The Edgar Allan Poe Relay to Feature Teams of Poes Passing Raven Across Northern Liberties
The Edgar Allan Poe Relay to Feature Teams of Poes Passing Raven Across Northern Liberties
Northern Liberties Business Improvement District is letting the feathers fly as they come tapping and rapping for their first new event. The 1st Annual Poe Raid Relay Race and Party will take place on Saturday, October 12, 2019, from Noon to 4:00pm. Teams of four people, all who will sport their best Poe costume, will pass a Raven across Northern Liberties, from 700 Fairmount to Liberty Lands Park. Along the way, the team members will come rap rap rapping and tap tap tapping as they make their way through various fun and challenging obstacles – all while protecting their Raven. The teams will compete for the Coeur de Conte – the Tell Tale Heart trophy. Neighbors, business owners, Poe fans, tourists and curiosity seekers are invited to come and ponder, week and weary, as they cheer on the Poes working their way across one of Philadelphia’s most unique neighborhoods. The party at Liberty Lands Park will feature Poe-inspired food and drink, Poe Quizzo with WHYY’s Peter Crimmins, Poe Puns by Mike Simons, a Literary Character Costume Contest for the kiddos, readings of Poe’s works, doll making, face painting and more. Teams can enter for free. Spectators are invited for free to attend the relay and the party in the park. For more information, to register and for the schedule of events, visit http://www.
At the end of the relay, the trophy will be awarded and one person from the competitors will win a prize for best Poe costume. The festivities will then begin with a party in the park, featuring Quizzo with WHYY’s Peter Crimmins, Poe Puns, food and drink, readings and more.
The full day’s line-up and schedule is as follows:
Noon – Team introductions and line up at start line
Noon to 1:00pm Relay Race from Fairmount and American to the southeast entrance of Liberty Lands Park. Heats of 5 with a run-off final.
1:00pm Party in the park with doll making, readings, face painting, food and drink by El Camino, arts and craft vendors, and more surprises.
1:30pm to 2:30pm Poe Quizzo with WHYY’s Peter Crimmins. Think you know Poe? Sign your team up for three rounds of ten questions. The winning team wins a $100 gift certificate to North Bowl.
2:00pm to 2:30pm Kids Literary Character Costume Contest – kids dress as their favorite character from a book or author. No superheroes.
3:00pm to 4:00pm Readings of Poe’s work from the stage.
3:00pm to 3:30pm Poe Puns by Mike Simons, who is neighborhood famous and a “long time resident” of the 700 club.”
Prizes for best costume and for the kid’s literary contest will include special items from the Edgar Allan Poe House gift shop, plus other businesses in the neighborhood. Other activities will be announced closer to the event. The event will also have on hand information about the Edgar Allan Poe House, located at 532 N 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123.
“Edgar Allan Poe’s house is on the edge of Northern Liberties, and is in a way the welcome to the neighborhood for tourists and visitors coming from Center City,” Kennedy added. “It is a real gem and treasure that helped inspired this first event. It is a win-win to honor that historic treasure, while creating a new annual tradition that we hope to grow – and that we hope will get weirder and weirder with each passing year. Nothing is more unique and visual than Poe dressed competitors passing a Raven through the neighborhood.”
This family-friendly event is free to attend. While Poe was entranced with the Black Cat, this is more of a dog-friendly event. Poe costumes and raven puppets/toys, though, are welcome and encouraged.
More more information, to register a team and for the schedule of party events, visit:
http://www.
