Philadelphia International Cycling ClassicPhoto via: Visit Philly

Odunde FestivalPhoto via: G. Widman

A summer to remember… that’s what our #OSESummer16hashtag is all about. Already, 2016 has been an amazingyear of eventful happenings and we’re just getting started.While it’s hard to believe that June is here, the warmerweather rolling in definitely brought that summer wake-upcall we’ve been waiting for.

The first weekend of June is one of our busiest, with nearly30 festivals, athletic events, and parades scheduled to takeplace. Among those scheduled is the annual PhiladelphiaInternational Cycling Classic. The single day race takesparticipants and spectators throughout some of Philly’sfavorite neighborhoods including Fairmount, Manayunk,and Roxborough. This is the perfect way to kick off themonth of June!

Other big events happening this month include the OdundeFestival, Philly Pride Day, the Schuylkill Navy Regatta andthe 27th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival, to name a few.

Be on the lookout for Philly’s new summer tradition, thepop-up garden. Take advantage of beautiful gardenspace, including beer gardens and Wednesday’s newhappy hour tradition, Center City Sips, popping upthroughout the city these next few months! If you aren’ta fan of libations then outdoor movies and nights underthe stars will be opening soon!

Summer in Philly has something for everyone to enjoy,and we can’t wait to share it with you. Keep us up to datewith which events you love going to. We are sure ourSnapchat (@OSE_Snaps) will be filled with great storiesand photos galore. Don’t forget to tag us in all of yourevent photos using #OSESummer16 and we’ll featureyou on our page! We look forwardto seeing your photos! Stay safeand see you out there, Philly!

Making an Eventful ConnectionBy: Mechelle Sabb

It was my pleasure to be invited as a panelist to the Young InvolvedPhiladelphia Neighborhood 101 Events to discuss the impact of these eventsthat are held here in the City of Philadelphia. Let’s just say I was honored to siton the panel alongside Joanna Winchester, who is the Economic DevelopmentDirector of New Kensington CDC, and Abby Rambo, who is the ExecutiveDirector of the South of South Neighborhood Association. I have workedclosely with both of these individuals on many of their community events and,in particular, the (SOSNA’s) Plazapolooza and (NKCDC) the PFCU KensingtonKinetic Sculpture Derby and Arts Festival. They both continue to make aprofound impact within their organizations and communities. I thoroughlyenjoyed working with them on the planning and execution of those eventsensuring that their events are safe, enjoyable and their City services needs aremet. I encourage you to check out the many opportunities that NKCDC andSOSNA offers through their wide range of services at www.nkcdc.org andwww.southofsouth.org

The YIP’s event was held at the National Mechanics in the Old CityDistrict section of Philadelphia. It was very well attended, with a diverse groupof young individuals looking to get more involved in their community and tolearn more about what we do individually. YIP’s mission is to promote activecitizenship through emerging leadership among young Philadelphians, bystriving to Engage, Connect and Represent this younger and upcominggeneration through networking and connecting with individuals such as myselfand the other panelists on the proper ways to plan events, get involved andhow to connect with us directly. All three panelists had 5-10 minutes to discusstheir roles and responsibilities. Thereafter, we had a Q&A session for 45minutes. It was similar to an open mic night; everyone in the building hadquestions – which we happily answered. The questions ranged from 311 callsand how the 311 tracking system works, to how to deal with nuisance neighborsand reporting illegal dumping. All valid questions and concerns these youngfolks had and wanted to learn more about. Some of them even offered ideasand suggestions on how we could do things better – which I found veryrefreshing. The night was great and the audience was engaging and energetic.This was an awesome networking event with some really cool, creative andinnovative youth who are committed to making a positive difference in theircommunities. I want to personally thank YIP’s, specifically Michelle Freeman,for seeking me out for this great opportunity to talk about events – the eventsthat the Managing Directors Office – Office of Special Events does so well, andI look forward to the next invite. If you would like more details on how to getinvolved with YIP, please visit their website at www.yiphilly.org. They’remaking moves in the right direction and we’re happy to assist them in any waypossible along the way.

To the left are just a few of the biggest events that

we had in May. First pictured is one of the many

vendors from the 9th Street Italian Market Festival.

This year, the Italian Festival brought back the

“Grease Pole” after a 20 year hiatus! Below that is

just one of the many live acts that entertained the

crowd at the first Night Market Philly of the season.

Last, is a photo from Xfinity Racing and Pocono

Raceway’s Road to Pocono event. For one day,

Pocono Raceaways took over the streets of Center

City and it was awesome!

