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Awesome Contest Alert

Romance abounds in Philadelphia in February and Visit Philly is making it possible for couples to celebrate their love in style thanks to the month-long “29 Nights of Dates” promotion, launching today, February 1.

We teased the campaign yesterday, when the With Love, Philadelphia XOXO® street team surprised Suburban Station commuters with chocolates and postcards.

Now we can provide the full reveal: Visit Philly is giving away a Vespa.

Plus 28 other great date-themed prizes all month long. From February 1-29 (yes, it’s a leap year… which only adds to the fun), fans of Visit Philly on Facebook will have a chance to win one of 29 fun, romantic and inspired Philly dates.

Fans are encouraged to check the Visit Philly Facebook page each day to see what prize is up for grabs on that day. Because each day will feature a different bonus-packed date for one person to win. Think a Mural Arts Program Love Letter Mural Tour along with lunch at Table 31 and a one-night stay at the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Downtown; or a class at Cook and drinks at Twenty Manning Grill; or Ritz theater tickets and dinner at Positano Coast.

Entrants are permitted one contest entry per day. And each day you enter, you’ll get another entry into the grand prize drawing for the Vespa scooter.

Meanwhile here on Uwishunu, at the start of each week in February, we’ll be giving you a sneak peek of that week’s prizes. Itching for details on what you can win? (Besides that Vespa; we know you’re still thinking about it.)

A few highlights:

• Headed North: A romantic setting since it was founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts’ is currently showing the Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit exhibit. After ogling this artist’s works, continue your walk on North Broad to Route 6, Stephen Starr’s newest restaurant. Then unwind for the night at the striking Le Meridien Philadelphia.

• That’s Amore: During a two-hour Urban Adventures tour at the Italian Market, you’ll meet store owners, learn the history of the market and get your share of tasty samples. Then enjoy supper at Supper, upscale, modern American cuisine in a rustic, urban farmhouse setting.

• Up, Up & Away: Enjoy your choice of a sunrise or sunset hot air balloon ride over Southeastern PA and the post-flight champagne toast that comes along with it. Continue your scenic day with dinner at the 18th-century Black Bass Hotel, complete with expansive picture windows that overlook the water, and a stay at the B&B Bridgeton House.

That’s all we’re revealing for now. Be sure to head straight to Visit Philly’s Facebook page daily throughout February (ahem, that means today) to enter to win unforgettable dates like the ones detailed above, and plenty more where those came from.

29 Nights of Dates Contest [Visit Philly Facebook]

The With Love, Philadelphia street team made a surprise appearance at Center City's Suburban Station this morning to kick off a special campaign in honor of February, Valentine's Day and the leap year — stay tuned for more details. (Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)

Valentine’s Day came early this morning to Suburban Station commuters, as the With Love, Philadelphia XOXO® street team made a surprise appearance.

The station take-over was part of a special month-long promotion we’re kicking off tomorrow, February 1, in honor of Valentine’s Day and the leap year. It may or may not involve super exciting prizes.

Stay tuned for more details tomorrow.

Romantic Philadelphia [Visit Philly]

 
Mayor Michael Nutter today announced the city’s first-ever coordinated and sustained visual arts marketing campaign called (drum roll, please) With Art Philadelphia™.

The new initiative aims to position Philadelphia among the world’s great art destinations as well as attract new audiences to the region to experience the blockbuster museums, exhibitions and works of art that are on view only in Philadelphia.

Coming Spring 2012

Philadelphia will be the center of one of the biggest art stories in the world in 2012, when the Barnes Foundation debuts its new Philadelphia campus on the already culturally rich Benjamin Franklin Parkway in May. And the Barnes’ opening is only one of several blockbuster arts happenings destined for Philly this year — watch the teaser video above to get a better idea of everything that’s in store.

The Partners

With Art Philadelphia™ is the first-of-its-kind partnership among a growing coalition of cultural partners led by the City of Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC).

The partners thus far are: The Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Penn Museum, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and Parkway Council Foundation. Collaborators continue to come on board, including, most recently, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, PNC and PECO.

