Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia : B : BA : BAL : Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania
Bala Cynwyd is a village in Lower Merion Township which is located in the Main Line in southeastern Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. It was originally two separate towns, Bala and Cynwyd, but is commonly treated as a single community. This came about when a single US Post Office was constructed to service both towns (The "Bala Cynwyd" Branch).
It lies in the Welsh Tract, and was settled in the 1680s by Welsh Quaker settlers, who named it after the Welsh town of Bala and the Welsh village of Cynwyd. The American "Cynwyd" is, however, now pronounced /'kɪnwɪd/ ("kinwid"), not /'kənwɪd/ as it would be in Welsh. It is also sometimes pronounced locally as /'kɪnwʊd/ ("kinwood").
Bala and Cynwyd are served by separate stations on SEPTA's route R6.
While Bala Cynwyd has drawn a very large number of Modern Orthodox Jews who have established a network of synagogues, there are churches representing many religions. The town is essentially a mixed residential community with mostly single homes, and is located directly across City Avenue from the City of Philadelphia.
The Neighborhood Club of Bala Cynwyd, established in 1906, works to preserve the residential character of the neighborhood and promote civic welfare and community spirit. It sponsors an annual Independence Day celebration on July 4th which begins in front of the Union Fire Association and ends at the Bala Cynwyd Playground. The parade features neighborhood children riding decorated bicycles, marchers in costumes, clowns, floats, fire trucks, police, and public officials.
Neighbors bring their blankets and beach chairs to the playground and enjoy a patriotic program including music from a band made up of local residents. There are foot races for all ages and carnival games that follow the ceremony with prizes awarded to parade participants as well as to the winners of the races. The Club awards a prize to the house along the parade route that displays the best patriotic decorations. The Union Fire Association serves food and beverages.
Although many of the residents of Bala Cynwyd are professionals and work in Philadelphia, the celebration continues to maintain the feeling of a small town event.
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