The annual Spruce Hill May Fair, organized by Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA), returns this Saturday (May 11) to Clark Park from 12-6 p.m. The popular community event features children’s games, including the popular petting zoo, scores of vendors and community service information tables, food trucks, and more.

There will also be a full day of music and entertainment from some local musicians, including:

• Paulette Branson & Mixed People
• Willy Wonka presented by Penn Alexander Musical Cast
• Kelvin Cochrane and the South Philly All Stars
• Steady State

Also, the University City Garden Club will hold an outdoor plant sale at the Fair. It will offer a variety of veggies, herbs, and annual and perennial flowers and flower baskets.

Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, SHCA have some amazing raffle items to give away this year. Stop by the Spruce Hill booth this Saturday to purchase your tickets. Tickets are $5 for a book of six tickets, or $1 per ticket.

All are welcome to one of West Philadelphia’s oldest community traditions – the Spruce Hill May Fair in Clark Park. It will take place on Saturday, May 11, 12-6 p.m. at 43rd and Chester.

As always, this free, family-friendly frolic features live entertainment, food trucks, children’s games (including the wildly popular petting zoo) and scores of vendors and community service information tables.

The event is organized by the Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA), which is inviting community groups and vendors to take part in the fair. Space is limited and priority will be given to local community organizations and artisans. SHCA will provide a 6-foot table, table covering and chair in a 10-foot space. Vendor fees are set affordably low: $40 or less for the day. No second-hand goods, commercial products or food table sales, please. If you have a truck/cart, please contact Evan Johnstone (evanjay@gmail.com). Prospective vendors should request a table online by Sunday, May 7. Follow this link.

The organizers will work around any threatening showers if at all possible and hold the event as planned. However, in the event of significant rain, SHCA may have to cancel the event on that morning. If you have questions, please email Monica Calkins, Spruce Hill Community Association, mcalkins@upenn.edu.

– Tony West

ARE YOU READY FOR SPRING?

Check out these plants and garden club events at our online store!

Store is open for plant shopping April 1 to April 15th (11:59pm) plant pickup is May 4th.  Events are updated periodically.

LINK for more Garden Club information and to order Plants for Pickup on Saturday MAY 4TH: https://ucgcshop.square.site/

Please help us spread the word – join us gardening, buy great plants, and enjoy convenient pickup location in the neighborhood.

We will also be selling plants and talking gardening at the Spruce Hill Community Association’s May Fair in Clark Park on Saturday May 11th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Have you seen our garden on the south-east corner of 43rd and Locust?

For more information or to volunteer contact Lauren Leatherbarrow  – openn@earthlink.net

A petting zoo will return to Clark Park on May 13 as part of the Spruce Hill May Fair (archive photo).

The Spruce Hill Community Association’s annual May Fair is set to return to Clark Park at 43rd and Chester after a three-year break on Saturday, May 13 from noon to 6 p.m. The 65th annual edition of the fair features family-friendly activities, arts and crafts vendors, live music, food purveyors and a raffle. The event is free and open to the public.

The 2023 May Fair will again be focused on family fun, with live music, outdoor games, an inflatable slide, face painting and a petting zoo. As always, food vendors will be on hand to serve up delicious treats.

The event will also feature vendors offering an array of arts, crafts and other items for sale. The University City Garden Club will be present with a large selection of herbs, perennials, vegetables, and other plants for sale. A raffle will offer attendees the opportunity to win a variety of exciting prizes from some of West Philadelphia’s favorite businesses. And live music will be playing on the stage throughout the day! Continue Reading

UPDATE (5/6/2022): The annual Spruce Hill May Fair has been cancelled due to rain in the forecast for Saturday. The organizers decided to forego the rain date earlier this week. The raffle will continue, with the ticket purchase deadline of Sunday, May 22. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.sprucehillca.org/2022-may-fair-raffle/.

In recognition of the great hardship suffered by many neighborhood establishments, Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA), the May Fair longtime organizer, will purchase gift certificates from local businesses to bundle together in several themed baskets as raffle prizes. You can buy one book of six tickets for $5.

Please note that the May Fair is SHCA’s only major fundraising event, so purchasing raffle tickets is a good way to support them. Other ways to support this neighborhood organization is through membership or donations. Visit their website for more information.

Since the May Fair is cancelled, the University City Garden Club will hold a pop-up plant sale Sunday, May 8, 12-6 p.m. at the corner of Woodland Terrace and Woodland Ave.

The annual Spruce Hill May Fair is set to to return to Clark Park after a two-year hiatus. The popular outdoor event will be held Saturday, May 7, from 12 – 6 p.m. at the park located at 43rd and Chester.

The longtime organizers, Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA), are currently seeking vendors – local artisans, community groups and organizations who are interested in doing outreach and promotion at this event are invited to submit an application.

Space is limited and priority will be given to local community organizations and artisans. Vendor fees are affordable ($40 or less for the day), reflecting SHCA’s mission to connect the neighborhood with local groups and artisans. Continue Reading