HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP — Kelly Music for Life announced the performer lineup for the Illumination 250 Festival and Drone Show on Saturday, Aug. 29.
Presented by Visit Delco, the free event will take place from noon to 9 p.m. at Haverford High School Football Stadium, 200 Mill Road, Havertown.
The community festival will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a full day of live music, patriotic performances, children’s activities, crafters, food trucks and a grand finale choreographed drone show featuring 300 lighted drones.
The day will begin with a patriotic opening ceremony at noon, featuring the Navy Funeral Honors Sailors, who will participate in the opening ceremony and the national anthem.
The Navy Color Guard is composed of active-duty sailors assigned to Naval Support Activity Philadelphia. When not representing the Navy at community events, the sailors perform the sacred, solemn mission of the installation’s Funeral Honors detail, rendering final military honors to nearly 900 fallen service members and veterans each year.
NSA Philadelphia, located in Northeast Philadelphia, was established in 1942 during World War II as the Naval Aviation Supply Depot.
Today, the installation serves as a critical logistics hub, housing tenant commands that trace their lineages and supply-chain missions back to the founding of the nation.
Also taking part in the festival is Independence Fife and Drum Corps, founded in 1972 by multi VFW National Snare Drum Champion William H. Reamer and Lancraft Fife & Drum Corps fifer Edmund Boyle.
The renowned corps has performed for Queen Elizabeth II, President Gerald Ford, the president of France, the king of Sweden, and the king of Spain. Under the leadership of Mark Beecher, Independence Fife and Drum Corps is planning a series of special events in 2026 in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, including parades, musters and other high-profile appearances.
The festival lineup will also include The Belle Tones, often called the “21st century Andrews Sisters.” These all-American performers bring class, panache, and fun to a repertoire celebrating the great harmonic girl groups, with songs spanning the 1920s through the 1980s. Their performance also honors veterans and active military members through patriotic music.
Drew Nugent & The Midnight Society will bring the sounds of traditional “hot” jazz to the festival stage. Nugent, a Philadelphia jazz musician and composer, performs on piano, trumpet, voice, and even the tea kettle. His band, The Midnight Society, has been together for more than 10 years and is known for keeping the music of the 1920s alive with an authentic yet original approach.
The Upper Darby Shooting Stars will perform a special America 250 show. Since 1998, the Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation has enriched the lives of young people and community members through arts education, performance opportunities, and community service. Home to the award-winning Upper Darby Summer Stage and Schoener MusicMan Academy, the Foundation welcomes hundreds of young performers each year and entertains thousands through dynamic programming.
The festival audience can also enjoy Del’s Groove, an eight-piece party band known for filling rooms and dance floors with hits. With a powerful horn section and a wide-ranging setlist covering Top 40 pop, classic rock, Yacht Rock, Motown, oldies, swing, jazz, and more, Del’s Groove will celebrate some of America’s most influential and beloved popular music.
A Frank Sinatra Tribute featuring Rich DeSimone will bring the music of one of America’s most iconic entertainers to life. Known as “Ol’ blue eyes” and “chairman of the board,” Frank Sinatra helped shape 20th century popular music and entertainment across a career spanning more than five decades.
The Peeks & Dustin Duo will bring a versatile music experience, featuring songs from American country music favorites including Ella Langley, Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs and more. Blending country, rock, pop and soul, Peeks and Dustin bring polished musicianship, strong chemistry, and a sound built for a wide audience.
The festival will also feature Basic Cable, a high-energy tribute to the golden age of MTV. Performing New Wave, synthpop, rock, and dance-pop favorites from the 1980s, Basic Cable recreates the music, sound and spirit of the era when MTV brought music videos into homes across the country. The band features Dylan McGuire, Kristen Conrad, Richard Sebolt and David Weisner, all experienced performers from prominent original and tribute acts across the tri-state area.
The evening will conclude with a major grand finale: Haverford Township’s first-ever drone show. Presented by the USA 250 committee, the show will feature 300 lighted drones flying in choreographed formation to celebrate America’s 250 years.
The Illumination 250 Festival and Drone Show presented by Visit Delco will bring together history, music, patriotism, community, and family entertainment in celebration of this milestone anniversary.
Event updates, performance times and the latest details can be found at https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/kellycenter/illumination-250-festival.
Team Up to Clean Up litter kits available at Delaware County Libraries
The Delaware County Office of Sustainability and Delaware County Libraries have announced the launch of a new partnership bringing litter solutions directly into communities across Delaware County.
Beginning Wednesday, July 29, residents can borrow a Team Up to Clean Up litter kit from any Delaware County Libraries’ location, just like checking out a book. Available to anyone with a Libraries’ card, these kits provide an easy way for residents to earn volunteer hours, take pride in their neighborhoods, and become part of the solution to litter.
Pennsylvanians are no strangers to the impacts of litter. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s 2021 Litter Action Plan, 90 percent of residents agree that litter is a major problem in their state due to its effects on the environment, property values, tourism and local businesses, public wellbeing and community safety. At the same time, municipalities often face limited resources. Keep Delco Beautiful recognizes these challenges and aims to build capacity and community stewardship by empowering residents eager to take action.
