Children in the North Philadelphia neighborhood take turns riding a pony in the street during a labor day block party. CONNOR SHOWALTER TTN

Philadelphia residents, Lonnie Sullivan, 50, and his son Jamal, were at the block party to teach children and adults how to ride ponies around the block.  Lonnie Sullivan, who said he is the boss of the organized pony rides, has been traveling around the Philadelphia community with his horses throughout the summer.  He receives his business from residents who hold events ranging from catering parties to sweet sixteen birthday parties.

“Any events that they call me for I do the events,” Lonnie Sullivan said. “The message is to let the kids see that there’s more stuff in the city then just selling drugs.  We don’t want our kids to be on the corner selling drug, so we got horses.”

The cost to ride the pony to the end of the block and back is $3 per kid, $5 per adult.  If a person wants to take a joy ride to center city, they can rent a horse for $75 an hour.

For more coverage of the community block party sponsored in conjunction by Temple Student Government, continue to visit www.temple-news.com.