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West Philly Bizarre

Clark Park 2025 Recap and 2026 Applications

Published 6 months ago • 2 min read

Hello Reader,

We have an important ask for help.
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​On Saturday, July 11th, a fast-moving storm ripped through Clark Park towards the end of the West Philly Bizarre vendor market. Some vendors made it out in time; many were stuck in the rain, working to protect their inventory, equipment, and safety.

Some vendors lost most, if not all, of their inventory - from books and art to decor and furniture. It was heartbreaking to see waterlogged books, art facedown in mud, displays swept away, and broken glass in the grass.

Many of our vendors are low-income and/or from marginalized communities. They rely on vending income to pay their rent and put food on the table. The loss of inventory and equipment could set them back hundreds of dollars and prevent them from vending again. Any amount helps!

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We have exciting news, but first I want to share how the West Philly Bizarre lived into its mission in 2025.

The Bizarre was founded by a handful of vendors so people could continue a long tradition of selling wares in Clark Park. We want to make sure that long term, "legacy" vendors were kept core to the market, and that we first serve Southwest Philadelphia residents, especially those from marginalized and/or underserved communities. In 2025, we did just that by hosting 23 markets in Clark Park which created 1,791 free and low-cost vending opportunities.

Of these opportunities:

  • 41% went to Legacy vendors
  • 56% went to People of Color
  • 36% went to LGBTQ+ people
  • 21% went to people over the age of 55
  • 13% went to people with disabilities and/or handicaps
  • 54% of all vendors live in Southwest Philly
  • Approximately 20% of spots were free or extra discounted for people facing financial hardship.

We're proud to live into our mission!

Now, we're kicking off the 2026 season of the Bizarre @ Clark Park. We secured 24 days from the first Saturday in April until Thanksgiving! To learn more and apply, please go to our website at WestPhillyBizarre.com/vendors.

See you at Clark Park!

- Cat
Director, West Philly Bizarre

Thank you!

We are honored and excited to be awarded the 2026 Arts & Culture and 2026 Community Impact grants from the Philadelphia Cultural Fund.

As a non-profit, we rely on individual donations and institatinoal grants to support our mission of creating economic opportunities for low-income and/or marginalzied communities.

Shop 60+ vendors at Clark Park

We feature more than 60 vendors on select Saturdays from April thru November.

The upcoming Bizarres @ Clark Park are May 30th, June 6th, June 27th, and every Saturday in July – from 10 to 3pm, rain or shine.

Donate Today!

Help us provide even more support to vendors facing financial hardship. A $15 donation covers the cost of a table at Clark Park, but any amount helps!

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West Philly Bizarre

The People's Market

West Philly Bizarre is a non-profit vendor market providing low-cost vending opportunities to West Philadelphia’s underserved and marginalized communities. Sign up for our newsletter!

Read more from West Philly Bizarre

Hello Reader, We have an important ask for help. On Saturday, July 11th, a fast-moving storm ripped through Clark Park towards the end of the West Philly Bizarre vendor market. Some vendors made it out in time; many were stuck in the rain, working to protect their inventory, equipment, and safety. Some vendors lost most, if not all, of their inventory - from books and art to decor and furniture. It was heartbreaking to see waterlogged books, art facedown in mud, displays swept away, and...

about 2 months ago • 1 min read

Hello Reader, We have an important ask for help. On Saturday, July 11th, a fast-moving storm ripped through Clark Park towards the end of the West Philly Bizarre vendor market. Some vendors made it out in time; many were stuck in the rain, working to protect their inventory, equipment, and safety. Some vendors lost most, if not all, of their inventory - from books and art to decor and furniture. It was heartbreaking to see waterlogged books, art facedown in mud, displays swept away, and...

3 months ago • 2 min read

Hello Reader, We have an important ask for help. On Saturday, July 11th, a fast-moving storm ripped through Clark Park towards the end of the West Philly Bizarre vendor market. Some vendors made it out in time; many were stuck in the rain, working to protect their inventory, equipment, and safety. Some vendors lost most, if not all, of their inventory - from books and art to decor and furniture. It was heartbreaking to see waterlogged books, art facedown in mud, displays swept away, and...

4 months ago • 2 min read