The monthly First Friday will take place on May 6 from 5pm-8pm.  Check the Swarthmorean for details and schedule. 

 

The awning has yet to be changed (it's on order) but there is a new toy store in town.  We welcome Sue and John Deininger and Kandy Kids Toys and Gifts to our town center.  Drop by and see the array of wonderful toys, books, stuffed animals, puppets and even some kids' clothing.  Sue says they are adding more items all the time.  They say they have been made to feel so welcome by the shoppers and by other merchants who have stopped in to say hello.  Look for some special events coming up.  Check them out on Facebook here

Kandy Kids Toys and Gifts,

 5 S. Chester Rd.-  215-687-6740

On Friday, April 29, The Swarthmore CO-OP will once again be sponsoring a major "mobile food-fest" along Lincoln Way and Dartmouth Ave. featuring a convoy of food trucks serving almost every conceivable culinary offering.
The event will run from 5:00pm-9:00pm.  For more information, check the website at www.swarthmore.coop

 

 

The Fun Fair Comes To Town, Sunday, May 1, 1-5pm

The annual Swarthmore Rotary Fun Fair has become one of the biggest and most popular events in town.  Join us for a day of fun for all ages.  There will be moon bounces, obstacle courses, bungee jumping, and much more for the kids.  The food court will offer everything from dogs and burgers to great pork and chicken BBQ.  Dozens of charities will be on hand at their fun booths and, as usual, there will be three stages of music all day.  There will also be a "fun area" for older kids as well as tours of the new inn. The event starts at 1pm with a parade down Park Ave.  For more information log on to www.funfair.rcswarthmore.org


On Sunday morning, The Swarthmore Lions Club will sponsor its Fun Fair 5K Run and Walk.  Registration starts at 10:30am at the Swarthmore train station.  Entry fee is $25; $30 on day of race.  Proceeds benefit Lions Club charities.  T-shirts to the first 100 registrants.  Online registration at www.runtheday.com or for more information contact Jim Ryan at 610-909-3127 or by email at [email protected]

On Sunday, May 1 the Campus and Community Store will be open for business.  Just a couple of days later, on May 3, the Broad Table Tavern and the Inn will be ready for their "soft" openings.  There is a hustle of activity as workers put the final touches on the interior and exterior of the building.  The public is invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 4 at 6pm.   For more information, log on to the website at www.theinnatswat.com.

The new parking lot design is moving along on schedule.  Part of the lot is now open to some limited parking  while construction continues on the landscaping, hard-scaping and the amphitheater.  The entire project is expected to be completed by early June.

While there has been a lot of construction-watching, for those who are interested in taking a more active role in the construction process, volunteer "earth-rammers" will be solicited for a "rammed earth" weekend on May 7-8.  Rammed earth walls are constructed by compressing a mixture of selected aggregates, including gravel, sand, silt and clay, into panels called formwork. This will be used to construct the amphitheater terrace walls.  There will be a demonstration of the technique at the Fun Fair on May 1.  Keep on the lookout for more information on the volunteer weekend.

 

Swarthmore Garden Club Herb Sale, Saturday, May 7, 8:30am-12:00pm

Spring is here so it's time to get the garden ready, and The Swarthmore Garden Club can help get you started.  On Saturday May 7, 8:30am-12:00pm, the club will hold its annual Herb Sale in front of Borough Hall.  In addition to a wide variety of herbs, there are also some plants, vegetables, herbal seasonings and baked goods available.  The sale features only the highest quality plants at very reasonable prices, so come prepared to stock up. 

Lawn in Front of Borough Hall 

What  a special day for local gardeners! For the first time, SHS and the Swarthmore Garden Club will hold their spring plant sales at the same time in Swarthmore town center.  This year SHS will be featuring "Salvia & Friends" - a specially selected group of long-blooming, hummingbird-loving salvias in hues ranging from deepest blue to blazing red. Several varieties of plants that perfectly complement salvia will also be offered at the SHS sale. SHS will also be having its annual Second Chance Plant Sale, offering plants from the containers in the town center at bargain prices.

