E. Passyunk Ave. heads into summer with neighborhood events

It's no secret that East Passyunk Ave. is a bustling hotspot for great eats, events and art. The community heads into warmer months with an exciting roster of events for all ages and interests.

Beat the midweek blues with an after-work shopping and dining feature every Wednesday from May 27 through Sept. 2 for Passyunk Passegiatta. The new evening series features a late afternoon farmers market from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Singing Fountain (East Passyunk Ave. and Tasker St.) with fresh produce and live music. Many shops like Urban Jungle (1528 East Passyunk Ave.), Bell's Bike Shop (1320 East Passyunk Ave.) and Mancuso's Cheese Shop (1902 East Passyunk Ave.) will be open until 8 p.m. Select restaurants and bars will also offer drink and dining deals until 8 p.m. as well. Look for half-priced margaritas, $2 off drafts and $2.50 Tecate at Cantina Los Caballitos (1651 East Passyunk Ave.) or $5 oysters casino, $5 truffled potato skins, and $4 Victory, Yards and Dogfish beers at Palladino's (1934 East Passyunk Ave.).

As a part of Philly Beer Week, 12 East Passyunk bars and restaurants will be paying homage to craft beers on Sunday, May 31. Events expected throughout the day include Victory tap takeover and DJ entertainment from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Lucky 13 (1820 S. 13th St.), outdoor sampling from Sixpoint, Troegs, Victory and Weyerbacher from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Le Virtu (1927 East Passyunk Ave.) and appearances from 21st Amendment and Sixpoint breweries from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Garage (1231 East Passyunk Ave.).

Festival season rolls on with La Festa Della Republica (or for us English speakers, Italian National Day) on Sunday, June 7. A day of food (Termini Bros. Bakery, Palladino's, Isabella Pizza and many more), music and a spaghetti-eating contest will take over East Passyunk Ave. from Broad to Moore Streets from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For a little Saturday shopping, over 60 antique housewares, clothing and collectibles vendors will bring their top products to East Passyunk Ave. between Tasker and Morris Streets starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 13. Also during the day, EPA shops will host sidewalk sales and refreshments while you shop.

Start your engines. The 10th Annual Car Show and Street Festival rolls through East Passyunk Ave. between Broad and Dickinson Streets on Sunday, July 26. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., over 100 antique, classic and custom vehicles will be up for viewing set to the sounds of live music. Other enticing features include a moon bounce, food vendors, DJs on every block and a craft show.

For more Things to Do, check out our calendar for the most up-to-date happenings.