A giant IKEA shopping bag will be set up during the CollegeFest block party in Philly this weekend
Shoppers at Swedish furniture supermarket IKEA have likely seen a plethora of the company’s blue “Frakta” shopping bags – reusable tote bags Perfect for storing items from later grocery shopping, overnight trips or college moving-in days.
A very special sight awaits Philadelphians this weekend when a 19-foot inflatable version of the shopping bag is placed at Aviator Park, 20th Street and Race Street. IKEA’s “Big Blue Bag” is part of it CollegeFest Block party on Saturday, September 9th from 10am to 3pm
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In addition to the imposing presence of the huge installation IKEA will have giveaways and promotions at the event. College students can also enter and win $500 towards IKEA purchases by posting a photo with the Frakta sculpture on social media.
The block party kicks off this weekend’s CollegeFest, which is being hosted by the nonprofit Campus Philly to welcome students back to school. On Saturday, September 9th and Sunday, September 10th, college students can visit participating museums in Philly, ride the SEPTA for free, and enter to win Phillies and Flyers tickets. The Frakta installation is part of the brand Donation bag campaign.
IKEA, which has its North American headquarters in Conshohocken, has agreed $2.2 billion to grow in the US, the largest investment in four decades in the country. The plan is to open eight new branches and 900 new pick-up points where customers can pick up their online purchases.
Due to these recent developments, an oversized version of IKEA’s iconic blue bag was traveling the country this summer.
Provided Image/Factory PR A 19-foot tall IKEA Frakta shopping bag will be set up at the intersection of 20th and Race Streets this weekend as part of the CollegeFest block party. Above: the giant inflatable sculpture in New York City.
The Big Blue Bag has arrived NYCChicago and Houston, with promotions and augmented reality experiences. Last month it was published by a University of Maryland Festival.
Die Frakta – which means “to carry” in Swedish – was created in Stockholm in the 1980swhen the IKEA team realized customers were struggling to move smaller goods around the store.
Originally, the bag was only available in bright yellow. The well-known blue bags, which are now synonymous with the store itself, came about when IKEA employees needed a way to distinguish bags that belonged to the store from bags that customers had brought themselves. Over the decades, Frakta bags have inspired luxury designers and do-it-yourselfers, and have been used for everything from carrying puppies to transporting laundry.
This weekend, the tote bag’s gigantic cousin will serve as a unique Instagram backdrop and beacon for discounted dorm supplies for eager Philadelphia college students.
CollegeFest block party
Saturday September 9th
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Free
Race Street between 19th and 20th streets, Philadelphia, PA
