The Willow Grove Tri-Centennial Celebration, also referred to as the “Willow Grove 300,” included a 21-person steering committee and over 50 events from the end of April to the third week in June.
The video below features the final scene from Victor Herbert’s “Natoma” performed by The Abington Choral Club with The Old York Road Symphony on May 21, 2011. The performance was a recreation of one of Herbert’s Willow Grove Park concerts as performed with the Strawbridge and Clothier chorus.
This video features Chester ‘Roadhog’ Moran of WFAB-TV:
The five-part video series below, titled “The History of Willow Grove Park”, was part of a presentation given at the Upper Moreland Library in May 2011 in celebration of Willow Grove’s 300th anniversary.
The presentation’s archived photos came from the Old York Road Historical Society. Samples include:
First, a few throwback videos of the park’s glory days:
Throwback video #1: The Alps at Willow Grove Park
From the video’s description:
‘The Alps’ rollercoaster from Willow Grove Park, originally named ‘Mountain Scenic Railway.’ Built at Philadelphia’s Willow Grove Park in 1905 by L.A. Thompson and John Miller, it was a long ride with three cable lift hills and significant theming. The Alps would receive significant alterations circa 1910 and in the 1939-1940 off season. This video highlights elements that were present on the c. 1910-1939 version of the ride. The color video is from 1956, black and white is from 1939 or earlier. This is believed to be the last surviving scenic railway style rollercoaster in North America when it gave its last ride at the end of the 1974 season.
Throwback video #2: On-ride footage of the Paratrooper at Willow Grove Park circa 1972-73. The ride was located on the main midway, adjacent to the Thunderbolt.
Throwback video #3: “Gene Kaye at Willow Grove” was a teen dance show in the 1960s. Episodes aired Saturdays and Sundays on WPHL-TV, Channel 17. The park also hosted two episodes of American Bandstand in 1962.
“The History of Willow Grove Park” Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
Part 4:
Part 5:
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