Philadelphia Councilmember Isaiah Thomas to Present $150,000 Check to Eastern State During Annual Fall Festival

Philadelphia, PA (Oct. 22, 2025) – Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site will host its annual Fall Festival, a beloved neighborhood tradition that brings hundreds of Philadelphia families together for an afternoon of community engagement, creativity, and fall fun. As part of this year’s festivities, Philadelphia City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas will present a $150,000 check to Eastern State in support of the organization’s ongoing cultural and civic justice programming.

A Check Presentation Ceremony will take place during the festival, underscoring the City’s continued investment in arts and cultural institutions that strengthen Philadelphia communities. The presentation will include remarks from Councilmember Thomas and Eastern State leadership, followed by the continuation of family-friendly programming.

WHEN:
Sunday, October 26, 2025
Festival Hours: 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Check Presentation: 4:20 – 4:30 p.m.
Interviews permitted by request

WHERE:
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site
2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130

DETAILS:
The Fall Festival offers free admission for kids in costume and their caregivers and features trick-or-treating inside the penitentiary, a themed scavenger hunt, story time, artmaking, and music. The event culminates in a community engagement fair with partner organizations including The Free Library of Philadelphia, Cosmic Writers, Spring Garden CDC, Park to Broad, and Philly Art Center, alongside a special musical performance by Philly Elmo and the Positive Movement Drumline, who will lead a parade from the Philly Art Center to Eastern State beginning at 4:00 p.m. No reservations are necessary, and more details can be found online here.

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Media Contact
Abby Kleman
Cashman & Associates
[email protected]
M: 302-668-4781

About Eastern State
Eastern State preserves America’s first penitentiary, advancing public understanding of the criminal justice system and its impact on the lives of those affected by it, to inspire a more just future. For more information, visit EasternState.org and follow Eastern State on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube.