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Palazzo on the Parkway has a coming out party

    By
  • Emily Cohen
    • October 21, 2016
  • The Fairmount Park Conservancy holds its annual fundraiser at the Palazzo on the Parkway, the former Boy Scout headquarters that fell into the city's hands because the scouts refused to admit gays.

    The Fairmount Park Conservancy holds its annual fundraiser at the Palazzo on the Parkway, the former Boy Scout headquarters that fell into the city's hands because the scouts refused to admit gays. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • More than 400 people attended the Fairmount Park Conservancy's annula Glow in the Park fundraiser at the Palazzo on the Parkway.

    More than 400 people attended the Fairmount Park Conservancy's annula Glow in the Park fundraiser at the Palazzo on the Parkway. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • Parnters and lifelong city dwellers Paul Laskow and Margret Meigs hang out at Glow in the Park.

    Parnters and lifelong city dwellers Paul Laskow and Margret Meigs hang out at Glow in the Park. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • Bonjour Crepery from Bucks County made its 3rd apperence at the Fairmount Park Conservancy's Glow in the Park gathering. ''It's a really nice vibe and the people are into the event and what it stands for,'' said owner Rebecca Bisilliat.

    Bonjour Crepery from Bucks County made its 3rd apperence at the Fairmount Park Conservancy's Glow in the Park gathering. ''It's a really nice vibe and the people are into the event and what it stands for,'' said owner Rebecca Bisilliat. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • A crepe from Bonjour Crepery in Bucks County.

    A crepe from Bonjour Crepery in Bucks County. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • A bartender makes the night's signature drink, a Moscow Mule, with Tito's Homemade Vodka and Barritt's Ginger Beer.

    A bartender makes the night's signature drink, a Moscow Mule, with Tito's Homemade Vodka and Barritt's Ginger Beer. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • The Klip Collective projected a lighting installation on and inside the main building at the Palazzo on the Parkway at the Fairmount Park Conservatory's Glow in the Park gathering October 19th 2016. The building used to house the Boy Scouts of America, but now is under renovation to become a more functional part of the Fairmount Park system.

    The Klip Collective projected a lighting installation on and inside the main building at the Palazzo on the Parkway at the Fairmount Park Conservatory's Glow in the Park gathering October 19th 2016. The building used to house the Boy Scouts of America, but now is under renovation to become a more functional part of the Fairmount Park system. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • The Klip Collective projected a lighting installation on and inside the main building at the Palazzo on the Parkway at the Fairmount Park Conservancy's Glow in the Park gathering. The building used to house the Boy Scouts of America, but now is under renovation to become a more functional part of the Fairmount Park system.

    The Klip Collective projected a lighting installation on and inside the main building at the Palazzo on the Parkway at the Fairmount Park Conservancy's Glow in the Park gathering. The building used to house the Boy Scouts of America, but now is under renovation to become a more functional part of the Fairmount Park system. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • West Philadelphia Orchestra provided the perfect music for a balmy October night at Fairmount Park Conservancy's 5th annual Glow in the Park gathering.

    West Philadelphia Orchestra provided the perfect music for a balmy October night at Fairmount Park Conservancy's 5th annual Glow in the Park gathering. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • People dance to the music of the West Philadelphia Orchestra at Fairmount Park Conservancy's 5th annual Glow in the Park gathering.

    People dance to the music of the West Philadelphia Orchestra at Fairmount Park Conservancy's 5th annual Glow in the Park gathering. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • Food vendors from all over the city came out for Fairmount Park Conservancy's Glow in the Park gathering, including Buena Onda, serving their shrimp tacos and a corn dish.

    Food vendors from all over the city came out for Fairmount Park Conservancy's Glow in the Park gathering, including Buena Onda, serving their shrimp tacos and a corn dish. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • The line stayed long all night for a taste of Poi Dog Philly at the Fairmount Park Conservancy's Glow in the Park gathering.

    The line stayed long all night for a taste of Poi Dog Philly at the Fairmount Park Conservancy's Glow in the Park gathering. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • ''It's like a mozzarella stick, but better'' a patron said upon trying the fried cheese curds offered up by The Cow and the Curd. The Cow and the Curd was one of six food vendors at the 5th annual Glow in the Park put on by the Fairmount Park Conservancy.

    ''It's like a mozzarella stick, but better'' a patron said upon trying the fried cheese curds offered up by The Cow and the Curd. The Cow and the Curd was one of six food vendors at the 5th annual Glow in the Park put on by the Fairmount Park Conservancy. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • People dance to the music of the West Philadelphia Orchestra at Fairmount Park Conservancy's 5th annual Glow in the Park gathering.

    People dance to the music of the West Philadelphia Orchestra at Fairmount Park Conservancy's 5th annual Glow in the Park gathering. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • People dance to the music of the West Philadelphia Orchestra at Fairmount Park Conservancy's 5th annual Glow in the Park gathering.

    People dance to the music of the West Philadelphia Orchestra at Fairmount Park Conservancy's 5th annual Glow in the Park gathering. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • People dance to the music of the West Philadelphia Orchestra at Fairmount Park Conservancy's 5th annual Glow in the Park gathering.

    People dance to the music of the West Philadelphia Orchestra at Fairmount Park Conservancy's 5th annual Glow in the Park gathering. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • People dance to the music of the West Philadelphia Orchestra at Fairmount Park Conservancy's 5th annual Glow in the Park gathering.

    People dance to the music of the West Philadelphia Orchestra at Fairmount Park Conservancy's 5th annual Glow in the Park gathering. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

The former Boy Scouts of America Cradle of Liberty Council headquarters on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway was host to the Fairmount Park Conservancy’s annual fundraiser, Glow in the Park.

The building, modeled on an Italian palazzo, was built for the Boy Scouts in 1930 on land owned by the city. The organization occupied the building until 2013, when a legal dispute with the city over the Scouts’ ban on gay members resulted in an eviction. The city paid $825,000 for the building, and the Parkway property is currently vacant.

Fairmount Park Conservancy hosts a party every October featuring live local music, art, food, and drinks in an effort to bring together “the next generation of park champions” and more awareness to lesser known parts of the nation’s largest park system.

The weather was perfect as more than 400 guests danced and mingled in the warm night air. This year, the West Philadelphia Orchestra provided Balkan-influenced big brass band sounds that brought dancers of all ages to their feet.

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With the night’s signature drink, a Tito’s Vodka Moscow Mule, or Flying Fish beer in hand, patrons  wandered the square-block space. Philadelphia-based art shop, Klip Collective, projected a colorful and movement-filled light installation on and inside the historic building.

Vendors provided an array of tempting dishes, including crepes by Bonjour Creperie out of Bucks County. Owner Rebecca Bisilliat said she enjoys bringing her food to Glow in the Park, as she has been doing for three years. “It’s a really nice vibe,” she said. “The people who come out are into it and for what it stands for.”

Another standout was the Poi Dog Philly food truck, which had a steady line until the end of the night.

The cost of the party includes a membership to the conservancy, which serves as partner with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation to preserve, improve, and enhance the Philadelphia park systems.

Organizers were keen on reminding everyone about Love Your Park, a service day to help clean up the Fairmount Park System, on Nov. 12.

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