Philly Summerfest park opening signals festive start of season
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Katie Reynolds serves up ice cream at the Franklin Fountain outpost at the River Rink at Penn's Landing. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Chickey's and Pete's cheesteaks at the River Rink during a pre-opening event hosting friends and family of employees and builders of the space. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Friends and family of those who work for or had a hand in the construction of the River Rink at Penn's Landing enjoy compliementary drinks and food. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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A mini golf course was added to this year's version of the River Rink at Penn's Landing. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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The RIver Rink was opened for roller skating at Penn's Landing Thursday. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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A staff member skates around the River Rink. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Shimp cocktail from Chickey's and Pete's was available to sample at an event open to family and friends of employees before the opening of the River Rink. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Foosball soccer and hockey games inside an air conditioned lodge at the River Rink at Penn's Landing. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Visitors snackon cheesteaks, crab fries and seafood inside the lodge at the Penn's Landing River Rink. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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For the second year the River Rink is used for roller skating. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Framed art decorates the barrier to a portion of the mini golf course. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Jeiemai Floyd,7, at left and his brother Elyjah Floyd,12, hang out on the oversized chair at the River Rink at Penn's Landing. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Jimmy McGinnis serves up crab fries with cheese sauce at Chickey's and Pete's at the River Rink. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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The newly added mini golf course at the River Rink at Penn's Landing. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Rachael and Michael Smollen of Bucks County skate at the River Rink while their daughter follows behind with a staff member. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Guests hang out on the porch at the lodge at the River Rink at Penn's Landing. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
The popular Summerfest pop-up park opens to the public Friday at Penn’s Landing, bringing roller skating, mini-golf and casual, outdoor dining to the Delaware waterfront.
The family and friends of the employees, contractors and others who had a hand in the creation of Summerfest were treated to a sneak preview Thursday evening that included complimentary food, drinks and roller skating.
On a day that felt more like mid-July than late-May, guests stuffed their faces with crab legs, cheesesteaks and fries from Chickie’s and Pete’s and cooled off with drinks from local craft breweries and ice cream from Franklin Fountain.
Brothers Jeimai and Elyja Floyd brazenly sunbathed on opposite arms of the large red Visit Philly lawn chair that has been featured in both the summer and winter versions of the River Rink.
Most guests, however, opted to eat and drink their way through the heat inside the lodge, retreating to the air conditioned comfort and bellying up to picnic tables scattered throughout the large open room.
Others tried out the small, but quirky, mini-golf course. Obstacles include mechanical portions that require the player to turn a wheel to release their ball.
Those truly unfazed by the temperature and abundant sunshine laced up roller skates to glide around the River Rink itself. Or, at least, hold onto staff members and attempt to make it around the oval.
The Summerfest River Rink officially opens to the public Memorial Day weekend following the early opening of its sister park, Spruce Street Harbor Park, a few weeks ago. Hours are 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission to the skating rink is $3 (free to all Independence Blue Cross cardholders and employees). Skate rental is $10.
A round of mini-golf, new this year, is $5.
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