Contact:  
Giavana Suraci  
T 215.440.5516  
gsuraci@centercityphila.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

Harvest Weekend, a Hay Maze and More Beginning this September! 

PHILADELPHIA (August 22, 2023): Center City District (CCD) is pleased to announce a full lineup of free-to-attend events starting in September at Dilworth Park, Sister Cities Park and Cret Park, including activities for families, the return of Harvest Weekend and the popular Hay Maze in Dilworth Park. 

Fountains in Dilworth Park remain turned on through October 22, and the park’s Air Grille Garden is open through October 21. Additional dining options include the outdoor Starbucks Coffee kiosk, and in mid-September, the Dilworth Park Café will introduce a new partnership with Salt & Vinegar. The Bella Vista-based shop will have a permanent presence inside of the Café, offering products from local women and minority owned businesses, including the Sisterly Love Collective. More details are to be announced.

The Boat Pond at Sister Cities Park will close for the season on October 15 before transitioning to the Imagination Playground on October 20, while the Children’s Discovery Garden continues to operate daily through the winter from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The parks’ Earth Fountain remains open through early November. The Sister Cities Café continues to be a convenient stop for coffee, snacks and takeaway fare. Its large outdoor seating area provides views of play areas, and its lush lawn is the perfect spot for an afternoon picnic.

Year-round, Capriccio Café and Bar at Cret Park has an extensive food and drink menu that can be enjoyed inside the building’s glass pavilion or outside on the patio.

A full schedule of fall programming in CCD-managed parks can be found at centercityphila.org. Highlights include: 

Dilworth Park

Center City Fit presented by Rothman Orthopaedics
Mondays & Tuesdays 
Now through October 3 | 6 p.m. 

Keep it movin’ with professional trainers from Center City-based fitness clubs! Every week, participants of all skill levels are invited to join free outdoor workouts in the heart of Center City, courtesy of the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute. Mondays are dedicated to Zumba with City Fitness and Tuesdays focus on Interval Workouts with F45 Training. These classes are open to participants of all fitness levels.

Please arrive early to fill out a waiver, which can be accessed via a personal smartphone. There will be no bag check. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own mat for Interval Workouts with F45 Training.  

Live @ Lunch presented by TD Bank
Wednesdays
September 6-October 4 | Noon-1 p.m. 

Take a break from the office at lunchtime to support local musicians! Whether you pull up a seat in the TD Bank

Terrace, or lounge under umbrellas along the fountain, these free concerts will set the tone for the rest of your afternoon. This season’s lineup was curated in partnership with the Women’s Coalition for Empowerment, a local nonprofit organization that works to improve financial support and access to employment for financially disadvantaged emerging artists, musicians, and performers.

Philadelphia Marketplace  
Saturdays & Sundays
September 2-October 1 | Noon-6 p.m.

A rotating lineup of local small businesses and makers pop-up weekly with a variety of offerings, including artwork, home goods, clothing and more. 

Hay Maze 
Daily | September 29-October 8

Enjoy fall on the farm without leaving the city! For a limited time, the Albert M. Greenfield Lawn transforms to a fun-for-all-ages experience to welcome the arrival of autumn. 

Harvest Weekend 
Friday, October 6 | Noon-8 p.m.
Saturday, October 7 | Noon-8 p.m. 
Sunday, October 8 | Noon-6 p.m.  

Hay bales, cornstalks and pumpkins aplenty – this 3-day experience embraces the best elements of fall for visitors of all ages. The park will be buzzing with activities and entertainment all weekend-long, including performances from local bands, live pumpkin carving demonstrations and roaming circus performers. Come hungry to fuel up on seasonal staples, including bratwurst and Bavarian pretzels, and adults can enjoy Tröegs Oktoberfest and Michelob Ultra, along with specialty cocktails made with Maker’s Mark® Bourbon and Haku® Vodka. The Philly Goat Project will stop by to entertain guests on Friday night, and on Saturday afternoon, visitors 21 and over are invited to participate in a stein-hoisting contest!

Additional highlights include photo-worthy backdrops, apple cider making, kid-friendly pumpkin painting and a locally-sourced craft market.  

Made in Philadelphia Fall Market
Friday, October 6 | Noon-8 p.m.
Saturday, October 7 | Noon-8 p.m. 
Sunday, October 8 | Noon-6 p.m.  

Planned in conjunction with Harvest Weekend, a diverse lineup of local artisans will display unique finds such as paintings, jewelry, crafts and more! Come out to support these one-of-a-kind entrepreneurs.

Sister Cities Park

Parkway Pals Storytime
Tuesdays
September 5-October 10 | 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.  

Toddlers and their parents will be joined by the Free Library of Philadelphia for stories, songs and movement. 

Pictures in the Park 
Fridays 
September 8-September 29 | 7 p.m. 

Spend Friday nights under the stars and watch animated films on the big screen! Classic movie theater snacks will be available at the Sister Cities Café, plus beer, wine and cocktails for adults. Bring-your-own blankets encouraged. 

This season’s series includes: 

• 9/8: Encanto
• 9/15: DC League of Super-Pets 
• 9/22: Minions: The Rise of Gru  
• 9/29: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
   

Parkway Pals Family Saturdays  
Saturdays
September 9-October 14 | 11 a.m.-noon 

Kids are invited to embrace their silly side as live entertainers offer unique programs and performances every Saturday morning this fall. From live music to hip-hop dancing and Halloween-themed fun, these free offerings are perfect for youngsters in need of outdoor play. The lineup includes: 

• 9/9: Bubble Magic with George Piegaro
  Enjoy a mesmerizing and interactive show with bubbles, music and magic.
• 9/16: Superhero Training with Pop Up Play
  Kids can create their own superhero identity while enjoying immersive “training” games and activities!
• 9/23: Music Play Patrol with Mr. Boom Boom
  Rock out and enjoy an afternoon of silly songs and dancing.    
• 9/30: Imagine More: Story Adventures with Thembi Palmer
  Embark on a fun-filled, interactive adventure with puppets, expressive movements and costumes.         
• 10/7: Hip Hop Fundamentals
  Kids will receive a lesson in hip hop dancing while learning about the history and culture of its roots. 
• 10/14: Trick-or-Treat Scavenger Hunt | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
  This not-so-scary Halloween celebration will feature a scavenger hunt (complete with a candy treat), free pumpkin painting, spooky story time with the Free Library of Philadelphia and a magic show. Costumes are encouraged!

Cret Park

Jazz on the Parkway
Sundays
September 3-September 24 | 4 p.m.-6 p.m. 

Relax to the rhythm of jazz tunes on Sunday afternoons at Capriccio Café and Bar! Local jazz group Vibe-A-Delphia will perform as you sip your favorite cocktail under the café’s shaded outdoor patio. Additional seating for non-café customers is available on the lawn areas of the park. These performances are supported with funds from the Music Performance Trust Fund, American Federation of Musicians, and Local 77.

All programs are weather permitting and subject to change. Fall in Dilworth Park is supported by the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Temple University, TD Bank, Beam Suntory and Penn Beer. Visit centercityphila.org to learn more. 

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The Center City District, a private-sector organization dedicated to making Center City Philadelphia clean, safe and attractive, is committed to maintaining Center City’s competitive edge as a regional employment center, a quality place to live, and a premier regional destination for dining, shopping and cultural attractions. Find us at www.centercityphila.org and on Facebook and Twitter.