On April 16, 1964, Grahame Wood opened the first Wawa Food Market right here in Folsom, Pennsylvania. Sixty-two years later, Wawa is still a Delco original — and this year, they're celebrating their anniversary alongside America250PADelco as we count down to the nation's 250th birthday. America250PADelco is proud to be a named partner at this year's Wawa Day celebration, where two big milestones come together: the unveiling of a one-of-a-kind Bells Across PA bell designed by Delco artist Paul Downie, and public recognition of Wawa's sponsorship of DelcoVolunteers — the program mobilizing 2,500 Delco residents in community service across our county in 2026.
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026 Time: 6:30 AM – 8:15 AM Location: 1730 MacDade Blvd, Folsom, PA 19033 (Near the site of Wawa's original Store #1, opened April 16, 1964)
On April 16, 1964, Grahame Wood opened the first Wawa Food Market right here in Folsom, Pennsylvania. Sixty-two years later, Wawa is still a Delco original — and this year, they're celebrating their anniversary alongside America250PADelco as we count down to the nation's 250th birthday.
America250PADelco is proud to be a named partner at this year's Wawa Day celebration, where two big milestones come together: the unveiling of a one-of-a-kind Bells Across PA bell designed by Delco artist Paul Downie, and public recognition of Wawa's sponsorship of DelcoVolunteers — the program mobilizing 2,500 Delco residents in community service across our county in 2026.
What to expect:
🎉 6:30 AM —
👕 FREE limited-edition “Store #1” t-shirts for the first 250 guests (while supplies last)
☕ FREE any-size hot coffee for Wawa Rewards members
🥳 7:00 AM — Ceremonial Coffee Pour and Toast
👑 Day Brighteners Recognition — Special guest Miss Pennsylvania, Victoria Vespico, honors a local family's beautiful connection with their Wawa store team
🔔 Unveiling of a Wawa History Bell — A Delco/Wawa-themed bell designed by local artist Paul Downie/Community Art Center in Wallingford, unveiled as part of America250PA's statewide public art project
🤝 DelcoVolunteers Recognition — Wawa's sponsorship of America250PADelco fuels soft pretzels and drinks for 2,500 DelcoVolunteers participants on service days across the county
🎁 $250,000 in Wawa Gift Cards presented to The Wawa Foundation's National Charity Partners, celebrating $200 million in foundation giving since 2014
✨ Special Guest Appearances by Wally Goose(Wawa's beloved mascot), America 250 PA mascot The Keystone Kid(America250PA's mascot), and interactive soccer activities from Philadelphia Soccer 2026
Fueling Service Across Delco: the Wawa Day event also marks public recognition of Wawa's sponsorship of DelcoVolunteers, America250PADelco's civic engagement program mobilizing 2,500 Delaware County residents in community service projects throughout 2026 as part of the national service campaign in American history. Wawa's sponsorship provides soft pretzels and drink coupons to every DelcoVolunteers participant on key service days — fueling the volunteer workforce showing up for Delco's neighborhoods, nonprofits, and historic sites ahead of July 4, 2026. DelcoVolunteers has grown to 58 volunteer opportunities across 12 organizations, with 471 dedicated volunteer slots available and strong momentum across the county. The public chooses volunteer opportunities at volunteer.america250padelco.org.
The event is also the third unveiling of a specially designed America250PA's Bells Across PA. Bells Across PA, a statewide public art initiative connected to America's Semiquincentennial celebration. This Delco/Wawa-themed bell was designed by Paul Downie, Executive Director of the Community Art Center in Wallingford, PA — one of Delaware County's most beloved cultural institutions, housed in a historic 1889 mansion. Downie will share remarks about his design process, followed by a $2,500 check presentation from Wawa to the Community Art Center's Building Creativity Fund, which supports the ongoing maintenance and renovation of the historic building.
Come join us early — this one starts at sunrise and is absolutely worth it.
Free and open to the public.
Join the Facebook event and Follow us: #America250PADelco | #WawaDay | #BellsAcrossPA | #DelcoVolunteers