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Meet the World Here - Global Philadelphia

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A New Global Philadelphian Discovers an International City

Ritu Dixit, for GPA – My recent relocation from Vancouver to Philadelphia hasn’t been as smooth as I’d initially thought. Breaking out of a well-established network of friends, family and resources, and transitioning into a totally different city in a new country with almost no social network posed challenges. However, there were certain aspects of Philly, which weren’t all that different. Like Vancouver, Philadelphia has a very diverse population with a strong array of international resources, rich history and cultural heritage. The city was indeed a revelation to me; the modern life style working in tandem with a unique old city charm.

One question I've pondered is this: why does Philadelphia not get its due credit when we talk about big international cities on the East Coast? This is also a question that a lot of my Canadian friends posed, who only knew about it due to their fondness for either Tom Hanks or Rocky Balboa.

Philadelphia’s charm admittedly does get eclipsed by its bigger kiths and kins – NYC and DC. Not too long after my move, I met a group of enthusiastic volunteers from Global Philadelphia Association (GPA); a nonprofit organization aimed at putting Philadelphia on the map of international cities by facilitating interactions among businesses, government organizations, and individuals; a classic brand management initiative which required all the moving parts to work together. This was it; a unique opportunity for me to collaborate with like-minded people and establish an operating rhythm across cross-functional entities, and create awareness in the region about how international Philadelphia is.

I work closely with the Association's Communications Director and we have been working hard, teeing up our resources for a 47-day exposition--GlobalPhilly™ 2013 that starts on September 15. This is the first time Global Philadelphia Association has presented the exposition. I am really excited to be a part of an initiative, which will clearly have a tangible impact in enhancing Philadelphia’s footprint as an international community. We have a packed schedule for the event; there are seven components to the 

exposition (in alphabetical order: Advocacy, Arts, Commerce, Cuisine,

Education, Heritage & Sports).

Being new to the States and with a strong proclivity for Liberal Arts and 

International Politics, I am looking forward to the ‘Heritage’ component of the

 exposition to enhance my understanding of American history. Another

 interesting segment on my radar is an Open House at Villanova University

 on globalization. And, of course, no international event becomes a success 

without tickling the taste buds of the attendees; GlobalPhilly™

 2013's ‘Cuisine’ component addresses just that. It brings together some

 of the best known restaurants in Philadelphia.

Evidently, the GlobalPhilly™ 2013 exposition will be a lot of fun as

 it promises something for everyone.The components have been curated 

to make sure we are able to bring out the very global essence of one

 of the best cities on the east coast; a city which has so much to offer. 

The Global Philadelphia Association team is working hard to ensure that 

all the moving pieces work together, making the ‘whole’ greater than 

the sum of parts.

Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival

Race for Pride, Community and just plain Fun...



from philadelphiaboatfestival.com

History
The Past

The origin of Dragon Boat Racing dates back over 2000 years to the Chinese legend of Qu Yuan, a 4th-century statesman, poet, and adviser to the king.  Qu Yuan was exiled from the ancient state of Chu after his advice to the king was misinterpreted as an attempt to assume greater political power.  For his offense, Qu Yuan was banished to a remote area of Hunan Province in southern China.

The dishonor of being exiled was a heavy burden on Qu Yuan.  Under the weight of his sorrow, he threw himself into the torrents of the Milou River – but some local fishermen raced out onto the water to save the drowning Qu Yuan.  The fishermen wildly beat their drums and splashed the water with their paddles to prevent the water dragons and fish from eating Qu Yuan.

The modern Dragon Boat Race is based upon a traditional re-enactment of the race to save Qu Yuan.  Over the centuries, village fishing boats went out each year in a symbolic search, and began to take part in races that evolved into Dragon Boat Racing’s present form.

The Present

Today, Dragon Boat Racing is one of the fastest-growing water sports in the world

The Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival has grown to become the largest in North America.today.

Stroll up Kelly Drive along the Schuylkill River for an unusually colorful and dramatic regatta, the Philadelphia Dragon Boat Festival, Philadelphia’s annual celebration of an ancient Chinese tradition.

The boats, festooned in brilliantly colored dragon heads and tails, are manned by teams of 20 paddlers and compete against each other in several heats throughout the day.

But that’s just half the excitement. A wide range of corporate, civic and community groups send teams to this regional event, and each team sets up a tented picnic area along the riverfront — making for a fun and festive atmosphere for paddlers and spectators alike.

Proceeds from the Philadelphia races support the services of Fox Chase Cancer Center, one of the nation’s first comprehensive cancer centers.

Kelly Drive is closed to traffic for the event and parking is scarce. If you’re coming as a spectator, you will want to pack a picnic.

Live music and vendors selling dragon boat paraphernalia and other Asian goods, including clothing and crafts.

