Category Archives: News

Late Summer Events at Gorgas Park!

This Sunday, 8/27 at 1pm Rockabilly band Roney and the Eldorados will play at Gorgas Park and the Roxborough Ridge Runners car club will have their classic cars on display.

Tuesday, 8/29 at dusk, watch Star Wars: The Force Awakens under the stars at Gorgas Park

Saturday 9/2 at 5pm it’s our 20th Anniversary Celebration! Thunderbus and Beat-Tells will perform live and we will have DJ and Deke’s Bar-B-Que on site to help us celebrate.

Thanks to all of our wonderful sponsors for making these events possible.

9th Annual Veteran’s Tribute at Gorgas Park

Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 29, 2017 (10 am to 2 pm) and join us for the 9th annual Veterans Tribute Concert at Gorgas Park [6300 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128]. The day will honor our community’s World War II and Korean War Veterans as well as Veterans from the Coatesville VA Medical Center. There will be music and entertainment activities and tables provided by numerous community and civic groups. Local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops will be on hand as volunteers sharing the ideals and fun of scouting.

  • 10:30 am: The Merion Concert Band, with more than 40 volunteer members under the direction of Nathan Snyder, will perform the National Anthem, followed by a concert military, popular, and classical music.
  • 11:00 am: Lunch will be served to our honored guests the Veterans form World War II, the Korean War, and the Coatesville VA Medical Center. Food and beverages will be available for the public to purchase.
  • 11:45 am: Old Academy Players will perform a scene from the comedy “Men Are Dogs” written by Joe Simonelli, American playwright.
  • 12:00 Noon: The Phillie Phanatic will entertain.
  • 12:15 pm: Certificates of Honor will be presented to World War II and Korean War Veterans
  • 12:30 pm: The Savoy Company will perform a concert version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera, H.M.S. Pinafore.
  • 12:50 pm: General Longstreet’s Headquarters Civil War re-enactors will present a living history.
  • 2:30 pm: Coatesville veterans will depart.

The full press release is on the Roxborough Patch.

 

Hospitalized Veterans Tribute Saturday, July 30

 

The Phillie Phanatic & Phillies Great Garry Maddox Honor Veterans at 8th Annual Tribute July 30. Gorgas Park 6300 Ridge Avenue, Ridge Ave. Roxborough.  10am till 2pm

 

Mark your calendars for Saturday July 30, 2016 (10 am to 2 pm) and join the community for the 8th annual Hospitalized Veterans Tribute at Gorgas Park.  Plan to arrive prior to 10 am so you can line the WALK of HONOR as the Veterans from the Coatesville VA Medical Center arrive with motorcycle escort provided by Warriors’ WatchAmerican Legion Riders, and the Philadelphia Police Department.  Extend your hand and offer your personal THANKS to these veterans who have done so much for our country.

Come when you can, leave when you must.  This a family friendly event so bring the children and grandchildren out for a wonderful experience.  Bring family and friends and lawn chairs or blankets.  There will be FREE entertainment.  Enjoy food and beverages that will be available for purchase throughout the day or bring a picnic lunch.  This community event is sponsored by the 21st Ward Veterans Association, Prism Engineering, Merion Concert Band, Friends of Gorgas Park, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and Penn Medicine, and the Zamorski Family.

Enjoy a fantastic concert by the Merion Concert Band followed by performances from members of The Savoy Company and Old Academy Players.  Walk around and admire the classic cars from the past that will be on display courtesy of the Roxborough Ridge Runners Car Club.  Meet some of the motorcycle riders and look at their bikes. Learn about the great service that Warriors’ Watch provides to our returning Veterans.

Come out and say thanks to our Veterans and police officers who keep us safe in our community.  Visit civic organizations and others that provide services to our community.  There will be a van provided by the VA to provide information and assist Veterans with concerns about the VA benefits.  Dogs and their handlers form Therapy Dogs International (TDI) will be present and share the many benefits of therapy dogs.  Learn about the election process and see how voting machines work.

