What began as a small salvage business in 2016 has grown into a community cornerstone. George Mathes’ Thunderbird LLC now unites Kensington through vintage treasures and local events.
Dancers from Colombia’s Son Las Américas perform a traditional Barranquilla folk dance from Colombia’s Caribbean coast during Feria del Barrio on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
Feria del Barrio returned to North 5th Street between Huntingdon and Lehigh avenues on Sept. 7, filling the block with salsa, bomba, and cumbia for its 41st year. The annual festival celebrated Latinx culture and community with live performances, local vendors, and family-friendly activities organized by Asociación de Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM), Congreso de Latinos Unidos, HACE, Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas, and Taller Puertorriqueño.
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Check out our photos from Feria del Barrio below 👇
Community members stand among the crowd during Feria del Barrio on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)A member of Raíces Boricuas plays the bongos during Feria del Barrio at Taller Puertorriqueño on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Aida Cruz, of Raíces Boricuas, performs traditional songs from Puerto Rico during Feria del Barrio at Taller Puertorriqueño on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)(From left) Yashira and her mother, Vanessa, pose for a portrait during Feria del Barrio near Taller Puertorriqueño on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Julio Gonzales holds a Puerto Rican flag featuring Bad Bunny during Feria del Barrio at Taller Puertorriqueño on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)An attendee with a Puerto Rican flag painted on her cheek browses vendor tables during Feria del Barrio at Taller Puertorriqueño on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Artist Cvgebird performs on stage during Feria del Barrio at Taller Puertorriqueño on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Community members wearing pava hats, the traditional Puerto Rican hats of jíbaro agricultural workers, watch a live performance at Taller Puertorriqueño during Feria del Barrio on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Aasya, a local photographer, poses for a portrait during Feria del Barrio near Taller Puertorriqueño on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)(From left) Sara Bermudez holds the new 5th Street sign dedicated to her father, the late Philadelphia musician, mentor, and arts leader Jesse Malpica-Bermudez, as her sister, Del Bermudez, shares a hug with Councilmember Quetcy Lozada during Feria del Barrio on Sept. 7, 2025. The city renamed 5th Street between Huntingdon and Somerset streets “Jesse Malpica-Bermudez Way” to honor his lasting legacy in Latin music and community empowerment. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)The new “Jesse Malpica-Bermudez Way” sign is revealed on 5th Street between Huntingdon and Somerset streets during Feria del Barrio on Sept. 7, 2025, honoring the late musician and community leader’s legacy. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)(From Left) Andy Perez and Freddy Kruger pose for a photo outside a home near Taller Puertorriqueño during Feria del Barrio on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Dancers from Colombia’s Son Las Américas perform a traditional Barranquilla folk dance from the country’s Caribbean region during Feria del Barrio at Taller Puertorriqueño on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)A vendor sells Puerto Rican themed merchandise during Feria del Barrio at Taller Puertorriqueño on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Marta Linero, a dancer with Colombia’s Son Las Américas, performs a traditional Barranquilla folk dance from Colombia’s Caribbean coast during Feria del Barrio at Taller Puertorriqueño on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)(Center) Eric and Danishka watch a live performance during Feria del Barrio at Taller Puertorriqueño on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
Solmaira Valerio is a North Philly–born photographer and musician whose work draws on their cultural roots to capture the energy, vulnerability, and authenticity of communities while challenging stereotypes and stigma.
Students of all ages closed out their Bomba and Plena classes with a recital in North Philadelphia organized by the Philly Bomba Plena Cultural Center.
