UPPER DARBY — Upper Darby Township will hold the Ninth Annual Upper Darby International Festival from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, on Garrett Road, including the Five Points intersection.
The free festival celebrates Upper Darby’s mantra, “The World in One Place,” and highlights the community’s diversity. The festival will feature international cuisine, live performances, cultural exhibits and activities for all ages that the entire family can enjoy.
Home to more than 85,000 residents, Upper Darby Township represents dozens of cultures and over 100 spoken languages. Upper Darby is Pennsylvania’s sixth-largest municipality, attracting thousands to the unique community festival each year.
The 2026 International Festival will be the debut of the township’s new mascot “Globey,” who represents the global diversity of Upper Darby’s residents.
The Parade of Flags, a signature event featuring local schoolchildren, will serve as the festival’s official opening ceremony.
The family-friendly festival will feature a wide variety of food vendors and international cuisine; a beer and wine garden; vendors, artisans, and resource tables; and live music, dancing, and cultural performances.
The Kids’ Zone will feature arts and crafts; an obstacle course; and carnival games. This year, the festival will also have a Silent Superhero Zone, which is a calm, sensory-friendly space where kids can take a break from the sights, sounds, and excitement of the festival. Children and adults with sensory overload, and their families, can relax, recharge, and reset with soft seating, sensory activities, and noise-reducing headphones, before heading back out for more fun.
“The International Festival reflects all the rich cultures and diversity that makes our wonderful Township so unique,” stated Mayor Ed Brown. “I’m excited to once again be a part of such a fun day. I look forward to seeing and interacting with our residents, local businesses, vendors, and sponsors who are the foundation of the event.”
For more event details, updates, road closures, and vendor information, visit http://upperdarby.org/.The rain date is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26.
Ensemble Arts Philly and The Shubert Organization will present the “25th Anniversary Tour of Mamma Mia!”, the ultimate feel-good musical based on the songs of ABBA, at the Academy of Music from Tuesday, Sept. 29 to Sunday, Oct. 4. (COURTESY OF JOAN MARCUS/ ENSEMBLE ARTS PHILLY)
’25th Anniversary Tour of Mamma Mia!’ comes to Academy of Music, Sept. 29- Oct. 4
Ensemble Arts Philly and The Shubert Organization will present the “25th Anniversary Tour of Mamma Mia!”, the global smash hit and ultimate feel-good musical based on the songs of ABBA, at the Academy of Music from Tuesday, Sept. 29 to Sunday, Oct. 4.
Launching the 2026-27 Broadway season, this beloved worldwide phenomenon has captivated generations of audiences with its irresistible blend of friendship, family, love, and unforgettable music.
‟There are certain shows that transcend Broadway and become part of people’s lives, and ‘Mamma Mia!’ is one of them,” said Ryan Fleur, President and CEO of Ensemble Arts Philly. “For twenty-five years, audiences around the world have come together to sing along, laugh, and celebrate the timeless music of ABBA. As we launch our 2026-27 Broadway season, this production reminds us of the unique joy of experiencing live theater in a room filled with fellow fans. These are the moments that bring people together, create lasting memories, and keep audiences returning to the theater year after year.”
Since premiering in London in 1999 and on Broadway in 2001, the irresistible musical has captured the hearts of millions. It’s a sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island paradise. To date, “Mamma Mia! has been in 50 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $7 billion.
The 25th anniversary production made a triumphant return to Broadway in August 2025 for a limited six-month run at the Winter Garden Theatre, where it had its first Broadway opening in 2001.
“Mamma Mia! played for a record-breaking 14 years on Broadway, first at the Winter Garden, then at the Broadhurst Theatre. The show also toured North America from 2000 to 2017 with four different touring companies spanning this period.
For times and dates, questions or to purchase tickets, go to www.ensembleartsphilly.org or call 215-893-1999, or go in person to the Academy of Music Box Office, 240 S. Broad St., Philadelphia.
For information about group availability and pricing, call 215-790-5883 or email groupsales@ensembleartsphilly.org.
For more information about this production of “Mamma Mia!”, view the cast and get more details, visit www.mammamiathetour.com or follow @MammaMiaNorthAmerica on social media.
Kazeem to hold third annual Dock Day on Sept. 26
State Rep. Carol Kazeem will hold her third annual Dock Day, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 at 1 Stadium Drive, Chester.
“I’m really excited to host the third annual Dock Day at the Waterfront this year,” Kazeem said. “It’s a great community event where residents of all ages come out to learn how to fish, listen to great music, eat delicious food and get resources on healthy living.”
The Coast Guard and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will be on site to assist with water safety, provide fishing instruction, and help residents obtain fishing and boating licenses. RCCG Living Spring will share resources on health and wellness.
The event will also feature music, games, prizes, food and vendors. For questions or more information, call 610-876-6420.
Chester Heights to hold recycling event on Saturday
Chester Heights will hold Recycling Day for residents, rain or shine, 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Community Park, 343 Valleybrook Road in the borough.
Electronics, small household appliances, clothing will be collected. The event will also offer secure paper shredding, and drug take back with the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office.
Hazardous materials, such as spray cans, paint, batteries, large appliances, and HVAC units, will not be accepted.