Keep alert!  Two Phillies baseball greats will make special appearances.  Phillies Center Fielder Garry Maddox, himself a Vietnam Veteran, will share his experiences and offer stories of hope and inspiration.  Children of all ages will be greeted by a large friendly Green Creature — AKA the PHILLIE PHANATIC — who has entertained millions of Phillies fans as he roams around beautiful Gorgas Park.

Participants/Supporters (List is still growing!) include: 21st Ward Fourth of July Association, Church of St. Alban Episcopal, Mark Lally, Henry Houston American Legion, Leverington Presbyterian Church, Local Boy Scout Troops, Local Girl Scout Troops, Marchiano’s Bakery, Philadelphia Bible Society, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Andorra, Stanley’s True Value, Hardware, Acme Markets, Five Below, Brown’s ShopRite, Clare McIllvaine Mundy Funeral Home, Fitzpatrick Funeral Home, Koller Funeral Home, Herr Foods, Coca-Cola corporation, Pepsi Corporation, TastyKake, and Tasty Twisters, Mark Lally RIBS and others.

If your group, organization, or nonprofit would be interested in setting up a table to distribute information or promote your organization, please contact Bruce F. Hoffman, President, 21st Ward Veterans Association [267-304-5787;brucefhoffman@msn.com].  Thank a Veteran today as well as Saturday, July 30, 2016.

Go to:  https://www.facebook.com/21stWardVeteransAssociation/ or https://www.facebook.com/21st-Ward-Fourth-of-July-Association-422457357892744/ to read more info.2016 Veterans Tribute Flyer w Phanatic Rev B

Action Packed Summer Weekend at Gorgas Park Starts Thursday, July 28

Gorgas Park Actioned-Packed Summer Weekend & More!

Thursday Night August 28th   Zydeco A Go Go is BACK in TOWN.  FUN, FESTIVE MUSIC, Water Ice, Refreshements and Cool Gorgas Breezes.
Saturday July 30th   10am to 3pm Veterans Tribute featuring Merion Concert Band, Savoy Company, Great Food, Philly Phanatic and Much More.  DON”T MISS IT.   Honor our Hospitalized Vets who have done so much for us all.  IT’S THEIR SPECIAL DAY.
Sunday July 31st    1-5pm.  ELVIS Returns to Gorgas Park featuring JEFF KRICK as the Fabulous 60’s and 70’s Elvis.  Plus Young Jeffrey Krick as the fabulous 50’s King of Rock.   TAVERN ON RIDGE IS GRILLING Burgers and Hot Dogs in the park.  Water Ice from Hog’s Island on 7700 Ridge is Scooped.  Join us for a Pic-nicing.  A Fun, Delicious Sunday in the Park!
Tuesday August 2nd – KIDS CONCERT & MOVIE, National Town Watch Night, and AmeriKick Karate Demonstration.  Family, and Community fun at its best.  The PLANTS KIDS GROUP IS BACK!!!   Followed by Movie INSIDE OUT.   5TH DISTRICT POLICE and Soft Pretzels.   Gorgas Park fresh-popped POPCORN, WATER ICE, COOL DRINKS, CANDY and More.   SEE YOU AT THE PARK.
Police arrive early.  Concert at 7.  Movie at Dusk under the Stars.

Gorgas Park in the News!

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Gorgas Park is a recipient of the Performances in Public Spaces Program!  Gorgas Park will host a concert by the  Harry Walther Band. More info in the Newsworks article. 

Northwest Philadelphia scored big time when the first grantees for the city’s Performances in Public Spaces Program were announced by Mayor Michael Nutter’s office last week.

Six local arts organizations are among 23 selected recipients. Three area parks are among the 19 public spaces chosen to host performances.

A $60,000 initiative of the city’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, the pilot program provides direct funding to cover the costs involved in putting on free outdoor performances in public spaces across Philadelphia.

Performances will take place between Apr. 1 and Nov. 1 of this year.

 

 

Shop Local this holiday season!

DSCN8241Four paintings, by local artist Francesco Sessa, are on display at Cafe Roma Bakery (6147 Ridge Ave).

$50 from the sale of each painting will be donated to Friends of Gorgas Park.

Each original oil painting (6”x8”) is available for purchase for $120.

Contact Amy Gardner for details.  amyegardner@gmail.com

 

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