How To Celebrate Shad Week

For the past three years, Philly's Fishtown neighborhood has been celebrating it's rich heritage as one of the city's oldest riverfront areas with their annual ShadFest, a day-long bacchanal of live music, arts & crafts and local food vendors. Named after the hood's scaly mascot, the outdoor festival raises money for The Friends of Penn Treaty Park, thus ensuring that we all can enjoy the Delaware Riverfront oasis for years to come.

While ShadFest officially goes down Saturday, April 23, there are a heap of events happening during the weeklong run up. And to make sure you are properly honoring our dear fish, we have put together a shad schedule for your convenience.

April 16: Shad week begins. Atend the Fishtown Fishing Derby and stay for an Easter Egg Hunt for the kiddies at Penn Treaty Park. 8 a.m.

April 19: Pop special oyster preparations and down Flying Fish brews at Johnny Brenda's today. All sales benefit Delaware Estuary Conservation plans. 5-7 p.m.

April 21: Just how well do you think you know Fishtown history? Bone-up and try your hand at Fishtown Quizzo tonight at the Starboard Side Tavern. 8 p.m.

April 22: Lest we forget the mighty shad is as tasty as they are important, there will be an Elm Tree Post American Legion Fish Fry today. Grub down with local vets for a good cause. 4-7 p.m.

April 23: The fest is finally here! Bring your blanket and get a good spot to catch local music acts take the Penn Treaty stage. Big-band hip hop band Black Landlord will headline, along with the ethnic party sounds of the West Philadelphia Orchestra and the Delaware County indie poppers Spinto Band. Bring cash so you can partake in the gigantic selecion of craft beers and buy a thing or two at the arts and crafts tables. 11 a.m. -6 p.m.

You can also register online to participate in the annual Kenzinger Challenge Run put on by the Philadelphia Brewing Company the morning of the Shad Fest. The run is a three-mile, non-competitive, point-to-point scavenger hunt highlighting many Fishtown and Kensington breweries and taverns.

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