The 16th Anniversary Kensington Derby and Arts Festival Moves to Frankford Avenue

-Courtesy of Aversa PR & Events

East Kensington’s long-time parade and arts festival is moving over to Frankford Avenue. Fishtown District, with support from Penn Treaty Special Services District, presents Kensington Derby and Arts Fest on Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 12:00pm to 6:00pm, on Frankford Avenue, from York St to Huntingdon St. The event, which won Best of Philly in 2023, is back and ready to let the mud fly!

Derby teams prepare human-powered sculptures crafted from recycled bicycles and other materials and ride their contraptions through various obstacles ending with a spectacular mud-pit finish at the arts festival grounds. Winners are then crowned in categories that have ranged over the years like Best Art, Best Costume, Best Engineering, Media Choice and Judge’s Choice. The parade is free to participate, open to all ages and abilities with a bike, helmet, and pun-y team name. The all day, all ages arts festival will feature outdoor food and drink, local bands and DJs, artists and makers, vendors and community groups, and much more.

“East Kensington is a neighborhood that is growing and thriving, and Frankford Ave in particular has seen tremendous business growth in the last year with the opening of new businesses like Post Haste, Fiore Fine Foods, Cloud Cups and Philadelphia Barber Co,” said Fishtown District Director of Operations Kae Anderson. “We are proud to invite our neighbors near and far to come out and experience the unique creative spirit of East Kensington. This truly is Philadelphia’s most unique festival of the year – there is nothing else like it. See you on Frankford Avenue!”

Kensington Derby and Arts Fest is now in its 16th year. The event started in 2007 on Trenton Ave as a collaboration between East Kensington Neighbors Association and New Kensington Community Development Corp. The festival continues to serve as a fundraiser for the East Kensington Neighbors Association, and proceeds from their beer sales at the event are spent back in the East Kensington community through their community mini-grant program.  Learn more about the mini-grant program, and see examples of past awardees at https://www.ekna.org/

Over 15,000 people are expected to come out and cheer on the parade along the three mile obstacle course that stretches through East Kensington and Fishtown. Mud, bubbles and other obstacles along the route will be presented by some of the District’s biggest names.

The event is widely known as one of the largest spring festivals in the tri-state region – and it has a reputation as being one of the city’s most memorable and unique events that goes beyond just food, drink and vendors. The event brings vendors, performers, musicians, food trucks, local businesses and neighbors together in a way that is as unique as the two prominent and fast-growing neighborhoods it takes place in. Last year, to add to the grandness and excitement, the event took place in pouring rain – with the mud flying more than ever! As a testament to how beloved this long-time event is, thousands came out and not just watched and participated but thousands stayed all day long as umbrellas darted the race course. This year the event is rain or shine – with shine preferred. However, rain isn’t stopping this parade.

Come hungry and thirsty for the growing East Kensington food and drink scene, as well as a few of the city’s favorite food trucks. Artists and makers are also the focus for this festival with the spotlight on over 100 local merchants, artists and makers. A complete list of 2024 vendors will be found on the official website.

On top of food, drink and shopping, the festival features a Main Stage near Huntingdon St featuring local bands, and a DJ stage at Hagert St. programmed by local internet radio station, Great Circles.  Music will run all day from 12:00pm to 6:00pm, with a line-up that will be announced in mid April.  

DERBY
Registration is now open for competitors! Thanks to generous support from Penn Treaty Special Services District, there is no fee to participate in the Derby parade this year. The derby parade begins at 2:00pm at Frankford & York and parades along Frankford Ave and back up Front St to end around 3:00pm at the Amber St mud pit.  

The festival is free to attend, with food and drink pay as you go. The event is family and fido friendly, with 21 and up to drink (with identification). For more information, or to register as a derby participant visit https://www.kensingtonkineticarts.org/ and follow @kensingtonkineticarts

The event is hosted by the Fishtown District, with support from Penn Treaty Special Services District, Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, Stuart Leon Bicycle Attorney, Green Mountain Energy, & NRG Energy.