John Fischer's Philadelphia
Vol. 1 - Number 3 - 05/28/99
Welcome to the third edition of our new feature column. This will run three times a week. We'll be looking at current events, life in the Philadelphia area, politics, sports, the weather and a lot of other things. A key to the success of this column will be you, the readership. We want to hear your response to what you read here, so speak up!
I don't know about you but I am definitely ready for long holiday weekend and, more importantly, the beginning of summer. Maybe it goes back to my childhood, but summer is still my favorite time of year by far. Not only is the weather wonderful but people as a whole actually seem more friendly. Did you ever notice that people's moods very much track with the weather?
I went to college in Hartford, Connecticut which has some of the worst weather in the U.S.A.. When I first visited New England, when I was in high school, in the early 1970's, I wondered why so many folks in New England always seemed so miserable. After I lived there for four years I understood. If you had to live in that weather you'd be miserable too! Just kidding, Kim.
Kim Knox is our New England for Visitors Guide and if you can't visit the Philadelphia area this summer, you should really visit New England. In the summer the weather is great and the people are warm and friendly.
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There is so much going on this weekend in the Philadelphia area. Clearly
the highlight of the weekend is the First Union Jam on the River at
Penn's Landing. There will be non-stop music from noon till 9:00 p.m. for all three days
of the weekend. Headliners include Ratdog with Bob Weir and Rob Wasserman, Bela Fleck and
the Flecktones, Los Lobos, Bo Diddley,
Buckwheat Zydeco, Marcia Ball, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Toots and the Maytals, Fastball,
Southside Johnny, Spin Doctors, Marva Wright and the BMW’s, Guitar Shorty, Corey
Harris, Terrance Simien, C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Lousiana Band, Geno Delofose and the
French Rockin’ Boogie and more!
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For those of you who want something totally different from the Jam on the River, the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair began yesterday and will run through next weekend. If you want to see some great horsemanship and have a great day in the suburbs, this is the place for you.
Ever Since 1896, the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair has promoted horsemanship and horse breeding for confirmation, performance, and speed. Celebrating its 103rd anniversary this year, the show is the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed horse competition in the United States.
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If you venture even further west, be sure to stop by Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square. Beginning tomorrow, May 29, the 1999 Festival of Fountains display begins. Through September 4, three unique water gardens perform during the day and on many summer evenings. Alfresco entertainment followed by illuminated musical fountain displays on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights until Labor Day feature music and drama set throughout the 1,050-acre horticultural showplace.
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Well, I hope that you all have a great weekend. I'll be taking Monday off for the holiday, but I'll be back next Wednesday for my next column. By the way, I'm planning on a special Happy Hour later in the summer at one of the local metropolitan area establishments where I hope to meet many of you. Details will follow later.
So, that's my perspective. Let me hear yours on these or any pertinent topic. Drop me a note at philadelphia.guide@about.com.
If you missed Monday or Wednesday's column you can still catch them:
John Fischer's
Philadelphia 05/24/99
John Fischer's Philadelphia 05/26/99