@gmail.com
‘Bike the Brandywine’ set for September 30
CHADDS FORD » Explore the scenery, glimpse the history, and discover the lure of the Brandywine Creek on the second annual Bike the Brandywine on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 6:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Hosted during the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art’s 50th anniversary year of celebrations, this year’s Bike the Brandywine offers three routes that take in the beautiful Brandywine Creek Greenway and surrounding countryside. Riders can choose from distances of 25, 50 and 100 miles, each with its own appeal for both the recreational and dedicated cyclist. Proceeds from the ride benefit the Brandywine Conservancy’s clean water programs.
Each loop starts and ends at the Chadds Ford Historical Society, 1736 N Creek Road, Chadds Ford.
Cyclists of legal drinking age receive one free pint of Victory beer at the ride’s conclusion. The postride celebration at the Chadds Ford Historical Society features DJ entertainment and food available for sale at the Victory Brewing Company food truck and the Punk’d Pineapple Ice Cream Truck.
Advance registration is $50 per rider; cost increases closer to the date of the event. The registration fee also includes a “Bike the Brandywine” t-shirt. To register, visit www.brandywine.org/bikeride
Get children’s mental health information
MORTON » Delaware County Intermediate Unit, 200 Yale Ave., in conjunction with the Delaware County System of Care Children’s Cabinet and Coalition, hosts a Children’s Mental Health Expo from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11. The expo, held in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 10-16), is free and open to the public.
The purpose of the Expo is to help increase awareness of suicide prevention. There are various resources available that are designed to equip people to communicate effectively with those who might be vulnerable to suicide.
As Sept. 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, DCIU is hoping others will join in with many around the world who are working towards the common goal of preventing suicide.
For information, call DCIU 610-938-9000, ext. 2274.
MY FEST looks for sponsors
at UPPER PROVIDENCE » Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania holds its annual MY FEST from noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Rose Tree Park, North Providence Road, Media, a community youth festival offering inspiration and featuring behavioral health resources and services for youth.
The event is an opportunity for sponsors and exhibitors to get involved and have an impact. It includes food, live music, performances, art, games and networking with a variety of youth and family-based organizations.
MY FEST is produced by a youth group called MY LIFE (Magellan Youth Leaders Inspiring Future Empowerment). Magellan established this program in Pennsylvania, in collaboration with county partners, to help transform services, programs and systems of care that serve youth and to have a positive impact on those involved. MY LIFE is an empowering leadership group for youth ages 13-23 who have experience with mental health, substance use, foster care and/or juvenile justice-related issues, and who want to use their experience to help other youth.
Sponsorship funds are needed to help cover the venue, tables and tents, food, raffle/door prizes, supplies and promotional materials. MY LIFE is offering exhibitor space to organizations that offer youth and family-based services or resources. There is no charge for exhibitors. However, in-kind contributions for MY FEST attendees (i.e. agency trinkets, raffle prizes, food/beverage) are appreciated. Exhibitor space includes one 6-foot table and two chairs. All exhibitor applications must be submitted by Sept. 1.
For information and sponsorship or exhibitor forms, email Tara Karbiner at takarbiner@magellanhealth.com. For general information, visit www.magellanofpa.com
Visit Chadds Ford Days Sept. 9-10
CHADDS FORD » The Chadds Ford Historical Society hosts the 52nd annual Chadds Ford Days festival Sept. 9-10. Don’t miss out on joining the community for this familyand dog-friendly event that commemorates the Battle of the Brandywine which took place on Sept. 11, 1777. Come relive history with your family and friends right here in Chadds Ford on Saturday, Sept. 9, and Sunday, Sept. 10. The event runs from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on Sunday.
Chadds Ford Days includes over 50 artisans and demonstrators, including a “Maker’s Marketplace” with handmade items for sale, colonial demonstrator stations showing crafts like blacksmithing, lacemaking or woodturning, and colonial dancing and courtship. Reenactors bring General George Washington and Revolutionary War soldier Ned Hector to life, along with a tour of an 18th century military camp with cannons firing, muskets shooting and soldiers on maneuvers.
Along with its history, the festival celebrates contemporary Chadds Ford, with the area’s artistic legacy on display with the Philadelphia Watercolor Society’s free art show and sale and painting demonstrations from artists. Guests can visit the society’s Visitors Center for the museum store and see the current exhibit, “Wanton Waste: Chadds Ford and the Battle of Brandywine.”
Seven local bands provide continuous live music throughout the festival, including The Sermon, the Steve Liberace Band, Seven Rings and Marlboro Road playing jazz, rock, Irish, bluegrass, traditional and children’s songs.
Food is available for sale from local restaurants and a tavern beer garden features beers and wine from Victory Brewing and Chadds Ford Winery. Along with purchasing food from contemporary vendors, guests can see colonial cooking demonstrations in the c. 1725 Chads House. New for 2017 is all food and beverage transactions are made directly with the vendors instead of using pre-purchased tickets.
There is a “Kid’s Corner” with a activities and games, and dog training demonstrations providing by Clover Dog Training.
Chadds Ford Days is held on the grounds of Chadds Ford Historical Society, 1736 N. Creek Road. Free parking is available adjacent to the festival grounds. Well-behaved dogs are welcome to attend, but must be on a leash. Admission is $10 for adults 18 and older and free for children 17 and under. CFHS members are free with membership card. For information, visit www.chaddsforddays.com