Members of Alpha Phi Alpha — Ryan Palmer-Alpha Rho Lambda, Auxilary (Denison U, Ohio); J. Kelvin Thomas - Pi Alpha (Clemson University); Galen H. Mickens Sr. Mu Rho (Towson State U, Maryland); Louis Cook III-Kappa Phi Lambda (Columbia Maryland) — "step" in Fairmount Park. A formal "step" show was held Saturday night
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA Fairmount Park Hosts Ninth Annual Greek Picnic Thousands of black fraternity and sorority members gathered in Fairmount Park Saturday July 14 for the ninth annual Greek Picnic, turning a milelong stretch of Chamounix Drive into a giant house party. The crowd, smaller than in recent years because of overcast skies, spent the afternoon strolling, dancing, shopping, eating, making friends and admiring members of the opposite sex — not necessarily in that order. "You meet somebody with the same letters, and you automatically form a bond," said Louis Cook 3d of Baltimore, who was performing an impromptu step-dance with several other Alpha Phi Alphas from schools around the country.
The Sphinx/Fall 1990
The Greek Picnic began in 1971 as an almost spontaneous party started by Philadelphia-area college students who figured that summer break was too long to go without a party. The event has since blossomed into a premier East Coast gathering of black fraternity brothers and sorority sisters, attracting up to 60,000 people annually. A highlight of the event was a Greek "step" show competition and concert held last night at the Civic Center's Convention Hall featuring the rap group, A Tribe Called Quest. In addition to T-shirts, the vendors sold Greek paddles, buttons, pillows, even Greek underwear embroidered with such slogans as "Kiss me, I'm an Alpha." Many of the vendors complained that overcast skies and a $7 parking charge held down the crowds this year. "Usually, by this time, you can't walk, it's so crowded, said Dayna Farris, an account executive for WWDB radio, who was selling handpainted sweat suits. "I think people are staying away because they're making them pay for parking this year. Why would you pay to come here and spend money?" But the crowd continued to swell all afternoon. "It's like reunion out here," said James Elam, a Southwest Philadelphia native and Phi Beta Page 25