Old City Fest Returns on Sun Oct 9th with 100 Vendors, 30 Restaurants, Fashion Shows, Family Fun, Live Music and More

Old City District presents Old City Fest on Sunday, October 9, 2016, from 11:00am to 6:00pm, along N. 3rd Street (from Market to Race) and Arch Street (from 2nd to 4th). Activities will include a festival stage with live music, two runway fashion shows, a family fun zone, pop-up street performances and a wide array of food, beverages, art, craft and retail shopping, with 100+ Old City vendors participating. Admission is free, with food and drink pay-as-you-go.

For more info, visit oldcitydistrict.org, tweet @OldCityDistrict or call (215) 592-7929. Old City Fest is produced by Old City District with support from major sponsors Bridge, Colonial Penn, Comcast, Mighty Engine, MRP Realty, Where Magazine, Xfinity, Yelp, plus other sponsors and contributors.

"Old City Fest highlights our region's premier arts and design district, showcasing local designers, creative firms, restaurants, retailers, galleries, theater, culture, history and architecture," said Old City District's Executive Director, Job Itzkowitz. "Old City Fest was designed to be different. The city has tons of amazing neighborhood-based festivals with food, drink and music. We wanted to take that one step farther and celebrate all that makes America's most historic square mile unique. We curated the event to give Old City's merchants, artists, makers and creative community a platform to shine for the region."

From its historic past to its artful present to its tech future, Old City is the place to be! Look for vibrant and diverse offerings that make the neighborhood the historic gem of Philadelphia. Old City staples lining the streets will include Buddakan, Continental, Cuba Libre, Franklin Fountain, Old City Coffee, Sassafras, Center for Art in Wood, Clay Studio, Smak Parlour, and Third Street Habit. Start-ups and newer businesses including Conversion, The Little Lion, People Prints and Select Shop 215 are just some of the more than 100 vendors. Mark your calendar, tell your friends and come prepared for a festival unlike any other. For a full list of activities, vendors, schedules and other information, see below or visit oldcitydistrict.org.

OLD CITY FEST ACTIVITIES AND VENDORS

FOOD AND DRINK

The lineup of Old City restaurants showcases the wide variety of styles and flavors while highlighting some of the best food and drinks. With more than two dozen food vendors setting up shop for the festival there is something for everyone. (*New to Old City Fest for 2016.)

2nd Story Brewing Co.
Amada*
Buddakan
Chocolate Bar Suppliers*
Continental
Cuba Libre
Festival Food Management
Franklin Fountain
High Street on Market (community sponsor)
ICI Macarons & Café
Inspired Brews
Keating's Rope & Anchor Bar + Kitchen*
Khyber Pass Pub
La Famiglia*
The Little Lion*
Lucha Cartel
Mama's Meatballs LLC
The Olde Bar*
Old City Coffee (community sponsor)
Panorama
Philly Pop Kettle Korn*
Positano Coast
Rocket Fizz
Roe
Sassafras (community sponsor)
Shane Confectionery
Stripp'd Juice*
Tartes
United By Blue
Wister BYOB*

INDEPENDENTS ROW

Philadelphia Independents is sponsoring Independents Row, a special designated area featuring selected artists and makers. Meet the makers and peruse their handmade goods along 3rd Street in front of 35 N. 3rd Street. Independents Row will include:

As the Crow Flies
Betsy Ann Paper
Britta Keenan
The Golden Hen
Mason Made
The Nautical Rose
Philadelphia Independents
Pink Hammers (Family Fun Zone)
Saffron Creations
Sarah Draws Things
Stanley, Chester & Albert
Stitch Prism
Sweet Mama Lew (Family Fun Zone)
Threet Ceramics
Tim Eads
The Tin Goat

OLD CITY FASHION SHOW

Old City Fest will host two fashion shows (2:00pm and 3:30pm) beneath the fall foliage of 3rd and Cherry Streets in front of MADE Institute's Design Studio to highlight the innovation and sophistication that is Old City Fashion. Reannin Celins, from Smak Parlou and Instagram Style Blogger, will serve as emcee. Our first show will feature one of a kind, handmade work from MADE Institute's current students and members of their Designer Development Program, including Tienel and Harx Four. Wilhelmina models will take the stage once again in the afternoon to share new fall styles from local boutiques and design collectives that celebrate Independent Designers and Diversity through fashion. These boutiques include Smak Parlour, Fason De Viv and shared space boutique, 323 Arch Street Fashion Collective, who will be represented by the brands LELE and National Picnic. The show will be set to music mixed by Cosmo Baker of Philadelphia's Scratch Academy. Hair and makeup will be provided by Old City's own Lakshmi Hair Studio. Whether your taste is contemporary, edgy, glam, or bohemian, these shows will not disappoint!

MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE

Old City Fest will feature live performances from Worldtown Soundsystem, DJ D-ILL, Ernest Stuart and Hannah Taylor and the Rekardo Lee Trio on the main stage located at 4th and Arch Streets throughout the day. Plus, look out for Almanac Dance Circus Theatre and other pop-up performances throughout the festival footprint!

Hannah Taylor and the Rekardo Lee Trio - 12:30pm (stage)
Ernest Stuart - 2:00pm (stage)
DJ D-ILL - 3:30pm (stage)
Worldtown Sound System - 5:00pm (stage)

About DJ D-ILL - We Workin Entertainment

Dylan Curtis, a.k.a., DJ D-ILL was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the age of nine, D-ILL began to take an interest in DJ'ing. He credits his interest and skill base to his two greatest influences; his father "DJ Nochaser" and his Brother "DJ Swelly". D-ILL expressed that watching the spinning records from a far looked fun and exciting thus learning the trade was a must. He is also influenced and inspired by DJ's MellStarr, JaySki, RL, Chris Karns and Jazzy Jeff. Although DJ'ing has its rewards, D-ILL expressed that the software, styles of scratching and working the turntables can be challenging. What started out as something fun to do is now a passion and career aspiration for DJ D-ILL and he desires to one day become a tour or radio DJ. He is the youngest member of the International DJ café, a student of the Scratch DJ Academy and is sponsored by Philly Native Clothing Company.

With a burgeoning resume, D-ILL definitely has his goals in sight. His previous DJ engagements include; White House's fifth annual Kids' "State Dinner", Host/DJ for Kid Zone at WAWA Welcome America Philadelphia on July 3rd & 4th, opening DJ for Andy Mineo Youth Concert, being host DJ for the 2016 DJ Independence Day and the 2016 Jubilee concert series, featured DJ for BoomBox Life on WildFire Internet Radio and Al Black's Show on Blazin267 Internet radio, and performing at the Philly Hip Hop Indie Awards. Currently, D-ILL is DJ/Host for the KD Bring the Beat Back show on Evolve radio and the tour DJ for Remnant Hip Hop Gospel. Although young, D-ILL is stretching his skills beyond the turntables, having already produced a remix for rap artist Mike Thou's "We Don't Play" and currently producing three songs for rap artist Malc Farrar, while studying music production through the Philadelphia Scratch Academy, where he is also a spokesperson.

With such an active itinerary, it is hard to believe that D-ILL participates in chess tournaments and is a dominating force on the soccer field. Look for D-ILL's guest DJ spot on Boom 107.9fm.

FAMILY FUN ZONE

The family fun zone will feature performances from the Give & Take Jugglers, Philadelphia Dance Academy, Music Monkey Jungle and many more. AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate, the historic division of Mars Chocolate, will present the history and preparation of colonial chocolate at the Betsy Ross House. Stop by to experience chocolate the same way that 18th century chocolate maker, Mary Crathorne, did! Check in as special guests will visiting throughout the day. You might recognize some of America's most famous neighbors!

12:00pm - Gymnastics presentation by students from Relentless Fitness
1:00pm - Arden Drama School
2:00pm - Pirates of Fortune's Folly Stunt Show SpectaculARRRR!
3:00pm - Philadelphia Dance Academy
4:00pm - Music Monkey Jungle
5:00pm - Give & Take Jugglers

* The Philadelphia Dance Academy will perform some excerpts from their Philadelphia Youth Ballet repertoire. Philadelphia Youth Ballet is the youth performance ensemble of the Philadelphia Dance Academy and is comprised of their most dedicated young dancers.

* Music Monkey Jungle's dance party is an awesome celebration of movement, dance and active imagination. Children and adults will bounce, bop, swing, clap, pat, stomp and jump through the presentation of live music and dances.

* The Give and Take Jugglers have been a consistent hit with both children and adults for over 40 years. Their highly interactive, comedic show uses traditions from vaudeville, circus arts, theater, and music to create a lively and wholesome performance that feels fresh and contemporary.

* The Clay Studio will be hosting clay throw battles! This innovative and dynamic event has two artists go head-to-head in a series of "battles" on the potter's wheel. The battles include tallest vessel, blind-folded throw, mug race, tandem throw and more.

* In the Betsy Ross House Courtyard, look for colonial chocolate making demonstrations (and tastings!) from 11:00am to 6:00pm, sponsored by AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate (the historic division of Mars Chocolate). Chocolate figured prominently in Early American history. With a rebellion against tea and everything British, our forefathers (and mothers) proudly chose hot chocolate and coffee drinks as symbols of freedom.