When?
October 5, 2013 8AM-5:30Pm

Where?
Kelly Drive Philadelphia, PA

The Route

Where to Stay:

Embassy Suites Philadelphia - Airport
9000 Bartram Avenue
Philadelphia, PA  

Embassy Suites Philadelphia Airport is joining in the Festivities by offering all Teams and Spectators of the Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival:

• Free cooked to order breakfast
• Complimentary Evening Reception
• Two Room Suite
• Packages that include free parking, high speed internet and Bonus HHonor Points
• Free Hotel Shuttle to Philadelphia International Airport

Click Here to pick the overnight package right for your

 Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival Weekend

Philadelphia Phillies and their Stadiums -A History of a City's Passion

Discoveries from the City Archives

Philadelphia Phillies: the Movingest

 (not the Losingest) team in baseball

By TECHNICALLY PHILLY | Published: OCTOBER 4, 2012

Citizens Bank Park from a Wikipedia photo

By Yael Borofsky for PhillyHistory.org

The thing about October is that the weather is like the baseball — sometimes it’s hot for

 most of the month, and sometimes it’s very, very cold.

 After quite a few years of some very “hot” Octobers for the Philadelphia Phillies, 

this year’s tenth month seems like it will be a chilly one.

But even if the Phillies miss out on a chance at the national title this year, 

they may deserve another title: the Movingest Team in Baseball.

Although the Cincinatti Reds and a few other legacy baseball teams may be 

close runners-up, the Phillies have switched major home parks

 at least five times within the same glorious city throughout their tenure.

The superlative illustrates their unique legacy and could, by way of a jaunt through history,

 distract from what will otherwise be a decidedly

 disappointing October.

The Parks

Recreation Park, also known as Centennial Park (among other monikers), 

was adopted as the first true home of the Philadelphia Phillies

 in 1883.

A shot of the Baker Bowl Police Annual Review taking place
on the Phillies’ field.

Recreation Park was outlined by 

24th Street, 25th Street, Columbia and Ridge Avenue,

 in what baseball author Rich Westcott described as 

“the most irregularly shaped piece of land imaginable,” 

in his book Philadelphia’s Old Ballparks. 

To add to its physical oddity, though the park was 

previously called 

Columbia Park — it had been used as a baseball field by other teams since 1860 — it was also briefly

 occupied by a cavalry of the Union Army in 1866. One can only assume that they didn’t squeeze a few 

recreational innings in. The spot was renamed again in 1871 when the Philadelphia Centennials improved 

the baseball facilities and named it Centennial Park after the team.

Albert Reach, formerly a hot shot second baseman for the Philadelphia Athletics credited with 

taking that team to the 1871 pennant, brought major league

 baseball and the Phillies to the bizarre spot he renamed Recreation Park.

But, according to Westcott, the fans and the Phillies outgrew the park quickly and the

 team moved to a new home park, the Philadelphia Base Ball Park 

(eventually known as the Baker Bowl), in 1887.

Philadelphia Park met its untimely demise in 1894 when a fire killed 12 fans and injured

 more than 200 others, according to Westcott.

An aerial view of Connie Mack, which opened in 1909, but was
razed in 1976.

In the aftermath, the Phillies played in a couple

 other city parks until making their next big

 move to Columbia Park, 

the original home of the Athletics and first

 American League stadium in Philadelphia.

 In addition to hosting both the 

Phillies and the Athletics, the wooden park

 managed to contain the City Series, in which

 the two Philly teams

 went head to head. Coincidentally, in 26 total City Series match-ups, each team won an even 13 times.

After Philadelphia Park was reincarnated as the Baker Bowl, the Phillies stayed put for until 1938. 

Despite the fire and the new park’s infamously low, tin right field wall, it’s no surprise they stuck around – 

the Phils went to their first World Series there in 1915, not to mention sustained a run of nine 

consecutive first division finishes.

Westcott writes in his book of the Phillies’ success in the park: “Between 1911 and 1938, 

Phillies players led or tied

 for the National League in most home runs hit at home 19 times.”

In total, the Philles hit 1,314 home runs in nearly 52 years at their odd little hitter’s park at

 Broad Street and Lehigh.

You can read a fuller history of the infamously weird Baker Bowl at PhillyHistory.org by

 clicking here.

The dedication of Veterans Stadium. The stadium was demolished
in 2004.

The Phillies next set up shop at 21st and Lehigh. 

Shibe Park, known as Connie Mack after 1953, 

housed the team

 for nearly 33 years. The park, named after

 former catcher and A’s manager Cornelius McGillicuddy, 

was also a

 nesting ground for the Philadelphia Athletics for 46 years

 and the Philadelphia Eagles for 17 years before being razed in 1976.

After Connie Mack closed in 1970, the Phillies moved on to Veterans Stadium where they finally claimed 

their first World Series title in 1980.

They wouldn’t see another national victory like that until 2008, after moving to their current home, Citizen’s Bank Park, in 2004.

Over the course of more than five different home stadiums, the Phillies traveled from North to South Philly,

 nabbing themselves a title as unusual as their journey and one that tells a story of adaptability, 

determination, and maybe, just a little bit of faith.

References:

Wescott, Rich, Philadelphia’s Old Ballparks, Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1996.

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