The Campaign

When it launches later this spring, With Art Philadelphia™ will tell the story of Philadelphia’s rich and diverse creative sector, which encompasses a wide range of experiences under the same artistic umbrella. For example, Albert Barnes’ lush gardens complement the extraordinary Fairmount Park and Philadelphia International Flower Show; and the numerous arts colleges in Philadelphia go in tandem with arts education programs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes and other institutions.

With Art Philadelphia™ will go beyond the traditional definition of visual art to also embrace the region’s bountiful gardens, high-fashion boutiques, design initiatives, independent collectives, food, public art and annual events.

We’re extremely excited for all of the amazing exhibitions and openings on the horizon — like Henry Ossawa Tanner at PAFA, Van Gogh at the PMA, the reopening of the Rodin Museum, Dead Sea Scrolls at the Franklin, the Barnes opening, Gauguin, Cezanne & Matisse at the PMA… — and can’t wait for With Art Philadelphia™ to help spread the word.

In the meantime, watch the teaser video above for a sneak peek of what is sure to be a momentous year of art in Philadelphia.

With Art Philadelphia™ – Coming Spring 2012 [Visit Philly]

For more than 15 years, the Primo Hoagies sandwich has remained a paragon of the traditional Philadelphia hoagie.

Starting out as a family-operated deli in South Philly, Primo Hoagies now boasts more than 70 locations serving in four states, all committed to dishing out fresh, quality hoagies with a signature spin.

The With Love, Philadelphia XOXO campaign was proud to partner with this most prized of Philly hoagie purveyors on the With Love PrimoHoagies Invitational at Liberty Place this past November 3, pitting five finalists against each other in the competition to design the ultimate “With Love” hoagie.

The results came in, and the winning recipe was created by Philadelphian Michael Manetti. The sandwich, which will be on all Primo Hoagie shops’ menus beginning this Friday, November 18, contains: Hot Capacola, Pepperoni, Thumann’s Homestyle Turkey Breast, Fresh Mozzarella Cheese and Pepperjack Cheese, finished with lettuce, tomato, light oil, salt, pepper and oregano. Like we said, you’ll be able to try the tasty sandwich yourself starting this Friday.

But that’s not all. Primo’s took to the “With Love” hoagie idea so fervently that there will also be an official Primo’s-designed “With Love” Hoagie featured on Primo’s menus starting this Friday, called the “Philly With Love Italian.”

The sandwich, a take on the classic Italian hoagie, features Natural Casing Genoa Salami, Hot Sopressata, Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella Cheese and it’s topped with Roasted Peppers. Simply delicious.

Double the “With Love” hoagies, double the deliciousness.

Reminder: it’s your last chance to vote in the Great Philadelphia Hoagie Debate Poll and Sweepstakes. You could win a year’s supply of hoagies!

The With Love Hoagie [Visit Philly]

What's most important to an authentic Philadelphia hoagie? (Image courtesy Primo's)

National Sandwich Day and the With Love Hoagie Invitational have come and gone, but there’s still plenty of hoagie fun to be had as part of Visit Philly’s celebration of the city’s iconic cold sandwich.

That brings us to: the Great Philadelphia Hoagie Debate Poll and Sweepstakes.

What is that, you ask? Cast your vote in the Visit Philly Facebook Poll and enter to win a year’s supply of hoagies (!!) — fulfilled in the form of 12 gift cards to various hoagie shops around the city.

Just weigh in on which element you think is most important to an authentic Philadelphia hoagie: the bread, the meat, the cheese, the toppings or the dressing.

Vote and you could win a year’s supply of hoagies.

You can vote on Facebook, or by using the poll widget below.

Good luck!

The Great Philadelphia Hoagie Debate [Visit Philly Facebook]
Authentic Philadelphia Hoagies – Our Complete Guide Of Where To Find, Eat And Enjoy Hoagies Across Philadelphia [Visit Philly]

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In honor of National Sandwich Day today, we've been celebrating Philadelphia's iconic cold sandwich: the hoagie. Read below for a guide to some of the best hoagies in the area, such as the delicious Sarcone's sandwiches pictured above. (Photos by J. Varney for GPTMC)

We did not need Saveur Magazine to crown Philadelphia the best sandwich city in America to know we’re tops in that department. (Although, admittedly, we appreciated the compliment.)

