Parks and Rec Report: Pumpkins on Parade an ‘Outrageously-Well Attended’ Event

Parks and Rec Committee receives a glowing attendance report of this year’s Pumpkins on Parade event.

Pat Stasio, director of the Parks and Recreation Depart, was pleased to provide the Nov 28 Parks and Recreation Committee his report on the 2011 Pumpkins on Parade event. “It is an outrageously well-attended event,” Stasio told the committee. “We are thrilled that folks come out.” The Pumpkins on Parade event has been a 22-year tradition of the township. According to Stasio, this year’s event drew 600 families, which totals to over 18,000 people. According to a previous Patch article on the event, parking at Masons Mill Park, where the event is held, was filled by the event’s start at 6:30 p.m. Event participants had to use the parking lot across the street from the park. The event, featured a hayride, scarecrow making, pumpkin painting, a…

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Families Enjoy a Spooky-Good-Time at the 22nd Annual Pumpkins on Parade event

According to the Upper Moreland Parks and Recreation Department, the Pumpkins on Parade festival draws nearly 600 families each year.

The 22nd annual Pumpkins on Parade festival was held on the 22nd of October this year at Masons Mill Park. Overflow parking was in the business complex across the street, and by 6:30 p.m. it was nearly full.  The atmosphere walking from the parking lot into the park was filled with excitement, mystery, and fun. From the amount of activities going on, it is no surprise that the attendance was so high. “Pumpkins on Parade first started out in front of the Upper Moreland Public Library and township building," Katie Koller, programs coordinator for the township's Parks and Recreation Department, said. "Decorated pumpkins lined the sidewalk from one street corner to the other, which is where the name of the festival comes from.” The first …

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Residents Tell Their Hurricane Irene Experience

For many Upper Moreland residents, it's the cleanup that's the hardest part.

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Get Out

Ready or not, here comes the weekend!

Just in time, Patch has scoured your local events calendar and picked out the five best bets for the coming week. Get out and enjoy summer!   1. Job Skills Workshop Where/When: Upper Moreland Library, 109 Park Ave., Willow Grove; July 7, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Why go: This workshop will focus on job search skills. All backgrounds and levels are invited to learn how to organize a job search using online and library resources, how to network and use contacts, and how to approach employers. Pricing: Free   2. Pick Up Basketball Where/When: Calvary Presbyterian Church, 405 Easton Road, Willow Grove; July 9 from 2 to 5 p.m. Why go: The basketball game is a monthly meetup for basketball players of all abilities, teens and older. The games are held …

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Viewfinder: Masons Mill Park 2011 Summer Concert Series

The Large Flowerheads, a tribute to the groovy music of the 1960s, recreated the musical sights and sounds of the era Sunday, June 26.

The Large Flowerheads performed at the Masons Mill Park 2011 Summer Concert Series Sunday, June 26. --- For a list of future free concerts at Masons Mill Park, click here. ---

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St. David School Has a Field Day at Masons Mill

In a long-standing tradition, St. David School holds its annual Field Day event at Masons Mill Park with a tug-of-war, water relays and teacher slimings.

For the first time in St. David School history, the entire student body, their teachers and parent volunteers celebrated the school's annual Field Day at Masons Mill Park. According to event coordinator and school physical education teacher Joanne Carroll, Field Day is an extension of the school's physical education program. However, instead of holding a regular gym class, students are treated to fun, age-appropriate activities. Field Day, which took place June 13, started at 9 a.m. and lasted until the early afternoon. During this time, older students in grades six to eight participated in basketball and volleyball tournaments, while the younger students participated in games called "Pizza Man Relay" and "Ping Pong Catch." Carroll said …

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Viewfinder: Freedom Steps

A large crowd participated in the fourth annual Freedom Steps Sunday, May 1, a 5K walk/run event held to help raise awareness and supplies for American troops overseas.

Freedom Steps, a 5k run/walk that took place at Masons Mill Park on Sunday, May 1, benefits troops overseas. According to event director Heather Salazar, Freedom Steps had 214 participants, and approximately 260 people attended the festivities, including volunteers, military and military support organizations. Click on the PDF for race results.

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Viewfinder: St. David School 5K Run/2 Mile Walk

St. David School in Willow Grove held its second annual 5K Run/Two-Mile Walk April 9 at Masons Mill Park. A portion of the proceeds from the event went to the school and the St. David chapter of the St. Vincent De Paul Society.

St. David School's 5K Run/Two-Mile Walk took place Saturday, April 9 at Masons Mill Park. A portion of the proceeds from this 5K run and walk will go toward program refinements in the upper school. Proceeds derived from pledges and donations to the two-mile “Walk For The Poor” will be allocated to the St.Vincent De Paul "Client Assistance Program” to benefit an increasing number of needy people in the community. --- Results from the 5k portion of the event can be found at www.fastcatsports.com.

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Mom talk

Warmer weather means a chance to break the cabin fever

Each week, we take time out on Upper Moreland Patch to answer the questions that concern our moms. We welcome all moms, dads, grandparents, friends and family to check out our questions and add to our answers. This space is for you, to both ask and answer any questions! We know that being a parent means getting advice from others, and this space can be that forum for you. As Hillary Clinton’s book title implied, “It takes a village …,” and moms in Upper Moreland can rely on Patch to be there with an answer to their parenting questions. This week, we were asked about ways to enjoy the rays: “I wanted to ask about parks — anyone planning any outdoor activities next week? Expecting 50s and even — wow — 60s — next week. We're right in Lansdale…

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BuxmontMommies

1:04 pm on Monday, February 28, 2011

I guess it is actually in Horsham, but we LOVE Everybody's Playground (Lukens Park) on Dresher Road.   more ›

WG Bears Club cheer and play hard on the football field

The football and cheer-leading club is often the first place for youth to experience the competitive sports

Founded in 1991, the Willow Grove Bears Football Club provides children in the area with cheerleading and football opportunities. Youth from ages 5 to 14 are eligible to participate in the program, which hosts its home games at Masons Mill Park. The club, a member of the American Conference in the Keystone State Midget Football League, offers tackle football teams for children in five different weight classes, along with non-contact flag football for 5- and 6-year-olds. Cheerleaders perform at each game. Coming off the heels of a successful 2010 season for the football club, which included an undefeated season and a championship appearance for the 105-pound squad, the Willow Grove Bears are gearing up for registration for the 2011 season, …

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Kathy Rusch

6:04 pm on Monday, February 14, 2011

What great kids!   more ›