🇮🇹 Philly's best street festival is here 🗳️Election Day is coming

Happy Italian Market Festival weekend, South Philly!

Might be a little rain in the forecast this weekend for Philly’s best street festival, but we’ll manage.

In this week’s Scoop …

• Your guide to the Italian Market Festival, which takes over South 9th Street on Saturday and Sunday.

• Election day is this coming Tuesday, May 20 — get informed before heading to the polls.

• Plans have been announced for one of the soon-to-close Rite Aid locations that we wrote about in last week’s newsletter.

• The Schuylkill River Trail gets a big connection to Grays Ferry this weekend when on Saturday, the new Christian Street bridge is opened to the public. Details can be found on the event calendar below.

Your guide to the Italian Market Festival 🇮🇹

There’s no better street festival in Philadelphia than the Italian Market Festival, which takes over 9th Street from Fitzwater to Wharton this Saturday and Sunday.

The festival begins at 11 a.m. and runs til 5 p.m. both days, and features live music, flowing drinks, the famed Grease Pole Climbing Competition, the Procession of Saints, and of course all the amazing food of the market. Below are the highlights.

💈 Grease Pole Competition: Both days of the festival starting at 12:30 p.m., gather around the piazza at 9th and Montrose as groups test their fate at scaling the Market’s 30 foot pole, greased liberally with lard. Atop the pole are meats, cheeses, cash, and bragging rights.

🎶 Live music: There are DJs and bands on a rotating schedule throughout the weekend at four main stages — one at Washington Avenue, one at Wharton Street, one at Christian Street, and one at Piazza DiBruno, home also to the grease pole.

✝️ Procession of Saints: For roughly 100 years, the Procession of Saints has paraded from St. Mary Magdalen Church on Montrose Street to St. Paul on Christian Street, down 9th Street through the market. This year’s procession will start after 10 a.m. mass.

🛍️ Support and shop the arts: Head north of Christian Street for the festival’s Mercato Dell’Artiste, where you can find dozens of local artists selling their goods. A full list of vendors can be found at the festival website — it’s really long.

😋 Come hungry: We can’t possibly list off all of the amazing food options at the festival. Whether it’s some of the best cannoli you’ll ever find, or pasta dishes and pizza slices, or fare from any of the Mexican restaurants that line 9th Street, you’ll need to show up with an appetite.

Headed to the festival this weekend? Send us your pictures or tag us on Instagram and we’ll share some of the best in next week’s newsletter!

🍨 More scoop …

🗳️ Election Day is this Tuesday: Primary elections in off-years tend to see very little turnout in Philadelphia, and this year is expected to be no different even despite another hotly-contested primary in the District Attorney race. Larry Krasner faces challenger Pat Dugan as he looks to win his third-term, since the Dem primary is effectively the general election in this race. There are a number of ballot questions and several judicial elections as well. Committee of Seventy has a great, detailed, interactive non-partisan voting guide.

👋 Hello, Xfinity Mobile Arena: It was announced this week that the Wells Fargo Center will be renamed for one of Comcast’s many other business arms come next Flyers and Sixers season. So what is the nickname for this thing? “Xmo Arena” … “The X” … just call it the Spectrum again?

🏗️ 157 units to fill parking lot: The parking lot at the end of East Passyunk Avenue, along Bainbridge just south of South Street, is finally going to be redeveloped … according to the developers.

Not the first time we’ve heard this one, so we’ll believe it when we see it — but the plans do look solid, with two ground-level retail spaces and 157 apartment units. While we wait to see what happens at this lot and when ground is broken, one thing in the Inquirer story on this did stand out.

The owner of the lot, EZ-Park, is on the record saying that they would have preferred to build a parking garage at this location — I think most of us can agree that would be the wrong use for such a prominent location — but that the city’s high taxes on parking turned him to housing. That’s a nice little example of city government using their power to incentivize development that benefits the community, and you love to see it.

✏️ Alarm bells replace school bells: Enrollment is declining and morale is “toxic” according to teachers and students at the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts on Broad Street, according to a new story in the Inquirer this week. The school is projecting a two-year loss of over 200 students, which leads to a drop in funding for teacher positions — it’s basically a mini death spiral. Meanwhile it’s depicted as a free-for-all inside the school with few rules applied and a crisis amongst leadership.

