Philadelphia, PA – Philly AIDS Thrift brings back their beloved block party and fall festival with a full day of no-charge, family and fido friendly fun! Philly AIDS Thrift 21st Anniversary Block Party will take place outside the iconic store on the 700 blocks of S. 5th Street and E. Passyunk Avenue (between Bainbridge St. and Monroe St.) on Saturday, September 26th, with the streets opening at 12:00pm and closing at 6:00pm. This South Philly charity invites the community to join in a day of music, live performances, food trucks, pie-eating contest, artists and makers, local vendors, games and other festivities. Look for Peabody Award-winning radio host and producer at WXPN, DJ Robert Drake, who will be emcee and spinning tunes all day for everyone dancing in the streets. Other live entertainment includes Philly Elmo & PME Drumline, Killeé and UgLi. Celebrities for the annual dunk tank this year include Phila Lorn (James Beard Award-winning chef and co-owner of Mawn and Sao in South Philadelphia), Jen Zavala (Chef and Owner of South Philly’s Juana Tamale), Stef Jolles (Co-Owner of Crash Bang Boom), Eric Schuman (WXPN host and the voice behind “Indie Rock Hit Parade) and Adam Proctor (Philly AIDS Thrift’s longtime manager). This celebration highlights how Philly AIDS Thrift turns secondhand treasures into vital funding for local HIV/AIDS service organizations. It also serves as the official kick-off for Halloween season, which is the busiest time of year with tons of costumes, accessories, decorations and more. For more information about Philly AIDS Thrift, visit www dot phillyaidsthrift dot com
“We’re so excited to celebrate 21 years of Philly AIDS Thrift with the community that has made all of this possible,” said Philly AIDS Thrift’s Executive Director and Cofounder Christina Kallas-Saritsoglou. “The Block Party brings together so much of what we love about Philadelphia: the music, food, local artists and businesses, and people coming together. It also gives us the chance to put on a fabulous event for the community while sharing what Philly AIDS Thrift does and why this work matters, including donating over $5.7 million back to the community. Every donation, purchase, and event helps us support nonprofit organizations providing essential HIV/AIDS services, including prevention, care, and support throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region. This year alone, we were incredibly proud to award more than $400,000 in grants to 33 local organizations, including Bebashi – Transition to Hope, The Attic Youth Center, the William Way LGBT Community Center, and many more.”
She added, “What started twenty-one years ago with a small group of longtime AIDS activists and lovers of ju nk, a tiny storefront with no heat, and donations collected directly from our friends’ apartments has grown into something sustained by our shoppers, donors, volunteers, staff, and friends. We are incredibly grateful that people continue to show up for us year after year, and we can’t wait to celebrate with everyone outside our store on September 26th.”
“We all have days we look forward to every year, and our Block Party is one of mine!” said Philly AIDS Thrift’s Board President Michael Byrne. “It embodies everything that makes Philly AIDS Thrift special: our staff, volunteers, donors, and, above all, our community. It really is community supporting community while having a great time. Since 2005, that support has helped turn a small neighborhood thrift store into an organization that has provided millions of dollars to HIV/AIDS service organizations across the Delaware Valley. That is something we are incredibly grateful for. The Block Party gives us a chance to celebrate everything this community has helped build, thank the people who continue to make our work possible, and simply enjoy an incredible day together.”
DETAILS ABOUT THE 21ST ANNIVERSARY BLOCK PARTY
Philly AIDS Thrift’s annual Block Party transforms the 700 block of S. 5th Street into a no charge community celebration including live music and performances, food, local craft beer, a celebrity dunk tank, games and activities, more than 30 craft and vintage vendors, the annual pie-eating contest, and dancing in the street.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
DJ Robert Drake – A longtime fixture of the Philly AIDS Thrift Block Party, Robert returns as DJ and emcee, spinning music and keeping the celebration going all day. As a WXPN host and producer since 1988, he hosts “Land of the Lost”, created the annual 24-hour Christmas Eve broadcast, “The Night Before”, and was a producer of the Peabody Award-winning “Kids Corner”. As a longtime presence in Philadelphia nightlife, Robert has DJ’d at clubs in Philadelphia and New York and has hosted the new wave dance party, “S-x Dwarf”, since 2003. He is also a Lambda Literary Award-winning editor and author of “The Gay Canon: Great Books Every Gay Man Should Read.”
