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Philly Christmas

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Christmas Village 2020 – Safety First

November 25, 2020 by HughE Dillon Leave a comment

From the Press Release: It is finally happening! After a successful preview weekend, Christmas Village in Philadelphia will officially open its doors for the 2020 season on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26) at 11 am.

Christmas Village Covid Safety Measures: Stop by LOVE Park and the City Hall Courtyard to find out what we came up with this year. In accordance with city and state guidelines, our (reduced number of) vendors will be set up in a socially distanced one-way system at the outer limits around LOVE Park for a linear and spaced walking concept.

Last week I went to the Christmas Village Preview weekend. I was curious like everyone else how they were going to achieve social distancing at such a popular event. I was surprised, it felt very safe and comfortable, and spacious as the flow is one way throughout the usually packed holiday market, they have safety guards at every corner directing people on the flow, and they metered how many people could enter the food court, which is actually in the middle of Love Park, with tables spaced for eating enjoyment.
I was never a hand sanitizer guy, now I can’t live without it. Why didn’t I buy the stock.
Here’s one of the people helping with the directional flow
Because of Covid there’s no Santa this year, but there’s this blog up guy near a shop

Here is a map of the vendor set up and here’s a list of the vendors, many from the Philadelphia area.

Now a word from our Sponsor:
Stag & Doe Nights Holidays in Chestnut Hill
Wednesdays, December 2, 9, 16, 23, 11:00am-9:00pm.
  • Love Park is still open and you can see it by entering on 15th Street about 50 feet south of JFK Blvd

You can also buy Love Park merchandise at Christmas Village, which reminds me, people get confused between Christmas Village, who’s landlord is City of Phila’s Parks & Recreation, and Dilworth Park, specifically the Rothman Ice Skating Rink, that is run by Center City District, and is not part of Christmas Village.

To completely confuse the situation, the merry go round at City Hall and the Philly Made shops at City Hall are part of Christmas Village, but again the Center City District maintains the procedures over there and not Christmas Village management.

The reason I need to point this out is last week I published this video of what seems to be over crowding skating at the rink. People were calling it Christmas Village, it’s not, it’s the Rothman Rink at Dilworth Park managed by Center City District. Center City District’s landlord is the City of Philly. I got a lot of complaints online and privately from people, as I’m sure CCD did as the rink seemed less crowded the following day. It sucks people aren’t always following the rules, but the bottom line is you must do what’s right for you, because people are going to do what they want to do as we know. Thankfully we have brave folks in the Gov’t that have resisted to bullying to keep us safe, but the rest is up to us. Stay Safe, Wear A Mask and know we are all in this together and it is almost over, just hang in there a little more.

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Save The Date: Christmas Belle Brunch at the Igloos in Northern Liberties

November 24, 2020 by HughE Dillon Leave a comment

InBox: Be our guest, be our guest! You and your family are invited to be the belle of the ball at the first-ever Christmas Belle Brunch: The Beauty Princess at the Igloos. This socially-distanced dining experience is perfect for kids of all ages who love Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Northern Liberties’ based A Dash of Magic Events partners with Germantown Garden Grill (1029 Germantown Ave) and Glu Hospitality after the success of the Enchanted in Northern Liberties: Snow Queen Brunch series.

This socially-distanced positive and magical dining experience will include 90 minutes at a private, exclusive and heated igloo just for you and your immediate family members. Get ready to enjoy a safe and socially-distanced photo opportunity, songs from the princesses story and a grand entrance. Each reservation will also receive a private The Beauty Princess visit per each Igloo, a souvenir, and princess themed activity sheets – and a special holiday dessert that would make even Chef Bouche hungry! Leave room for brunch and lunch, plus hot beverages for kids and adults. Food and drink is pay-as-you-go.Tickets are $15.00 per person for Igloo seating and $10.00 per person for outdoor seating without the Igloo. A portion of each ticket will go to charity, and provide a free princess appearance for children in need through the Salvation Army.

This event is open to a very limited number of tickets to make this dining experience very safe and intimate. Capacity for this event will be at less 10% of the entire capacity for the venue, to ensure safety and health protocols. All children and adults above the age of two must wear a mask to and from their dining table. The Beauty Princess already has her special princess themed matching mask. She can’t wait to see your costumes and masks too! Costumes for the little ones are encouraged but not required. All families attending must follow the local and health guidelines at the time of the event. If the event is postponed due to weather, all parties will be able to transfer their ticket to a new date and time. Tickets are on sale now at www.germantowngarden.com. 