“We’re happy to be able to work with our partners in the Delaware County Office of Sustainability to offer these kits in libraries,” said Anny Laepple, director of Delaware County Libraries. “The kits offer our users the opportunity to help keep their communities clean and beautiful using materials provided for them through this partnership.”
As of July 29, two litter kits will be available for check out at most Delaware County Libraries’ locations. Each kit contains two foldable trash grabbers, two trash bags, two branded high-visibility safety vests, a pack of disinfecting wipes, and an instructional sheet. If residents are planning a larger clean-up, they can check out both kits to support a four-person effort or request kits from another location to be transported to their closest library.
“These kits … (are) putting the tools directly into residents’ hands,” said Olivia Sansone, Sustainability Coordinator with the Delaware County Office of Sustainability. “Whether you’re a student looking for volunteer hours or a family wanting to give back, this program makes it easy to turn good intentions into action.”
In 2023 the Delaware County Office of Sustainability established Keep Delco Beautiful, a local affiliate of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, to serve as a countywide hub for beautification efforts. The affiliate serves to convene more than 20 local groups and organizations that are working to make Delaware County beautiful through litter and illegal dumping cleanups, tree plantings, education and advocacy, the promotion of zero-waste solutions, and further initiatives that advance the goals of both the County Sustainability Plan and the Zero Waste Plan.
More information about Keep Delco Beautiful and the many organizations who participate can be found at www.delcopa.gov/sustainability.
Youth can apply now for clinical medical assistant program
The Community Action Agency of Delaware County Inc.’s Clinical Medical Assistant Program is now accepting applications from eligible youth. The Clinical Medical Assistant Program is designed to help out-of-school youth gain the skills for a rewarding career in the health care industry.
Program components include CMA courses; CMA certification; paid clinical externship with a local health care provider; case management; financial literacy, life skills and job readiness workshops; and job development and placement.
The program has expanded the past few years, but there are still only a limited number of available slots, and applicants must meet certain requirements. Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 24, currently reside in Delaware County, and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Income eligibility guidelines do apply. TANF/SNAP recipients automatically qualify.
To verify eligibility or to register, contact Heather Parmely-Roegner at 610-874-8451 or [email protected].
Federal funding for the program comes from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 and is disbursed through the Delaware County Workforce Development Board.
The Community Action Agency of Delaware County Inc. has been a vital provider of social services in Delaware County since 1979. The non-profit agency provides a wide range of services aimed at encouraging self-sufficiency for economically disadvantaged residents. For more information: www.caadc.org.
Saint Joseph’s Athletics and Main Line Health announce new affiliation
Saint Joseph’s Athletics and Main Line Health have announced a landmark affiliation establishing the system as the exclusive medical provider for the Hawks. Along with serving as a title sponsor for the Hawks’ Division I programs, Main Line Health will become the first-ever jersey-patch partner in St. Joe’s history.
As the most significant corporate affiliation in Saint Joseph’s Athletics history, this agreement places the Main Line Health logo on the uniforms of the Division I Hawks teams. This prominent placement delivers wide-reaching exposure for the health system across television, streaming channels, digital platforms and live gameday events.
Marking a historic milestone for the Big 5, Saint Joseph’s Athletics has emerged as a trailblazer in the NCAA’s new era of jersey sponsorships. This pioneering affiliation highlights the department’s forward-thinking strategy as it navigates and capitalizes on the rapidly evolving landscape of collegiate athletics.
The Main Line Health patch will make its official debut on the Hawks’ jerseys at the start of the upcoming fall sports season. Further specifics will be provided once the NCAA and conference guidelines are officially finalized.
Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia elect new congregational leadership
During the 2026 Congregational Chapter, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia elected a congregational leadership team to guide the congregation over the next five years.
The chapter, the congregation’s highest governing body, gathered sisters from across the United States and Kenya for a week of prayer, discernment, and collaborative decision-making that will help shape the future direction of the congregation.
Elected congregational minister is Sister Clare Andrew D’Auria, OSF, who will serve alongside assistant congregational minister Sister Patricia Hutchison, OSF, congregational council members Sister Lydia Etter, OSF,Sister Linda Marie Sariego, OSF, and Sister Janet Thiel, OSF.
Together, the newly elected team brings more than two centuries of combined religious life and an extraordinary breadth of experience in education, spiritual direction, Franciscan formation, parish ministry, higher education, finance, administration, and congregational leadership. They will guide the congregation as it continues its mission of joyful, loving service rooted in the Gospel and the Franciscan charism.
The Motherhouse of the Sisters of Philadelphia is located in Aston Township.
The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia is a community of more than 250 Catholic women religious committed to living the Gospel in the prophetic spirit of St. Francis of Assisi and their foundress, Mother Francis Bachmann. For more than 170 years, and with a legacy of over 4,000 sisters, the congregation has ministered to those in need across the United States and around the world, ultimately serving on four continents.
Today, the sisters serve in 11 states and Kenya, engaging in a wide range of ministries including healthcare, education, pastoral service, social services, spiritual ministries, and advocacy for justice. Rooted in a Franciscan way of life, they are committed to contemplation, poverty, and humility. They embrace a deep reverence for Creation and strive always to be a healing, compassionate presence in a wounded world—especially among women, children, and those who have no voice. Visit www.osfphila.org for more information.
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at [email protected].
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.delcotimes.com ’
