Join the Philadelphia Water Department Saturday, June 10, for free hands-on activities and family-friendly fun, including the Philly Water Bar, exciting talks, tours, and highlights from special collections at the Science History Institute. Talk to museum curators and experts, take part in performances, story times, and special events, and immerse yourself in curiosity!
This year’s Curious Histories Fest invites you to “A Taste of Water,” a daylong celebration of the water in your world. You are officially invited to attend by Mayor Jim Kenney, who has also declared June 10 Science History Day in Philadelphia.
No reservations are necessary!
Philadelphia Water Department staff will be on hand to pour fresh local tap and answer your Philly drinking water questions with the Philly Water Bar, a fun pop-up where you can try tap and get info.
Curious Histories Fest: A Taste of Water
- WHEN: Saturday, June 10, 2023 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- WHERE: Science History Institute, 315 Chestnut St., Phila.
Have you ever wondered about the water in your tap or bottle? Does water have a taste? Can it affect the flavor of food? How do minerals in our natural environment change how we drink, cook, and eat?
Join us for family activities, hands-on crafts, engaging talks, and yummy tastings, of course! Learn how global waters are affected by geology, sample oysters and beers from local watersheds, and let your tastebuds lead. Then visit the Science History museum and see special collections showcasing strange and wondrous water histories. Enjoy food trucks, special guests, live music, and so much more.
Participating Vendors and Partners:
- Beer tasting with the Wissahickon Brewing Company
- Philly Water Bar with the Philadelphia Water Department
- Hands-on beer and water history with water scientist Gary Burlingame, retired Director of PWD’s Bureau of Laboratory Services.
- Global Water Bar tasting and history with Institute staff
- Iced tea tasting with Craft Tea
- Hands-on tea history with Institute staff
- Water-themed storytime with author Thembi Palmer
- Meet macroinvertebrates with environmental educator Stefanie Kroll
- Oyster tasting with the Choptank Oyster Company
- Pitruco Pizza food truck
- Schmear It bagel food truck
- Stroud Research Center
- Global Water Alliance
- Music by Vinyl Tap 215 founder DJ DuiJi Mshinda and DJ Mr. Smith
Curious Histories Fest is open to all ages. Admission and programs are free; beer and food trucks are pay-as-you-go.
Water Bar Back at City Hall in June
Can’t make it? Weather permitting, the Philly Water Bar will return to City Hall’s courtyard every Wednesday through June 28 from 12 to 1 p.m.
The pop-up campaign is part of Philadelphia Water Department efforts to highlight the city’s high-quality tap water, which meets or exceeds all state and federal standards.
Copies of the annual Drinking Water Quality Report will be available at the Philly Water Bar in City Hall.
As ongoing surveys show, roughly 40 percent of residents mostly drink bottled water at home. The Philadelphia Water Department is continuing to reach out to customers to underscore local tap water as healthy, affordable, and sustainable compared to water in single-use plastic bottles.