A popular party full of food, festivities and fun will return to the 700 block of S. 5th Street and E. Passyunk Avenue on Sept. 28.
The Philly AIDS Thrift 19th Anniversary Block Party will take center stage between Bainbridge and Monroe Streets, bringing a beloved block party and fall festival atmosphere to the free South Philly event. Festivities will run from noon to 6 p.m.
“We are so excited for our annual outdoor block party for 2024,” said Philly AIDS Thrift’s Co-Founder/Executive Director Christina Kallas-Saritsoglou. “Whether it’s to Smooch-A-Pooch, watch people shove pie into their faces as fast as humanly possible, dare to Double Dutch, or simply dance in the middle of the street, everyone who stops by helps us raise even more money for local HIV/AIDS service organizations, including the William Way LGBT Community Center, Bebashi – Transition to Hope and many more.”
Philly AIDS Thrift, which is located at 710 S. 5th St., will be right in the middle of the action. The celebration will include music, circus performers, food and drinks, a celebrity dunk tank, games, a caricature artist, a dog-kissing booth, stilt walkers, craft/vintage vendors, a pie-eating contest, double dutch and dancing in the street.
For nearly 20 years, Philly AIDS Thrift has been supporting local communities affected by HIV/AIDS through the operation of its retail thrift stores. So far, it has donated more than $4.6 million to funding programs focused on HIV prevention, care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. In 2015, Philly AIDS Thrift launched an HIV testing center inside its retail store, providing no-charge, drop-in, rapid testing and related counseling services. In addition to monetary contributions, Philly AIDS Thrift provides store vouchers to local HIV/AIDS service providers for clients in need of clothing and household necessities.
“I am so proud of the relationships that we have built with our amazing shoppers, the wonderful donors, our irreplaceable volunteers and the crucial service-providing organizations,” Kallas-Saritsoglou said. “I am simply filled with gratitude. We look forward to the years to come supporting local HIV/AIDS organizations and serving the community by selling interesting and affordable items through our fabulous thrift stores.”
Philly AIDS Thrift’s Grant Program has awarded over 200 grants to more than 50 different organizations since 2014. During its most recent grant cycle, it awarded $320,000 to 30 local organizations.
On Sept. 28, it will be a time to celebrate.
The annual block party features more than 30 craft and vintage vendors and music provided by Peabody Award-winning radio host and producer at WXPN, DJ Robert Drake. Fun activities will include the 4th Annual Pie Eating Contest, emceed by CBS 3 news anchor Jim Donovan, Double Dutch Meetup, an inclusive, safe space that aims to empower community building and promote fitness, and a Celebrity Dunk Tank.
For the first time this year, look for a dog-kissing booth, Smooch-A-Pooch, with Street Tails Animal Rescue, which is a nonprofit organization based in Northern Liberties dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned and unwanted dogs.
Entertainment includes Reverend MacKenzie Moltov, the sword-swallowing clownbabe, and Reese “Stoop Kid” Crawley, who is a fire and flow arts performer and founder of Stoop Kid Studios.
“We all have days we look forward to every year, and our Block Party is one of mine,” said Michael Byrne, Philly AIDS Thrift Board President. “Community supporting community while having a really great time.”
