Hershey’s celebrates U.S. Soccer star Christian Pulisic with pop-up ‘Soccerland’ at Dilworth Park
The candy company is hosting an event outside City Hall to honor the Pa. native. Here’s what you can expect.
Over the last several weeks, Philadelphia has become a hub of World Cup activity. Folks are packing bars, some of which are open until 4 a.m., for watch parties, hosting rallies on the Art Museum steps, and making their way to South Philly for a match at Philadelphia Stadium or to Lemon Hill for FIFA Fan Fest.
Most of that excitement has revolved around the nations and players descending on the city for games. But now, as the U.S. men’s national soccer team was to play its final group stage game on Thursday, against Turkey outside Los Angeles, the Hershey Co. has brought another World Cup experience to the city, one that focuses on USMNT star and Hershey, Pa., native Christian Pulisic.
On Thursday, the candy company based in Hershey unveiled its Soccerland at Dilworth Park next to City Hall, a celebration of all things Pulisic.
“Hershey Soccerland represents our efforts to really support Christian Pulisic as he’s on the biggest world stage for the World Cup,” said Hershey senior brand manager Katrina Vatter. “He’s a Hershey native. So we want him to know that no matter the fact that he’s playing on the world’s biggest stage, we are here to have his back.”
» READ MORE: These Philadelphians planned the perfect World Cup weekends for their families. Then their tickets never came.
With the smell of chocolate in the air, the pop-up event features a three-hole golf circuit played by kicking a ball, giving fans a chance to score limited-edition Hershey’s Pulisic’s bars that feature custom wrappers with his printed signature, as well as a “Pulisic’s Playground” T-shirt.
There’s also a paint-by-numbers station, allowing fans to contribute to a mural of ChocolateTown’s hero.
“No matter where soccer has taken me, my story started in Hershey,” Pulisic said in a press release. “Growing up there shaped who I am, and knowing that support is always behind me gives me a sense of comfort and confidence wherever I play. Being able to celebrate that connection with Hershey’s means a lot to me.”
“Philly is right in the neck of the woods from Hershey, about an hour away,” Vatter said. “So we thought it was a great way to rally the state of Pennsylvania to continue to support Hershey’s and really show everybody what Christian’s hometown is all about.”
Soccerland is open until 6 p.m. on Thursday and continues Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In this World Cup, underdogs are stealing the spotlight, the U.S. men are on a roll, and Philadelphia has not only welcomed the world but has given visitors a crash course on just how real the curse of the Rocky Statue can be.
Join Jonathan Tannenwald, the Inquirer's soccer writer, and host Lisa Carlin, analyst for CBS Sports Golazo, as they dissect the matches, the moments, and more as Philly has its moment in soccer's brightest spotlight. Watch our latest episode right here.
Watch previous episodes:
Episode 1: The Wait is Over!
Episode 2: Groups, Goals, and Glory
Episode 3: Electric Action in Philly
