FREE OcTrolley Fest Coming Up In October

Darby Borough and Neighbors are Feeling OcTrolleyFestive

On Saturday, October 15, OcTrolleyFest will again roll through Darby Borough and neighboring communities with heritage, history, harmony and fun. Since 2005, OcTrolleyFest has celebrated area treasures including the historic, and still used, trolley line which first came to Delaware County as a horse-drawn streetcar line in 1858.  “It’s a celebration of transportation heritage and community,” said Jan Haigis, co-coordinator of the event sponsored by Sharon Savings Bank, Eden Cemetery, the Darby Borough Historical Commission and others. ”It’s a chance to take a new look at the historic treasures in our own backyard, meet new people, reconnect with old friends, and have fun istorical Commission .”  

Once more free rides (space permitting) will be available between 11:00 am and 1:00 PM on a 1947 vintage streamlined trolley car (PCCll) through 366 years of Pennsylvania History.  “The rides will start from the Darby Library at 11:00 where kids can also make scarecrows out of recycled milk containers and march in the Pumpkin Parade at Noon,” said Haigis.   There will also be historical displays, announcement of the winners of the Art Contest, a showing of the Scribe Video “Precious Places,” a Time-Line,  and a concert of old favorites at the Darby Recreation Center, 10^th and Ridge.

A special treat begins at 1:00 pm with guided tours of Eden Cemetery on Springfield Road in Collingdale. Eden is America’s oldest African-American public cemetery company and the resting places of five people especially significant to transportation history:  William Still and Octavius Catto who worked for human rights and the desegregation of Philadelphia streetcars, John Drew who created a successful Jitney Service so domestic help could get to their jobs in Lansdowne, and Carolyn LeCount and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper who, a hundred years before Rosa Parks, led sit-in protests with the same goals; the freedom for everyone to ride in peace and dignity.  

All events are free and open to the public. For further information, please call (610) 583-0788 or visit www.OcTrolleyFest.org