Midtown Village All Fall-ed Up

As summer heat danced its last number down the East Coast, October found fall-themed festivities in full swing, and Philly in the thick of it. The first weekend of the month was booked with pumpkin parties, orchard open-houses, cider soirees, and the un-missable 8-block-buster 8th Annual Midtown Village Fall Festival.

From noon to 7 p.m. on October 6, 13th Street from Locust to Chestnut was taped off for thousands of fairgoers and dozens of local food, craft, and craft-food vendors.

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El Vez offered chips and guacamole, grilled corn on the cob with chipotle mayo and cheese, and quick service to a line matched in length only by the drooling queue trailing Barbuzzo’s hand-dipped chocolate-covered salted caramel budino pop stand. Local hits like Lolita, Jamonera, Eat-A-Pita, and Jake’s Sandwich Board were busy serving up favorites as well. The festival fare was an impressive sampling of the Village vendors’ popular bites.

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A few vendors also offered sangrias, and others, margaritas, but it was clear that beer was the star of this show. Beer gardens big and small abounded, and free flowing brews kept everyone cheerful, busy, and just the right bit of loud.

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The flushed-faced crowd parted on occasion for a wandering mariachi band comprising smiley septuagenarians. A charismatic group took the terrace above The Corner, and live performances studded the streets. Sand-art and face-painting stations were allotted for children, and a sumo wrestling pen for the children still in anyone. Families young, old, and coming-soon browsed the many artisan shops for hand-crafted jewelry, mugs, and custom prints. The festival was lively affair for families, foodies, and all of Philly’s fair colors.

Connie Yu

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