Local vendors gain extra traction at Northern Liberties' 2nd Street Festival
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Crowds came out for the 2nd Street Festival on Sunday. The summer festivities took over from Girard Avenue to nearly Spring Garden Street in Northern Liberties.
"We always try to support the neighborhood, support local vendors," Eric Burger of Bryn Mawr said.
This is one of the biggest street festivals in Philly and this year is no different. The event features nearly 200 vendors, including 22 food trucks, 55 local artists and more than 100 shopping vendors. There is also more than a dozen beer gardens and 10 hours of live music.
One of those local vendors is Tiebro Handmade Bow Ties, a handmade bow tie company run by Noel Gregory and his family.
"It's a great atmosphere, great crowd," Gregory said. "We're always in a great location next to the music."
Gregory started the business nearly eight years ago after he started making bow ties for his students with special needs.
"Some students had never worn one before. You can just see the self-esteem like just seeing them walk around the school proud," Gregory said.
What started in the classroom has now become something he shares with customers.
"The Temple U one caught my eye because, go Owls," Matt Gasiewski, of Port Richmond, said.
They had hundreds of bow ties for dogs and for humans on display made out of countless fabrics from your favorite schools and sports teams to iconic Philly staples.
But can you guess what their top seller was?
"By far the Eagles," Gregory said.
Gregory says they're working on getting fabric to match the team's new Kelly Green jerseys.
"We have to get it," he said.
And if they did, it'd bring Gasiewski back for more.
"Oh my God. If I could get my dog a Kelly Green bow tie, that'd be amazing," Gasiewski said.
And aside from checking out the over 200 vendors here, people also tried out some of the food trucks ,too.
Burger tried out quite the assortment of Philly faves.
"Some local favorites, some kielbasa, you know world famous, at least famous in Philly and some pierogies," he said.
And as those pierogies were sizzling on the grill, some watched local bands play on stage.
The roadway has been shut down on 2nd Street for the summer event so make sure to plan a detour if you travel through that corridor. SEPTA services are also being detoured due to the festival.
"It's generally a daytime event and it gives people something to do that don't go down to the beach," said Owen Kamihira, owner of El Camino and one of the festival organizers.
The 2nd Street Festival started at noon Sunday and doesn't end until 10 p.m. It's free for everyone to attend, but just be prepared to pay for food and drinks as you go.
