It’s hard to imagine West Philly without the Peoplehood Parade. And this year is no exception – the fall tradition of marching with giant puppets along West Philly streets followed by a celebration in Clark Park will return this Saturday (Oct. 21).

Peoplehood Parade map (click to enlarge)

The 18th annual Peoplehood Parade, hosted by West Philly’s Spiral Q theater and arts organization, will kick off at 1 p.m. outside of the Paul Robeson House (4951 Walnut St). The event celebrates diversity in the city and is also a creative way to express your civic concerns. The event is kid friendly, so bring your children to march with you.

Besides the giant puppets, Peoplehood includes flags, costumes and banners. Everyone is invited to bring their own artwork or carry Spiral Q puppets. The parade is followed by participatory performances and art-making activities in the Clark Park “bowl” around 2 p.m.

Check out the Spiral Q website for more information or if you want to volunteer.

Here’s a reminder that the annual Halloween Tot Parade will be held in Spruce Hill on Tuesday, Oct. 31. As always, the parade will begin at 45th and Baltimore and end on the 4200 block of Osage Avenue (“Little Osage”). The parade is a great opportunity for families with young children to showcase their Halloween costumes (many parents are into it just as much as kids and some folks get really creative – check out photos from previous parades).

Gathering will begin at 4 p.m. outside of Milk and Honey on 45th Street and the parade will kick off at 4:30 sharp.

After the parade, Little Osage (4200 block) residents and local businesses will throw a Halloween block party with cider and baked goods.

For more Halloween events, check out our Events page. If you’re hosting an event, feel free to submit it here.

Bartram’s Garden is hosting a double feature on Sunday, Oct. 15. The annual Harvest Festival will take place at the Farm from 12 – 3 p.m. The festival’s program is packed with fun for the whole family: there will be hayrides, cider pressing, cooking and canning workshops, games of chance and skill, yoga, boating, and much more! All events are free. The event schedule can be found here.

Bartram’s Garden is also hosting a free outdoor concert, John Bartram Jawn, as part of the Harvest Fest, featuring musicians and performers with deep connections to Southwest Philadelphia, including Freeway, Recohavoc, and more. The concert is from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Free shuttle bus rides will be provided to and from Bartram’s Garden for Southwest Philly residents. Click here for more information and shuttle times.

Bartram’s Garden is located at 54th and Lindbergh Blvd. and is accessible by Trolley Route 36. You can also bike to the Garden. There’s a free parking lot with bike racks.

UPDATE (Oct. 13, 2017): The HollyWoodlands Double Feature: Ghostbusters and Poltergeist event has been postponed until Saturday, Oct. 21.

It may not feel like fall yet due to unseasonably warm weather, but The Woodlands Cemetery and Mansion is kicking off their Fall events program this week. This year, the program includes Halloween Family Fun Day, a scary movie night, and special Halloween tours. Also, the annual fundraiser for the cemetery, The Woodlands Gobble Wobble 5K, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 11. More information about some of this month’s events is below.

HollyWoodlands Double Feature: Ghostbusters and Poltergeist

Saturday, Oct. 14 Oct. 21, 6 p.m.

HollyWoodlands is back for a Double Feature evening on Saturday, Oct. 21. Enjoy the original Ghostbusters, and then stick around for the Halloween classic, Poltergeist! BYO chair or blanket, and bundle up for a perfect Fall evening. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., film starts at 7 p.m. BYO s’mores supplies for the firepits or buy them at the event. Suggested donation: $10 (to help pay for the movie equipment). Free for members of The Woodlands.  Continue Reading

It will be a busy weekend for local pet owners.

Blessing of the Animals at St. Francis de Sales Church (photo by West Philly Local)

Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral will hold their annual Blessing of the Animals in Clark Park on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. – noon. The event will include free pet treats, a craft project, and some human snacks too! This fun tradition is connected to the celebration of St. Francis of Assisi, an Italian monk who’s remembered for his love of nature, care for the poor, and commitment to peace (as well as a sweet tooth!).

St. Francis was a friend to all animals, so communities throughout the world celebrate his life by celebrating the pets in their lives. This is not a church or worship service, but a space to drop by to meet other pet owners in the neighborhood and – if you wish – receive a blessing for your pet. If you have any questions, please contact The Reverend Sarah Hedgis at shedgis@philadelphiacathedral.org.  Continue Reading

Click to enlarge

Prince may be gone, but this event at 50th and Baltimore will make sure that, at least in West Philly, he is not forgotten. Sheila E. and Morris Day and The Time – some of Prince’s closest collaborators – will headline a “Tribute to Prince,” a free concert on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 50th and Baltimore that will also include West Philly’s own DJ Questlove.

The annual Neighborhood-to-Neighborhood Street Festival kicks off at noon. Sheila E., Prince’s one-time fiancé who opened for him on the Purple Rain tour, is set to play at 2 p.m. Morris Day, who co-starred with Prince in the film Purple Rain, will be onstage with his band, The Time, at 7 p.m. In between, Questlove, rapper PnB Rock, comedian Skeet and a number of local artists will perform.  Continue Reading