Crowds pack Frankford Avenue for fifth annual May Fair [slideshow]

Mayfair residents had a reason to celebrate Saturday as they flooded a closed-off Frankford Avenue for the fifth annual May Fair.

The morning began early with the Fallen Heroes 5K Run/Walk to raise funds for the Hero Thrill Show, which helps educate the families of fallen officers, and also helps further rebuild the Mayfair Memorial Playground. At, organizer Mia Hylan held a dog pageant, helping draw attention to establishing a dog park in the Northeast.

“It’s taken years to get the Memorial Playground project underway, so I’m hoping we can get a lot of people behind the project,” Hylan said of the neighborhood’s latest cause.

The Philadelphia Pretzel Factory sponsored a number of games and awards for the children to enjoy. Roulette games, balloon popping, inflatable rides and prizes were offered to the attendees. Around the corner, for the adults, the Mayfair Civic Association held a car show of both new and old vehicles.

And throughout the day, musical acts entertained the neighborhood in both an afternoon show and the newly added “Mayfair after dark” that lengthened this year’s May Fair to the late hours. At the southern end of the avenue, the Grey Lodge Pub held a Yards Brewing Night and invited patrons to try various beers on tap by the Philadelphia brewery.

The Mayfair Town Watch set up a dunk tank featuring the 15th District Capt. Frank Bachmayer on the seat to help raise money for the organization.

“We started the Mayfair Town Watch from scratch, and today we’re raising money to purchase basic essentials like biking equipment and safety vests,” Town Watch President Milt Martelack said. “We’re good people who work hard.”