🏗️ Housing, and no retail, coming to 9th Street Rite Aid: We wrote all about the Rite Aid bankruptcy and impending closures in last week’s Scoop, and shortly thereafter, a report came out that the pharmacy and makeshift Angelo’s parking lot at 9th and Fitzwater will soon be redeveloped. The property will not include retail space, which is a little confusing for this location just north of the Italian Market, but will include 16 condos and nine single-family homes, with parking below ground.

Unfortunately, in speaking with the Inquirer, developer Ori Feibush of OCF fame says he expects zoning to take about a year and that in the interim he “doesn’t plan on policing the parking lot.” How quick is it going to take for things to go downhill in this lot, especially with the proximity to Angelo’s and the Italian Market, if its not kept up with?

📝 Protection granted for Arts Bank: We shared news a few months ago that the Arts Bank building at Broad and South would soon be in front of the Historical Commission, nominated for historic preservation. It was granted last week in a Friday meeting of the commission, meaning that any development of the building needs to protect the historic integrity of the building.

💍 Charm Bar opens on South Street: A DIY shop where you can bedazzle all sorts of items, such as phone cases, sunglasses, shoes, and more, opened quietly on South Street earlier this month. They will have a Grand Opening Party next Friday, May 23.

🗓️ This week’s South Philly events calendar

We can’t possibly find all of the cool events in South Philly on our own. Please send your submissions each week to [email protected] or DM us on IG at @south.philly.scoop.

Thursday, May 15

Wet Stone Social: Knife Sharpening Class 
Meet people and learn how to sharpen your own knives at this event.
⏱️ 5 p.m. OR 8 p.m.
🎟️ $75
📍 C.M. Neff Cook Supply Co., 1612 East Passyunk

Green Living & Environmental Social Hour
Join State Rep. Ben Waxman and State Sen. Nikil Saval at this discussion on the environment.
⏱️ 6 to 8 p.m.
🎟️ Free, drinks available for purchase
📍 Nam Phuong, 11th and Washington

Jewelry Making Workshop With Feast Jewelry
“This 2 hour workshop is for beginners designed to learn the skills to create your own unique piece of jewelry or bag charms.”
⏱️ 6 p.m.
🎟️ $75
📍 Moon + Arrow, 742 South 4th

Zero Proof Comedy: A Sober Standup Showcase
Five comics hit the stage at the nonalcoholic bar on Passyunk.
⏱️ 7:30, doors at 7
🎟️ $25 includes a free drink
📍 Nutmeg Bar and Market, 1835 East Passyunk

Rauw Alejandro: Cosa Nuestra World Tour
The artist, who has topped the Billboard Latin charts, comes to South Philly.
⏱️ 8 p.m., doors at 7
🎟️ Starts at $137
📍 Wells Fargo Center

Friday, May 16

Sauce Tasting for National BBQ Day
Ron’s Signature Sauce sets up at Mike’s for National BBQ Day.
⏱️ 12 p.m.
📍 Mike’s BBQ, 1703 South 11th

Alloy Atelier Opening Party
The grand opening of the “collaborative craft-centered space for shopping, learning & connecting” at Bok.
⏱️ 5 to 9 p.m.
🎟️ Free
📍 Bok Building, 107A, 821 Dudley

Souvenir 6 Year Anniversary Pop-Up
Music and cocktails to celebrate six years of Souvenir, which “celebrates the work of artists and makers through thoughtful collaborations and activations.”
⏱️ 6 to 9 p.m.
🎟️ No cover
📍 YOWIE, 226 South

Star Jawn: Star Wars Art Show
Pretty much what the title insinuates — Star Wars art, potentially with a Philly flavor.
⏱️ 6 to 11 p.m.
🎟️ No cover!
📍 Tattooed Mom, 530 South

The Wrecks: Inside/Outside Tour
Pop rockers from L.A. tour to support their new album.
⏱️ 7:30 p.m.
🎟️ Starting at $87 on resale market
📍 TLA, 334 South

Phillies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
⏱️ 6:45 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

Saturday, May 17

Eagles Autism Challenge
The Eagles’ flagship charity has its annual 5K and bike ride fundraiser.
⏱️ 6 a.m.
🎟️ Registration starts at $25
📍 Begins and ends at Lincoln Financial Field

Headhouse Square Vintage Market
Vendors selling vintage goods set up under the Headhouse Square pavilion.
⏱️ 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
📍 Headhouse Square, 2nd and South

