[CooperSQT]

Sunday, Aug 15, 2004
Philadelphia, PA

Let's meet the same place and time (9:00AM) as last year!
Italian Fountain Circle, behind the Philadelphia Art Museum, Kelly Drive & Water Works Way.

Let's park our MINI's around the circle of the Fountain with overflow in the adjacent parking lot. Also, we can park along the curbs leading to the fountain area. The gathering time will start at 9AM, with an expected "exit" time 9:45AM. Between 9:15-9:30, we will hand out maps for the drive and itinerary (Please plan to arrive no later than 9:15).

Let's motor to a few famous neighborhoods and choice landmarks,
stop for group photos along the way, and finish at Govenor Printz Park* for a BYO Picnic/BBQ. This park is on the site of New Sweden, the first European settlement in Pennsylvania. Overlooking the Delaware River, park is available for many outdoor activities. Come and enjoy a day outside.
Governor Printz Park Info

*Today, Governor Printz State Park is an archaeological site and the "first governor" of Pennsylvania is commemorated with a statue and a self-guided walking tour. The park belongs to the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission. Governor Printz landed at Fort Christina [at present Wilmington, DE] on the 15th of February 1643, in the afternoon at 2 o'clock. Soon after his arrival he selected a new location for his residence. He choose Tinicum Island and began building a fortress in early April. By May 1 the guns were apparently in place on the walls of the stronghold, which was called New Gothenburg. This is the site of the first European government in Pennsylvania. Governor Printz established the New Sweden Colony in 1643. The initial fortress was eventually replaced with Governor Printz new home Printzhof.
(content via: http://www.biderman.net/parks.htm)

Adjacent to Govenor Printz Park is
The Lagoon Deck
(check out the link for a photo)
101 Taylor Avenue | Essington, PA | 610.521.1400
The Lagoon is a restaurant and bar offering a MINI-discounted beverage special just for us! If you would prefer to not prepare a picnic lunch for the boot, not to worry, the Lagoon has great outdoor seating and a menu that will satisfy.

Some of the sights you'll see:

• Philadelphia Art Museum
• Fairmount Park
• Boathouse Row
• Manayunk
• Rittenhouse Square
• City Hall
• Market Street
• Penns Landing
• Italian Market
• Geno's and Pat's Steaks
• Independence Hall
• Rittenhouse Square
• South Street
• Old City
• Betsy Ross House
• Chinatown
• Helix Motorsports
• Yards Brewery
• Campbell's Field
• Ben Franklin Bridge
• Walt Whitman Bridge
• Citizens Bank Park
• Wachovia Center

...and more!

In addition to the fun motoring through Philadelphia neighborhoods, visiting landmarks, crossing 2 bridges AND a panoramic shot of all the MINIs with the Philly skyline, we also will have:

A 50/50 for MINI SWAG. For just $10 per ticket, you will be entered into a drawing for genuine MINI schtuff! Anything you can see on www.motoringgear.com is available from Otto's MINI boutique! We had posted the raffle was for the MINI car cover, but hey- why limit yourself? You CAN NOW purchase tickets on phillyMINI.org via PayPal. Credit card ticket purchases are $11 each. You must be present to win and may also purchase tickets the day of the event. If you cannot be present to win, your contribution (and all proceeds) will support PhillyMINI.org hosting fees. Winning value determined by number of tickets sold.

A FREE event T-shirt and decal courtesy of Helix Motorsports (www.helix13.com)! Hibachi's also may be made available by Helix for our BBQ/Picnic (not confirmed).

FREE Vitamin Water refreshments for us upon arrival at FDR park!

A professional photographer (Eric Steele) is booked to take photographs that will be available for online viewing/purchase as well as ON-SITE purchase! Make sure your MINI is all shined up!

The NEW MINI CONVERTIBLE is anticipated to appear (from Otto's MINI) and lead the MINI-parade!

The LOUDEST MINI EVER! Otto's Factory RACE MINI will be at Govenor Printz Park. Come out and see it! This MINI won a 4hr night endurance race last year and recently took 2nd place in "12 Hours at The Poiint" in the rain! How's that for DSC! Come out and say hi to Sean Christie, one of Otto's Team drivers.

SWAG BAGS are being donated by MINI of the Main Line.

YARD's BREWERY is offering a coupon for brewery tours and tastings. No, not on THAT day, at a later date of your choice!

Don't think city-motoring is for you? RSVP anyway and just meet us for a picnic at Govenor Printz Park!

More things to know:
Events Along the Parkway
Please be aware that on weekends during the spring and summer months there are often special events taking place along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and/or Kelly Drive. In addition, the West River Drive is closed for recreational activities on Saturday and Sunday from April to October. You may wish to allow for extra travel time on weekends.

DIRECTIONS:
From Southern Locations: South Jersey, Baltimore, Washington
Take I-95 North. Exit onto I-676 West. Follow directions from I-676 West (see below).
From Northern Locations: New York, Connecticut, North Jersey
Take the New Jersey Turnpike to Exit 4 (Route 73). Go one mile on Route 73 North and take the exit for Route 38 West. Take 38 West towards Philadelphia to route 30 West (follow signs for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge). Go over the bridge and follow the signs for I-676 West. Follow directions from I-676 West (see below).
From I-676 West (Vine Street Expressway)
Take I-676 West to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway exit (22nd Street, Museum area), on the right side. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto 22nd Street and get into the far left lane. The Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a boulevard with two outside lanes and two inside lanes. Turn left onto the outside lanes of the parkway towards the Museum, which will be in front of you on the hill. Follow the sign for the Art Museum. Follow the parkway around to the right of the museum. The first light to the right of the museum is 25th & Kelly. The next light, turn left at Water Works Way. You will see "The Italian Fountain" directly in front of you. You are here!
From Western Locations: Valley Forge, King of Prussia
Take I-76 East to Philadelphia. Exit at right onto Spring Garden Street. At end of exit ramp go left. Continue past the side of the Museum, through the first traffic light, and around Eakins Oval, staying in the far left lane. Turn left at the second traffic light and then bear right. Follow the sign for the Art Museum (remember, you want to be BEHIND the Art Museum). Follow the parkway around to the right of the museum. The first light to the right of the museum is 25th & Kelly. The next light, turn left at Water Works Way. You will see "The Italian Fountain" directly in front of you. You are here!

directions to the Philadelphia Art Museum from your location:
MAP IT

What to bring:

• 2-way radios
• picnic/BBQ lunch
• blanket/folding chairs
• full tank of gas
• camera

Full event details to also be posted on www.phillyMINI.org

We topped last year's count of 37 MINIs!
RSVP yourself and YOUR MINIHERE
DONT MISS IT!

(as of 8/10/2004, 68 MINIs have RSVP'ed)

CONFIRMED SPONSORS:
HELIX MOTORSPORTS
VITAMIN WATER
YARD'S BREWERY
MINI of the MAIN LINE
OTTO's MINI

Contact: julie@phillymini.org
More Info: www.phillyMINI.org

[CooperSQT]

11 days to go, more fun stuff added to PhillyMINI Meet 04! Check out the details and RSVP today!

[CooperSQT]

check www.phillymini.org for the most up-to-date information!

[CooperSQT]

There is a large event taking place along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The entire parkway WILL BE BLOCKED COMPLETELY starting at 6AM. In addition, the West River Drive is closed for recreational activities on Saturday and Sunday from April to October. You WILL NEED to allow for extra travel time.

Directions have been updated on the homepage of http://phillymini.org for DETOUR access to the rear of the Art Museum. Go towards the bottom of the homepage

[uptick]

More pictures of the meet HERE.