Women’s marches around the country have drawn huge crowds for the past three years, and now the fourth annual Women’s March on Philadelphia is happening Saturday, January 18, 2020.

 

This year’s march is scheduled to begin at 10 am. Marchers will gather at Logan Square, then march  to Eakins Oval, where there will be speakers and performances beginning at 10:30 am. The march is supposed to end at 12 pm.

 

Philadelphia’s march is one of many around the country, including Washington, DC. This year’s marches are part anniversary — these events have drawn enormous, energized crowds that stunned even the organizers, including 50,000 here — and part protest. The theme of this year’s Philadelphia march is “Year of the Woman.”

 

Among the scheduled speakers are three US Congresswomen of PA, Julie Schwietert Collazo, founder of Immigrant Families Together, India Fenner, founder of the Black Women’s March, Monique Howard from WOAR, and many other strong and inspiring women.

 

If you’re going, and especially if you’re bringing your children, it’s smart to plan ahead to avoid headaches during the event. Here are some key things to know, or think about, to make your experience as safe and comfortable as possible.

 

How do I get there? If you’re coming from outside the city, public transit is probably a wise move. Take SEPTA Regional Rail to Suburban Station, come out at the 17th and JFK Boulevard exit, and then walk to the Logan Square assembly area. 

 

If you just want to go to the rally, you can get into Eakins Oval in these spots: 22nd Street and the Parkway (north and south sides); Pennsylvania Avenue and Spring Garden Street; 25th Street and Kelly Drive; and the south side of the Oval, near 24th Street.

If you plan to drive, there will be some street closures and parking restrictions.  

 

Where are the bathrooms? There will be portable bathrooms at Eakins Oval, but these may be limited and aren’t ideal if you’re traveling with kids. Do some research to see what stores and restaurants are around where you’ll be. Though packing snacks is important, be sure to give local businesses your support if you do use their bathroom. Grab a snack, lunch, or drink on your way out. If you’re coming in through Suburban Station, the station itself and the surrounding area are good places for a snack and bathroom break before making your way to the march.

 

What should I wear? Comfy shoes are essential. Check the weather before you go; the current forecast is for some snow moving in on Saturday afternoon, so bundling up will be important. If you’ll be with kids, make sure they’re layered, too. And strongly consider babywearing — strollers are allowed, but will probably be difficult to manage in the crowd.

 

What’s my group’s plan? Make sure everyone knows each other. More importantly, make sure everyone knows the children you are bringing: names, birthdays, parents’ names, what they are wearing, and phone numbers. Take pictures of your children before you go. If they get lost, you can show people what they are wearing. Pick a meeting point in case you’re separated, and don’t pick the Art Museum steps — everyone else will, too. Try the Whole Foods, or the art museum’s Perelman Building, which are slightly off the beaten path.

 

Explain to your children that it will be very crowded and they should hold on to you or someone with you at all times. Should they get lost, make sure they know to approach a police officer and have them contact you. While putting your contact information in your child’s backpack is a great idea, make sure it’s somewhere visible, too. A badge around their neck, or even your phone number written on their arm in marker, is a smart move for an event like this.

 

What can I bring? If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll need a bag, so use your best judgment — and pack as little as possible! Make sure kids have emergency contact information with them in case anyone gets lost. For smaller children, bring earplugs, in case it gets too loud.

 

Can I bring a sign? Yes. Whether your child is old enough to comprehend what’s taking place, or they just love arts and crafts, it’s a good excuse break out the supplies and create a sign together. Just don’t attach it to a post or a pole, which isn’t allowed this year.

 

Why am I going? If you’ve decided to attend the march, and bring your kids, talk to them about it. They may get the spectacle, but not fully understand the reasons for it. Tell them why you feel the march is important, how they can benefit from it, and what you hope they learn from it.

 

What if I have other questions? The march’s website has FAQs and information on accessibility.

 

How do I avoid the whole thing? If you’re not interested in the march, take the same approach you would on a weekend day when there’s a big race or fundraising walk around the art museum. Away from the area around the march, city life should be largely unaffected and the whole thing only lasts a few hours with road closures ending by 2 pm. In other words, this isn’t the pope’s visit, or even the Democratic National Convention.

 

Contributing writer Brenda Hillegas contributed to this report.