John Marzano Half Ball Tournament 2025
An Italian Market Festival tradition, you can join with your crew just by showing up.
⏱️ 9 a.m.
📍 Columbus Charter School Yard, 914 Christian

LoMo Spring Flea Market
Rain date is Sunday.
⏱️ 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
📍 South Philly High School, Broad and Snyder

Christian to Crescent Trail Connector Opening Celebration
The Southern expansion of the SRT opens to the public.
⏱️ 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
🎟️ Free
📍 Schuylkill River Trail at Christian Street

Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration
Celebrate the AAPI community with food, arts and crafts, and entertainment.
⏱️ 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
🎟️ Free admission
📍 FDR Park Southeast Asian Market

Triangle Tavern 10th Anniversary Party
The East Passyunk bar celebrates 10 years under its current ownership with specials, merch, a magician??? All kinds of stuff.
⏱️ All day
🎟️ No cover
📍 Triangle Tavern, 10th and Reed

Bagel Class
A bagel class!
⏱️ 3 p.m.
🎟️ $75
📍 Rowhouse Grocery, 1713 McKean

Picnic In The Park
You can buy a picnic on sight or bring your own for this event sponsored by the Friends of Columbus Square.
⏱️ 4 to 7 p.m.
📍 Columbus Square, 12th/13th & Wharton/Reed

NWA 2025 Crockett Cup
The wrestling promotion returns to Philly for its tag team event.
⏱️ 6 p.m.
🎟️ GA starts at $19.99
📍2300 Arena, 2300 South Swanson

Phillies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
⏱️ 6:05 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

Rebel Foster All Night Long
Five hours of non stop hip hop, club and house jams.
⏱️ 9 p.m.
🎟️ $12
📍Dolphin Tavern, Broad and Tasker

Sunday, May 18

Be Well Philly Fest
“The ultimate day of health and wellness” with classes, food, vendors, and wellness sessions.
⏱️ 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
🎟️ $50
📍 Bok Building, 8th and Mifflin

Free Clothing Swap
Clean our your closet and trade your stuff for something new!
⏱️ 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
🎟️ Free
📍 St. Simon Church, 22nd and Reed

South Philadelphia Action Coalition Meeting
Get involved with this group that “takes care of each other when systems don’t.”
⏱️ 1 p.m.
🎟️ Free
📍 Uprising Yoga, 1839 East Passyunk

Phillies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
⏱️ 1:35 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

Livingston: The Story Continues Tour
The TikTok-famous pop artists hits Philly on his U.S. tour.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ $40.25
📍 TLA, 334 South

Tuesday, May 20

East Passyunk Civic Association Happy Hour
Drink specials, raffles, and neighbors meet at the outdoor patio at Triangle.
⏱️ 5 to 7 p.m.
🎟️ Drink specials
📍 Triangle Tavern, 10th and Reed

80’s to 2000’s Quizzo, Volume 26
Latchkey presents their monthly quizzo night with a nostalgic twist.
⏱️ 7 p.m.
🎟️ No cover
📍 Pub on Passyunk East, East Passyunk and Dickinson

James Bay: Up All Night Tour
A night of tunes from the Grammy-nominated English singer-songwriter.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ $50.75
📍 TLA, 334 South

Wednesday, May 21

Make-A-Mummer: Bear Edition
It’s like build a bear, but with mummery.
⏱️ 6 p.m.
🎟️ $15
📍 Mummers Museum, 2nd and Washington

Habemus Popeum! Welcome Pope Leo XIV
The Pope is from Chicago, so the bar named POPE is hosting a night of Chicago-themed specials.
⏱️ 5 to 8 p.m.
🎟️ They’ll have specials
📍 Pub on Passyunk East (POPE), East Passyunk and Dickinson

The 9th Street Market in the 1950s

A recurring South Philly Scoop feature - an old school photo from somewhere in South Philly, and a bit of the history and background behind it.

The Italian Market is one of the few parts of the city that feels locked in time, and that really sticks out when you look at this photo from July 12, 1954 along 9th Street near Hall Street.

The view looks to the north, and if you spot the white/light-colored building along the left side of photo, about half a block down, that’s the current location of the Grease Pole and what’s now known as Piazza DiBruno. The white building is one of the few in this image that’s no longer standing.

Near the foreground along the left side, you’ll see Saggio Food Market. That shop is still a food market today — you’ll know it as Claudio’s, which has been serving South Philadelphia since the 1950s, not long after this photo was taken.

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See youse next Thursday.