Campus Philly to welcome students back to city

By Jen McShane
Collegian Reporter
September 27, 2006

Saturday is the end of a long school week. For many students on campus, there is not much to do. So, instead of hanging out in the Union one more Saturday, why not head down to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for a special day designed just for college students?

College Day on the Parkway is organized by Campus Philly and presented by the city of Philadelphia in conjunction with several other area organizations. This event is part of Campus Philly’s way of welcoming students to the “City of Brotherly Love.”

The Campus Philly Web site states, “We’re throwing a huge, free concert and festival to officially welcome and celebrate Philly’s native and adopted scholars!”

College Day on the Parkway kicks off at 10 a.m. For those who like to sleep in, do not worry. It’s a day-long event, ending with a free concert. From 10 a.m to 5 p.m., various Philadelphia venues will allow free admission to college students who bring their school IDs.

Ben Franklin Parkway establishments offering free admission include the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Franklin Institute Science Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the National Constitution Center, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Eastern State Penitentiary is not located directly on the Parkway, but is a few short blocks north of the Art Museum on Fairmount Avenue. The historic site and museum is a former jail, where one can check out the supposedly haunted cells of tortured inmates. Inmates that were once housed there include Al Capone and “Slick” Willie Sutton.

The Franklin Institute Museum of Sciences is showing “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit” for all of those who love the story of the ill-fated ship. There are more great cultural venues offering free admission to their exciting exhibits.

In addition to free admission to the artistic and scientific locations along the Parkway, numerous businesses will be running booths such as a DJ booth, a Skate Jam Booth, an Involvement fair and many other student-focused booths. Lasallian leaders will also have a booth, so be on the lookout for fellow Explorers.

If skateboarding is your thing, then hit the skateboarding competition, which offers exciting prizes. TNT Motocross will be performing “air defying” stunts. Many of the booths will be offering free giveaways to students.

There will be free busing between all locations on the parkway to help cut down on walking, so be sure to take advantage of it. SEPTA transportation will also be offered and is convenient for students.

Later in the day, there will be a free concert on the Parkway, including bands like Something Corporate, Fat Joe, Saves the Day and an array of local bands such as Tangible Truth.

Raffle tickets will be given out at all sites. If a ticket gets stamped by three other institutions then the student will qualify to win prizes like movie passes and free dinners at local restaurants.

College Day on the Parkway is a great way for La Salle students to explore the city and meet other college students from various other universities around Philadelphia. So grab your La Salle ID and hit the streets!

mcshanej2@lasalle.edu