April 27, 2017
Courtesy of Aversa PR & Events/PhillyVoice
More than 55,000 people attended the South Street Spring Festival in 2016.
The South Street Spring Festival will return on Saturday, May 6. At the free outdoor block party, there will be more than 30 participating bars and restaurants, over 125 shopping vendors and 40 bands on three stages.
Plus, as part of the festival, there will be Brauhaus Schmitz's Maifest, Atomic City Comics' Comic Book Day and the Philly Taco Eating Contest. The challenge, which began last year, is to be first to finish a "Philly Taco."
The delicacy is a Jim's cheesesteak wrapped inside a Lorenzo's pizza slice. Whoever wins will receive a year's worth of cheesesteaks and pizza.
The contest will be open to the first 20 contestants to sign up. Participants will also need to pay a $20 fee, which will be donated to a local school lunch program.
Sign up by emailing Festival@southstreet.com with the subject "Taco Contest."
Dare to try the Philly Taco?
Courtesy of Aversa PR & Events/PhillyVoice
As for the festival's soundtrack, a mix of rock, funk, soul, hip-hop, indie rock, reggae, R&B and country acts will entertain crowds.
"We are proud to host one of the city's largest free concerts that celebrates the same energy and creativity that has always electrified South Street,” Bill Arrowood, South Street Headhouse District's assistant director, stated.
Below is this year's music schedule.
Fifth Street Stage 1
11 a.m. Blue Bond Band (Rock 'N' Roll)
Noon iLLECTIVE (Funk)
1 p.m. The Sly Foxes (Funk Rock)
2 p.m. Wayside Shakeup (Classic Rock)
3 p.m. Xpresidents (Hip-Hop Rock Funk)
4 p.m. Dr. Beardface and the Spaceman (Punk Rock)
5 p.m. Flightschool (Rock)
6 p.m. Aviance (R&B trio)
7 p.m. The Jawn (Hip-Hop Funk Jammers)
Second Street Stage 2
11:10 a.m. Walt Lafty (Singer/Songwriter)
12:10 p.m. Buster (Jazz & Blues)
1:10 p.m. Calla Bere & The Attitude (Acoustic)
2:10 p.m. The Quixote Project (Neo-Roots)
3:10 p.m. Ivory (World Folk Music)
4:10 p.m. Philly Taco Contest
5:10 p.m. Post War Dream (Progressive Rock)
6:10 p.m. Blind Spots (Moxy Party Rock)
7:10 p.m. Adam Travis (Soulful Rock)
Eighth Street Stage – Maifest by Brauhaus Schmitz
1-6 p.m. HeimatKlange
Street performers at various locations
Adventure Lost
Baby Diaz
James Barrett
T.C. Cole
David Darmon
Jessica Graae
Good Look Sigourney
Katie McCorry
Mike Nappi
Reece Ratliff
Riverside Odds
A band plays during the South Street Spring Festival. May 2, 2015.
South Street Headhouse District /PhillyVoice
Each year, the festival draws crowds of more than 50,000. It has officially become the largest springtime festival in the city.
To feed the large crowds, there will be al fresco dining from neighborhood favorites. View the full lineup of participating restaurants, food trucks and speciality food vendors below, along with info on Brauhaus Schmitz's Maifest.
Restaurants and bars serving in the street
Bahn Mi & Bottles (new in 2017)
Bistro Romano
Brauhaus Schmitz (Maifest)
Bridget Foy’s
Bubble Time Tea & Waffles
Cavanaugh’s Headhouse
Copabanana
Fat Tuesday’s
His & Hers
Hurricane Alley
Jim’s Steaks South Street
Khmer Sweet Basil (new in 2017)
Lovash
Malbec (new in 2017)
Milkboy
Nomad Pizza (new in 2017)
Paddy Whacks
Primo Hoagies
Queen Village Market
Rita’s Water Ice
Spice End (new in 2017)
The Twisted Tail
Whetsone
Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop
Woolly Mammoth
Cafe seating and outdoor service
Ishkabibbles
Jon’s Bar & Grill
Las Bugambilias
Little Negril Jamaican
Pietro’s Pizza
Pizzeria Stella
South Street Souvlaki
Food trucks
Basset’s Ice Cream
Cow & the Curd
Dr Wutzit’s Wonder Balls (new in 2017)
Gus’ Hot Dogs
Lil’ Pop Shop
Mobile Mardi Gras (new in 2017)
Mom Pops
Revolution Taco (new in 2017) (this is a brand new truck launched this spring)
Say Cheese
Specialty food vendors
Bacon Jams
Jerky Hut
Passasnate’s
Philly Sweet Tooth
Unbreakable Dames
During Brauhaus Schmitz's Maifest, guests can enjoy traditional German fare and German beer. In addition, there will be traditional German dancers from 2-6 p.m., a maypole dance at 2:45 p.m. and live music from 1-6 p.m. There will also be a Philadelphia's Magic Gardens booth, where visitors can make flower crowns.
PhillyVoice is a media sponsor of this year’s festival.
Saturday, May 6
11 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Free to attend
South Street
