Holiday Light Show Held At Red Lion Road Credit Union

by Alex Lloyd Gross

Last night was the opening of the Grand Illumination, a holiday light show held at the American Heritage Credit Union on Red Lion Road, near Jamison Street. From about 6:30 PM, thousands gathered, parked their vehicles along area streets, and made their way to the campus of the Credit Union Headquarters. A fun, free family event was about to take place in just a short while.

According to Bruce Foulke, the president of the credit union, “This started with the Budd Corporation employees. Originally, it was for them. We had five employees back then; we have over 700 now,” Foulke said. The Budd Corporation was located on Red Lion Road, near the Montgomery County border. They were famous for making subway train cars, but they were also a government contractor and made much more than trains. They made the shell for the atomic bomb, according to Foulke.

Foulke was on stage with Betsy Ross, who helped narrate the show. This included a short performance by the Philadelphia Boys Choir, which delighted the crowd of over 10,000 with renditions of holiday classic songs, such as “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Walking in the Air” from the movie The Snowman.

People were all over the campus, with many of them spilling onto Red Lion Road. Announcements were made that prime seating was available down front. It was time for a 10-minute fireworks display, shot from the roof of the credit union. That, in coordination with manufactured snowflakes, brought the holiday spirit to Northeast Philadelphia.

This was the 18th year that the credit union has done this. The first event drew about 600 people. It now draws thousands for the hour-long show. Afterward, people would walk the campus to take photos and enjoy the lights. Free hot cocoa was available.