Send inquiries to info@chesterheights.org or call 610-459-3400.
COSA offers Healthy Steps Program at Surrey Senior Center
Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) is observing National Fall Prevention Awareness Week Monday, Sept. 21 through Friday, Sept. 25 by raising awareness about common risk factors for falls and taking action to create a world where aging without fear of falling is possible for everyone.
Residents are encouraged to join COSA at Surrey Senior Center Media, 176 S. New Middletown Road., Media, for a Healthy Steps Program to help prevent falls. The evidence-based program for adults over the age of 60 is designed to raise awareness of falls, introduce steps residents can take to reduce falls, improve overall health, and provide referrals/resources.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, every 20 minutes an older adult in the United States dies from a fall and falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury. Research has found that adults who completed the Healthy Steps workshop lower their risk of falling considerably.
The Healthy Steps program includes two sessions and a Fall Risk Assessment, all of which will be held at Surrey Senior Center. Residents must make an appointment for their Fall Risk Assessment on Friday, Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The first Healthy Steps session will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the second session will be held on Friday, Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To participate, residents must attend all sessions.
This program is free, through support from COSA and Surrey Senior Services. Space is limited and registration is required.
To register, contact COSA Health and Wellness Program Manager Ellen Williams at 610-499-1937 or williamse@co.delaware.pa.us. Interested residents should provide their name, address, phone number, and email when registering.
Brookhaven Rec Board seeks vendors for indoor flea market
The Brookhaven Recreation Board is sponsoring an indoor flea market, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 at the Brookhaven Municipal Center, 2 Cambridge Road, Brookhaven. Set-up will begin at 8 a.m.
The cost is $20 per space. Onsite tables are provided. No outside tables are allowed. Registration forms are available at the municipal center or can be downloaded at http://brookhavenboro.com.
Vendors can make checks payable to Brookhaven Recreation Board with “flea market” on the memo line and mailed, along with the completed registration form to Brookhaven Rec Board, 2 Cambridge Road, Brookhaven, PA 19015.
Interested vendors can also register in person at the municipal center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
Proceeds will help to fund community activities sponsored by the borough recreation board. For more information, call borough hall at 610-874- 2557.
St. Madeline Parish seeks vendors for craft fair
St. Madeline Parish is seeking vendors for its fall craft fair, to be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 at St. James Regional Catholic School, 500 Tome St., Ridley Park.
Cost is $40 for an outside space and $45 for an inside space. Vendors are encouraged to sign up early as spaces are limited.
Vendors can register, or get more details, by emailing Kim at office@stmadeline.org.
Local girls get invited to get moving, have fun and get Inspi-HER’d
State Rep. Gina Curry invites girls in grades four through eight to join her for the fifth annual Inspi-HER’d Field Day for Girls, happening 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 at Naylor’s Run Park.
Inspi-HER’d is a free celebration of wellness and empowerment that creates a joyful space for girls to be themselves, try something new, build confidence and connect with other girls while exploring what it means to be well in mind, body, relationships and community.
“Every girl deserves a space where she feels seen, supported and encouraged to shine,” Curry said. “Inspi-HER’d is about surrounding our girls with positive experiences and people who remind them that they are strong, capable and full of possibility and having a whole lot of fun while we do it!”
Girls can look forward to an action-packed afternoon featuring dancing, martial arts, Zumba, interactive wellness activities, community resources, special guests, prizes and more. Lunch also will be provided.
Residents of Upper Darby, Lansdowne, East Lansdowne and Millbourne may have received a postcard listing an incorrect date for the event. The correct date is Saturday, Sept. 26.
Girls and their families can register using this link or visit http://RepCurry.com/events.
PA Historical & Museum Commission awards $4 million to bolster museums
In support of the continued preservation and celebration of Pennsylvania’s rich history for the nation’s 250th anniversary and beyond, the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) announced the award of nearly $4 million in Cultural and Historical Support Grants. This year’s funding will empower 182 eligible museums and official county historical societies across 60 Pennsylvania counties.
“Museums and historical societies all across the Commonwealth share in telling the story of Pennsylvania, its diverse communities and regions, and the important role they have played in our nation’s story,” says Andrea Lowery, commission executive director. “We are thrilled to be able to help support these vital institutions in their efforts to preserve and share Pennsylvania’s rich history.”
Designed to fortify Pennsylvania’s foundational history and museum community, the grant program delivers essential, unrestricted operating support to qualifying institutions. To qualify for the 2026-27 grant cycle, eligible museums must maintain an annual operating budget of over $100,000 and employ at least one full-time professional or an approved equivalent.
This is the 15th year that the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission has worked with the state legislature to secure funding for museums and historical societies through the grant program.
Awards are calculated using a formula based on a percentage of each organization’s annual operating budget, with grants ranging from a minimum of $4,000 up to a maximum of $47,000.
The following is a list of Cultural and Historical Support Grant awarded to organizations in Delaware County:
• Colonial Pennsylvania Farmstead, $10,000
• Delaware County Historical Society, $9,500
• Nicholas Newlin Foundation Newlin Grist Mill, $20,000
The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. To see a full list of grant awardees from all over Pennsylvania, or to learn more, visit PHMC online at www.pa.gov/agencies/phmc.
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com.