Local News: The Festival that is good for everyone.

You can check out the video at http://vimeo.com/24179519

Last Saturday on May 21st, when the weather was warm and sunny, Rittenhouse Row, located at 18th and Walnut Streets, was packed with thousands of people because of the Annual Spring Festival. The festival on Walnut was created by Rittenhouse Row as an opportunity to showcase the best of what Rittenhouse Row has to offer.

Rittenhouse Row was eligible to host this festival because it is a destination marking organization responsible for marketing and promoting the businesses and organizations in the uptown area between the Avenue of the Arts and the river from The Parkway to South.

Ilan Waber, Membership Coordinator of Rittenhouse Row, said, “We serve as a voice for the businesses in the area and make a bridge between them and the residents in the community.” She also explained that they work with the City of Philadelphia to get permits to close the street.

She was rushing around with walkie talkies on her hands and communicating with co-workers.

There were smiles on people’s faces and everyone got to hold hands, date and chat. People greeted one another with hugs and kisses. It seemed to be a great opportunity to meet up with friends and neighbors after a long, cold winter.

Dozens upon dozens of white-roof tents were lined up all the way down from the 1400 to 1800 block of Walnut Streets.

Each tent represented a specific company. Friends and couples gathered around tables underneath those tents. Long lines of people waited either for free food including hot dogs, donuts, cup cakes or hair salon treatments. People crowded close to watch, receive or to be exposed to something new.

Jason Milton of Miami, Fl. Said, “We started up at a 15th and locust and worked their way up, visited couple tents, it’s pretty neat, met a couple people, interacted, met a couple culture, and had a few drinks. I think the atmosphere is very good, very positive."

Standing underneath the red “Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival Philadelphia Magazine” sign on the front part of a tent, people who represent the magazine were dressed in black T-shirts. In front of them, this month’s issue of magazines, pamphlets, affiliated products and small application forms were spread nicely and neatly on the table.

Like all other tents, they advertised their company in various ways. They were giving away what was on the table. They tried to get people to sign up for their websites as well. Finally they encouraged visitors to purchase their products.

John O’Brien, the subscription manager for the Philadelphia Magazine, wished that this festival would boost the downturned businesses. “We hope the festival helps this economy that went down. This is a good event to get things going,” O’Brien said. “We hope to get a lot of publicity, even helped get our advertising, because part of the problem with the economy is advertising.”