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!

The May Fair event is the association’s major annual fundraiser. Contributions from members and business sponsors supply the funds for SHCA’s activities throughout the year. In addition to being a regular sponsor of park, school, and cultural events such as Shakespeare in Clark Park, school plays, Clark Park soccer, the Halloween Tot Parade, and community fundraisers, SHCA helps to fund neighborhood institutions and infrastructure at neighborhood schools, including Penn Alexander, Lea, and Paul Robeson.

In addition, the SHCA is embarking on an effort to preserve the unique character of this neighborhood by pursuing a Historic District nomination in conjunction with the University City Historic District. This effort will help manage some of the unchecked demolition of properties in Spruce Hill. Additional details will be available at the SHCA booth at May Fair.

Local arts and crafts vendors and community groups and organizations seeking to do outreach and promotion are invited to be part of the SHCA May Fair. Prospective vendors are invited to request a table online by Sunday, May 7. Go here for more details and to submit an application.

For more information on the event or to order raffle tickets, please visit the Spruce Hill Community Association website at www.sprucehillca.org.