A giant screen facing Ryan Avenue will show NFL Network coverage of the first night of the draft.
The Mayfair Business Improvement District is sponsoring an NFL Draft party on Thursday, April 26, from 6 to 11 p.m. at the intersections of Frankford, Cottman and Ryan avenues.
The 3500 block of Ryan Ave. will be closed to traffic.
A giant screen facing Ryan Avenue will show NFL Network coverage of the first night of the draft.
Vendors on hand will include the Grey Lodge Pub, Rita’s Water Ice, Chickie’s & Pete’s, GoPuff and Factory Donuts. Stein Your Florist Co. will hold a raffle for an Eagles bouquet. Art History 101 will unveil a limited edition T-shirt. Hammerheads Bar and Santucci’s Square Pizza will offer specials.
Fans will be able to play football toss and cornhole, spin the WIP prize wheel and sing the Eagles victory song. Tents will be set up if there is a chance of rain.
WIP personalities Jon Marks and Hollis Thomas will answer questions from 7 to 9 p.m. and appear on air during portions of the radio station’s draft coverage. Thomas will also sign autographs and pose for pictures. The area will feature Eagles decorations.
“It’s going to be Philadelphia’s biggest outdoor sports bar,” said Marc Collazzo, executive director of the BID.
Businessman Joe Maniaci had the idea to have the party in the aftermath of the Eagles winning Super Bowl LII.
“We’re still basking in the celebration. This is a chance for people to relive it,” Collazzo said.
Collazzo thanked the 15th Police District for always ensuring safety at various neighborhood gatherings. Ready, Willing & Able will clean the area on Monday morning.
The Eagles schedule was released last week, and the draft will run from Thursday through Saturday.
“It’s almost the unofficial start of the new season,” Collazzo said.
The NFL will hold the first round of the draft on Thursday. The draft will start at 8 p.m., two hours after the start of the party.
“There will be clips of the Super Bowl, I’m sure, being played,” Collazzo said.
The Eagles have the 32nd and final pick, which should be announced around 11 p.m.
“We’re going until the Eagles pick,” Collazzo said. “We want to be able to have fan reaction.”
The draft will take place at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, and Collazzo expects fans to boo when the Cowboys make the 19th pick.
Collazzo said Eagles fans will be able to puff out their chests when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces, “With the 32nd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles select …”
“At the end of the night, Mayfair can puff its chest out,” he said.
There is a chance the Eagles could trade out of the first round, but the party would continue anyway. Some parking will be available at the lot at 7143 Frankford Ave. ••
