Historic Philly’s Franklin Square Gala & Check out Which Chinese Lantern I Won
A few Thursday evenings ago, Historic Philadelphia Inc. hosted the 8th annual “An Evening in Franklin Square” presented by Parx Casino. It was a beautiful night, and a really great evening.
As you know Franklin Square was transformed over the last decade into a delightful playground complete with miniature golf, merry-go-round, a burger stand – Square Burger, picnic tables and a beautiful fountain where colorful lights bounce off the water in the evening. This year the gala was extra spectacular as they were celebrating the 10th anniversary of the revitalization of the park AND the Chinese Lantern Festival is was in full swing (hope you make it out to the park to see it), it’ll be there through June 12th.
The gala benefited the family-friendly park and was quite the good time.
The weather held out and the evening began with a cocktail party on the grounds of the park, surrounding the fountain and the beautiful lanterns, there was a silent auction and lots of mingling.
Mayor Jim Kenney and Amy Needle, President of Historic Philadelphia
PS How long has it been since I goofed and lost my note book; awhile but guess what on this night I misplaced it, I believe at the next event I went to I put it down to dance with Jilly from Philly and I didn’t pick it up again, or maybe it popped out of my pocket. So this columns is going to be pictorial with a bit of gossip.
TODAY is Global Running Day, so head on over to Shops of Liberty Place to join Back on My Feet Philadelphia along with over 100 people, for 8 hours, on 5 treadmills to celebrate the power of running in our community by raising funds to support BoMF! Back on My Feet, a national nonprofit organization, invites the community to support the Treadmill Challenge presented by Sweat Fitness on Wednesday, June 1 st (Global Running Day) at The Shops at Liberty Place. Back on My Feet combats homelessness through the power of running, community support and essential employment and housing resources. Over the course of 8 hours, fundraising teams and individuals will run on treadmills in an effort to help Back on My Feet raise $10,000 to put 6 new members through the program. Say hi to Jill Scarlett, Retail Shops of Liberty Manager and James Zeleniak, Punch Media PR
Parx Casino in the house…
WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE Philadelphia Auditions: Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at Parx Casino – “The #1 Casino in Pennsylvania 2999 Street Road Bensalem, PA 19020
Cari Feiler Bender, Relief Communications and Mark Focht, Consulting Landscape Architect 
The Square Derby presented by Parx Casino 
Kerry O’Connor and Adriana O’Connor
Chinese Lantern Festival gift shop
Love these auction paddles
Nicole and Charles Paloux
I bought one of these lighted tulips at the auction. I can’t wait to put it on my balcony. 
Mayor Kenney and posse. I met Mayor Kenney 8 years ago via Carol Tamburino. 
It was then followed by dinner served by Brûlée Catering, a live auction by Beasley Reece (who flew in from his home in Texas to continue his MC duties he has done over the past years) a video screening that covered the progress of the park over the years (see below video), future plans, and then attendees danced to the tunes of Jellyroll. All in all it was a great night, as usual at Franklin Square. Look for additional photos of the gala in August’s Philly Mag Best of Issue.
