Post By City Representative Sheila Hess

The City of Philadelphia has a strong reputation for its ability to host and produce large-scale events with great success. Even before he took office in January, Mayor Kenney made it clear that he would be committed to hosting high-quality, cost-effective events that attract national and global audiences, but that are also welcoming and accessible to Philadelphia residents throughout the city. Last week’s National Championship Parade for the Villanova Wildcats was the first of many that will take place during the Kenney Administration, and it was a clear example of how the new mayor and his team will approach events of this caliber.

As the City Representative, I am responsible for overseeing the production and coordination of numerous special events throughout Philadelphia, but the Villanova parade was the first large-scale event that I have been a part of in this role. Being at the table as we planned for the celebration assured me that the City has what it takes to continue making big events a central part of Philadelphia’s identity.

With just three days to prepare following the Wildcats’ National Championship win on Monday, April 4, numerous City departments and agencies hit the ground running, coordinating with officials from Villanova University to create a celebration that met their desires while also focusing on being accountable to our tax payers. As Mayor Kenney has noted, Villanova University has agreed to pay the majority of those costs, and while some ancillary expenses will be absorbed by the City, the Administration firmly believes that the influx of 60,000+ attendees to our downtown was well worth this relatively small investment.

Among the many departments and agencies at the table for the parade planning were the Office of the City Representative, Managing Director’s Office, Philadelphia Police Department, Philadelphia Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, Streets Department, Department of Public Property, SEPTA, and more, along with representatives from Villanova University. As a newcomer to City government, it was amazing to see how these entities came together seamlessly to plan and execute a National Championship Parade in just a few days.

Of course, many of the people involved in the process are tried and true veterans, having worked on countless July 4^th celebrations, Philadelphia Marathons, Blue Cross Broad Street Runs, and even the Papal Visit. Their past experience has proved invaluable as new members of the Kenney Administration and outside partners joined the conversation. The City employees who helped make this parade happen were ready to move from the moment Villanova’s request came in. They immediately went into action, referencing details from past events and using that knowledge to provide plans that could be acted upon quickly.

The skills and past experiences of the City’s many talented employees will certainly continue to be instrumental. The Kenney Administration has plans to welcome new events to the city that will bring our communities together and reach out into neighborhoods outside of Center City. One great example is the Philadelphia International Unity Cup, a 32-team World Cup-style tournament made up of the many diverse immigrant groups within Philadelphia that will be played at various Philadelphia Park & Recreation venues across the city, as well as some School District facilities. There will also be no shortage of national and international events in our city in the months ahead, including the Democratic National Convention in July.

In my role as City Representative, I also serve as a member of the DNC Host Committee, and as we prepare for the upcoming Democratic National Convention, the Villanova National Championship parade will continue to serve as a point of reference when it comes to coordinating City services and causing minimal disruption to the lives of our residents.

The success of the Villanova National Championship Parade not only proved that the City of Philadelphia continues to be a hub for major events in the region, but also that the Kenney Administration is both excited and capable of hosting these big events in a way that is cost effective. With the Democratic National Convention quickly approaching, the City is excited to keep this momentum going!