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New event pavilion at Water Works won’t return next year
A temporary grand pavilion erected at the Fairmount Water Works by its concessionaire has sparked complaints from some neighbors and park users.
- A backlog of pandemic-postponed weddings spurred the new structure, which was erected this spring. But some are concerned it blocks views of and access to the historic space on public grounds.
Revenue from the event company helps fund Water Works maintenance and upkeep, Parks & Rec told Asha Prihar, but the tent won’t be returning next year.
The FIFA World Cup is coming to Philly in 2026
Five years after the selection process began, Philadelphia yesterday was announced as one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Philly joins 10 other U.S. cities, along with three in Mexico and two in Canada. Lincoln Financial Field is expected to be a main site for matches, though specifics haven’t yet been revealed.
Upwards of 500,000 visitors could bring hundreds of millions in economic impact — among several reasons hosting this global event is a really big deal.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- On his first day with Philly schools, Superintendent Tony Watlington talked about tackling inequity in education, teacher retention, and how district families can get involved with his listening sessions. [Chalkbeat/SDP]
- Amid intense city budget negotiations, Council and the Kenney administration struck a deal to keep property tax rates the same but increase the homestead exemption from $45K to $80k. Also coming: business tax cuts, $15 million for rental assistance, and $6 million more for public defenders. [Inquirer$/NBC10]
- Community College of Philadelphia will forgive $1.4 million in outstanding tuition and bookstore balances, using federal funding to cover student debt for the second year in a row. [PhillyVoice]
- In the fall of 1953, Congress came to Philly to find Communists, and a group of public school teachers were thrust into the center of an FBI-led Red Scare. [WHYY]
- A new mural on the basketball courts of Overbrook’s Tustin Playground pays tribute to late Philadelphian Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. [CBS3]
- “There is wonder out there”: Three ornithology enthusiasts share their experience of Birding while Black. [Grid Philly]
- The Eagles are rebranding with a new “wordmark” that ditches the collegiate-style outlined lettering for a font reminiscent of a Bauhaus-influenced digital clock. [NBCS Philly/@MySportsUpdate]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney joins Chinese Consul General Huang Ping for the Chinese Cultural Festival at the Philadelphia Flower Show in FDR Park (10 a.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
? BP Quizzo is in Chestnut Hill this month! Test your local knowledge and join us at the top of cobblestoned Germantown Avenue as we take over Tavern on the Hill for a night of Philly trivia with happy hour specials and prizes. Free with RSVP. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 21)
♟️ Grab your bingo boards and head over to the Christ Church Neighborhood House for Drag Queen bingo hosted by popular Philly queens Vinchelle and Ophelia Bawdy. Tickets range from $20 – $30 with drinks included. ( 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 17)
? Lace up your comfiest pair of sneakers to walk from one end of Passyunk Avenue to the other with the folks from local bike store Trophy Bikes and the blog Philebrity. The low-key tour is free, but guests are advertised to load up on sunblock, water, and sneakers. (12 p.m. Saturday, 6/18)
