October 5, 2006 Issue
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Classified Chestnut Hill Local Online Editor Don't Miss an Issue, Tell us what you see or ©2006 Chestnut Hill Local Winner of One |
Arts Fest beats rain
A day that started with a wet and soggy Germantown Avenue was transformed into a glorious Fall for the Arts Festival on Sunday. “It turned out to be a really nice day,” said Lynn Comoh, who has sold her gem and iron décor during Fall for the Arts for the past couple of years. “The rainy morning certainly didn’t stop people from coming out!” The Chestnut Hill Business Association estimated that about 50,000 people visited the avenue during the 22nd annual fall arts festival. “I think we had more people than ever,” said Kate O’Neill, of the business association. “And about 20,000 of them were dogs!” It’s true that dogs accounted for a large share of visitors to the avenue, from small brown ones carried in the hands of their owners to a pair of large white fluffy huskies that looked as if they could be ridden by the children on the avenue. But kids had enough to do on Sunday, riding the Peanuts Express Train and jumping and climbing on the inflatable obstacles near Gravers Lane. The face-painting booth produced many a butterfly- and flower-cheeked kid, while parents perused the artisans or stopped for a jig near the stages.
Across the avenue from the parking lot by PNC Bank, PhillyCarShare was spreading the news about the new Chestnut Hill car location, situated in that parking lot. Wyndmoor’s Jean Kirshenbaum, 59, and Gary Somma, 66, strolled into the Chestnut Hill Coffee Company for a warm tropical green tea. “It’s a good place to listen to the band [Six Pack],” said Kirshenbaum. At that moment, the band was playing a cover of Eagles’ “Hotel California” on the stage right outside the café. At the bottom of the Hill, next to the food court, the second stage was hosting the Rich Posmontier Band, performing a cover of the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic “Sweet Home Alabama.” Although there were a few tables provided for diners, the main seating for the enjoyment of everything from Chinese Food and Middle Eastern cuisine to hot dogs, hamburgers and kettle corn was the sidewalk where many people sat cross-legged. The Lee family from West Mt. Airy, including Charlie, 9, and Annie, 5, munched on their Bredenbeck ice cream on the corner of Germantown and Highland avenues. Charlie described his ice cream as “good” but the AbZOOlutely animals as “great.”
“It’s a beautiful day in the community,” said mother, Eliza Lee. Tom, 62, and Regina Hendrick, 57, agreed with Eliza Lee as they munched on their A Taste of Philly soft pretzels smothered in yellow mustard. They traveled from Glensdale, Pa., as they do every year, for the festival. But no one traveled as far as Patricia Walker, 43, who grew up in the area, but now lives near Dallas, Texas. She came to Fall for the Arts this weekend while visiting her mother in King of Prussia. “We usually come to the Christmas events,” said Patricia’s mother Joan Lendacky, 72, “but this is the first summer/fall one we’re been to, and it’s really nice.” Lendacky’s grandson Drew Walker, 8, was adorned in a fluorescent green eye mask and balloon crown and carried a balloon sword. Lendacky was flanked by her other grandkids, 10-year-old Conner Walker, 8-year-old Anna Lendacky and her brother, Joey, 5. Most of the vendors seemed pleased with the turnout and were grateful for the nice weather, considering the mornings threatening rain. “We think the festival is fantastic,” said Fred Place, a watercolor artist from Doylestown. “There are nice-sized crowds and wonderful people.” Place received second place in the festival’s watercolors category this year. The other 2006 winners included: • Best of Show: Catherine Colsher • Oils: Steve Zazenski (first), Mark Campana (second), Thomas Dougherty (honorable mention) • Watercolors: Jose Sebourne (first), Fred Place (second) • Photography: LightTrace Studio (first), Gene Pembroke (second), Gary San Pietro Photography (hm) • Printmaking/Drawing: Catherine Colsher (first), New Dimensions Art (second), Michael Reimer Fish Print (hm) • Crafts: Steve Hagan Glass Design (first), Svetlana Designs Jewelry (second), Hagues Mill Turnings (hm) Contact staff writer Kristin Pazulski at 215-248-8819 or Kristin@chestnuthilllocal.com. |