* Meet female entrepreneurs - chocolate-maker Mary Crathorne, upholsterer and flagmaker, Betsy Ross, and shopkeeper Hannah Lithgow - and learn how women and their beverage choices played a role during the American Revolution. New this year, guests can also meet Phillis, an educated freed slave who went on to make a living as a washerwoman. Phillis can be found in the Betsy Ross House's new interactive exhibit, Women at Work in Revolutionary America.

* Sample the tasty drink Colonists enjoyed and take home some AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate, available exclusively at historic sites. The Betsy Ross House is also open for family friendly tours for just $5/adult and $4/children, students, seniors and military.

* Historic Philadelphia, Inc. will also provide colonial games and a Once Upon A Nation storytelling bench in the Family Fun Zone. Visitors will learn about our nation's history through the award winning, energetic, and interactive Once Upon A Nation storytelling program. They'll hear fascinating tales of our nation's history that did not make it into the history books.

* The Momo's Tree House booth will have a temporary tattoo parlor, a craft station and free temporary hair highlights.

*Look for a Stilt Walker from the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts at Old City Fest!

*Pirates of Fortune's Folly are new to Old City Fest this year. Their Stunt Show SpectaculARRRR! will entertain with plenty of action, music and laughs! "Volunteers" are press-ganged onto the crew to help make things fun and exciting for all!

*Pink Hammers and Sweet Mama Lew will sell handmade goods in the Family Fun Zone

*The Phillie Phanatic will also make a special appearance during the 2:00pm hour!

MUSEUMS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

* Visit the Betsy Ross House, the Center for Art in Wood and the Clay Studio booth for free demonstrations.

* Historic Philadelphia, Inc. will have a booth to promote Franklin Square, Once Upon A Nation, and the Betsy Ross House. A History Maker (first person interpreter) will be in the booth to do calligraphy demonstrations.

Other participants (complete list as of Sept. 1) -
American Philosophical Society
Betsy Ross House + Historic Philadelphia, Inc. (sponsor)
Christ Church
Connect Church
CraftNOW Philadelphia
MANNA
National Museum of American Jewish History
Philadelphia History Museum

GALLERIES AND ARTISTS

Old City District is the city's hub for artists, makers, galleries and creative industries.

Galleries (complete list as of Sept. 1)--
Arch Enemy Arts
Bluestone Fine Art Gallery
Center for Art in Wood
Clay Studio
Edge City Art
Grossman Furniture
Millésimé & Ligne Roset
Old City Jewish Art Center

Artists, Makers, Creative Industries -
20nine Design Studios LLC
5one7Designs
Adorned by Aisha
Beaucycled
Behold Bungee Hammocks
Conversion
Hemlock + Key
Mescdesigns
Passionately Natural Soap Co.
People Prints
Philly Word Art
Wireworx

SHOPPING

Around every corner of Old City find the city's latest fashions, gifts and home decor. Don't leave empty handed with top brands, up-and-coming designers and more. (complete list as of Sept. 1st)

323 Arch Street Fashion Collective
Blokes Barbershop
Bucks County Flowers + Things
Buddha Babe
Fason De Viv
Lakshmi Hair Studio
Lost + Found
MADE Institute
Momo's Tree House
More Than Old
Never Too Spoiled
Petit Jardin en Ville
Select Shop 215
Philadelphia Independents
Pinot Boutique
Shibe Vintage Sports
Smak Parlour
Third Street Habit
Tundella & Co Salon

OTHER VENDORS

Look for other businesses and supporters of Old City District, including:

Alterra Property Group (community sponsor)
Allied Integrated Marketing
Bridge (sponsor)
Bulthaup Studio
Center City Veterinary Hospital
Coldwell Banker Preferred
Comcast (sponsor)
Core Realty
Fearless Athletics/ Crossfit Penn's Landing
First Service Residential (community sponsor)
Greene Bark Press Inc
Green Mountain Energy
GY Properties
Level 1
Long & Foster Real Estate (community sponsor)
MRP Realty (sponsor)
Old City Photo Booth (sponsor)
Penn's View Hotel (community sponsor)
Philly Tour Hub
Ride The Ducks
The Ruff Life
Settle Down Philadelphia
Sugarcube
Sweat Fitness
Tataway

For more info about Old City District and Old City Fest, visit oldcitydistrict.org, tweet @OldCityDistrict or call (215) 592-7929.

ABOUT OLD CITY DISTRICT
The Old City District is a special services district, managed by a board of directors drawn from area commercial property owners, business people and civic organizations. Located in the most historic square mile of the United States, Old City is a unique blend of historic influence and modern lifestyles. Old City has reinvented itself from foundries, factories and warehouse spaces into the residential, retail, dining and cultural destination of the city with art galleries, restaurants, and upscale retail boutiques and historic tours. www.oldcitydistrict.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.