Like clockwork, the weather has suddenly dropped during this first week of fall. There’s a crisp chill in the air and Philadelphians are skipping no time to get those decorative gourds out on their front stoops. To kickstart autumnal activities, Fall Fest returns to Morgan’s Pier for its 13th season.
Morgan’s Pier, named after George C. Morgan, the first person to cross the Ben Franklin Bridge, has been a riverfront destination and “backyard beer garden” on Columbus Boulevard since 2011. This fall, the pier transforms into piles of haystacks surrounded by seasonal flowers of orange, brown, and green hues for five straight weeks of fall programming through October 26.
There will be fall activities for kids, adults and even pets! Daily pick-your-own pumpkins and pumpkin carving (carving kits provided) will be held at the Pier’s Pumpkin Patch starting at $5. On Sundays, expect live acoustic music and a DJ-spun soundtrack from Thursday through Saturday. A “Yappy Hour” for pets and their owners is on tap for Mondays from 4 to 8pm. Don't miss the final Yappy Hour on Sunday, October 20, featuring a puppy Halloween parade and costume contest. It’s all for a good cause, too: Tito’s Handmade Vodka will donate a portion of proceeds from the Yappy Hour menu to the Pennsylvania SPCA.
Of course, warm beverages and comfort food will incorporate the flavors of the season. On the menu are crispy, spicy Brussels sprouts with bacon and shallots, butternut squash and goat cheese pizza, apple-spiked Toddy’s, pear spritzes, and a zombie punch.
Morgan’s Pier Fall Fest ends with its annual Halloween Bash on Saturday, October 26, hosted by Brittany Lynn of the Philly Drag Mafia. Tickets start at $80 and will go on sale in October. Entry includes admission to the event, all-you-can-drink from 9pm to 2am, musical entertainment by DJ Menace Cartel, free hot dogs, and the ability to enter the cash prize costume contest.