South Street Spring Festival 2014: Media Preview
South Street Spring Festival returns on Saturday, May 3, 2014, from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm for a celebration of South Street Headhouse District’s best tastes, sips, sounds and sights. The free outdoor party is open to the public of all ages. South Street will close down between Front and 8th, and also run along the 2nd Street Plaza (between South and Lombard).
At least 30 restaurants and bars will serve signature and special dishes, brews and cocktails, and sweets and treats, while nearly 40 artists, crafters, and retailers will cater to your shopping needs.
We got a sampling of what will be present at the festival at the media preview this past Monday:
Brauhaus Schmitz served up housemade bratwurst and knockwurst, their crisp skins encasing pleasantly spiced pork. The sausages were complemented by chunky potato salad and pretzel bites no larger than marbles (pretzel tots?). Two types of housemade mustard–smooth, like a robust dijon, and grainy, with sweet and tang–added oomph to the hearty fare.
In conjunction with the Festival, Brauhaus Schmitz will host the second annual German Maifest on the 700 block of South Street with German beers, dancers, music, food, flower headbands and even a May pole.
In addition to being provided by Brauhaus Schmitz, libations will flow readily from a variety of places like The Twisted Tail (who was also mixing up drinks at the event).
The ever-stalwart Bridget Foy’s (running strong for 36 years and counting) brought crimson red sangrias topped off with fresh berries.
In addition, they dished up braised BBQ beef short rib tacos. The moist, tender meat interplayed with the contrasting textures of the crisp vegetables and crunchy taco shell.
Headhouse Oyster & Crab Company, about to celebrate its one-year anniversary, plated lobster rolls. The tender crustacean meat was tossed lightly in mayonnaise, celery, and other spices, then nestled in a toasted buttered roll. Headhouse Oyster & Crab Company goes beyond the handheld options at the actual restaurant location, with a raw bar, seafood boils, and an extensive beverage program.
Cheeseburger sliders came courtesy of Redwood, an American bistro with an atmosphere as chill as the wine they serve (24 fine wines by the glass, that is). Beyond the wine, there are 8 craft beers on draft, 100 different bottles of beer, and numerous classic cocktails with a great selection of top shelf whiskeys. The menu of small bites and big plates offers everything from freshly shucked oysters on the half shell to steak frites.
Rich and comforting, the Shepherd’s pie with fragrant ground beef and a baked crust of mashed potato was cooked up by sports bar Cavanaugh’s Headhouse Square.
Live performers serenaded the intimate gathering with originals and covers. At the festival, musical entertainment will delight the senses of passerby from three main stages and eight other performance areas.
What better way to celebrate the tunes than by dancing? The instructor led attendees through the steps of a popular German “slapping” dance.
At the preview, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens brought miniature tiles and colorful Sharpies for guests to design their own magnets. PMG’s ART/GAGE will provide low cost or free arts experiences throughout the day.
Mark your calendars and be sure to check out the festival on May 3! To stay in touch, follow @officialsouthst and tag tweets with #SouthStFest on Twitter.
— Nicole Woon