The sun blazed down on Woodland Plaza Saturday, August 9, as hundreds of neighbors poured in for the 31st Annual 12th Police District Community Day Festival — a celebration that blended music, parades, performances, and community pride into one of Southwest Philadelphia’s biggest summer traditions. For the 31st year in a row, the festival kicked off with a high-energy parade at 10 a.m., starting from 65th St. and Paschall Ave., and marching toward the Woodland Plaza at 61st St. and Woodland Ave. Community Relations Officer Arnold Mitchell and Police District Advisory Council member Raheem Hill, who also chaired the event, urged spectators to join the procession and keep the celebration going. By the time the last drumbeat echoed down Woodland Avenue, the parking lot was packed.
This year’s lineup was as lively as it was diverse. The Mass Konfusion Drill Team, fresh from an Ohio competition, lit up the route with pounding rhythms and sharp choreography. They were joined by the Magic Drill Team from Myers Recreation Center, Chinese cultural performers from the Fugui Military Band, and the May Day Dance Group.
The festival stage hosted an eclectic mix: from the Chinese Fugui dancers’ colorful routines to Master Matt Zhang’s serene yet powerful Chen-style Tai Chi demonstration. Rapper T.J.P. (Trust in Jesus Plan) brought a burst of hip-hop energy, delivering songs that drew cheers and underscored the event’s deeper purpose — building unity between police and residents.
A surprise dance battle between the Magic Dance Team and a rival crew called “War” whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Acrobatic stunts and lightning-fast footwork ended in a friendly ovation for both sides, though Magic was the unofficial victor. Between performances, families lined up for free cotton candy, popcorn, hot dogs, and hamburgers, while children bounced away in inflatable moon houses. Tables around the lot offered everything from voter registration help to free books for kids. Representatives from City Council, state offices, and community organizations — including House Speaker Joanna McClinton — connected residents with health resources, legal services, and more. This year’s festival quietly honored the late Joe Young, a beloved former Community Relations officer who launched the first Community Day three decades ago. Mitchell reflected on the event’s growth since those early years in front of the district headquarters. “We moved here because it got too big,” he said. “This parking lot lets us really show the pride of Southwest. I was born and raised here — giving back means a lot.”…