Free Streets 2019: Everything you need to know

The fourth installment of Philly’s pedestrian-focused Free Streets event is returning to North Broad again this year.

The annual event will kick off at 8 a.m. on August 3 this year, and end at 1 p.m., according to an announcement from the city Wednesday. During that time, the city will close down North Broad to cars in both directions, between City Hall and Erie Avenue. The eight mile (roundtrip) path will be open to pedestrians and bikers, who are encouraged to get out and experience the northern part of Philly on foot.

It’s the same route that the city opened up to pedestrians last year, and the positive response from the 2018 Free Streets program spurred the decision to bring it back to North Broad again.

“On my way up North Broad, I saw people of all ages and all physical abilities enjoying the street. One was a father on rollerblades towing his young son on a tricycle. One elderly gentleman moved his chair from his porch to the middle of Broad street to be immersed in the positive energy,” Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement.

Over the past three years, the Free Streets program has grown in popularity, bringing a total of 120,000 people out to enjoy Philly neighborhoods; previous years saw the program in Old City and along South Street.

This year, as in previous years, the city and local businesses plan to have events and stations set up along the route, although they haven’t announced what those will be yet. Last year, Kenney held a power walk; there was a history-focused scavenger hunt; and everyone was encouraged to contribute to a community mural.