The Swarthmore Garden Club will be selling scores of selected varieties of quality herbs and vegetables, direct from one of our region's best wholesale nurseries. Don't forget that Mothers Day is May 8, so in addition to laying the groundwork for your own great 2016 garden, you can snag a beautiful gift for Mom at the sale.  For more information, check the website at www.swarthmorehorticulturalsociety.org

 

 Farmers Market Opens On Saturday, May 14

On Saturday, May 14, Swarthmore will welcome vendors back for the beginning of the 2016 market season.  There will be a variety of returning vendors and some new vendors, including:

Beechwood Orchards, BendyBrook, Berry Patch, Big Sky Bread, Blue Mountain Vineyards, Blue Band Coffee, Davidson Exotic Mushrooms, Firehouse Donuts, Good Spoon Foods, LaDavisa Meats, PB & Jams, Randalia Beehives, Swarthmore CO-OP, Vera Pasta, Flour & Oats, Kneehigh Farms, Market Day Canale, Summer J. Artisan Pops, D'Emilio's Water Ice' Taste of Puebla, and more...

The market runs from mid-May through mid-November.
For more information, log on to the Swarthmore Farmers Market website here

If you're looking for something great to read- a terrific cookbook, children's books or a hard-to-find collection of poetry- now is the opportunity.  The Swarthmore Library Book Sale will take place from Thursday, May 12 through Saturday, May 14.  Hours for the sale are: Thursday and Friday, 9am-7pm; Saturday, 9am-2pm.  On Saturday, all books will be sold for "5 bucks a bag."  Also, while you're here, check out the delicious homemade baked goods.  What could be better than curling up on the sofa with a good book, a hot cup of coffee and a sweet?  Life doesn't get much better.  For more information on the library and its upcoming programs, check out the website at www.swarthmorepubliclibrary.org.

 

 The Swarthmore Makers Market will feature a curated selection of local and regional vendors of handmade goods, select vintage wares and original art and photography. The market will take place on Saturday, May 14th from 9:30am to 2:00pm ion Park Ave in front of Borough Hall. Come explore the wares and meet the makers!  This event is sponsored by HOM. Log on to the website at www.swarthmoremakersmarket.com.

First Friday Dining

   




If food is your thing, don't forget that First Friday is a great time to come into town to eat before checking out what else is going on, so come downtown early and try some of the tasty offerings.  

The Swarthmore CO-OP has its usual selection of sandwiches and prepared foods and their monthly Quizzo competition.

Aria Mediterranean Cuisine will offer a wide selection of delicacies from the Middle East, Greece, Mexico, and other exotic locales.

Occasionally Yours will be serving their ever-popular crab cakes and pasta.

Hobb's - Check out the Asian delicacies as The Ronin Noodle Bar presents the Bahn Mi.

If you're in the mood for pizza and more, Renato's is always open.

Bamboo Bistro will also be open serving its full selection of Asian fare.

Swarthmore is home to some wonderful stores and boutique shops.  If you haven't stopped by for a while you are really missing some great shopping.  For a directory of our businesses, click here  

Welcome Spring With The Swarthmore "Leaf" Items

If you're looking for a way to say goodbye to winter and welcome the blooms of spring, why not try on one of our many  articles emblazoned with the Swarthmore leaf logo. Enjoy the cool spring evenings on the patio while wrapped in your Swarthmore Leaf fleece blanket.  Our cozy leaf sweatshirts are great for wearing when planting bulbs and we have sizes to fit everyone as long as they wear a Medium.  Once you get your work done in the garden, our Swarthme Leaf license plate will make people take notice of even your old clunker.  See the entire "Swarthmore Collection," available only at Borough Hall.



Thrill your family and friends with an assortment of Swarthmore leaf logo items.   Remember our motto- "Nothing Says Swarthmore Like Something That Says "Swarthmore."