East Falls Fall Festival’s three weeks of events start on Wednesday

The East Falls Community Council’s three-week Fall Festival gets underway on Wednesday and, lasting through the end of October, features the neighborhood’s version of Restaurant Week.

The Fall Festival features events sponsored by most East Falls community organizations. Fourth District City Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. and the Philadelphia Activities fund are cited as sponsors.

What follows is a list of upcoming events, which is also available on the EFCC’s website.

Health Care Advocacy: Wednesday (2 p.m.)

East Falls Village sponsors a workshop to be held at the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Falls of Schuylkill Branch (3501 Midvale Avenue). Nora Fluellen Cowell of the Greater Philadelphia Visiting Nurse Association and Mary Fallon of the UU House Outreach Program will offer advice to participants on how to be a better healthcare advocate on behalf of oneself or a loved one at a medical appointment or during a hospital visit. This program is free and open to all and requires no registration.

Third Annual Mifflin School Community Festival: Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Friends of Mifflin School and EFCC will host the third Annual Community Festival at Thomas Mifflin School (3624 Conrad Street). Kids of all ages are invited to participate in a day of singing, dancing, playing and learning. In conjunction with the festival, area artists and select national vendors have been invited to display work for sale at an Arts and Craft Marketplace. Mifflin School students will also have original work for sale.

Restaurant Week: Oct. 13-19

The EFCC has sponsored “East Falls own version of Restaurant Week” at neighborhood establishments “at all price points.” More information can be found on the council’s website. (and a flyers with coupons was distributed in this month’s issue of “The Fallser”).

Historic Indian Queen Lane Walking Tour: Sat. Oct. 18 (12-2 p.m.)

The East Falls Historical Society (EFHS) is sponsoring an afternoon of guided walking tours on Indian Queen Lane featuring multiple examples of architectural diversity. Between Haywood Street and Cresson Street, several historic houses and churches remain from the first half of the 19th Century, including the Hohenadel House, the Old Academy Theater and East Falls Methodist Episcopal Church. Parking is available at the lot of the Old Academy Theater. Participants are invited to join a tour at any time. More information is available on EastFallsHouse.com.

Party Like It’s 1899: Sat. Oct. 18 (6-10 p.m.)

EFHS and EFCC are hosting a party at the Hohenadel House (3617 Indian Queen Lane). Vacant since 1959, the John Hohenadel Brewery on Indian Queen Lane at Conrad Street was razed in the late 1990s. Now Tom Coughlin, a well-regarded home-brewer, has revived the Hohenadel lager based on a 1902 recipe. In recognition of this event, the owners of the Hohenadel House, still in the process of being renovated, will open the doors for a night of dancing and socializing, with music from East Falls native Harry Prime and his band. A “cocktail-style” menu is being provided by Epicure Café. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door (beer and wine included).

Behind the Curtain at Old Academy Players: Sun. Oct. 19 (2-5 p.m.)

Residents are invited to have a behind the scenes look at the historic Old Academy Theater and its community troupe, the Old Academy Players. Visitors may take in a rehearsal for the upcoming production As It is in Heaven, or join representatives of the company upstairs for refreshments and an informal conversation regarding opportunities to become involved with community theater.

Pony Rides Foliage in the Falls: Sun. Oct. 19 (3-5 p.m.)

Kids and families are invited to join the Friends of Inn Yard Park (4244 Ridge Ave.) for an afternoon of outdoor activities featuring leaf rubbing, a scavenger hunt and, by popular demand, pony rides for the kids. Costumes are optional.

An Evening of East Falls Performers: Wed. Oct. 22 (7:30-9 p.m.)

Following the annual meeting of the Friends of the Falls Library, musicians of all ages from the neighborhood will gather at the Library of Philadelphia’s Falls of Schuykill Branch (3501 Midvale Ave.) to perform . A list of the expected performers is available via the Roxborough Review. Refreshments will be served. The Friends annual meeting and the concert are free and open to the public.

East Falls Sports Association Soccer Closing Day: Sat. Oct. 25 (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)

Join the families of 10-years-old and under soccer players at McDevitt Recreation Center (3501 Scotts Lane) to watch the kids challenge parents to a game. Following the game, EFSA will present end-of-season awards. Soft pretzels and drinks will be served. EFSA will also collect donations of gently used sports equipment for Mifflin School.

2nd Annual Dog Costume Party: Sat. Oct. 25 (3 to 5 p.m.)

Residents dedicated to funding a neighborhood dog park will host a “Dog Costume Party” at Mc Michael Park (Midvale and Henry Avenues). More than 50 dog owners and their canine companions participated in the first annual costume party at Franklin’s East Falls. This year’s event is a picnic. Participants and their costumed canines are invited to bring chairs, blankets, food, non-alcoholic beverages and other picnic supplies. Activities include a raffle, a pooch parade and, of course, a costume contest with prizes.

Pumpkin Painting in the Garden: Sun. Oct. 26 (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)

Now in its second harvest season, the garden at Ridge Ave. and Scotts Lane was founded in Feb. 2013 by a small group of East Falls neighbors for the benefit of the community. Kids of all ages and their friends and families are invited to visit and join the pumpkin-painting party. (BYO pumpkin.)

East Falls House Tours: Sun. Oct. 26 (12 to 4 p.m.)

EFCC is presenting a self-guided tour highlighting the architecturally diverse homes of the neighborhood. The tour will feature the historic Roxboro House, subject of a two-year renovation and now the home of the Arlen Specter Center for Public Service at Philadelphia University. Tickets for the tour are $20 per person if paid for by Oct. 22. Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the tour at East Falls Presbyterian Church for $25 per person. Programs will be available at East Falls Presbyterian (3800 Vaux St.) between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day.

Spooky Scary Story Time: Wed. Oct. 29 (6 p.m.)

All are invited to the Falls of Schuylkill Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia (3501 Midvale Ave.) for an evening of spooky stories as read by Philadelphia celebrity guests including City Councilman Curtis Jones, EFCC President Barnaby Wittels and Free Library of Philadelphia’s Area Coordinator and Children’s Librarian Jeff Bullard. Kids are welcome to wear their Halloween costume or pajamas to the event.

Haunted House: Fri. Oct. 31 (4 to 6 p.m.)

By popular demand, Chuck’s Garage (3515 Midvale Ave.) will once again host an early evening haunted house to get the neighborhood in the mood for a great night of trick or treating.