Philly Elmo & PME Drumline – Led by Positive Movement Entertainment (PME) founder and director Tony Royster, aka “Mr. Y Not,” and Philly Elmo, PME Drumline brings high-energy percussion, movement, and unmistakable Philly spirit wherever they go. The nonprofit organization uses music as a positive outlet for young people and works to combat gun violence with its message, “Put down the guns and pick up some drums.” Philly Elmo and the PME Drumline have become familiar sights and sounds throughout Philadelphia, spreading music, positivity, and joy through neighborhoods, parades, and community events.
Killeé – A Philadelphia funk-and-soul-influenced artist whose sound blends psychedelic funk, rock, and classic soul. Drawing inspiration from artists like Prince, Killeé combines dynamic vocals and musicianship with movement, theatricality, and strong showmanship, creating a live performance built as much on personality as on the groove.
UgLi – A queer and trans-fronted Philadelphia four-piece band rooted in the city’s DIY punk and alternative music scene. Blending punk, emo, grunge, and alternative rock, the band pairs fuzzy guitars and shifting dynamics with lead singer Xoshi’s deeply personal songwriting. Known for an electrifying live presence, UgLi moves between raw, high-energy punk and more vulnerable, melodic moments without losing its distinctive edge.
CELEBRITY DUNK TANK
Philly AIDS Thrift’s fan-favorite Celebrity Dunk Tank returns for another year, giving attendees the chance to send some familiar Philly faces plunging into the water for a good cause.
Joining us in the Celebrity Dunk Tank:
Adam Proctor – Philly AIDS Thrift’s longtime manager and a familiar face at the store for almost two decades. Adam helps keep the wonderfully eclectic day-to-day operations of Philly AIDS Thrift running, working alongside staff, volunteers, donors, and shoppers.
Phila Lorn – James Beard Award-winning chef and co-owner of Mawn and Sao in South Philadelphia. The Cambodian American chef won the James Beard Foundation’s 2025 “Emerging Chef Award” for Mawn, and has earned national acclaim for cooking that brings together his Cambodian roots and distinctly Philly sensibility.
Jen Zavala – Chef and owner of South Philly’s Juana Tamale and a former Top Chef contestant. Jen helped popularize birria tacos in Philadelphia and has become a familiar presence in the city’s culinary community.
Eric Schuman – WXPN host and the voice behind “Indie Rock Hit Parade”, where he showcases the latest indie-rock releases alongside classics and special in-studio performances. A longtime champion of adventurous new music, Eric is a familiar voice to Philadelphia music fans.
Stef Jolles – Co-owner of Crash Bang Boom, Philadelphia’s iconic punk rock ‘n’ roll boutique just off South Street. A longtime fixture in Philly’s punk scene, Stef has spent decades supporting local music, independent artists, and community fundraisers.
Attendees will also have the chance to dunk more of the fabulous staff and volunteers who help make Philly AIDS Thrift run!
PIE-EATING CONTEST
Philly AIDS Thrift will host its 6th Annual Pie-Eating Contest, emceed by Philadelphia news anchor Jim Donovan. MANNA will again generously provide the pies in connection with its annual “Pie in the Sky” fundraiser. The contest is open to everyone, and participants can sign up on the day of the event. Spots are limited.
Jim Donovan is a 15-time Emmy Award winner and Philadelphia’s first openly LGBTQ+ television news anchor. He retired from CBS3 in December 2025 after more than 20 years at the station and a broadcast journalism career spanning nearly four decades. He was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ Hall of Fame Awards in 2025.
