Mifflin School in East Falls hosts its third annual community festival

This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.

Organizers of the third annual Mifflin School Community Festival persevered Saturday morning in the face of inhospitable weather and low community turnout, moving the day’s programming inside to the auditorium and setting up the arts-and-crafts marketplace in a nearby hallway.

Alex Keating, a member of the Friends of Mifflin School Committee, said the elements presented a particularly formidable challenge for community organizations holding neighborhood events.

"Often, families that otherwise would be happy to show their support for an event like this will choose to stay home on a cold and rainy day," he said. "I think for many people, all the logistics involved with driving seem a bit too much to take on when the trip in question is one that would otherwise be made by foot."

The Conrad Street scene

Shortly before 12:30 p.m., more than 30 children and their adult companions gathered in the auditorium in anticipation of a visit from the Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels.

This represents a sharp downturn from attendance in past years. Both Keating and principal Leslie Mason attributed the drop wholly to the inclement weather.

Although Mifflin School has seen some decrease in enrollment in recent years, it remains competitive with area charter schools and has had the opportunity to welcome several students transferring from the now-closed St. Bridget School.

"[Mifflin] is a local, traditional, public school in a great neighborhood," said State Rep. Pam DeLissio. "I hope today’s festival provides area residents with the opportunity to appreciate what a great local resource a school like this truly is."

Keating said that he has observed a sharp increase over the last five years in the number of families with young children in East Falls.

"I think there is a growing population that will soon be very interested in what Mifflin has to offer," he said.

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