Harvest Fest at Phillips Street Play Area a Success

The following was sent in by Cindy Sullivan of the Friends of the Phillips Street Play Area:

The gorgeous fall weather helped to make the 4th Annual Phillips Street Play Area Harvest Fest a huge success – the best yet! Families enjoyed many activities including face painting, crafts, pumpkin decorating, games, yummy food, coffee donated by Starbucks, gourds donated by Whole Foods, and songs from local musician Nick Burka. The play structure was full of children all dressed up in their Halloween best!

Attendees also had a chance to vote on the “Kid’s View” Art Contest from drawings submitted at Beacon Hill Block party. Five year old Bella, eight year old Sara Rhouate and eleven year old Tatum Oakley won J.P. Licks gift certificates. The best in show winner, Marlie Kass, won holiday tickets to the American Reparatory Theater production of Pippen or Hansel and Gretel. Congratulations to all who entered.

A special thanks to Shelia S. Cunningham, author of Willow’s Walkabout, A Children’s Guide to Boston, who took time from her busy schedule to sign her delightful new children's book. Willow the Wallaby even made a surprise guest appearance (played by Gesa Kirsch). Currently Willow is #8 on Amazon's children travel book list. A limited supply of signed copies are available for purchase at Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill. 

The Friends of the PSPA were thrilled to have 4th & 5th grade Junior Girl Scouts from the newly formed Back Bay and Beacon Hill Troop 65321 volunteer at the event. Each girl will receive a Harvest Fest patch to add to their Girl Scout sash. The Junior Girl Scout volunteers were Grace Sanborn, Mary Kate Egan, Faith Farrell, Maddie Heath, Ciara King, Gwendolyn Tuckett, Penelope Van der Meer (not pictured), Elizabeth Wood, and Lauren Young.

Also, big thank you to J.P. Licks, Starbucks, Whole Foods and all those who donated to the bake sale for their support and generous donations. Steven Greenberg from the Vilna Shul supplied the tables and chairs for all the wonderful activities and Marcy Axelrad donated the hot dogs for the festival. In addition to great fun, the Harvest Fest helped raise needed funds to continue to offer free park programs next summer.

Friends of the PSPA members Shayne Gilbert, Sandra Gilpatrick and Cindy Sullivan organized the fantastic event. If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about Philips Street Play Area events, please email friendspspa@hotmail.com. We look forward to seeing you at the park!