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Phanatic fans with the "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" statue, submitted via Facebook by Christine.

Last week we asked you to submit your photo with any of the Phanatic statues around town and you did not disappoint. We did our best to pick five winners, one of which is above (view the other four after the jump).

The statues have been removed from their locations and will be on display at “Phanatic Walk” at Citizens Bank Park beginning Friday, September 3rd through the end of the season. On Saturday, September 11th from noon to 4 p.m., the ballpark will open “Phanatic Walk” to fans — no game ticket necessary.

If you’re interested in the chance to own one of the Phanatic statues, the Phillies are currently holding an online auction where fans can bid on a few of the statues each week. Click here for the official auction page.

Thanks for being such great Phanatic fans and check out this week’s other four winners after the jump.

“Phanatic Around Town” Summer Promotion [Visit Philly]
Phanatic Around Town Auction [Phillies]

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Beginning today, you can bid on one of the 20 Phanatic Around Town statues.

The Phanatic Around Town statues were a hit all summer-long and starting today, the Phillies are offering the chance to own of the 20 popular custom-designed statues.

The auction is being conducted entirely online and provides fans the opportunity to bid on a variety of Phanatic statues each week, concluding September 30th with a special statue autographed by 2010 Phillies.

The 20 Phanatic Around Town statues are made of fiberglass, weigh 100 pounds, stand five feet tall and were painted by local artists.

Net proceeds from the auction benefit Phillies Charities, Inc., which awards grants to charitable organizations.

Click here to bid or to check out the official auction schedule.

Phanatic Walk at Citizens Bank Park

This weekend is your last chance to see the Phanatic statues in their current locations around Philadelphia. August 30th, the statues are being collected and moved to Citizens Bank Park where beginning September 3rd, all 20 statues will be on display along “Phanatic Walk” inside the Third Base Gate.

On September 11th, the Phillies are opening Citizens Bank Park and “Phanatic Walk” for fans who wish to see the statues, without needing a game ticket.

Phanatic Around Town Auction [Phillies]
“Phanatic Around Town” Summer Promotion [Visit Philly]

The defending FCS champion Villanova Wildcats face potential Heisman Trophy winner Bernard Pierce and the Temple Owls on September 3rd at Lincoln Financial Field. (Photos courtesy of Villanova and Temple Universities)

Friday, September 3rd at Lincoln Financial Field, cross-city rivals Temple Owls and Villanova Wildcats go head to head in the 2nd Annual Mayor’s Cup.

The Mayor’s Cup provides a great chance to see a big-time game at the Linc at an affordable price — tickets begin at $18 — as both teams are returning from successful 2009 seasons.

Last year’s winners and reigning FCS (formerly Division 1-AA) champions, the Wildcats, enter this season ranked #1 in the nation. Meanwhile, the Temple Owls are hoping to build on last year’s historic season, which saw them finish with a record of 9-4 and compete in their first bowl game in 30 years.

The Owls also boast a Heisman Trophy candidate in sophomore running back Bernard Pierce, who is out to prove he’s among the elite players in college football.

It’s great to see this budding rivalry between two successful teams continue to develop in a city where local college football is often overlooked.

Tickets begin at $18 and are available here.

2nd Annual Mayor’s Cup
Who: Temple Owls vs. Villanova Wildcats
When: September 3, 2010 — Kickoff at 5 p.m.
Where: Lincoln Financial Field

Temple-Villanova Coming Sept. 3 [Lincoln Financial Field]

This week, take advantage of your last chance to enjoy the Phanatic statues around Philadelphia before they are removed from their locations around Philadelphia the week of August 30th!

Well, this is it. We’ve reached the final week of the “Phanatic Around Town” photo submission contest. You’ve submitted hundreds of awesome photos with the various Phanatic statues over the past 19 weeks and it’s been our pleasure to send out t-shirts to all of the the lucky winners.

On that note… let’s go out with a bang!

This Week’s Featured Phanatic Around Town Location: All of Them!

Only one Phanatic statue remains to be featured: “Phanatic Phans” at Philadelphia International Airport. We understand that attempting to get a photo with this particular statue (located at the food court between terminals B and C) is a daunting task, so in celebration of the conclusion of the contest we’re requesting you send us your absolute best photo with ANY of the Phanatic statues around town.

This week, send us your most clever, creative, interesting, etc. photo with any one of the 20 Phanatic statues and we will select FIVE winners to each receive a Phillies t-shirt. Click here for the full list of Phanatic locations.

To submit your photo, upload it to our Visit Philly Facebook fan page or share it on Twitter using the hashtag: #Phanatic. Click here for all the details.

Statue Removal and “Phanatic Walk” at Citizens Bank Park

The Phanatic statues will be removed from their current locations the week of August 30th and relocated to Citizens Bank Park where all 20 will be on display along the new “Phanatic Walk” inside the Third Base Gate, beginning September 3rd through the end of the Phillies season.

On September 11th from 12 noon to 4 p.m., Citizens Bank Park is opening its gates for the public to enjoy the statues on “Phanatic Walk” without needing a game ticket.

Last week’s winners after the jump.

“Phanatic Around Town” Summer Promotion [Visit Philly]

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Garces is a big soccer fan. (Photo courtesy GRG)

World-renowned chef and restauranteur Jose Garces is lending his support to help bring the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup™ to Philadelphia.

Philly’s own Iron Chef has endorsed the city’s bid to bring the FIFA World Cup™ to the U.S. and Philadelphia in 2018 or 2022.

“The World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and Philadelphia is one of the greatest sports cities,” said Garces.

“I can’t think of anywhere else that combines our world-class sports venues with the matchless passion of the fans. There is no better place for the World Cup than right here in Philadelphia, and I’m thrilled to support our efforts to bring the Cup to town.”

He’s absolutely right.

Philadelphia is currently one of 18 U.S. finalist cities vying to bring the World Cup back to the U.S., where it was last held in 1994. The World Cup is expected to generate between $300-500 million for each city and attract a global television audience. A decision on host countries will be announced in early December.

Philadelphia is currently in 6th place in petition signatures — with more than 47,000 — out of the 18 U.S. finalist cities, behind only Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, New York and Tampa Bay, but ahead of cities like Washington DC, Boston, Baltimore, Atlanta, Phoenix, Denver, San Diego, Dallas and Seattle.

As a sign of support to bring this worldwide sporting event to Philadelphia, fans are encouraged to sign the online petition to show the world “The Game Is In Philadelphia,” which you can do by filling out this form and clicking the “JOIN US” button.

Or text Philly to 22442 as many times as you want.

And after the excitement of this year’s World Cup, don’t you want to help bring some of that excitement to Philadelphia??

A packed house takes in a soccer game at The Linc. (Photo courtesy Go USA Bid)

Thought so.

The Game Is In Philadelphia [Official Philadelphia World Cup Bid Website]
Jose Garces Joins the Bid to Bring World Cup Soccer to Philly [Grub Street Philadelphia]
Jose Garces Restaurants [Visit Philly]

Citizens Bank Park in all of its glory. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

An annual poll that ranks the 30 Major League baseball stadiums just came out and Citizens Bank Park was rated the #1 ballpark in the entire league for 2010.

100 straight sell-outs yesterday, #1 ballpark in the country today.

Not a bad week for Citizens Bank Park.

Bill Conlin: Baseball fans love to love Phillies’ Citizens Bank Park [Daily News]
Phillies are hottest draw in town [Inquirer]

The Phanatic Around Town program has been very popular all summer long, but like all great things, it must eventually come to an end.

The 20 custom-painted Phanatic statues will be removed from around the city during the week of August 30th, leaving a little more than a week to snap your photo with them in their current locations.

After the statues are collected, they’ll be on display on “Phanatic Walk” at Citizens Bank Park beginning September 3rd through the remainder of the season.

Also… if you haven’t already, check out our time-lapse video in which we visit all 20 Phanatic statues around Philadelphia.

Phanatic Around Town Summer Promotion [Visit Philly]

 
This is a video we created for the Phanatic Around Town program, in which we traversed the city to visit all of the statue locations in a single day.

The day begin at Philadelphia International Airport and culminated with a Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park, stopping at a few major landmarks along the way.

Remember that there are now only two weeks remaining for you to visit the Phanatic statues before they are collected and put on display for the remainder of the season at Citizens Bank Park.

And make sure you take pictures and share them with us on Facebook.

Phanatic Around Town Video Tour [Visit Philly]
Phanatic Around Town [Visit Philly]

Phillies fans showed their true colors during yesterday's "Big Phanatic Photo Op" at the Independence Visitor Center. (Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)

Yesterday’s “Big Phanatic Photo Op” at the Independence Visitor Center was a huge success, as droves of Phillies fans and visitors participated and got their picture taken with the center’s “Liberty Bellie” statue… and one very special guest!

There are only two weeks left to visit the Phanatic statues around the city, as they will be collected from their current locations the week of August 30th. The statues will then be on display at Citizens Bank Park beginning September 3rd through the remainder of the Phillies 2010 season.

The Phanatic poses with one of the 20 statues made in his honor. (Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)

We’re down to the final two statues, meaning the “Phanatic Around Town” photo submission contest is coming to a close. Keep submitting your best photos for the chance to win free Philly baseball gear!

