Racers and obstacle-makers prep for the Kensington Derby
When it comes to showcasing Philly’s DIY spirit and love for the absurd, few events can compare to the Kensington Derby & Arts Festival.
- As human-powered vehicles race around a 3-mile-long, neighborhood-spanning obstacle course, thousands of spectators come out to cheer. Dozens of food trucks and craft vendors line the route.
How do you make it through the grand finale mud pit? Ali Mohsen talked to a derby team that created a Pac-Man “arcade on wheels” to find out.
How to celebrate Asian American heritage in Philadelphia
Hundreds of languages and cultures make up the Asian American and Pacific Islander diaspora, and this month is a chance to explore some of them right here in Philly.
- From a South Asian walking tour and Japanese cooking class to a COVID short documentary and brand new Chinese American museum, the city is full of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month events.
BP deputy editor Heather Chin has a roundup of don’t-miss highlights for Philadelphians of all ages.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Across Pa., dozens of primary candidates for county commissioner or municipal council embrace the debunked theory that the 2020 election was rigged in some way. [Spotlight PA]
• Five City Council members are backing a bill to ban supervised injection sites in about half the city. Introduced by Councilmember Lozada of Kensington, it would make the sites illegal in most of Northeast Philly, South Philly, and the River Wards. [Tribune$/@Philadeliberty]
• District 8 Councilmember Cindy Bass debated primary challenger Seth Anderson-Oberman, sparring over community involvement, allowing development, and affordable housing. [Chestnut Hill Local$]
• It’s the day before the election, but Biden isn’t coming to Philly Monday for anything political; the president will be here to see his granddaughter graduate from Penn. [Inquirer$]
• SEPTA is testing out the refurbished historic trolley cars on Girard Avenue. Off the street since 2020, their rumored relaunch is this fall. Earlier this year, we took a trip through Philly’s rich trolley history. [@jackson_betz/WHYY 2020/Billy Penn]
• There’s a new Taylor Swift mural on South Street, which is hosting a “tailgate” today for Philly’s Eras Tour stopover. Swifties are lining up hours in advance for the merch truck outside the Linc. [PhillyVoice/South Street/CBS3]
• The Phillies and Mets will reportedly play in London next year. Meanwhile, a reminder that baseball is not dying — games at Citizens Bank Park are filled with young people. [KYW/Billy Penn]
• Voting in Philly? Check out the Billy Penn Procrastinator’s Guide for info on all the candidates, from mayor to councilmember to sheriff to judge, plus the four ballot questions. Find out how your views align with the mayoral candidates at phillymayorquiz.com.
MAYOR WATCH
Ziehler Playground on Olney Avenue in North Philly is the next site to get a Rebuild makeover, and Mayor Kenney joins the groundbreaking ceremony to kick off $7 million in renovations (10 a.m.) He then swings over to the Columbia North YMCA to help announce expansion plans for Indego bike share, which is celebrating eight years of service (11 a.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
💕 The Mid-Spring Mother’s Day Market comes to West Philly’s Drexel Square park with over 30 local vendors of art, food, flowers, and live music. (11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 13)
🌱 There are dozens of events across the city during Love Your Park Week, an annual planting and cleanup event organized by the Fairmount Park Conservancy. (Saturday-Sunday, May 13-21)
Catch up on the previous week
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