Like every year, there are events happening today to celebrate the holiday. Check out this list of events from Visit Philadelphia. Coming up this week, popcorn is a must for the “Wicked” movie night at Harrowgate Park, all poets and singers welcome at the Fall fest open mic, and many more events are underway. Check it out below.
Also, check out our Facebook and Instagram profiles to find anything that doesn’t make it in the newsletter this week.
Recent News
Harrowgate area to see art, improvements as part of citywide celebration for America’s 250th birthday
Kensington’s Harrowgate community will see beautification improvements and additional events support from the City of Philadelphia as part of America’s 250th birthday celebration in 2026.
The 3300 and 34500 blocks of Kensington Avenue will get a redesign from a landscape design company called Ground Reconsidered including planters, public art and signage. Impact Services will manage the planters, according to CEO Casey O'Donnell, who will be the point person on the initiative.
Photos of Kensington: Orquesta el Macabeo brings salsa to Taller Puertorriqueño
On July 17, community members gathered at Taller Puertorriqueño for an evening of salsa, hosted by Mural Arts Philadelphia and CAICU. The celebration featured live music by Orquesta el Macabeo, an interactive dance performance by Elian Gomez and Ashley Rivera of Mambo Lab Philly, and food by Amy’s Pastelillos.
Throughout the night, neighbors filled the dance floor, enjoyed Caribbean flavors, and celebrated the cultural exchange that continues to connect Philadelphia’s Norris Square neighborhood with Puerto Rico.
The Small Business Storytelling Project is a collaborative initiative produced by Kensington Voice in partnership with the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) and funded by LISC Philadelphia. The project aims to highlight and support local entrepreneurs and small businesses in Kensington through original reporting and photography.
We took a small break last week, but look out for fresh coverage next Wednesday!
News Tips
Do you have a story idea or free activity we should share with our readers? Email editors@kensingtonvoice.com.
Want to write an op-ed? Hit up that same email with your ideas!
Free Activities & Events
Oct. 14
Free credit academy course hosted by HACE CDC at Casa Indiana (2935 N. 2nd St.) from 6 to 8 p.m. Attendees will receive a free credit report and be able to see if they are eligible for a free $250 ready-to-spend secure credit card. Visit this link to register and learn more.
“Middle Spoon” book launch event hosted by H&H Books at 2230 Frankford Ave. from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Authors Alejandro Varela and Joseph Earl Thomas will discuss Varela’s latest book, “Middle Spoon,” which is a novel about queer love and an unorthodox family. Following the discussion, there will be an audience Q&A and book signing. Visit this link to register and learn more.
Budget 201: Housing hosted by NKCDC and Peoples’ Budget Office at New Kensington Community Development Corporation (3000 Kensington Ave) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.. This is part of a four-month housing series hosted by NKCDC to “co-create a people-first approach to affordable and accessible housing.”
Oct. 15
Hub4Health resource fair hosted by Esperanza Health Center at the CORE (3222 H St.) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The fair takes place every third Wednesday. There will be free food, clothing, housing resources and more.
SNAP benefits town hall hosted by Councilmember Quetcy Lozada at The Lighthouse Community Center (141 W Somerset St) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Learn whether you’re at risk of losing SNAP benefits due to federal cuts, and how to file for an exemption to keep them. More information here.
Ceramics 101 hosted by Forman Arts Initiative at West Kensington ministry (2140 N. Hancock Street) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.. Kids and adults can get an introduction to clay materials and tools.
Oct. 18
Fall fest open mic hosted by The Simple Way at 3234 Potter St. at 2 p.m. There will be poems, songs, free books and more. This event is donation-based.
Annual Fall festival hosted by Friends of McPherson and Impact Services at 601 E. Indiana Ave. from 12 to 3 p.m. There will be arts and crafts, face painting and more.
Weekly Events
Mondays and Fridays
Mothers Helping Mothers Women of Power Group supported by Mural Arts and NKCDCmeets at the CORE at Esperanza Health Center (3222 H Street)) from 12:30-2:30 p.m. to heal from trauma related to gun violence and overdose. Email Brenda Mosley at byfaithenternal@gmail.com to learn more.
Wednesdays
Free writing group hosted by new board game cafe BUBS at 102 W. Berks St. from 6 to 8 p.m. The writing group is for individuals who require a space to write without distractions. Attendees set a goal, focus for 45 minutes, and then engage in peer-to-peer conversation about their writing.
Thursdays
Free Zumba class hosted by Esperanza Health Center at the CORE (3222 H St.) at 5:30 p.m. Esperanza Health Center is hosting free classes every Thursday in October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Monthly Community Meetings
East Kensington Neighbors Association meets every third Monday in person at the Philadelphia Brewing Co. (2440 Frankford Ave.) at 7 p.m. Contact info@ekna.org for more information.
Friends of McPherson meets every first Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m. at McPherson Square Library at 601 E. Indiana Ave. Contact chalmerst@freelibrary.org for more information.
Harrowgate Civic Association meets every first Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Heitzman Recreation Center at 3631 Amber St. Contact harrowgatecivicassociation@gmail.com for more information.
Kensington Independent Civic Association (KICA) meets every third Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Harrowgate PAL Center at 851 E. Tioga St.
Port Richmond Neighborhood Action (PRNA) meets every third Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Block Church, 2537 E. Monmouth St. For more information, email portrichmondna@gmail.com. *There are no monthly PRNA meetings in January, November or December
Somerset Neighbors For Better Living meets every first Monday of the month (except holidays, when it meets the following Monday) online via Zoom. Contact phillysnbl@gmail.com.
South Port Richmond Civic Association meets every second Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Veteran Boxers Association Ring at 2733 E. Clearfield Street. Click here for more information.
Jobs
The City of Philadelphia is hiring School Crossing Guards. The job includes paid time off, uniform allowance, pension benefits and more. Visit this link to apply and learn more.
Khysir Carter is a multimedia journalist, writer, and editor from Kensington who covers community stories, builds local partnerships, and engages youth in finding their creative voice through writing and multimedia.
