Neighborhood festivals can be great ways to bring together local businesses and residents, while at once building and showcasing the character of the neighborhood. In Northern Liberties, for example, thousands from inside and outside the neighborhood walked along 2nd Street and through the Piazza during last year’s 2nd Street Festival.

It seems a little strange that a similar festival hasn’t yet emerged from South Street Headhouse (SSHD), a conglomerate of various businesses on the eastern end of South Street. But that’s all about to change. This year marks the first attempt at that, as the first annual South Street Spring Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 4th. From 2nd to 8th Streets, South Street will be transformed in a street festival featuring more than 20 restaurants, 30 bands and 100 vendors.

Yes

Please.

“We wanted something that reflected the district as a whole,” said Michael Harris, Executive Director of SSHD, the group that organized the festival.

An idea from the owner of Brauhaus Schmitz to launch a festival sparked interest in a larger South Street festival that incorporated the long stretch of the entire district, which includes more than 400 businesses, according to Harris, who took over as executive director last year.

700 block of South

The festival includes a main stage at 5th & South, featuring local acts selected by the Legendary Dobbs and Twisted Tail, and a Maifest at Brauhaus Schmitz, at 7th & South. A Hero Zone will be created along the 600 block of South to honor local fire fighters, police officers and first responders. That commemoration will take on a new tone in light of the death of Capt. Michael Goodwin in the recent fire along Fabric Row.

600 block of South

The first weekend in May will be a busy one down along South Street. Lorenzo’s, which closed due to a fire last summer, celebrates its grand reopening today, and the Headhouse Farmer’s Market kicks off on Sunday. Here’s hoping this festival becomes everything the Headhouse folks hope it can be and turns into a much-anticipated annual event. See you there?

–Lou Manicinelli