MANNA, founded in 1990 in Philadelphia during the AIDS crisis, began by delivering meals to neighbors living with and dying from AIDS and has since grown into a leader in the “Food is Medicine” movement. In June 2026, the organization celebrated delivering its 25 millionth medically tailored meal. MANNA also hosts its largest annual fundraiser, Pie in the Sky, which sells thousands of pies each fall to support its medically tailored nutrition services.
VENDORS, GAMES, FOOD & DRINK
More than 30 local small businesses, artists, makers, and vintage vendors will line the block throughout the day, offering art, clothing, accessories, collectibles, handmade goods, and plenty of one-of-a-kind finds.
Some of this year’s vendors include:
South Street Art Mart – An artist-run shop showcasing work from more than 180 Philadelphia-area artists and makers.
Crash Bang Boom – South Street’s longtime punk rock ’n’ roll boutique, known for apparel and accessories for punks, goths, metalheads, and rockers.
South Fellini – A Philly-centric apparel and accessories brand known for its irreverent local tees, pins, patches, and other Philadelphia-inspired goods.
Tamme Handmade – One-of-a-kind textile accessories created by local artist Tamme McClelland, who also organizes Philadelphia’s annual Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever fundraiser.
The block party will also feature games and activities for all ages, including face painting, balloon animals, high striker, balloon pop, and more.
Hungry partygoers can grab handmade Polish-American favorites from Mom-Mom’s, known for its pierogi, kielbasa, and other Polish comfort foods. Partygoers can also enjoy Mexican favorites from La Camelia, whose food truck serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, churros, and more. Evil Genius Beer Company, the Fishtown-based brewery known for its creatively named craft beers, will be pouring local brews throughout the afternoon.
Follow Philly AIDS Thrift’s social media for Block Party announcements and updates as September 26th approaches.
Instagram: phillyaidsthrift
Facebook: PhillyAIDSThrift/
ABOUT PHILLY AIDS THRIFT
Founded in 2005, Philly AIDS Thrift is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its mission is to support local communities affected by HIV/AIDS through the operation of its fabulous retail thrift stores.
Through the sale of donated goods at its two retail locations, Philly AIDS Thrift raises funds for local nonprofit organizations providing HIV prevention, care, outreach, education, housing, and other essential support services. Since its founding, the organization has donated more than $5.7 million to community-based organizations throughout the Delaware Valley.
In the fall of 2014, Philly AIDS Thrift stepped in to keep Giovanni’s Room open after 41 years of serving the LGBTQ+ community in Philadelphia. The new venture was renamed Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room in honor of its 50+ year legacy and history as the longest-running LGBTQ+ and feminist bookstore in the country. Today, the store continues to honor its literary roots by offering both used and new LGBTQ+ titles, along with a wide selection of thrifted clothing, bric-a-brac, housewares, collectibles, and art. It also hosts the online bookstore QueerBooks dot com, further extending its mission and reach to a broader audience.
In 2015, on National HIV Testing Day, Philly AIDS Thrift launched an in-store HIV testing program. Testing is done confidentially and professionally in partnership with trusted HIV/AIDS nonprofit organizations, offering fr ee, drop-in rapid testing and related counseling services. By embedding testing in a familiar community space, the testing room helps to normalize HIV testing, reduce stigma, and create a welcoming alternative, especially for those who may find a traditional clinical setting intimidating.
In addition to its annual grantmaking, Philly AIDS Thrift provides fre e store vouchers to Philly-area HIV/AIDS service providers, helping clients in need access clothing and household necessities at no cost.
The organization’s work is made possible by its dedicated staff and volunteers, generous donors, and the thousands of shoppers who support its mission by giving secondhand goods a new life.
For more information about Philly AIDS Thrift, including store and donation hours, its grant program, HIV testing services, and ways to donate, volunteer, or get involved, visit phillyaidsthrift dot com or contact phillyaidsthrift at aol dot com.