May oh May, what can we say? A few of the ‘April

Showers’ may have slipped through the cracks, but

it turned out to be quite a lovely month. The annual

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure took place on

Mother’s Day, inviting moms and their families

from all over the region to join together for an

amazing cause. Both the South Street and

Rittenhouse Row Spring Festivals enriched festival

goers with wholesome fun and live entertainment.

Lastly, CraftPhila Art Show in

Historic Philly, showcased

the wondrous artistic

abilities of our friends and

neighbors.

As Seen in the Streets

The Long & Short of May

Photo by: N. Faragalli

Photo by: N. Faragalli

Photo by: O. Gillison

June 1�� – 7��Philly Powered & Healthy Rebuild – Mander Playground (6/1)Mayfair Community Farmers Market – 3500 Ryan Ave. (6/2)Rittenhouse Fine Art Show – Rittenhouse Square (6/3-6/5)"1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut" Half Marathon – Pennypack Park (6/4)The Wissahickon Trail Classic – Forbidden Drive (6/4)3rd Police District Community Day – 1100 Wharton St. (6/4)24th Police District and K&A Business Association MarketFest – 3100 Kensington Ave (6/4)Elfreth's Alley Fete Day – 100 Elfreth's Alley (6/4)Cobbs Creek Community Festival – 200 S. 63rd St. (6/4)Philadelphia Amateur Time Trial – MLK Drive (6/4)Indego's Party in the Park – Mander Rec. Center (6/4)9th Annual Festival & ParkWest Town Center – ParkWestTown Center (6/4)Philadelphia International Cycling Classic – Lyceum Ave. andPechin St. (6/5) (See our website for more info!)See Chicks Run 5K/10K – Forbidden Drive (6/5)La Festa della Republica – 1800-1900 E. Passyunk Ave.; 1800S. 13th St. (6/5)Seventh Street Civic Association Block Party – 600 Snyder St.(6/5)

June 8�� – 14��Copa America Centenario – Lincoln Financial Field (6/11-6/12)Girls on the Run – Memorial Hall (6/11)12th Annual APM Sugar Cane Festival – 1900 N 5th St. (6/11)Philly Pride Day Kickoff Block Party – 1200 Locust St. (6/11)Frankford Hall 5th Annual Neighborhood Festivale – 1200-1300 Frankford Ave. (6/11)Disabilities Pride Parade and Celebration – Route: NationalConstitution Center to City Hall Courtyard via JFK Blvd. (6/11)

Odunde Festival – 23rd and South Sts. (6/12)American Cancer Society 44th Annual Bike-A-Thon –Benjamin Franklin Bridge (6/12)2016 ODDyssey Half Marathon – Start/Finish: Please TouchMuseum (6/12)The Color Run – Start/Finish: Citizens Bank Park (6/12)Philly Pride Day Parade 2016 – Start: 13th & Locust Sts. End:Penns Landing (6/12)Philly Pride Day Festival 2016 – Penns Landing (6/12)Philadelphia School of Circus Arts – Awbury Arborertum(6/12)

June 15�� – 21��Little Friends Festival – Rittenhouse Square (6/15)Bloomsday – Rittenhouse Square (6/16)Ball on the Square – Rittenhouse Square (6/16)DBHIDS Fun Day – Thomas Paine Plaza (6/16)Kidchella – Smith Memorial Playground (6/17)Schuylkill Navy Regatta – Kelly Drive & Schuylkill River (6/18)Walk for Epilepsy – Forbidden Drive (6/18)Gary Papa Run for Life – MLK Drive (6/19)

June 22ⁿ� – 30��Quebec Flag Raising Ceremony – City Hall North Apron (6/22)Night Market Callowhill – 400-500 12th St./13th St.; 1100-1300 Noble St./Hamilton St./Bottonwood St. (6/23)Community & Health Carnival – 1301 W. Ruscomb St. (6/25)TriRock Triathlon – Fairmount Park/MLK Drive (6/24-6/26)27th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival – Main St. (6/25-6/26)CISCRP Medical Heroes Appreciation 5K – Kelly Drive (6/27)PHISH Concerts @ Mann Center – West FairmountPark/Mann Center Parking Lot Areas (6/28-6/29)

For a full detailed list of events, please visit the Calendar on our website!

www.phlevents.org

Special Fact of the Month:In 2016, the Philadelphia 76ers were awarded the first overallpick in the NBA Draft. Last time they were selected firstoverall was in 1996, and they picked Allen Iverson.