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With a long-established reputation as a location for levity, South Street needs no assistance drawing throngs of patrons.
The commercial thoroughfare received an identity alteration Sunday, as hundreds of revelers gathered for the South Street Headhouse District’s 82nd annual Easter Promenade, with a costume contest giving attendees and their pets incentive to don their finest holiday garb.
“With everything we do, we try to make events bigger, better, more publicized and family-friendly than their predecessors,” first-year executive director Michael Harris said shortly after the early afternoon start at East Passyunk Avenue and South Street. “It looks as if we’re going to have a great turnout for our special day.”
Ominous skies could not dispel the smiles of the excited children who lined up behind the Philadelphia Freedom Band and six peers dressed as bunnies. With the 16-member ensemble thumping out “The Bunny Hop,” which Queen Village native Harvey Sheldon helped to popularize by co-creating a dance in 1952, the participants honored the tune’s title by leaping in three-note sequences. With many adults joining them in the street and on the pavement, they made the five-block journey to the Second Street Plaza between South and Lombard streets for more fraternizing and judging of their outfits.
“What an amazing collection of contestants!” master of ceremonies Henri David, no stranger to wardrobe courtesy of his well-attended and revered Halloween parties, said as the judges, including Councilman-at-Large James Kenney, took their initial looks at the assembled crowd. “This competition is bound to be a hard one to sort out.”
With David’s infusion of a pageant-like atmosphere, seven girls between the ages of 2 and 5 kicked off the stage portion, with Pia Christensen wondering how anyone could choose a winner.
“They’re all cute,” the 4-year-old resident of the 1000 block of South Seventh Street said as she clutched a balloon animal provided by a bunny on stilts. “I want to try to do this next year.”
“And you’re sure to be the prettiest one up there,” her father, Doug Christensen, said, noting his daughter could not wait to inspect the contest following services at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 808 S. Hutchinson St. “For now, though, let’s have fun being cheerleaders.”
Certainly interested in the pride that would come from a victory in their division, the men, women and children who sauntered before the quartet of judges also had prizes to look forward to, as Harris and many local proprietors worked together to secure baked goods, baskets, gift certificates and sports tickets, among other goodies, for them. The anticipation swelled as little boys followed the girls, with young and teenage representatives rounding out the day for the most energetic registrants.
“Now come the women but we won’t ask for any ages so as not to cause any trouble,” David said. “Let’s see your best, ladies.”
As she had already seen her 14-year-old daughter Trinity Nelson and 14-year-old nephew Daniel Lee claim triumphs in the Best Dressed Teenage Girl and Boy categories, respectively, Cynthia Young-Nelson confidently marched to the stage in a buttercup yellow dress and hat. Accustomed to inspections through her time in the U.S. Army Reserve, the Sharon Hill resident beamed as the moderators named her the top female. She needed to wait only a few minutes before another celebration ensued, as her clan received the coveted Best Dressed Family award.
“I’ve been coming since 2005 and have enjoyed it each time,” Young-Nelson, who had twice won the same individual accolade and household commendation before Sunday, said as Trinity, Daniel, 19-year-old son Trey Nelson and 12-year-old nephew Anthony Kimhong enjoyed their sudden celebrity before photographers’ lenses.
“I dance so I’m used to competitions, but this was exciting nonetheless,” first-time participant and Sharon Hill dweller David, also clad in buttercup yellow, said.
Kenney and his fellow assessors also distributed honors for Best Dressed Man and Pet, the latter having two dog entrants, Best Easter Bonnet and South Street Razzle Dazzle, the final one an acknowledgement of creativity.
“It’s great to have had the chance to be a part of something so positive,” Kenney, like Daniel a rookie to the promenade, said. “I would love to come back for next year’s.”
As the mass began to disperse, with many members voicing urges to take advantage of meal deals along South Street, Harris delighted in knowing that more than 100 individuals and animals strove for bragging rights over the 90-minute affair.
“The promenade reflects the ever-growing importance we put on bettering our community,” the resident of the 900 block of South Second Street, whose employer is celebrating its 20th anniversary, said. “We have 400 businesses looking to do that, too, but events really help us to make great connections.”
The district comprises Front to 11th streets along South Street and Fourth Street from South to Christian streets, and its personnel is gearing up for more opportunities to further the familial and community focus. The first Spring Festival will showcase the realm’s cultural and culinary diversity May 4, and Philly Beer Week will use the Headhouse Shambles at Second and Lombard streets for its With Love Beer Garden June 3 to 7. July’s second annual Dog Days of Summer Hot Dog Festival will offer yet another chance to chat and chew, but no matter the classification, Harris knows each affair must be fulfilling for people like the Christensen and Nelson families.
“The spirit of today was fantastic,” he said, “and we’re glad to have appealed to so many.”
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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