The Trenton Avenue Art Festival

and the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby

As reprinted from theartblog with many more photographs.

On May 17, a bright, clear Saturday, the Trenton Avenue Arts Festival took place–and there was no place better to be in the warmth of the early spring sun. Thousands of people came out and created a greater sense of community to make this a fun, favorite family-friendly festival and derby. It was so easy to spend hours walking through the festival’s crowds and vendors. There was plenty of ice cream, a variety of comfort foods from the grill (and not from the grill), and beverages for all tastes.

Take a spin through the fest

How do you see it all? The Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby, which bills itself as “a design competition and parade celebrating art and human-powered transit,” traveled its longest derby route to date through the festival’s surrounding neighborhoods. The derby’s exciting finish in a mud pit remains a one-of-a-kind, “something you got to see” crowd favorite.  The spectacle was captured by Nic Justice Media in an excellent video that can be seen here.

Let these pictures bring you into the festival and tell its story. Why not be in one of the pictures next year?

Made in Kensington

The People's Choice Award Winners: "Game of Cones"

 Fishtown artist Dennis Daly

Little Berlin takes a pie in the face for a donation.

 The ice cream was so inviting.

 Everyone was in the spirit.

 Little Berlin received yet another donation. 

 It's the impromptu performance that stirs the festive mood.  

All the photographs can be found on Flickr.

Special acknowledgment must be given to the New Kensington Community Development Corporation for its sponsorship, which fostered the creation of this annual festival and derby. The East Kensington Neighbors Association, the Olde Richmond Civic Association, and the Fishtown Neighbors Association  all participated in putting on the festival.

words and pictures by roman blazic copyright 2014_all rights reserved 

100th Post

A Year Has Passed

It was one full year ago that I took a challenge to blog. It was a challenge that I gave to myself. The first post said it all in a poetic manner. It was actually the opening lines to a song that I could never finish.

Maybe I should leave myself

Take the time as someone else

See what I'm missing

If I was missing at all.

I Hear the Siren Singing

"It's all show biz", is a slacker explanation that touches on an element of it all. It's certainly leading me to ask if I'm bored yet? Is it time to re-define myself and is that even  possible now? Just what do I make of it all? 

Introspection is boring to read about but it works at the right times. Laughter to groans isn't as easy to write and bite without slighting anyone. I made myself laugh. My one daughter said this was the best one. A bunch of them spread around the map. What am I doing now? Something feels unsettled. I guess it's the re-runs. 

Maybe I should travel to Olde Richmond or East Kensington and take in the climate and culture. 

It's the re-runs.

Regardless of it all and even in spite of myself at times, I'm having more fun than most kids my age.

words by roman blazic_all rights reserved

Memorial Day in Fishtown

Historic Palmer Cemetery

The ceremony was small and solemn. Nearly one-hundred people attended and the American Legion Elm Tree Post No88 gave full honor to the fallen soldier's that served our nation in combat.
The silence of the crowd, as our national anthem was sung, remained through a three salvo salute by four Honor Guardsmen and a very old and worn recording of Taps.
The speakers refrained from exploiting the moment and never once lost sight that this day was Memorial Day.

  The new 26tth Police District Commander addressed the moment and the crowd.

The singing of our National Anthem.

The Honor Guard's salute.

A final salute during Taps.

words and photos by roman blazic_all rights reserved

It was back in February

I took my camera for a walk.

I went into center city Philadelphia because I had a form regarding my property taxes to turn in. It's a government form that proved I qualify for a modest reduction in the rate of recalculating the new property tax structure. In simple terms my property taxes are going up. Everybody's property tax is going up.
Fishtown has become a very desirable neighborhood to live in. More new houses and renovations and more new businesses to serve a growing and involved community.
I doubt if I'll live to see the day when an improved community doesn't have to keep paying and paying higher and higher taxes out of the back end of success.
I enjoy my camera like a good tranquilizer. My focus leans toward the interesting and the artistic. I get caught up in a knack and sometimes an act to get a good picture. The Penn Station underground concourse and the Reading Terminal Market provided the back drop for colors.

(click picture for slide show)

     

all photos by roman blazic_all rights reserved