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Organizers propose 'Amazing Race to the Brandywine' road rally; supervisors ask for safety, indemnity and parking plans
Summary
Organizers told the board the May 16, 2026 road rally would include about 250 vehicles, interpretive reenactors and campfire demonstrations at Sandy Hollow Heritage Park; the board asked for RPOS recommendation, maps, parking plans, farmer approval and an indemnification agreement and asked organizers to return in February.
BIRMINGHAM — Organizers for a May 16, 2026 "Amazing Race to the Brandywine" road rally presented details to the Birmingham Township Board of Supervisors on Jan. 5 and were asked to return with additional information before the township takes further action.
Sarah Mash, identified in the minutes as the 250th Strategic Events Coordinator with the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates, told the board there would "be about 250 vehicles participating in the event, which would begin at 9 AM at the Battlefield Park Visitors' Center. There would be groups of eight cars, which would leave the Visitor Center every fifteen minutes. Sandy Hollow Heritage Park would be the third stop for the Road Rally. The event would last until 6 PM." The organizers proposed reenactors demonstrating historical laundering at Sandy Hollow, which would involve a campfire to boil and wash clothing and a couple of volunteers for oversight.
The minutes note other stops would include Brinton Run in Chadds Ford; Stroud Preserve at Creek Road and Rt. 162; and the Brandywine Conservancy property at Birmingham Hill, where marching drills with about ten reenactors were planned.
Board members said this was the first time Supervisors had heard about the event and that the Recreation, Parks & Open Space (RPOS) committee had not issued a recommendation. At an August 2025 RPOS meeting, concerns were raised about the form of an indemnification agreement, the need for the fire marshal and a fire truck at Sandy Hollow for any campfires, and the use of a field currently leased and hayed by a farmer.
Supervisors asked organizers to return to the Feb. meeting with the following: an RPOS recommendation; a map showing campfire, reenactor and porta-potty locations; plans for parking and overflow parking; approval from the farmer leasing Sandy Hollow; and execution of an indemnification agreement. The minutes do not record a final decision or vote on permitting the event.
