Roxtoberfest 2024 Brings Record-Breaking Attendance and New Attractions to Ridge Avenue

Things kicked off on the MGMT Residential Main Stage at the intersection of Ridge and Lyceum Avenues, where Jacqueline Cusack (Executive Director, Roxborough Development Corporation) joined Roxtoberfest Beverage Partner New Ridge Brewing Co for the much-awaited tapping of the keg. This was followed by the presentation of the annual Roots of Roxborough Award to Colleen and Phillip D’Agostino, owners and operators of Poppy & Bean (5543 Ridge Avenue) and Eremita Cafe (5548 Ridge Avenue).

With the tapping of the keg and Roots of Roxborough award ceremony, Roxtoberfest 2024 was in full swing! On the MGMT Residential Main Stage, musicians captivated the crowd with their talent. The Galena Brass Band’s lederhosen and rousing German-style music provided the perfect festive soundtrack to the tapping of the keg, before the group set off to rove Ridge Avenue. Galena Brass was followed by Perlin Noise (a Philadelphia indie rock group inspired by guitar-and-synth rock bands), The Providers, and live demonstrations from Jeanette’s School of Dance and Action Karate Manayunk.

New to the Main Stage was the Pretzel Theater Company, a community theater company (with a twist!) featuring Kristen Dennison, former Roxborough Development Corporation Events & Communications Director. The group’s covers of classic and contemporary music were a hit with audience members of all ages. Fans of Pretzel Theater Company are welcome to attend their official Launch Party at Fat Lady Brewing (4323 Main Street) from 4 PM to 7 PM on Sunday, October 20th.

Across the festival, the RoxYunk Porchfest Stage on the corner of Ridge and Leverington brought local bands to the forefront. Programmed by our friends at RoxYunk Porchfest, this stage featured local acts like The Band Joe, Justin Kerecz, Lazer Shark, Fonvery, and Moon Poodle.Our ever-popular holiday contests took to the stages, as well. Over fifty Roxtoberfest attendees competed in the Cosplay, Lederhosen/Dirndl, Beer Stein Holding, and Pet Costume contests, and a select few received prizes from local businesses like New Ridge Brewing Co., Eda’s Pizza, Benny Peretti’s, and The Couch Tomato. At the Pet Costume Contest, the unanimous winner was Bo, a friendly pooch decked out in a Western getup complete with boots and a cowboy hat - all inspired by Toy Story’s Woody the Cowboy. Bo received a gift card to Whinnie’s Barkery and Gift Boutique, while his owner won a box of fresh Cafe Roma cookies.

Away from the Stages, connections were at the forefront of the festival as visitors explored the over 150 artisans, non-profits, sponsors, and local businesses. Kids smashed pumpkins at Watershed Church, got their faces painted, and enjoyed bubbles and story time with Flyleaf the Book Fairy, while parents perused artisan-made goods, tried a delicious stein of New Ridge Brewing Co. beer, and perused one of the 15 food trucks on site.

Don Simon of the Central Roxborough Civic Association was back with his ever-popular tours of the Leverington Cemetery, while James Marshall Kavanaugh, aka Dream Poet for Hire, delighted families with his custom-made poetry and quick wit.

This year’s Roxtoberfest included all of the classic fall attractions while bringing something new to the mix. On their way towards the MGMT Residential Main Stage, festival attendees were delighted by the colorful Anastasio Trucking Car Show, which had Roxborough’s own Roxborough Ridge Runners Car Club showing off their gorgeous vintage cars beside the entrance to the Leverington Avenue Cemetery.

At 6156 Ridge Avenue, Lil’ Filmmakers hosted the first-ever Lil Filmfest, complete with family-friendly Halloween movies, tasty treats, and a popcorn machine. Meanwhile, Batala Drum Line enchanted visitors with their colorful drum line performance at the intersection of Green Lane and Ridge Avenue.

Between Hermitage and Leverington, Roxtoberfest attendees were joined by a few new friends: 17 artful scarecrows constructed by local residents, non-profits, and businesses (including Cook Wissahickon School, Boost Mobile, Independence Blue Cross, Summit Park Communities, MRAC, Northlight Community Center, the Roxborough YMCA, and more) leading to Gorgas Park, where the Friends of Gorgas Park were throwing their own fall festival. More than 250 residents voted on their favorite, with the First Prize going to Karen’s Hair Boutique, while the Second Place prize went to the Palestine Roxborough Lodge, and Village on the Ridge won Third Place.

Among the burlap and hay, one scarecrow with a distinctive bovine pattern drew significant attention. This custom creation from local artist Shamcow was raffled off to Jon of Roxborough, who will proudly display it in his yard.

At Dupont and Ridge, an out-of-this-world celebration was taking place - Spocktoberfest on Dupont! This celebration of fall and fandom brought sci-fi-themed vendors - including LaLuna Crystals, Gaaays in Space, and the USS Sovereign (Philadelphia’s outpost of the world-wide Star Trek fan group Starfleet) - together for a pop-up Artist’s Alley, while sci-fi fans were able to compete for prizes in our free to enter Cosplay Contest. The festival culminated in a closing performance from The Roddenberries, the galaxy’s best sci-fi party band, at the MGMT Residential Mainstage!

As with all RDC events, Roxtoberfest would not be possible without the generous support from our sponsors.

We would like to extend an especially big thank you to MGMT Residential, Independence Blue Cross, European Wax Center, Anastasio Trucking, Roxborough Memorial Hospital, Baker Street Partners, Xfinity, and KenCrest for the valuable partnership on Roxtoberfest 2024, and other events.

We'd also like to thank MX Granite & Quartz, Green Mountain Energy, NRG, Renewal by Anderson, Rox Falls Veterinary, S&T Bank, Summit Park Communities, Paint Philadelphia, Boost Mobile, The Rounds, Philly Foodworks, Vybe Urgent Care, AFC Urgent Care, Ridge Carlton Apartments, and Ray's Appliances, and Top Dog Cocktails for their generous support.

In-kind donations - including contest prizes and swag for volunteers - were generously provided by Eda’s Pizza, New Ridge Brewing Co., the Couch Tomato Manayunk, and Benny Peretti’s. The Secret Garden, Roxtoberfest’s Greenery Sponsor, decked our stages with colorful mums, pumpkins, hay bales, and corn.