Ahead of the anticipated Eagles’ NFC wild card playoff game on January 11, the team hosted a “Road to Victory” bus tour, with stops in Philadelphia, Marlton, Cherry Hill and Haddonfield.
Eagles fell short 23-19 to the San Francisco 49ers during the game at Lincoln Financial Field ending the season for Philly fans to see a Super Bowl repeat.
The stop in Haddonfield took place in front of Borough Hall and gave fans the opportunity to take pictures with Swoop, the teams mascot, and Eagles players in and around the tour bus, along with chances to win tickets to the playoffs.
This isn’t the first time Haddonfield has done an event like this. The borough did an event with the Phillies in 2023 on Columbus Day. Michael Marciante, the executive director of Partnership for Haddonfield, likened the 2023 event to the Eagles bus tour.
“Everybody loves baseball and goes every time,” Marciante observed. “But it feels like a little more intimate when it’s winter, everybody’s out here braving the elements.”
Maybe the game of football has “a little bit more wider appeal,” he believes.
Marciante said he estimated there were over a 1,000 people at the event, which can help bring in foot traffic – or at least exposure – to the nearby businesses.
“… It’s definitely gonna bring people to town,” he acknowledged, “even if people aren’t buying something today, it’s good exposure to the historic district…And it’s a nice community, big supporters.
“I argue that South Jersey has more Eagles fans than certain parts of Pennsylvania. It’s an easy spot for them on their route and we’re lucky to have them stop by.”
Chris Esposito came to see the tour that was within walking distance of where he lives.
“I think it’s a great thing the Eagles do,” he said, “going town to town.”
It gets “everybody excited for the weekend, the playoffs.”
The “Road to Victory” bus stopped at Comcast Center Plaza and City Hall in Philadelphia before making its way to South Jersey in Haddonfield and then to its last tour stop at Chickie’s & Pete’s in Marlton.
