Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Relay

I read about the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Relay in my recent source of information - The Metro.  I knew from past visits many years ago that the Kensington section of Philadelphia was a rough neighborhood.  I wondered if it had changed. 

When we were looking for the Sculpture Relay and festival today, we drove through a section where people literally looked different.  I don't mean a few individuals; I mean large groups of people.  They looked skinny, tired, strung-out, drunk, and/or addicted.  Of course, this wasn't everyone, but it was shocking how many people in the shadow of the El (elevated train) did look like that.  When we stopped for directions a man told us to, "Be careful.  It can get rough around here."

We drove much farther than we had to as we wandered so we looped back and eventually found the intersection of Frankford and York Streets.  This is known as the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, which - I guess - must be part of East Kensington.  (I must have had a "slow" day as it took a few seconds for me to "get" this mural.  Ah!  Fishtown!!)  According to Wikipedia,

The name "Fishtown" is derived from the area's former role as the center of the shad fishing industry on the Delaware River. The name comes from the fact that a number of 18th and early 19th century German and German-American families bought up the fishing rights on both sides of the Delaware River from Trenton Falls down to Cape May, New Jersey. Also, in the early 18th century, an English colonist was fabled to have caught the largest shad in the world in the Delaware River.

It was interesting to see such community-spirit and energy in this rough and tumble area.  Such areas on the cusp of change in cities - areas with empty shells, as seen here in this cemented-up building with great character - share space with new or renovated buildings.  These new or renovated buildings in Fishtown seem to be filled - for now - with artsy types.  But we also saw old folks peering out their windows. Oh, the changes they must have seen over decades.

The Kinetic Sculpture Derby is for celebrating art and human-powered transit, and to showcase the neighborhood businesses.  We had a slice of pizza from a local vendor and had some beer from the Philadelphia Brewing Company. Established in 2001, the "brewery buildings were originally erected as part of the Weisbrod and Hess Oriental Brewing Company in 1885."  When the current brewing company began brewing, it was the first time the building produced beer since the 1930's.  

The Philadelphia Brewing Company produces several beers.  I tried the Walt Wit.  I like wheat beer (also known as white beers in some countries), which was one reason I wanted to try it.  I also love the name of the beer and the play on words.  Walt Whitman lived just across the river from Philadelphia in Camden, NJ.  A bridge connecting the two cities is named after him.  That makes the beer feel even more "hometown."

Once my partner grabbed the Kenzinger, a lager paying homage to the Kensington name, we walked around and checked out the kinetic sculptures entered into the derby.  Pictures of some are displayed below.  Remember, these were all powered by humans.  There were judges walking around but we didn't learn who won the derby prize for this year.

The Kenzinger Express

 

This one also used wind power, or at least tried to with that sail.

This one could keep an eye on the competition to the rear.

A bowling pin steering wheel might come in handy.

Notice the shoes sans legs.

As we prepared to leave the festival/derby, we had a view of Center City that I don't believe I've ever seen.  It seemed so far off in the distance - a world away.  We walked past a huge house (or apartment building?) with hip, tattooed folks having a good time surrounded by beautiful flowers and artwork on the grass.  (Yes, an actual yard!)  We then headed to the "No Libs" or Northern Liberties section of town for an early dinner at North 3rd.  It was a nice way to end a pleasant afternoon.            

We marched to the beat of a different drummer today and did something different. According to this sign below in someone's apartment, some people feel like they do that, or something more unique than that, every day.  They are the ones who will transform these "rough" places in our cities.  It's already started in parts of East Kensington, including Fishtown.

Addendum:  The day after the festival/derby, the Philadelphia Inquirer said this about it.