UPPER PROVIDENCE — Delaware County’s Parks and Recreation Department has announced the entertainment lineup for the 2024 Rose Tree Summer Festival, the 49th annual award-winning concert series. Free concerts in the outdoor amphitheater began when Rose Tree Park opened in 1975 and have been popular ever since.
“We’re very proud to present the concert series to the public each summer,” Parks and Recreation Director Marc Manfre said. “It’s one of Delco’s finest traditions, and everyone looks forward to it.”
The nine-week Summer Festival season runs June 12- Aug. 11, on Wednesday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Morning concerts for children will be staged at 10 a.m. on June 14, June 27 and July 3.
Early festivities will take place prior to the show on June 19 as part of the county’s third annual Juneteenth Celebration. It will feature vendors, food trucks and presenters starting at 4 p.m. and culminates with a Philly Gumbo concert at 7:30.
The Summer Concert series’ entertainment changes nightly, and fans will find a wide variety of genres including rock, pop, blues, Broadway, R&B, reggae, big band, Brazilian jazz and more.
From orchestral performances, such as opening night’s Delaware County Symphony, to jam bands like Three Fourteen, the festival offers something for everyone. Eclectic music lovers can enjoy Triple Rail Turn’s country rock one night, a Billy Joel tribute show on another,and irresistible yacht rock on yet another.
The Six-String Soldiers will appear July 6. The most followed military music group in the world, Six-String Soldiers is a five-member country music group.
“This ensemble from the U.S. Army Field Band features some of the finest professional musical talent in the nation — you’ll see why they keep popping up on television,” Manfre said.
Annual favorites such as The Fabulous Greaseband, Sensational Soul Cruisers, Chico’s Vibe and Jimmy & the Parrots will be returning, and several new tribute acts have been added to the mix. Wooden Ships celebrates Crosby, Stills and Nash; Mysterious Ways creates “The U2 Experience;” Savoy Truffle plays the music of George Harrison; and the ‘70s Midnight Rock Show delivers a decade of classic FM rock radio.
Several popular local groups will make their festival debuts, including Jamison Celtic Rock, Stella Ruze, and rising star Barry Harris, a Glenolden native who’s recently returned from making music on the West Coast.
Printed schedules are available in Rose Tree Park, the Government Center in Media and at local libraries. The full printable schedule is available at https://delcopa.gov/departments/parks/summerfestival.html/.
Admission and parking are free. Handicapped parking is available. Audience members should bring blankets and chairs for seating and may bring snacks. Light concessions will be for sale. The playground closes 10 minutes before showtime.
Pets are not permitted within the amphitheater “bowl.” Leashed, friendly dogs may accompany guests in the outermost seating areas on the hilltops. Alcohol and smoking are prohibited. Spray-on sunscreen or bug spray should be applied prior to entering the seating area.
Concerts are weather permitting; there are no rain dates. To check for a cancellation message, call 610-891-4455. To receive notifications, select Parks & Recreation Alerts in the Delco Alert system or text DELCOPARKS to 888777.
For more information, call the Parks Department or visit http://www.delcopa.gov/.
Media Fellowship House celebrates 80 Years of community impact at 2024 annual meeting
Media Fellowship House held its 2024 Annual Meeting on May 19 at the Media Borough Community Center, marking 80 years of fostering understanding in the community.
Reflecting on this milestone, board President Jonathan Flynn said: “Media Fellowship House has always been about building bridges and creating opportunities. We are incredibly proud of the achievements of our scholarship recipients and the progress of our economic and community empowerment programs.”
One of the cornerstones of MFH’s community impact is the student scholarship program. These not only provide financial support but elevate the voices of young leaders, empowering them to drive positive change in their communities. This year, MFH awarded nine scholarships ranging from $250 to $2,000 and totaling $7,750, to Delaware County high school juniors and seniors. The recipients included:
• Marie Whitaker Scholarship for Juniors: Natalie Hao of Springfield High School, Jafna Uddin of Upper Darby High School, Katelyn Wascavage of Penncrest High School
• Dorothy James Scholarship for Seniors: Emiola Enakhimion of The Episcopal Academy, Aditi Halpe of Strath Haven High School, Rosmy Joseph of Springfield High School
• Outstanding Leadership Award for Seniors: Gabrielle Dove of Archmere Academy and Leilani Hencinski of Ridley High School
• Claire McGeehan Leadership Award: Francesca Clark of Strath Haven High School
The annual meeting featured inspiring testimonials from program participants, including three first-time homebuyers who shared their success stories, underscoring the life-changing impact of MFH’s services. Its commitment to economic empowerment is evident through its comprehensive programs designed to support financial stability and growth for local families. In partnership with the county Office of Housing and Community Development and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, key initiatives include:
• First-Time Homebuyer Program: In the past year, MFH distributed $100,000 in closing cost assistance to 16 first-time homebuyers and provided counseling to over 150 households. These services have been instrumental in helping low- and moderate-income families overcome barriers to homeownership, allowing them to build equity and wealth and fostering long-term financial stability and community investment.
