New Delhi: Philadelphia hosted its first Parallel Parking competition on 3 October 2026. Mario “One-Shot Mar” Zucca, a 46-year-old illustrator from West Mount Airy, was crowned the city’s first Best Parallel Parker.
A first-of-its-kind competition, it was organised by the newly formed Philadelphia Parallel Parking Association (PPPA), founded by Adam Wodka.
Hundreds of spectators packed Headhouse Plaza in Society Hill (Second and South streets) to watch 14 drivers angle their personal vehicles into tight spaces without backup cameras or parking-assistance systems.
Nearly 900 people had applied for the limited spots, out of which 15 were selected. One of them could not appear.
Zucca drove a well-worn 2012 Mazda 3 hatchback with about 155,000 miles. He was seen sporting an Evel Knievel-style helmet and jumpsuit, as he edged out other strong contenders that included a heavy equipment operator and a former driving school instructor. Finalists also included LaTasha “Tasha” Hall and Shafir “Pirate One Shot” Mondal.
Three rounds, one prize
The competitors faced three scored rounds before a panel of judges.
The first round, called One Shot, was a classic parallel parking in a single attempt, judged by distance (in inches) from the curb.
In the second round, Tight Squeeze, drivers had to maneuver into a space only about 18 inches longer than the car, scoring on fewest moves while staying within roughly six inches of the curb and minimising bumps.
The third round, called Under Duress, judged the drivers’ ability to park as parallel as possible amid distractions and barriers meant to simulate real Philly street chaos.
The top three advanced to a final judged on competency, flair, and style.
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Celebrating the skill of parking
Zucca’s prizes included a trophy and an actual piece of street curb, $76 (the amount of a typical Philadelphia parking fine), and free parking in any Center City garage for the month of October, courtesy of the PPPA.
The top three finalists also received the free-garage perk.
The event, co-presented with the South Street Headhouse District, doubled as a fundraiser. Sponsorship proceeds directly support Families for Safe Streets Greater Philadelphia, a Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia program that advocates for safer streets and assists people affected by traffic violence.
Wodka said that he created the competition to celebrate a distinctly Philadelphian skill and promote better parking practices.
The afternoon featured an emcee, DJ, local celebrity judges, and plenty of Philly attitude – including decorated cars and T-shirts among the competitors.
“I feel great. I loved the energy that people had for parallel parking and the love they had for Philadelphians,” one competitor told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Edited by Maryam Hassan