Top 10 reasons to spend summer in Philly

By Lisa Angelucci
Collegian Editor
April 26, 2006

It’s not easy for those who live far away to hang out in the city all summer, but for everyone from the Greater Philadelphia region, there’s no reason not to spend some of your time in Philly, instead of frying your skin at the Jersey Shore. The summer is a great time for road trips, so even if you’re not from the area, here are a few reasons to head this direction in the hotter months.

1. Dad Vail Regatta — Over 100 different American and Canadian college crew teams will hit the Schuykill on May 12 and 13 for the largest collegiate regatta in the United States. Admission is free and food courts are available, but there’s not much else going on. If hours of rowing are not enough to keep your attention, come prepared to create your own entertainment.

2. Sunoco Welcome America — OK, so the Fourth of July stuff is pretty obvious, but as the nation’s first capital, Philadelphia celebrates the holiday with style. From movies on Rittenhouse Square to concerts in Love Park, there are plenty of opportunities to have a great time. The week of festivities leads to the Parkway Festival on July 4, which includes a concert and parade, and culminates with the mandatory fireworks display.

3. Andrew Wyeth: Memory and Magic — The Philadelphia Museum of Art will display over 100 different works of art by world renowned artist Andrew Wyeth. Visitors can see Wyeth’s watercolors and tempera paintings through July 16. Many of his works were inspired by the scenic Brandywine Valley where Wyeth spent most of his childhood.

4. Adventure Aquarium Summer Splash-Off — Memorial Day weekend is a popular time to host large events, so it might be hard to decide where to spend your time. The Adventure Aquarium in Camden is one possibility, as it hosts a weekend-long block party on the streets of Camden. And, no, that is not as dangerous as it sounds.

5. Blobfest — The Colonial Theatre’s celebration on July 14-15 of the 1958 horror classic, The Blob, is just as corny as it sounds. The free party in Phoenixville kicks off with a reenactment of the movie’s running out of the theater scene and continues with scream contests, costume contests and (of course) several showings of The Blob. It’s kitschy fun for the whole family.

6. Cirque du Soleil: Quidam — From July 6 to August 6, the Grand Chapiteau plays host to Cirque du Soleil’s production of Quidam. The show features street performances meshed with theater to celebrate the “quidam,” defined as the nameless passerby that exists in all of us.

7. Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure — This year marks the 16th Annual Race for the Cure, a Mother’s Day tradition for many Philadelphia-area families. The 5K Run/Walk begins at 6 a.m. on May 14 at the Eakins Oval in front of the Art Museum. The race is paired with Breast Health Awareness Night at the Philadelphia Phillies game on May 7.

8. Sorrento Cheese Ninth Street Italian Market Festival — The Italian Market is cool on a regular day, but on May 20-21 the open-air market will feature live performances, Italian lessons, street performers and cooking demonstrations. Ninth Street will be closed from Fitzwater to Federal to allow festival attendees to enjoy their mango roses in peace.

9. Jam on the River — This two-day concert over Memorial Day Weekend headlines bands like New Deal and Railroad Earth. It’s an all-day music festival at the Penn’s Landing Great Plaza hosted by the Electric Factory. The only catch is that the $30-$40 tickets are only valid for one day of performances – if you want to see both you’ll have to pay double.

10. Tall Ship Sails — Philadelphia City Sail offers tickets to a two-hour public sail every Friday evening through October. Scenic rides aboard the 75-foot Northwind leave from Penn’s Landing at 7 p.m. but the sails are popular, and reservations are required.

angeluccil1@lasalle.edu