Philly’s big three sandwiches include, of course, the world famous Philly cheesesteak; the delicious roast pork sandwich; and the authentic, virtually-impossible-to-replicate-outside-the-region Philadelphia hoagie.

In honor of National Sandwich Day today, November 3, Visit Philly is celebrating that last one — Philadelphia’s quintessential cold sandwich, the hoagie — with a series of delicious promotions and special events.

You can vote in the Great Philadelphia Hoagie Debate to enter to win a year’s supply of hoagies, attend the With Love Hoagie Invitational today at Liberty Place at 11:30 a.m., explore some of the region’s best hoagies and hoagie shops via an interactive map and much more. All the details are right here.

Not that your appetite for hoagies needs any more whetting, but we thought it would be appropriate, given today’s holiday, to help you out with some suggestions, courtesy Visit Philly, for just where you can obtain some of this city’s most delicious and iconic hoagie specimens.

Check out the full list, and a helpful interactive Philadelphia Hoagie Finder.

You can also add check out the full list on Foursquare and on Foodspotting.

For a little taste of what to expect, we’ve included a few highlights from each neighborhood, below:

Center City

• Campo’s: 214 Market Street. An Old City institution since 1947, Campo’s Deli is well situated for visitors of historic sites craving classic hoagies, available on regular or seeded bread. Sports fans and concert-goers can enjoy the hoagies and cheesesteaks in the Wells Fargo Center, and the Phillies cheering section can find their cheesesteaks in Citizens Bank Park.

• Carmen’s Famous: 12th & Arch Streets. For those who like their hot peppers hot, Reading Terminal stand Carmen’s Famous Italian Hoagie is the place for an authentic hoagie stuffed with all manner of meats.

• Salumeria: 12th & Arch Streets. Reading Terminal’s elegant cheese emporium Salumeria also happens to be one of Center City’s top-notch outlets for sandwiches.

• Wawa: 1707 Arch Street, to name one location. No hoagie list would be complete without this guy. The official sponsor of HoagieFest and builder of a 4.5 ton sandwich in honor of American troops, Wawa (with locations in five states) takes their lunch offerings seriously, allowing customers to build their own in a variety of sizes.

South Philly

• Chickie’s Italian Deli: 1014 Federal Street. The award-winning Chickie’s notable menu items include the Original Veggie and Tuna Special. Each delectable sandwich sits on a roll from Sarcone’s Bakery.

• Cosmi’s: 1501 S. 8th Street. Family owned and operated since 1932, Cosmi’s is a corner deli with a legendary reputation for hoagies hot and cold served on Sarcone’s rolls.

• Di Bruno Bros.: 930 S. 9th Street. A major destination for any Italian specialty food connoisseur and purveyor of hoagie fillings galore, Di Bruno’s makes a mean sandwich in its own right, with a high-quality olive-oil drizzle.

• Primo Hoagies: 1528 Ritner Street. A South Philly shop that’s grown immensely in recent years, Primo Hoagie has elevated the art form with a long list of hoagie variants, including the Turkey Diablo and the Knuckle Sandwich.

• Sarcone’s Deli: 734 S. 9th Street. The original Bella Vista Sarcone’s deli has spawned multiple locations, and it’s easy to see why. At the hoagie mecca, freshly baked seeded rolls are lovingly stuffed in combos like the Italian Market and the Junk Yard Special.

More, below.

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Want to help decide which hoagie recipe will be crowned the winner and the title of the ''With Love'' Hoagie? Head over to the Shops at Liberty Place at lunchtime this Thursday for a hoagie showdown. (Image courtesy Primo Hoagies)

Visit Philly’s hoagie celebrations are about to get even more delicious.

The Great Philadelphia Hoagie Debate is going strong — you can enter to win a year’s supply of hoagies!

Next up: the With Love Hoagie Invitational takes place from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday, November 3 in the Rotunda at The Shops at Liberty Place< .

Five finalists have been selected in the competition to design a new hoagie for Primo’s menu and have it be called the “With Love” Hoagie.

Hoagie lovers (read: you) and a panel of judges will taste test and vote for their favorite sandwich out of the five finalists’ creations, dished up for sampling by the Primo Hoagie’s kitchens. Judges include Councilman James F. Kenney, Primo’s owner Nick Papanier, Michael Klein and Ashley Primis from the Inquirer, and more.