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About Last Night: What’s Popping in Philly

December 12, 2019 by HughE Dillon Leave a comment
About Last Night: What’s Popping in Philly
Hope everyone is having a great week.
Hanukkah and Christmas are closing in and there’s so much to do. Over the past week I’ve discovered a few cute shops you might like, and things you might want to do.
Congrats to my friend WOGL’s Marilyn Russell (center, standing) who held her annual Remarkable Women event on Tuesday at the Downtown Club. This year’s 98.1 WOGL Remarkable Woman of the Year is World Cup champion Julie Ertz. She was honored for her charitable work with the Ertz Family Foundation as well as her accomplishments on the soccer field. Check out additional photos at CBSPhilly.
  • Last night I stopped by the Ritz-Carlton’s Holiday Pop Up. The exclusive Holiday Pop Up in The Ritz-Carlton Chalet.
Featuring cheerful specialty cocktails, Champagne, naughty or nice hot chocolate and a decadent sweet & savory station. Live entertainment from BVT Live! December 12 and 13. 5:30 pm – 9 pm. $85 per adult, includes specialty cocktail and sweet & savory station. Limited seating. Reservations required. 21+ to attend.
  • Ashley, Alex & Mike
  • The Ritz Chalet
  • Kristin Detterline, Jackie London, Jimmy Contreras, and Brittany Shipp

The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia celebrates this holiday season with a calendar full of exclusive experiences and adds a special twist to classic traditions. To make a reservation or for info, please call The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia at 215-523-8000 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/philadelphia.

The Made in Philadelphia 
Holiday Market has once again transform Dilworth Park into a holiday shopping wonderland from Saturday, November 23, 2019 to January 1, 2020. Over 50 artisans, designers, crafters and confectioneries from the greater Philadelphia region offer decorations, gifts and holiday foods inside white, festively lit tents topped with original Herrnhut Stars. Also head on over to Christmas Village this weekend for German Weekend. there’s going to be a a beer stein holding competition, the Bratwurst eating contest, a Christmas costume contest and lots of entertainment!!
Check out more Information HERE
On my way to the Ritz Carlton last night I stopped by the recently expanded Concourse at Comcast Center which unveiled a new marketplace of local and regional merchants and programming partners just in time for the holiday shopping season.
Visit Philadelphia and other partners will pop-up
throughout the season with activities, giveaways and great holiday gifts.

New retail partners include:
 Aurora Grace Chocolates – including candles
 Endeavor Athletic
 Franklin & Whitman – plant-based and cruelty-free skincare, hair care, men’s grooming, and pet products
 Paper On Pine –
 Remark Glass – handblown, sustainablyrecycled glass barware and décor.
 Stover Ceramics -wheel-thrown and handcrafted pottery and custom-made pieces locally crafted in the Philadelphia area.
 Campus Artists & Makers
 Comcast NBCUniversal Store – Memorabilia from SNL, This is Us, The Top Chef and lots of other great merchandise from favorite shows.

Also popping up in the Comcast Concourse is Tired Hands Brewing Company which opened their seasonal space earlier this month. The award-winning, PA-based brewery will offer local, small batched beers to-go, tastings and an eclectic array of merchandise.

Movie Review:

A Marriage Story on @netflix#NotAChristmasMovie is hard to watch. It’s good, great acting but it’s about a divorce and it’s painful. It’s Kramer vs Kramer for this generation. The star power in this movie made me not look away except when I grabbed tissues. #MovieReview

Finally luck Friday, 13th at 6pm join in the caroling at Barnes & Noble Rittenhouse Square followed by a signing with Renae Baker, author of Defeating Scrooge. Plus B&N offers gift wrapping of items where ever you’ve bought your gift for a donation for the charity doing the wrapping in the vestibule.

I found this cute little shop, which houses independent artists wares, Plants 🌱 Gifts 🛍 Handmade gifts in Rittenhouse Square at 229 S. 20th Street
Pop-up Shop Located inside of the Lil’ Pop Shop www.shop-pomelo.com

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