Week Nineteen’s featured Phanatic Around Town location: The Piazza at Schmidt’s

This week’s featured statue is The Piazza at Schmidt’s “The Phanatic Paints a Mural” statue and the deadline to submit your photo is Monday, August 23rd.

Photo Op

The Piazza at Schmidt’s statue in a great central location, in the middle of the entranceway in front of Darlings. This week, head to the Piazza to catch a Phillies game on the giant television screen or visit this weekend during the Farmers Market or Friday night movie. And in the midst of all this shopping and entertainment, don’t forget to snap your photo with the Phanatic statue!

To submit your photo, upload it to our Visit Philly Facebook fan page or share it on Twitter using the hashtag: #Phanatic. Each week’s winners will receive free Philly baseball gear. Click here for all the details.

Who: You and a “Phanatic Around Town” statue.
What: Take a picture of you with the “Phanatic Around Town” statue of the week and share it with us via Facebook and/or Twitter.
When: Every week for 20 weeks beginning on Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Where: At 20 locations across the city, changing each week.

Last week’s winners and another photo from yesterday’s event, after the jump.

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Summer’s rapidly coming to a close and unfortunately so is the “Phanatic Around Town” photo submission contest.

Keep submitting your best photos for the chance to win free Philly baseball gear and remember, the stakes are higher than ever as the Phillies will be using select photos during an on-air game broadcast.

Submission details and last week’s winners, after the jump.

Week Eighteen’s featured Phanatic Around Town location: The Kimmel Center

This week’s featured statue is the Kimmel Center’s “Music Phanatic” statue and the deadline to submit your photo is Monday, August 16th.

Read more for details.

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Come for the barbecue, stay for the baseball. (Bottom right photo by M. Kennedy)

Head down to the ballpark this Saturday, August 7, when Hatfield Quality Meats presents the 9th Annual Stephen Starr-Garry Maddox Barbecue Challenge.

The event is free and open to the public and takes place from 4 – 7 pm on Citizens Bank Way outside Citizens Bank Park. Then the Phillies take on the Mets inside the Ballpark at 7:05 pm, but you don’t need game tickets to enjoy the Barbecue Challenge.

Participating restaurants include Bomb Bomb BBQ Grill, Bull’s BBQ, Butcher and Singer, Capt’n Dick’s BBQ, Carolina Blue Smokehouse & Taproom, Continental Mid-town, El Vez, El Rey, Great American Pub, Jones, McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon, Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant, Morimoto, New Orleans Cafe, Rosey’s BBQ, and Rouge.

To sample the barbecue offerings from these vendors, you will need to purchase tasting tickets via a donation to charity: 3 tickets for $15, which can then be redeemed at participating stands while supplies last.

Six Starr Restaurants will be competing in the Challenge and selling their goods to guests in attendance. And we’ve got a sneak peek of what each will be serving.

- Morimoto: Morimoto Angry Chicken Legs
- El Vez: Mexican Chili and Agave Glazed Baby Back Ribs
- El Rey: Pork Pibil with Guacamole & Chips
- Continental Mid-town: BBQ Chicken
- Jones: Jones BBQ Chicken
- Butcher & Singer: BBQ Ribs

There will also be a raffle for a chance to win a Jimmy Rollins autographed bat, a Roy Halladay autographed ball, STARR Restaurant gift certificates, a Mitchell & Ness 1980 Tug McGraw jersey, a weekend stay at Loews Center City hotel, and more.

Celebrity judges currently scheduled to participate include Phillies alumni Larry Andersen, Greg Luzinski, Bob Boone, and Gary Matthews along with Phillies broadcasters Scott Franzke and Tom McCarthy. Also look out for Philadelphia-area radio personalities, restaurateurs, and chefs, including Kevin Sbraga from Bravo’s Top Chef and Philadelphia’s own Tony Luke.

Sounds like a delicious day at the Ballpark. Hopefully the Phils can take care of the Mets for dessert.

Stephen Starr-Garry Maddox Barbecue Challenge [Official Site]
Philadelphia Phillies [Visit Philly]

The statue has been moved inside the Municpal Servies Building

Only a few weeks remain in the “Phanatic Around Town” photo submission contest and we’re running out of statues to highlight.

Keep submitting your best photos for the chance to win free Philly baseball gear and remember, the stakes are higher than ever as the Phillies will be using select photos during an on-air game broadcast.

Submission details and last week’s winners, after the jump.

Week Seventeen’s featured Phanatic Around Town location: City Hall (Below Dilworth Plaza at the lower level entrance of the Municipal Services Building)

This week’s featured statue is the City Hall’s “The Sound of Phillie Phanatic” statue and the deadline to submit your photo is Monday, August 7th.

Read more for details.

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