East Passyunk’s biggest bash has something for everyone

Get a peek under the hood at the 8th Annual Car Show & Street Festival.
Credit: East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District

July is hot. Not only are there sizzling fireworks, charred franks and, oh yeah, that blinding sun that seems to hover just above your head, this month also brings the East Passyunk Car Show and Street Festival. Go peep some sexy wheels and dangerous curves at the event’s eighth installment. The festival isn’t just for car enthusiasts, though. Much like the neighborhood where it takes place, the event is meant to attract all walks of Philadelphia life.

“This is the giant version of most East Passyunk events,” says Renee Gilinger, executive director at East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District. “At most of our events we strive to have something for everyone, because we don’t all like the same thing. You can go get a margarita at Cantina and then have an authentic Italian meal at Mama Maria’s.”

While we do love making a stop in both of those places, why not take it outside? Gilinger promises to have food on each of the five blocks that the event spans. There will be a food truck hotspot outside of Birra, while restaurants along the Ave set up sidewalk specials. The best part is that all outdoor food – which is especially designed to be eaten while walking – will be priced at five bucks or less at almost every joint. Noir, for example, will have Arancini — Italian fried rice balls — and Montreal-style hot dogs with coleslaw and poutine.

For those who aren’t into delicious cheap eats or cars, motorcycles and trucks — may we ask, what is wrong with you? — there’s also the Bang! Boom! CRAFT Fair at the singing fountain. It’s being put on by the good folks at Nice Things Handmade, so you know it will showcase the best of the best local crafters. Plus there will be live music, a moon bounce set up for the kiddies and face-painting. We’ll see you there – we’ll be the ones painted like tigers, craft beers in hand, chomping on street fare and checking under the hoods of more than 140 fine vehicles from the tri-state area.

8th Annual Car Show and Street Festival
Sunday, July 28, noon to 5 p.m. (rain date Aug. 4)
East Passyunk Ave., from Broad to Dickinson streets
www.visiteastpassyunk.com

Music
Nine live bands are slated to perform at the festivities. “I have a very carefully organized spreadsheet,” says Gilinger. “The music is staggered so that the live music never stops.”
Noon: Andrew Jackson Rock Band, East Passyunk & Morris / Ray Baccara, Stogie Joe’s
12:30 p.m.: Joe King Trio, East Passyunk & 13th Street
1 p.m.: The Drive-Ins East Passyunk & 12th Street / DJ Lindsay Maria, The Fountain
1:30 p.m.: We Are Fauna, East Passyunk & Juniper
2 p.m.: Steely Pans, East Passyunk & Morris
3 p.m.: Will Williams, East Passyunk & Juniper / Joy Ride, Stogie Joe’s
3:30 p.m.: Steve Cal Blues Band, East Passyunk & Morris