The 61st Annual Spruce Hill May Fair will be held at Clark Park on Saturday, May 11th from noon to 6 p.m. (rain date is Sunday, May 12). The event is the primary fundraiser for the Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA). Proceeds go to support local schools and other organizations and sponsor popular neighborhood activities.

This year’s May Fair will feature the following events and activities:

• Over 50 local vendors offering a wide range of arts and crafts and other unique products, including many gift ideas for Mother’s Day. Others will have information about local groups and causes seeking public support.
• Exciting musical line-up with Dan Blacksburg and the Haimishers and special guests Compas 48.
• The University City Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale.
• Food for every taste will be provided by some wonderful food vendors.
• For the kids, there will be a petting zoo, a bounce house and 40-foot-long inflatable obstacle course, and professional face-painting.
• $1 raffle will feature great prizes donated by local merchants.

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Carol Jenkins (left) gardening at Clark Park with Lisa McDonald Hanes and Susie Pierce, gardener volunteers. (Photos courtesy of Friends of Clark Park)

Editor’s Note: This post has been submitted by Anna Selfridge, Vice President of Friends of Clark Park.

If you’ve strolled through Clark Park this past summer, you might have noticed the rejuvenation of the gardens along the park’s sidewalks and borders. This welcome change was the result of the new Gardening Program at Friends of Clark Park. The program is headed by Carol Jenkins, who has lived on the border of the park for 30 years.

“Since I spend so much time in Clark Park, I felt I needed to do something when I saw wild trees growing up through flowering shrubs, and weeds taking over flower gardens,” she said.

Carol joined the Friends following her retirement from teaching at Temple University specifically to put her green thumb to work.  Continue Reading

Shakespeare in Clark Park’s new production, Twelfth Night, opened last night in the park’s “Bowl” near 45th and Chester. Although, the official opening night was on Wednesday, it was moved indoors due to rain. So, SCP’s actors and musicians participating in this glam rock-inspired production, presented the first outdoor show to a big crowd on Thursday (see more photos below).

Catch the remaining shows at Clark Park (or Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., in case of inclement weather) through Sunday, July 29, beginning at 7 p.m. All shows are free and family-friendly.  Continue Reading

A petting zoo will be back in Clark Park this Saturday (Photo West Philly Local)

The annual Spruce Hill May Fair, a neighborhood tradition for 60 years, will take place at Clark Park (43rd and Chester) this Saturday, May 12, from noon to 6 p.m. This year, the event will include:

– A musical line-up with well-known composer Dan Blacksberg and the Haimishers and special guests HardWork Movement.
– Over 50 local artisans who will offer a wide range of arts and crafts and other unique products
– Tables with information about local groups and causes
– University City Garden Club annual plant sale
– Food for every taste from food trucks and vendors working in University City Continue Reading

Science in the Park was held April 21 at Clark Park (Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Science Festival).

The Philadelphia Science Festival kicked off Friday, April 20 with tons of fun and educational events being held around the city. The goal of this annual event is to “educate, inspire, and engage the region with the science and technology that surrounds our everyday world.”

In West Philadelphia, West Philly Star Party and Science in the Park were held last weekend. This Friday (April 27), West Philly STEM-A-THON will take place at White Rock Baptist Church. More details are below.  Continue Reading

Shakespeare in Clark Park has announced its 2018 production, and it will be filled with music! For five nights in July, the popular local outdoor theatre production company will present a Glam Rock inspired Twelfth Night featuring Philly’s finest actors alongside student musicians. The production is directed by Jack Tamburri and is set to run July 25-29.

The glam rock exploration of Shakespeare’s classic romance will feature music and performances by local cabaret favorite, Jess Conda. In addition, the company, which has been incorporating the community into its productions for the past four years, is inviting young musicians from all over the city to form an epic rock band in their very musical Illyria.  Continue Reading