Sample and enjoy the many flavors of Old City this weekend while celebrating the men and women who live and work in the neighborhood at the first Old City Fall Festival.
“We got involved because of the neighborhood aspect,” said Michelle Nicoletto of Campo’s Italian Deli at 214 Market St. “Our restaurant and the rest of Old City gets a lot of tourists, but everyone forgets that there are people who live here year-round. So we wanted to get everyone involved.”
From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 11 and 12, Philadelphia natives and visitors alike can come and enjoy demonstrations and sales and walk away with a free goodie bag. Along with the goodie bag, the festival is free.
dishes for visitors who try to decide which store to visit first.
Hadassah Zuberi, co-owner of Gargoyles Gallery LLC, hopes to wow patrons with her unique antique and home décor shop at 120 N. 3rd St.
“Gargoyles is different in terms of ensembleand color,” Zuberi said. “My goal is to inform and amaze people. I just hope they like what I have to show them.”
One of the most interesting live demonstrations will take place at the Hot Soup Glass Studio, located at 26 S. Strawberry St. The studio is one of the few publicly accessed glass-blowing facilities in the city and offers courses and workshops in the process and art of glass-blowing.
During Fall Festival, visitors can stop by the studio and see artists demonstrate glass-blowing techniques in person.
Year-round, Hot Soup patrons can create ornaments, vases, beads, paperweights and even lamps during their visits to the studio.
“There’s a whole bunch of venders and friends who got together and wanted to get more people to check out our part of the city,” Zuberi said.
Old City District executive director Cynthia M. Philo echoed Zuberi’s sentiment.
“We are delighted to support this exciting new event in Old City. It will showcase the distinct ways to shop, dine and explore in Old City, highlighted by unique special events,” Philo said in a recent press release.
Loyal patrons and newcomers alike are encouraged to stop by the 2006 Old City Fall Festival this weekend.
Visitors are encouraged to come early and stay late.
Marta Rusek can be reached at mrusek@temple.edu.
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