#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Die-hard Eagles fan
(Photo by @jtaflinphotography)
A parade of ships kicked off Philly’s celebration of Navy and Marines’ 250th anniversary
Hundreds of spectators gathered along the Delaware River to watch the Parade of Ships, a maritime procession to Philadelphia. The parade is the first event of Homecoming 250, commemorating the historic anniversary of the Navy and the Marine Corps, with more celebrations to come throughout the weekend.
It also served as a sort of kickoff for the nation’s 250th anniversary, which will see celebrations last into next year. Continue reading…
This AI helper is Temple-made — and aims to help student-athletes across the country
JournAI aims to support the development and well-being of college athletes at all levels. And no, it won’t write term papers for them.
Meet the team of researchers at Temple University who developed the AI-powered app, and learn how they earned the nod to proceed in a very competitive grant environment, and how they think it will evolve. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Gov. Shapiro signs onto a lawsuit against the Trump administration over National Guard deployments to U.S. cities. [Inq$]
• Trump wants to get rid of mail voting, but Pa. Republicans are urging voters to use it. [Votebeat/Spotlight PA]
• Philly police share a public survey asking what their priorities should be over next 5 years. [PhillyVoice]
• This program is helping grassroots leaders hone their skills and amplify their impact. [Next City]
• Councilman O’Rourke pushes for a new city rebate for low-income renters. [WHYY]
• Meet the dialect coach who has the “Task” cast talking perfect Delco. [Inq$$]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker and city officials will provide an update on the progress and status of contract negotiations and agreements with labor unions that represent municipal workers and other public employees, at City Hall. (1 p.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
🍂 Autumn festival lineup
🎃 Halloween events across Philly, now through October
👻 Dia de los Muertos events
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Friday, Oct. 10: Congreso Latino Harvest Festival
Enjoy food, games, and community resources at this free event located at 2800 N. American St., where organizers will also be collecting gently used blankets for neighbors in need this season. (12 to 3 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 11: Scrapple & Apple Festival 2025
The event will include dozens of vendors with savory and sweet treats, featuring local apples and scrapple, apple tastings, plus live entertainment, kid games like apple bobbing, and the public vote for Friday’s Scrapple Sculpting Contest. At Reading Terminal Market. (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 11: The Wondrous World of Opera
A new version of the East Passyunk Opera Project’s celebrated show, made especially for young audiences (preschool to 3rd grade) and their families. $17.85 tickets; At Theatre Exile. (10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 11-12: Philadelphia Open Studios Tour
The first weekend of the 26th annual self-guided art event offers an immersive, behind-the-scenes look into the creative processes of local artists. 250+ artist studios across 26+ neighborhoods. This weekend highlights studios East of Broad Street. (12 to 6 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 11: Hansel & Gretel: A Philly Opera Jawn
Enjoy the Engelbert Humperdinck classic reimagined with a true Philly twist. Think our Philly rowhomes, Tastykakes, soft pretzels, Eagles chants, and plenty of surprises. This interactive opera invites kids of all ages! Set-making, choreography, costumes, and kazoos. At Liberty Lands. $10 suggested donation. (1 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 11: Concrete Tree Restoration Paint Day
Join Mural Arts for a community paint day to restore Paul Santoleri’s Concrete Tree mural along the Manayunk Towpath, just north of Fountain Street. The event will be led by artist Diana Gonzalez, who will guide participants in painting directly on the existing mural. (1 to 4 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 11: 4th Annual “Ghosts in the Hood Cemetery” Concert
Join Opera On Tap Philadelphia and Historic Germantown for an exclusive, enchanted concert experience in a historic cemetery! This haunted Halloween event is sure to thrill. Raffles, prizes, a costume contest, historical stories and more. $39.19 and up. (5 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 11: 8 Seconds Rodeo
Founded in 2023 by photographer Ivan McClellan, this celebration of Black rodeo culture is making its Philadelphia debut. The rodeo’s lineup includes bull riding, bareback bronco riding, barrel racing and mutton bustin’ with top Black rodeo athletes from around the country competing for $60,000 in prize money. At the Liacouras Center. $45 and up. (7 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 11: QUEER: A National Coming Out Day Comedy Show
Join Lady Laughs Philly, the city’s only monthly comedy show featuring all women and queer comics, at the iconic Franky Bradleys in the gayborhood. Ages 21+. $17.75 tickets. (7:30 p.m.)
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 11-12: The Murder of Oz murder mystery
Part of Hocus Pocus Speakeasy by Red Rum Theatre, this is an interactive murder mystery where Oz isn’t quite as magical as you remember. $40 tickets. (4 p.m. Saturday or 3 p.m. Sunday)
Sunday, Oct. 12: Northern Liberties Fall Festival
A full day of fall festivities for all ages, with an outdoor market of local vendors, taste-testing of seasonal brews and treats, and live music. (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Sunday, Oct. 12: Fall for the Arts Festival
Chestnut Hill’s popular festival transforms the 8000 to 8600 blocks of Germantown Avenue into a vibrant, outdoor arts-and-crafts marketplace with 300+ vendors, food, live music and more. (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Sunday, Oct. 12: Philadelphia Pie Picnic
Share pie and conversation with your neighbors while welcoming fall in the Boathouse at FDR Park. (12 to t2 p.m.)
Sunday, Oct. 12: OURfest Block Party & Festival
A massive outdoor festival in the Gayborhood, featuring live entertainment from top LGBTQ+ performers and DJs, a vendor marketplace, resource fair, food trucks and beer gardens, interactive art and dance exhibits, sober and wellness spaces, and more. (12 to 7 p.m.)
Sunday, Oct. 12: Philadelphia Youth Choral Ensembles’ Sing Democracy 250 World Premiere
Musicians, singers, artists, and advocates from across the U.S., all bound by the belief that music can bridge the gaps and mend the divides. At Marion Anderson Hall. (3 p.m.)
Monday, Oct. 13: Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly 2025
The 9th annual pan-indigenous event celebrating traditional and contemporary art, music, dance, storytelling, history and food to increase awareness of the First Peoples of America. At the historic Shackamaxon (Penn Treaty) Park. $5 to $12 suggested donations welcome. (10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Tuesday, Oct. 21: WHYY’s The Pulse Presents: Reimagining Menopause
WHYY’s Maiken Scott and a panel of the region’s leading menopause experts discuss the newest science on symptom management and treatment options. Free registration. (5:30 p.m.)
The post Navy parade; Temple’s AI bot; Rental assistance | Morning roundup appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY.
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