FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Parkway Cultural Institutions Open For Business During
Philadelphia Marathon Race Weekend
PHILADELPHIA – (November 9, 2012) – Merchants and cultural institutions
along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be open for business, as part of a
fun cultural and sports experience during Philadelphia Marathon Race
Weekend on November 16-18, said City officials.
"On Marathon Race Weekend, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will offer the
public all of the wonderful attractions and exhibitions displayed at our
treasured cultural institutions, as well as the races taking place on
Saturday and Sunday," said Melanie Johnson, Philadelphia Marathon Executive
Director. "The marathon has emerged as more than an athletic competition.
It is an anticipated event for everyone. As the city's commitment to making
the race and weekend a memorable one, Philadelphia has become marathoning's
best host city."
The weekend will shine a spotlight on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (the
opening stretch for the weekend's races), which is home to world-renown
cultural institutions including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the
Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
and the Parkway's newest addition, the Barnes Foundation. Each
institution's hours are listed below. For additional information regarding
current special exhibitions and links to Parkway area attractions, visit
www.parkwaymuseumsdistrict.org.
The City of Philadelphia is working collaboratively to accommodate museum
business schedules and reduce the impact of mass transit and vehicular
traffic in the Parkway area. However, city officials are urging
museum-goers and others visiting the area to proceed with caution and to
plan accordingly during the Marathon and Half Marathon, especially in the
Parkway cultural corridor. (Check out www.philadelphiamarathon.com for
information on street closures and parking options during Marathon
Weekend.)
"We are excited to welcome the tens of thousands of runners and their
families to Philadelphia during Marathon Weekend." said Judi Rogers,
Executive Director of the Parkway Council Foundation. "We invite them to
explore the Parkway Museum District and enjoy all that it has to offer,"
Parkway cultural institution patrons and others with business or
recreational plans are encouraged to use public transportation to get in
and out of Center City during the Marathon weekend. For updates and
information about public transit to museums along the Parkway, including
various public transit options, please visit their websites at
http://www.septa.org/welcome/cultural.html and www.njtransit.org
The Parkway Museums District's institutions will be open the following
hours during Marathon activities on Saturday, November 17 and Sunday,
November 18:
Academy of Natural Sciences
Sat.& Sun.: 10 am – 5 pm
Barnes Foundation
Sat.& Sun.: 9:30 am – 6 pm
Cathedral Basilica SS Peter & Paul
Sat., 9 am mass, followed by meeting of the Catholic Life Congress
Sun., 8, 9:30, 11 and 12:30 masses
Eastern State Penitentiary
Sat.& Sun.: 10 am – 5 pm
Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center
Sat.: 10 am – 5 pm
Sun.: 1 pm – 5 pm
Franklin Institute
Sat.& Sun.: 9:30 am – 5 pm
The Franklin Institute has a permanent exhibit called "Sports Challenge."
Free Library of Philadelphia
Sat.: 9 am – 5 pm
Sun.: 1 pm – 5 pm
The Free Library's Children's Story Time on Nov. 17 at 2 pm will have a
running theme
Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design
Sat.: 11 am – 5 pm (closed Sun.)
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Sat.: 10 am – 5 pm
Sun., 11 am – 5 pm
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Sat.& Sun.: 10 am – 5 pm
Rodin Museum
Sat.& Sun., 10 am – 5 pm
Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, held annually the weekend before
Thanksgiving, attracts 30,000 runners and 60,000 spectators to Philadelphia
to experience "The Best Time of Your Life." Race Weekend features The
Philadelphia Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday, November 18; the Rothman
Institute 8K and Kids Fun Run on Saturday, November 17; and a free two-day
Health & Fitness Expo Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17. Race
participants pass many of Philadelphia's famous attractions on the swift
and scenic USATF-certified course, which is a Boston qualifier. Take the
first step to experiencing 26.2 miles of fun, beauty, history and
excitement by visiting www.philadelphiamarathon.com.
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