Welcome to the Neighborhood: Town/Gown Festival in Clark Park
The University of Pennsylvania invites students and staff and our neighbors to its "Welcome to the Neighborhood Festival" scheduled for Saturday, October 2, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., in Clark Park, located at 43rd St. & Chester Ave. (Rain Date: Sunday, October 3) The event is the first of its kind and is designed to introduce Penn students and employees to the vibrant culture, community and talent in University City and West Philadelphia. The festival will draw hundreds of students, Penn personnel and community members to Clark Park for information, entertainment and a chance for all to mix and mingle. In addition, elected state and city officials such as Councilwoman Blackwell, Representative Roebuck and Senator Vincent Hughes are expected to attend the festivities to welcome everyone to the event.
The event is sponsored by university and community groups including the Office of City and Community Relations, Office of the Vice Provost for University Life, the University City Community Council, Undergraduate Assembly/Social Planning Events Committee, University City Landlords and Realtors, Office of Community Housing, Office of Off-Campus Living, and the University City District. Several other participating sponsors are SEPTA, Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Council (IFC/PANHEL), African American Resource Center (AARC), Civic House, Partnership Community Development Corporation, Office of Business Services, University City Review, University City Historical Society, and the Department of Public Safety.
The festival includes a number of exciting activities:
Transportation/Walking Tours: Students may choose to take SEPTA or participate in a walking tour to Clark Park from campus sponsored by the UCD and Kite and Key. The procession will kick off at 10:45 a.m. starting at Sansom Place and then Hamilton Village (the area formerly known as Superblock) led by the Devastating Steppers and the Spiral Q Puppet Theater. In addition, starting at 11:30 and every hour thereafter, the University City Historical Society will lead hour-long walking tours of various historical sites and buildings in the immediate area.
Entertainment: A showcase of local musicians, dance performers and poets is scheduled to begin at 11:30. Free Swing and Salsa lessons will be available. See program (below). Both Y-100 and Power 99 FM radio stations will be on-site during the festival with live call-ins throughout the day, and will provide promotional giveaways.
Food: There will be four area restaurants showcasing international cuisine: Pattaya Grill, Thai; Gojjo Cherry Tree Inn, Ethiopian; Dahlak, Eritrean and Ethiopian ; Amira, Middle Eastern. In addition, Genuine Bread & Specialty Shop, baked goods, and Colonial Pizza will be on-site as well.
Recreational Activities: The University's Department of Recreation in conjunction with the IFC will be sponsoring Greek Olympics, volleyball and a 3 on 3 basketball tournament. Winners will receive prizes donated by local restaurants and retailers.
Carnival Games: Entertainment Ideas will be providing four carnival games: Joust, Sumo Wrestling, Pop Shots and a Velcro Wall.
Community Information Booth: Representatives from West Philadelphia community associations and groups, area realtors, human service organizations, public safety and SEPTA will be distributing information and talking to students about the neighborhood. Featured booths include:
- SEPTA
- West Philadelphia Partnership
- Partnership CDC/Southwest CDC
- University City Historical Society
- Off-Campus Living/ Community Housing
- University of Pennsylvania Museum of Anthropology and Archeology
- University City District
- University of Pennsylvania Division of Public Safety
- Spiral Q Puppet Theatre
- 11 Community Organizations and Associations
- Spruce Hill Community Association
- Squirrel Hill Community Association
- Garden Court Community Association
- West Philadelphia Partnership
Arts and Crafts: Local vendors will be selling art, crafts, and trinkets. Area vendors featured include Fatima's Jewelry, Quakerhead Collectables, Face Painting by Mary Tucker, Admasu Hair Braiding, David Lawrence Art, and Vanesa Sanchez-Benedetto Arts and Crafts. The University of the Sciences of Philadelphia will also have student vendors on site offering various services including paintings, massages, caricature sketch artists, and others.
Almanac, Vol. 46, No. 5, September 28, 1999
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