In my mind is a map. In the middle is West Chester, where my office is located. From there, the map reaches about 20 miles in all directions. Many towns are marked on the map but not all. Some town names are in boldface. And some of those are highlighted.

  One of the most prominent names on my mind’s map is Media. It’s in the lower right corner, but it’s highlighted in yellow AND circled in red!

  Until now, I’ve never thought much about why my mental map highlights Media. I suspect Rand & McNally’s influence is part of the reason. Media is one of the bigger towns in the region, and it’s a county seat. Also, with its courthouse and a walkable shopping and dining district, Media feels more like a town (as opposed to a village or mere location) than other places.

  When all is said and done though, I think the main reason Media is writ large on my mental map is its lineup of diverse events. The town keeps inviting me to visit. I, in turn, often do and have never been disappointed. In effect, Media’s full calendar puts it on my map.

Veterans Day Parade

  This month, on November 11, for example is Media’s Veterans Day Parade. In many communities, Veterans Day has all but disappeared as a holiday: just another day of no school or mail. But in Media, Veterans Day is major and has been as long as most residents can remember.

  According to Mayor Bob McMahon, Media is a community that has always demonstrated support for the country’s soldiers, regardless of politics and attitudes toward current conflicts. Today that pride and support are expressed not only in the annual parade, but also in the permanent Veterans Museum located on State Street in the old Armory Building.

  Now in its 50th year, the parade’s past grandmasters have included Governor Tom Ridge, Senator Bob Dole, TV personality Ed McMahon and other notables. Typically, eleven high school bands provide inspiring music. Several thousand veterans will march in uniform. The ceremony culminates in a passing of the flags. Basically, the responsibility and honor of protecting the country passes from generation to generation, symbolized by a passing of the flag from one generation to another.

Santa’s Arrival and Carriage Parade

  Media is also one of the towns that Santa visits before Christmas. Again, no one quite remembers when the tradition began. Monika Rehoric, however, owner of Kenny’s Flowers and Chair of the Media Business Authority, is the local businesswoman who makes the event happen. She is the same woman who for years has arranged for the horse and driver teams of the Philadelphia Cab Company to make their appearances during shopping season in Media. In effect, she’s responsible for Santa’s itinerary in Media.

  This year Monika firmly expects that Santa will arrive on a fire truck around 6 p.m. on the Friday after Thanksgiving (November 27). Santa will then spend the rest of the evening on the steps of Brodeur’s restaurant, greeting kids and asking them for their Christmas wishes.

New Year’s Ball Drop

  As elsewhere, the Holiday Season ends with New Year’s Eve. But it’s not everywhere that you can see an actual ball-dropping! Yet every year in Media, Dean Keyes of Keyes Towing rolls his 280-foot crane over to Brodeur’s restaurant, at State and Jackson Streets in the heart of downtown. A band plays. The crowd revels. As the final seconds of the year count down, a well-lit wrecking ball is lowered. At the bottom of its descent, at precisely midnight, the number of the New Year explodes in light. And you don’t even have to go to Times Square!

  Dan Brodeur says the celebration has been a tradition for years, but has been growing “leaps and bounds.” This year, assuming good weather, he’s expecting 4000 to 5000 to turn out. One possibility up for consideration (but no guarantees yet) — confetti cannons.

Chinese New Year’s

  Do you know how to lion dance? As you might expect, there are educational websites. Warren and Margaret Kuo, on the other hand, will tell you that the Lion Dance and the other traditions of Chinese New Year are familiar to Media. The celebration in Media actually began “many, many” years ago, well before Media’s ball-drop ceremony, and this one was started by the Kuos. In fact, the Kuos believe they are the only ones remaining of the original organizers.

  The Chinese New Year celebration includes not only the Lion Dance, which is performed for good luck, and a parade — everyone’s invited to participate — but also the “red envelopes” tradition: basically a gift of money. What Chinese New Year’s doesn’t include, however, is firecrackers. “Too dangerous,” says Mr. Kuo.

Five-Mile Race

  The spring calendar is running over with runs. There are, however, only a few offerings at the 5-mile distance. Narberth has a 5-mile. Brian’s Run is 5-mile. But there aren’t many runs at the accessible distance. Run at speed, say under 25 minutes, the 5-mile is a much more demanding race than a 5K.

  Celebrating its 30th year in June 2009, the 5-mile Race attracts a growing following to its USATF/RRTC course. Start training for next year!

Food & Crafts

  Media’s got great restaurants, mostly of the fine but unpretentious sort, spanning a sumptuous variety of cuisines. And nearly all participate in the October Food & Craft Festival. For those who enjoy strolling, sampling, and supping, similar to the Chester County Restaurant festival in September, here a chance to try the Delaware County version. Double the fun.

America’s Music Series

  So far we’ve covered the traditional events. And each has a history. In general, it’s a long enough history that most who participate don’t know when the event began, although there’s someone who remembers when the event changed a bit, maybe when it got better. But, with the exception of Veterans Day, those firsts are effectively gone. We don’t know when Santa first arrived. We don’t know when the celebration of New Year’s began.

  We do know, however, that in 2001 several new events began, in this case through the inspiration of some business owners. To draw visitors to the borough, Media businesspeople decided to make music the cornerstone of the town’s resurgence and attraction. And so, in June 2001, Media hosted its first Blues Stroll. The following year, the Blues Stroll added the so-called Roots Stroll and Jazz Night to create the America’s Music Series.

  Each of these events — Blues in June, Roots in April, and Jazz in October — were an extraordinary success. Each brought both avid and new music-lovers to State Street. Although there’s been some imitation — Paoli, for example, held its first Blues Fest this past October — none are as well-rooted in the town and venue as Media’s events.

  Paul Patchel, who had once upon a time been responsible for organizing the fall Food and Craft Festival, was the person most responsible for organizing the America’s Music Series. Relying on word of mouth and recommendations of the musicians themselves, he’s assembled top-calibre acts: attractive not only to a mainstream audience but also to musicians themselves. We’re waiting to see what they add next.

  And that’s just part of the story of why you should put Media on your map. I’ve given you a taste. But there’s

much more to discover. We haven’t said a word about Second Saturdays, similar to First Fridays, and another reason to head for Media and browse the shops. There’s also the Fair Trade Concert. I could go on. But the best way to experience Media’s New State of Mind, is to experience Media. -CL-

~Ed Malet, Publisher