• Emergency Savings Match Program: MFH supported 25 households in opening emergency savings accounts, matching $800 for every $200 saved by the families. This program enhances financial resilience and stability, ensuring families are better prepared for unforeseen expenses.
• Digital Navigation Program: To bridge the digital divide, MFH distributed 48 free laptops and provided over 150 individual tech support sessions. The program offers referrals for low-cost internet and device options, enabling greater access to digital resources.
Additionally, MFH honored several community members and organizations dedicated to addressing social injustice, promoting interracial understanding and advancing equality of opportunity with the following awards:
• Marie Whitaker Humanitarian Award: Brian Armstead, Program Facilitator of MFH Paul Patchel Conversation Series, educator, and social worker
• Dorothy James Community Service Award: Dr. June Elco*ck-Messam, Board President of Every Child Counts and board-certified pediatrician
• Spirit of Friendship Award: Jeannine Osayande, Community Member of Historically Black Neighborhood of Swarthmore, teaching artist, educator, choreographer and performer (DunyaPAC)
Since its founding in 1944, Media Fellowship House has created programs, organized coalitions and facilitated conversations that promote diversity and understanding. For more information, visit http://mediafellowshiphouse.org/.
Last weekend to catch Peony Festival in Chadds Ford
Over 55,000 peony plants of 250 varieties have bloomed across the rolling hills of the Brandywine Valley, and the public is invited to enjoy the display at the Sixth Annual Festival of the Peony through Monday, May 27. The festival, hosted by Styer’s Peonies LLC, takes place on a working family flower farm at 400 Cossard Road.
Styer’s peonies grow on a combination of 120 acres in three climatic zones. In addition to breathtaking views, the Festival of the Peony offers fresh cut flowers, soaps, candles, clothing, home goods and wine for purchase. Food trucks will be present.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last admission at 5 p.m. Per-person tickets allow visitors to walk, drive or do a combination as they navigate the gardens.
Tickets and more details and information are available for purchase at http://Styerspeonies.com or at the gate.
May Is National Community Action Month
Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. joins over 1,000 Community Action Agencies nationwide celebrating their efforts helping low-income people move toward self-sufficiency and economic stability, during National Community Action Month in May.
National Community Action Month highlights Community Action Agencies’ work helping millions of families and individuals escape poverty and achieve economic stability. The agencies have been supporting their communities for nearly 60 years by changing lives, embodying the spirit of hope, improving communities and making America a better place to live.
CAADC, a nonprofit corporation, provides a wide range of services. For more information, visit http://www.caadc.org or call 610-874-8451.
Groups partner to clean up Chichester Avenue
Chichester Heart and Soul, in partnership with Green Delco, Planet Green Thrift Store, Chichester Rotary, Upper Chichester Township Public Works, Fiorelli Agency and Memorial Presbyterian Church, met at Kingsman Road Park on April 27 with the goal to “Clean Up Chi Avenue” in celebration of Earth Week.
Volunteers from Planet Green Thrift Store cleaned from Concord Road to Peach Street, which is the section of Chichester Avenue that they adopted through the Adopt a Highway Program. Marcus Hook Area Neighbors for Public Health had strong attendance and cleaned trash from the creek that runs behind Chichester High School as one of their many efforts to support local watersheds, which are some of the last unprotected watersheds in Delaware County.
Chichester Heart & Soul hosts two cleanup events per year and hopes to continue the tradition of partnering with community organizations to take action while strengthening sense of community; location and accessibility; education; community resources; safety; recreation and open spaces; and economic opportunities. For more information, email UpperChiHeartandSoul@gmail.com/.
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com/.
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