Photos (Credit) – The 17th Kensington Kinetic Derby & Arts Festival took place for the first time in the fall celebrating “the creativity and spirit of our community.” “There’s nothing like this in the region,” enthused Marc Collazzo, executive director of the Fishtown-Kensington Area Business Improvement District (BID).
You had to see it to believe it.
And some 30,000 people did as they attended the 17th Kensington Kinetic Derby & Arts Festival that took place from noon to 8 p.m. on Oct. 25 in the heart of East Kensington along Frankford Avenue from Sargent to York streets.
“There’s nothing like this in the region,” enthused Marc Collazzo, executive director of the Fishtown-Kensington Area Business Improvement District (BID). He has been executive director of the BID since January 2020.
The much-loved event grew out of “how do we show pride” to a neighborhood that historically has essentially been shown in a negative light.
As the area grew, focus shifted to spotlight positive artist and maker community.
In 2007, the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) started the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby as an economic development initiative to promote local artists, neighborhood businesses, and the area’s commercial corridors.
The Derby was held in conjunction with the Trenton Avenue Arts Festival. The two groups joined forces for a combined festival beginning in 2015.
In 2022, former organizers turned over the reins to the Fishtown District to bring the event back after a two-year break.
As it states on its website, the Kensington Derby & Arts Festival celebrates “the creativity and spirit of our community, showcasing local artists, live art demonstrations, and music from Great Circle DJs along Frankford Avenue in the Kensington section.”
On a beautiful Saturday, festival goers enjoyed delicious food, a vibrant makers market and family fun, including face painting and costume contests for kids and pets, all highlighting the neighborhood’s unique artistic energy.
“This was our first time holding the festival in the fall,” Collazzo said, allowing for Halloween costume contests kids and pets alike. Previous years, the festival was held in May.
Derby teams constructed wild, human-powered vehicles – no motors or electricity was allowed – and followed a three-mile urban course procession that culminated with a splash in the renowned mud pit. Neighbors and new friends like lined the parade route to cheer for their favorite vehicle.
Plus, new this year featured Awful Wrestling in the evening.
Dj Shearn, DJ Lady Prowl, and DJ Mario Cotto provided music throughout the day. Bands including Fabrik and Olala took the quick stop stage. Students from the local School of Rock also performed.
“There was something for everybody,” Collazzo said.
There were 69 art vendors throughout the day:
Vamvaki, Rainbow Resellers, Kurious Stitches, Do Good Vintage, The666Cat, Queer Candle Co., Boingers, Kismet Collective, Jenthunderhourse Jewelry, Michele Scott Studios/illustration, Philly Yo’ Self, Modern hex, Alec McGovern, ArtByAlicia, Shitty2shiny, TOAST PHL, Feast, Kensington Vintage, PROPERgoods, Maker Missya, Doomed Future and Modern Day Treasure Hunters.
Skatelamps, City Thrift & Vintage Oby, Scooper’s Collectibles, Kelly Christman, Mystery Fish Glass, New and Wesley Images, The Lazy Galzier, Bodcious Caricatures, SMASH ceramics, Lily Lough Jewelry, Out of Time, Silver Path Jewelry, white Mouse Vintage, Punk Records, Third Eye Glass, Devilfish Ink, Bambino Glasswares, Foster Philly Art, Designed 4 paws Philly, Bano Bath Bomb, The 50/50 Company, and Fishtown Signs.
1505 Design Studio, Tidings from the Sea Pottery, Torch Babe – Olivia Connelly, HanFran Studio, Murdock, F + V Design Studio, Lost and Found Art, Angel Love Crafts, wrong world Ceramica, Dawn Peters, The Grand Review, RCY Creations, Leopard Luvin Vintage, Madison Vermilya Art, Jodi Faber Art, Marissa Evans Photography, Fishtown Handyman, FAN (Friends and Nemesis), Color and Flame Handmade, Marissa Evans Photography, CD Cowboy Vintage, Lucky Bond Permanent Jewelry, Backyard Crafts, Cats Curations and Yardsale Press.
The festival has grown into and still continues to be an annual fundraising effort for the East Kensington Neighborhood Association (EKNA) and supports their ongoing mini-grant program, which gives back to local nonprofits and businesses in the East Kensington neighborhood.
EKNA sells Philadelphia Brewing Company beer to raise funds for the neighborhood during the event. Funds raised from the festival support neighborhood projects and revitalization through the community development work of the EKNA and the Fishtown District.
For more information visit kensingtonkineticarts.org.
