This year marks 130 years of hosting Penn Relays at Franklin Field<\/a>. The iconic track-and-field event is a testament to the stadium\u2019s continuing capacity to bring fans together, Ward said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you have 40,000 spectators and participants competing at Penn Relays, the stadium comes alive again, and you hear the roar of the crowd,\u201d he said. \u201cThe crowd is a culture between all the nations.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n And beyond the Penn Relays, the field has served as a space for many other sporting events. The Army-Navy football game was played 18 times in the stadium<\/a>, the Eagles played<\/a> at the stadium from 1958-1970 and the space hosted the first rugby league match<\/a> between the United States and Australia.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Penn\u2019s baseball team also played in the space from 1895 to 1939, and the field has hosted events such as the 1936 Democratic National Convention and the NCAA Men\u2019s and Women\u2019s Lacrosse Championships.\u00a0<\/p>\n Celebrating Franklin Field\u2019s history and evolution<\/p>\n The firstival statue celebrating Franklin Field was created by Roselyn Dooley and aims to showcase some of the stadium\u2019s popular events.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI just wanted to show some action and show that the athletes get to be the innovators for their fields,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ward explained that the space has a way of connecting others.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s kind of a testament of time to say that Franklin Field was the first stadium, and it\u2019s still in use,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s the historical component of that, but also this evolution of sport, of bringing people together and promoting competitive spirit and leadership. I think it\u2019s a prime example for the city of Philadelphia, and what has inspired that fan base.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The space continues to host the Penn Relays \u2013 which will happen at the end of this month.<\/a> But beyond this, Ward said the space hosts unique programs beyond track and field events.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a multi-use facility, and we try to treat it like that,\u201d he said. \u201cI think that\u2019s mainly for the benefit of the fans in Philadelphia and the population on campus, because sports is also entertainment.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The Philadelphia Historic District\u2019s \u201c52 Weeks of Firsts\u201d highlights a Philly \u201cfirst\u201d each weekend through the end of 2026. Each \u201cfirst\u201d comes with a corresponding \u201cFirstival,\u201d which includes corresponding storytellers, live music, family-friendly activities and games, and a local \u201c#1\u201d sculpture by a local artist.\u00a0<\/p>\n The festival celebrating this Philly milestone<\/a> will be held at Franklin Field on 235 S. 33rd Street from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday.\u00a0<\/p>\n First circus performance, botanical garden and postmaster coming up\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Here is your full guide to all of this year\u2019s firstivals \u2013 including where you can find this upcoming Saturday\u2019s Firstival dates and location.\u00a0<\/p>\n Completed<\/p>\n Week 1: \u00a0Successful balloon flight in America (1793)<\/a><\/p>\n Week 2: The Mummers parade, the nation\u2019s first folk parade (1901)<\/a><\/p>\n Week 3: Volunteer fire company (1736)<\/a><\/p>\n Week 4: Professional basketball league (1898)<\/a><\/p>\n Week 5: Public Girl Scout cookie sale (1932)<\/a><\/p>\n Week 6: African Methodist Episcopal congregation (1794)<\/a><\/p>\n Week 7: Abolitionist society in America<\/a> (1775)<\/p>\n Week 8: Authentic Chinese gate built in America<\/a> (1984)<\/p>\n Week 9: Public protest against slavery in America<\/a> (1688)<\/p>\n Week 10: Flower Show<\/a> (1829)<\/p>\n Week 11: Women\u2019s medical college<\/a> (1850)<\/p>\n Week 12: Matchbook<\/a> (1892)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Franklin-Field.jpg\")
Spectators at Franklin Field make the ambiance palpable, Ward said (Bastiaan Slabbers\/WHYY) <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_9668.jpg\")
Roselyn Dooley (left) and Scott Ward (right) stand next to this weekend\u2019s \u2018Firstival\u2019 poster (Violet Comber-Wilen\/Billy Penn) <\/p>\n