PIFA’s highly anticipated finale transforms six blocks of Broad Street (between Chestnut and South Streets) into Philadelphia’s ultimate FREE block party. Featuring dozens of performances, rides, a zip line, popular food vendors, and this year’s centerpiece – an enormous waterfall in the center of Broad Street. The 2016 PIFA Street Fair will take place on Saturday, April 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Street Closure Alert
Broad Street will close on Friday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m. from Chestnut to South Street, including all cross streets, for the PIFA Street Fair on April 23rd. We encourage you to use public transportation to get to our campus. If you plan to drive, you should allow extra time to locate parking. All roads will reopen on April 24 at 3:00 a.m.
RIDES
Street Fair patrons can Zip Line down Broad Street and ride amusement attractions like the Ferris Wheel, Swings, and The Tornado!
PERFORMER HIGHLIGHTS
Squonk – Pittsburgh’s Squonk Opera presents Lady Pneumatica, a 40-foot tall inflatable accordion sculpture of a woman that plays music.
Flippen Out – Extreme trampoline athletes/acrobats/artists performing high-energy stunt shows.
The Living Vines – Back by popular demand from the 2011 PIFA Street Fair, the Living Vines performers walk around on stilts, dressed in vine and flower costumes camouflaging themselves as part of their surroundings.
Golden Mantises – Also back by popular demand from the 2013 PIFA Street Fair these beautiful, larger-than-human bugs with costumes made from handmade wicker baskets delight audiences.
Cirikli Birds – Colorfully plumed wooden puppet birds controlled by stilt performers who interact with the audience.
Wheelmen – Old-timey characters on old-fashioned bicycles.
ATMOSPHERE, INTERACTION, AND DINING
Waterfall – In addition to several grassy areas, trees, water fountains, and other natural elements, a waterfall will be installed in the center of Broad Street, across from the Academy of Music where patrons can enjoy a picnic with a view.
Food Vendors – In addition to more than 30 food vendors, Garces Events will have a beer garden set up on Spruce Street, as well as a food stand, opposite the Kimmel Center. Food vendors to include: The Cow and the Curd, Scratch Biscuits, and Hai Street Kitchen
The PIFA Street Fair is free and open to the public.
The PIFA Street Fair is generously supported by
Sofitel Philadelphia works to embrace the arts and highlight the city’s artistic culture through rotating exhibits on public display. In celebration of PIFA 2016 Sofitel will host a new art exhibit beginning April 28 – Taming of the Stripes II paintings by Norma Bessieres.