You can register to sample all five hoagies for free. Just make sure you get to Liberty Place at 11:30 a.m. (or earlier!); supplies are limited. You’ll have to fill out a registration form, after which you’ll receive a card that you’ll drop in the bowl of whichever table’s hoagie you liked the most.

A sampling of Primo’s most popular offerings from their menu, separate from the competition, will also be available for sampling; no registration necessary for that.

There will be three winners. The People’s Choice winner (1) will receive a special prize, as will Michael Klein’s pick for the winner (2) on behalf of Philly.com.

And the big kahuna (1): the sandwich which receives the most judges’ votes will be christened the official With Love Hoagie, and will be added to Primo Hoagie’s menu, to be carried at all 70 shops in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland! The sandwich maker will receive an overnight stay in Philadelphia, Eagles tickets and name recognition at Primo’s.

Don’t miss out on the hoagie madness. Read below for the inside scoop on the five finalists’ hoagie recipes.

With Love Hoagie Contest and Invitational
When: Thursday, November 3, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Rotunda at The Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut Street
Cost: FREE
More info: www.primohoagies.com

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Think you can share why the hoagie is or is not the greatest sandwich on the planet in 140 characters or less? You'll be automatically entered to win a free weekend in Philadelphia plus free hoagies from one of five classic sandwich shops. (Image courtesy Trazzler)

Did you hear? Philadelphia is in the midst of a massive hoagie celebration.

In honor of the approaching National Sandwich Day on November 3, Visit Philly is celebrating Philadelphia’s quintessential cold sandwich with a series of special promotions and events.

You can vote in the Great Philadelphia Hoagie Debate, enter to win a year’s supply of hoagies, attend the With Love Hoagie Invitational, explore some of the region’s best hoagies and hoagie shops via an interactive map and much more. All the details are right here.

And that’s not all.

Visit Philly is also running a sweet two-week contest on Trazzler, a travel site that focuses on unique weekend getaways.

All you have to do is answer this super easy hoagie question: “The hefty hoagie is the best sandwich ever. Agree or disagree?”

To enter the contest, visit the contest page on Trazzler and follow the directions there to share your thoughts via Twitter on why the hoagie knocks out all other sandwiches, or else challenge the hoagie with the sandwich you think rules the land. The five most creative Tweets will win a free weekend in Philadelphia and loads of free hoagies.

Here are the five prizes:

• $250 at Sofitel Philadelphia Hotel and $25 for hoagies at Shank’s Original
• $250 at The Rittenhouse Hotel and $25 for hoagies at Reading Terminal Market
• $250 at The Morris House Hotel and $25 for hoagies at DiBruno Bros.
• One free night at Windsor Suites Philadelphia and $25 for hoagies at Campo’s
• $250 at Hilton Inn at Penn and $25 for hoagies at Tony Luke’s

Just when we thought all this hoagie mayhem couldn’t get any more awesome.

The Philadelphia Hoagie Challenge [Trazzler]
Authentic Philadelphia Hoagies – Our Complete Guide Of Where To Find, Eat And Enjoy Hoagies Across Philadelphia [Visit Philly]

The Philadelphia Union are in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the very first time, and it all starts this weekend.

The Union will host the Houston Dynamo this Sunday, October 30, at 4 p.m. at PPL Park.

But before Sunday’s game, there are plenty of opportunities to show your support. Today, Friday, October 28, the Union will host a “Doopin’ to the Cup” rally party at Fado Irish Pub and Tir Na Nog in Center City from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Awesome bonus: Union players Freddy Adu, Gabriel Farfan, Carlos Valdes and Danny Mwanga will be there in person to pump up the crowds at each pub, plus give away special prizes.

The fun will continue when the Union travel to Houston for the second leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Thursday, November 3. Various viewing parties will take place at Union Pub Partners throughout the city (locations to be announced).

Go Union! DOOP!!

