PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Springtime activities brought families across Philadelphia outdoors, from an Easter-themed event at Franklin Square to peak cherry blossom viewing along Kelly Drive, and a community celebration at Smith Memorial Playground.
At Franklin Square, families lined up for the Hop-A-Long trail, where children collected candy-filled eggs rolling down chutes.
“I’m going to go Easter egg hunting today, and tomorrow is going to be Easter!” said 6-year-old Leona Bailey of Fairmount.
Historic Philadelphia has offered the chute-style egg hunt since the pandemic. Lisa Deats, with Historic Philadelphia, said the event has become a favorite.
“It’s one of our favorite days of the year,” Deats said. “I think it’s like a surprise and delight thing for them. They sort of don’t expect it when they’re walking up, and then they get there, and here something comes kind of falling down the chute.”
Erlene Kamara of Olney attended with her grandchildren, calling the setup especially manageable.
“It’s hard to keep up with three children, so this worked out beautifully for us,” Kamara said. “We got a beautiful day here today.”
Elsewhere in the city, cherry blossoms were drawing crowds as peak bloom season arrived in Fairmount Park. Along Kelly Drive, people walked, biked, and relaxed while taking in the scenery.
“It’s peak bloom season,” said Seth Pearsoll of Germantown, creative director of the Philadelphia Flower Show. “We wanted to be here to take some photos, ride around on her scooter, and enjoy the cherry blossoms before they go away.”
Cherry blossoms were also on display at Smith Memorial Playground, where families gathered for Play-A-Palooza, a celebration of spring and community featuring playground activities.
“We’re asking kids to think about what their super power is and how they can use that to help other people in the community,” said Frances Hoover, executive director of Smith Memorial Playground.
The day’s events highlighted the arrival of spring and offered families multiple ways to enjoy the season across Philadelphia.
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