Those with a green thumb and a knack for home/design—and those just looking to have a good time— will be able to peruse through Philadelphia’s own green oasis of an extravaganza next month. Chestnut Hill’s Home and Garden Festival will take place on May 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the event will feature 150 vendors set up along the 7700 to 8600 blocks of Germantown Avenue (which will be shut down to vehicles.) Throughout the family-friendly day, patrons will be able to peruse through home décor, outdoor demonstrations, live music, children’s activities, and over 200 retailers, restaurants, and businesses within the Chestnut Hill Business District.
The annual showcase will bring back some fan-favorite staples from years past, and also, a few new additions—including the Sustainability Hub. This specific area will be focused on sustainability in Philadelphia, and will feature individuals, makers, and organizations such as Christa Barfield (from @Farmer JawnPhilly) and Terril Haigler (from @_YaFavTrashman). While there on May 1, both Barfield and Haigler will lead sessions on activism and innovation, and green-friendly companies, including Green Philly, Grid, and Circular Philly will have products there available for purchase.
For kiddos, Jenks Elementary School will be hosting their “Fun Fest” as a family-friendly section for those under the age of 10 with face painting, an inflatable obstacle course, an inflatable slide and line dancing. Down the road at Stagecrfters Theater, Philadelphians can check out circus-themed and theatrical performances, which include a stiltwalker (from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and jugglers (from noon to 2 p.m.) both from the Philadelphia School of the Circus Arts. Other performers at the Theater will include a balloon artist from Ben’s Balloon Animals (12:30 to 2:30 p.m.) and Tarot card readings by The Amazing Carson (2 to 4 p.m.) There will also be performances of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ (adapted by Jessie Sherlock and performed by Mark and Jessie Sherlock) every hour from 1 to 3 p.m.
Chestnut Hill’s Home and Garden Festival will also feature live music at the corner of Germantown and Hartwell Avenues with Hank’s Cadillac (from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and 56 Men (from 2 to 5 p.m.), and at the corner of Germantown and Bethlehem Avenues with Variable Elements (from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and Jon Savage & the Classic Rockers from (2 to 5 p.m.)
There will also be children’s Activities at Villavillekula, where children can interact with flower-themed activities throughout the day, including Maypole dancing; a used Book Sale where Friends of the Chestnut Hill Library and Hilltop Books will sell used books at three locations throughout Chestnut Hill’s Home and Garden Festival, plus, activity booths from B101.1 FM and a Suburu Car Display presented by Glanzmann Subaru.
Vendors, the main drive of the event, will span everything from garden ornaments and statues, heirloom vegetable plants, jewelry, vintage goods and collectibles, beekeeping, flower baskets, terrariums, landscaping, lawn and tree care and masonry.
For information on Chestnut Hill’s Home and Garden Festival, visit chestnuthillpa.com
