Local Scoop

Get Ready, the First Annual Sausagefest is Coming to South Philly

Published on September 1, 2015

This September 12^th the Newbold Community Development Corporation (CDC) will launch the inaugural South Philly SausageFest, a local food and craft beer festival. Sponsored by AFC Doctors Express Urgent Care, the Fest will raise funds for the Newbold CDC’s Street Cleaning Program! Upon arrival, you can check in at either 15^th Street or South Broad Street. In the case of rain, South Philly Sausage Fest will be rescheduled for Saturday, October 10.

During South Philly SausageFest, you can enjoy food from various local restaurants which will include Kielbasy-on-a-stick, Indian veggie sausage, rice bowls with chicken sausage, vegan options and much more at an affordable price. Craft beer will be offered from Philadelphia regional breweries and will include Imperial pumpkin ales, Oktoberfests, spiced IPAs, and others to celebrate Autumn. South Philly SausageFest will also feature live music, featuring several WXPN-featured Philadelphia bands – Swift Technique, the Whips, Callowhill, and Taylor Ash.

The event is kid friendly too as temporary tattoos, the moon bounce and all Kidzone activities will be FREE. Face painting from an expert face painter will also be offered for only $2.00.

According to festival organizer, Tim Lidiak, “This is the only festival in the Philadelphia area focused solely on sausage. South Philly SausageFest will celebrate the long history of sausage-making in South Philly with an eclectic offering of sausage cuisines, paired with delicious Autumn craft beers. Great beer, great sausage, and live music – what else do you need? We guarantee that festival goers will have a great time!”

Jim Raporte from AFC Doctors Express expressed similar excitement. “This is a great chance to raise money for Newbold CDC, an organization that does a lot of great things for our community, and for everyone to come out and have a good time. Here at AFC Doctors Express we’re really excited to help make it happen!”

The Newbold CDC’s Street Cleaning Program is partnered with Horizon House, Inc., which provides a wide range of services for adults with developmental disabilities. Newbold CDC employs its cleaning crew through Horizon House’s workforce program and puts these individuals to work in cleaning up the commercial corridors along West Passyunk and Snyder Avenues from South Broad to 19^th Streets.

The Cleaning Program has been underway since early 2014 and is supported by local business sponsors including Ultimo Coffee, AJ Appliance, and DJCRE Real Estate as well as the City’s Commerce Department. Newbold CDC will use the proceeds from the South Philly SausageFest to support the Cleaning Program into the future.

WKDU 91.7FM is SausageFest’s official media partner. WKDU Philadelphia 91.7FM is Drexel University’s award winning college radio station. it is owned and operated by Drexel University students, with several Drexel alumni among its on-air DJs. It is the only free-format non-commercial FM station in Philadelphia.

South Philly SausageFest will include “sausage-themed” food from local restaurants including Cafe y Chocolate, Chaat and Chai, Grubhouse, Philly Pretzel Factory and Tap Room on 19th. The festival will also feature Philadelphia regional breweries: Conshohocken Brewing Company, Philadelphia Brewing Company, Point Breeze Brewing Company, Saint Benjamin BrewingCompany, Sly Fox Brewing Company , and Weyerbacher Brewing Company. The festival will also feature arts and crafts as well as children’s activities sponsored by Philadelphia Family Pride.