As the date of the Shamrock Shuttle approaches, bar owners have reached an agreement with community leaders, the 15th Police District and elected officials to help ensure a peaceful celebration.
The pre-Saint Patrick’s Day celebration is set for Saturday, March 2. Patrons are shuttled from bar to bar as part of a party atmosphere that brings hundreds of people to Frankford Avenue in Mayfair.
The 15th district hosted a meeting of bar owners, the Mayfair Civic Association, Mayfair Town Watch and aides to state Rep. Kevin Boyle (D-172nd dist.) and City Councilman Bobby Henon (D-6th dist.).
Bar owners will pay for 45 portable toilets that will be placed at various locations. They will also pay the Father Judge High School football team to remove trash and clean Frankford Avenue from Bleigh Avenue to Wellington Street as well as the 3500 block of Cottman Ave. The cleanup is scheduled for the following day.
The 15th district will pay special attention to the driveways along the 3500 blocks of streets just west of Frankford Ave., along with the 3400 block between Ryan and Cottman avenues.
Officers will place “No Parking” signs in front of bars on Frankford Avenue so the shuttles can park there.
Mayfair Civic Association and Mayfair Town Watch volunteers will wear bright red T-shirts and will provide hospitality along the shuttle route.
Meanwhile, an upcoming Easter egg hunt will begin several months of activities planned by leaders in Mayfair.
The Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, March 16, at 11 a.m. at Mayfair Memorial Playground, at Rowland Avenue and Vista Street, on the grounds of Abraham Lincoln High School.
The event is open to kids 10 and under. The cost is $2 to participate, and children are asked to bring their Easter baskets. The Easter Bunny will be in attendance.
Proceeds from the third annual event will go to maintaining the playground and adding equipment.
More information is available by emailing [email protected] or visiting the Rebuild Mayfair Memorial Playground (at Lincoln High School) page on Facebook.
Republic Bank and the Mayfair Community Development Corporation are co-sponsors of the Mayfair Farmers Market, which will open for the season on Sunday, April 21.
The farmers market will be open along the 3500 block of Ryan Ave. for 13 Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from the spring through the fall.
Planning continues for the Mayfair Fallen Heroes Run and the Mayfair May Fair, which are scheduled for Saturday, May 18.
The fifth annual Fallen Heroes Run takes participants around Lincoln and Pennypack Park. Proceeds benefit Hero Thrill Show Inc., which provides college scholarships for the children of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. This year’s run/walk will be in memory of police officer Chuck Cassidy, who was shot to death in 2007 when he interrupted an armed robbery at a West Oak Lane Dunkin’ Donuts.
The May Fair features sidewalk sales, live music and more along Frankford Avenue.
Annual dues to join the Mayfair Business Association are $125, with additional fees for businesses that want to sponsor the Fallen Heroes Run T-shirt and have an A-frame display at the race and the May Fair. Checks payable to the Mayfair Business Association can be mailed or dropped off to Bellalisa Hair Studio, 3530 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19149–1606 (215–624–6667).
The Mayfair Business Association will meet on Thursday, March 7, at 9 a.m. at 3rd Fed Bank, at Roosevelt Boulevard and Unruh Avenue. ••