Philadelphia Union vs. Houston Dynamos
When: Sunday, October 30, 4 p.m.
Where: PPL Park
More info: www.philadelphiaunion.com

Leading up to National Sandwich Day on November 3, we're celebrating Philadelphia's iconic cold sandwich: the hoagie. We've got polls, contests, Foodspotting guides, interactive hoagie maps, a With Love Hoagie Invitational and so much more. Bring your appetites; it's going to be delicious! Case in point: the amazing Italian hoagie from Sarcone's pictured above. (Photo by J. Varney for GPTMC)

There’s no hiding it or denying it: Philadelphia has great sandwiches.

And Philly’s sandwich prowess is led by the big three: there’s the nationally and internationally famous Philly Cheesesteak; there’s the amazingly delicious roast pork sandwich. And then there’s the authentic Philadelphia hoagie, a sandwich that we’re here to talk about today.

In honor of the approaching National Sandwich Day on November 3, Visit Philly is celebrating the hoagie with a series of special promotions and events to show our appreciation for Philadelphia’s quintessential cold sandwich.

Over the next week or so, hoagie lovers can help Philly show its appreciation for these delicious sandwiches in a number of ways. You can vote in the Great Philadelphia Hoagie Debate, enter to win a year’s supply of hoagies, enter to win a Tailgate Takeover at an Eagles game, attend the With Love Hoagie Invitational, explore some of the region’s best hoagies and hoagie shops via an interactive map and much more.

Here’s the complete rundown on the Visit Philly hoagie celebration:

Hoagie 101

Declared the “official sandwich of Philadelphia” by Mayor Ed Rendell in 1992 at Wawa Hoagie Day at City Hall, the hoagie is a built-to-order sandwich on a long Italian roll, typically filled with deli meat and cheese, garnished with fresh lettuce, tomatoes and onions and finished with a drizzle of oregano-vinegar dressing.

Authentic Philadelphia Hoagie Finder

The Philadelphia Hoagie Finder, a new permanent addition to Visit Philly, helps you locate the tastiest hoagies near you. You can also ad each location to your Foursquare list, or view it on Foodspotting via Visit Philly’s hoagie Foodspotting guide.

Once you’ve “spotted” the items in any of the 21 Visit Philly Foodspotting guides, you receive a customized Visit Philly badge for your Foodspotting profile.

The Great Philadelphia Hoagie Debate And Sweepstakes

Also (awesomeness alert right here) be sure to enter the Visit Philly Facebook contest, the Great Philadelphia Hoagie Debate, in order to be entered to win a year’s supply of hoagies from various iconic shops around the city. Just weigh in on which element of the hoagie you think is most essential: the bread, the meat, the cheese, the toppings or the dressing.

Tailgate Takeover

The Visit Philly hoagie celebration kicks off with a Tailgate Takeover this Sunday, October 30 from 2-6 p.m. prior to the Eagles vs. Cowboys game in the Wells Fargo parking lot.

Eagles fans can enter through CBS for a chance to upgrade their next tailgate catered by Primo Hoagies. Two winners will be chosen from the online contest, and the Primo Hoagies Patrol will also scout the parking lot in search of a third lucky group of tailgaters. Winners will receive hoagies, chips and all the fixings, along with an invitation to hang out in the well stocked With Love RV. You can enter right here.

With Love Hoagie Contest And Invitational

Plus (another awesomeness alert), Primo’s teamed up with our parent organization, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, and Philly.com/food to hold a competition for the new ‘With Love’ Hoagie. The recipe contest is closed, but you’ll be able to vote for your favorite at the upcoming Hoagie Invitational. The invitational takes place from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday, November 3 in the Rotunda at The Shops at Liberty Place.

It’s a one-time competition in which five amateur hoagie makers attempt to create the official With Love Hoagie. Hoagie lovers and a panel of judges consisting of Philadelphia notables will taste test and vote for their favorite sandwich. The winning sandwich maker will receive an overnight stay in Philadelphia, Eagles tickets and name recognition at the 70 Primo Hoagies shops in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland that will carry the With Love Hoagie!

Philadelphia’s food has been garnering more and more national attention, so it’s only fitting that we celebrate one of our most iconic sandwiches with an extended celebration.

Now who’s hungry?

Authentic Philadelphia Hoagies – Our Complete Guide Of Where To Find, Eat And Enjoy Hoagies Across Philadelphia [Visit Philly]