PHOTOS: Scenes From the Third Annual Philly Free Streets
Including a history scavenger hunt, jazz festival, and pop-up beach.
Participants walking down North Broad Street during the 2018 Philly Free Streets | Photograph by Gina Tomaine
The city gave pedestrians free reign of North Broad Street on Saturday and, by all measures, they made the most of it.
Cars were barred from an eight-mile stretch of Broad Street, from City Hall to Erie Avenue, for the city’s third Philly Free Streets event. Residents ran, biked, and walked the wide-open stretch of North Broad — while others set up barbecues, danced, and played music.
And then there was this young family, utilizing three forms of transportation:
Thanks to everyone who joined us today at @PhillyFreeSts, connecting Center City to the heart of North Philadelphia. More photos to follow but, for now, we will leave you with this father and two sons. Thanks for sharing, @publicworkshop! #PhillyFreeStreets #ThinkBroad pic.twitter.com/K8Yx1sdPPl
— oTIS Philadelphia (@PhillyOTIS) August 11, 2018
Or this guy — who we strongly relate to — figured why not just throw down a chair and let it all pass you by:
“I’m not in anyone’s way and I got a cool breeze and a diet ginger ale,” Tyrone “Dr. Thunder” said on N. Broad. #phillyfreestreets pic.twitter.com/GYLfL59bPi
— Jason Nark (@JasonNark) August 11, 2018
It was a behemoth block party with an open invitation. Or, for some, it became a chance to slow down and take in the murals and architecture of a street they usually zip down.
Mural Arts Philadelphia got in on the fun, too.
We’re also painting a mural on the historic Uptown Theater during @PhillyFreeSts! #PhillyFreeStreets #MuralArts pic.twitter.com/N4iDq5xoJv
— Mural Arts (@muralarts) August 11, 2018
Another community art pop-up along #PhillyFreeStreets at the site of a future traffic calming median. #ThinkBroad pic.twitter.com/LPw0YQTIkR
— Patrick Morgan (@PMorganPHL) August 11, 2018
The city had a full itinerary of activities to keep families occupied. At the Cecil B. Moore intersection, there was a jazz festival. Near J.F.K, there was an African-American history scavenger hunt. And at the Master Street intersection near Temple, a pop-up beach with 50 tons of sand — complete with hammocks, beach chairs, and games — was available. (If you missed the beach, no worries: It will be back this coming weekend.)
The pop-up beach at the intersection of North Broad and Master streets | Photograph by Gina Tomaine
Mayor Kenney joined the festivities, too, making the walk from J.F.K. to Erie, and then replacing his burned calories with a cheesesteak from Max’s (American wit with a little hot sauce, if you were curious.)
Perfect end to #PhillyFreeStreets: a visit to Max’s for a cheesesteak! American wit – plus a little bit of hot sauce. So glad so many Philadelphians visitors are checking out all the businesses on North Broad and Germantown Avenue this year! pic.twitter.com/BoO12tELwL
— Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) August 11, 2018
If you’re feeling a little FOMO this dreary Monday morning, you have next year’s Philly Free Streets to look forward to. We can only imagine they’ll want to keep this young tradition alive.
Join us today until 1 pm at 440 N Broad St for #PhillyFreeStreets! You can even hear these awesome student musicians. #RingtheBellPHL #PHLed pic.twitter.com/Y0q7DGgHKo
— Philadelphia Schools (@PHLschools) August 11, 2018
North Broad #PhillyFreeStreets! pic.twitter.com/ExEnFPhOsG
— Jon Geeting (@jongeeting) August 11, 2018
About to start #PhillyFreeStreets with mum ❤ pic.twitter.com/vp9TNYJ699
— Holli Stephens (@wordsbyholli) August 11, 2018
Fun times out here @PhillyFreeSts with pop up choreographed dances on Broad St! #PhillyFreeStreets pic.twitter.com/WQ9qw6U2GO
— Jane Slusser (@janeslusser) August 11, 2018
