Fairmount Park

They squealed and snorted. It smelled. But it was a spirited race by contenders Marty Swineberg, Jowls F. Street, Hog White Jr., Hammy Fernandez, Dwight Bacon, and Spam Katz at the Philadelphia County Fair in Fairmount Park. It is unknown which one Mayor Rendell, at the lectern, favored.

Bernard Parker of West Philadelphia cools off with a water-ice at the Philadelphia County Fair at Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park yesterday. The fair, which costs $5 and is free to children under 7, continues in the park until Sunday. If you drive, parking costs $5, too.

THREE YEARS AGO, Penn Rugby held its practices at Hill Field, an area one-third the size of a regulation rugby field, while traveling 20 minutes to Fairmount Park for home matches. The same team that coped with terrible field conditions and the inconvenience of traveling to home games is now competing in its first USA Sevens Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC), set for tomorrow and Sunday at PPL Park in Chester. And the team has to give credit to their home turf, Penn Park. "This is one of the best fields in the Ivy League and one of the best fields around; definitely the best field in Philadelphia," second-year coach Omar Foda said of Penn Park, which opened in 2011.

A proposal for a Franklin Square 9/11 memorial that was to go before the Philadelphia Art Commission for review and final approval Wednesday was withdrawn from consideration late Tuesday afternoon. Featuring fragments from the World Trade Center, a block of granite from the Pentagon, and soil and stones from the Flight 93 crash site near Shanksville, Pa., the memorial first appeared on a revised commission agenda Monday. The proposal had been backed by an array of powerful city political leaders, including U.S. Rep. Bob Brady and Mayor Nutter.

THE FAIRMOUNT Park Commission is starting the 11th year of killing deer in Fairmount Park. When the first kill was initiated, deer contraception was offered for free, but it was turned down. Park officials said it would take too long, it might not work. Evidently killing hasn't worked either. Fire companies have been closed, libraries threatened, swimming pools won't open, yet there's money for the park's annual deer kill. I question Mayor Nutter's priorities. I'd like to know how much has been spent in 11 years of hiring sharpshooters, police protection and the use of city vehicles and workers for three months each year this kill has taken place.

Philadelphia's premier and amateur floral designers present a show within a show at the Philadelphia Antiques Festival. In conjunction with the festival's 50th anniversary, floral artists pair with antiques dealers to create intricate, interpretive flower arrangements. Proceeds benefit the Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center. Navy Yard, Philadelphia Cruise Terminal at Pier One, 5100 S. Broad St., 11 a.m.-8 p.m. today and Monday, till 6 p.m. tomorrow and Tuesday, $20. Spend Sakura Sunday watching karate, learning origami and calligraphy and soaking in Fairmount Park's spring scenery for the centerpiece event of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia's Cherry Blossom Festival.

Eugene Mitchell of the Vesper Boat Club took over the lead with a mile to run and won the 92d annual Schuylkill Navy Cross Country Run in Fairmount Park yesterday. Mitchell, winner of the Big East Steeplechase as captain of Villanova's cross country team, ran the 5 5/8-mile course in 31 minutes. Keith Robinson of Undine Barge Club finished second in 31:38.2, edging Vesper's Mike Teti.

Intent on getting his exercise, a runner in Fairmount Park yesterday didn't stop to smell the tulips in Eakins Oval. Ever notice how plants can grow and keep fit just standing around, so long as they get enough rain and plenty of sunshine? They got the rain earlier this week, and they'll be getting plenty of that bright, warm stuff today.