Rather Be in Philadelphia? : A refugee from the City of Brotherly Love plans ‘Reunion Extravaganza,’ with food, music and celebrities.

Second prize is two weeks in Philadelphia.

With the possible exception of Cleveland, Phila delphia has been the sub ject of more put-downs than any city in America. This upsets convenience food executive Jerry Packer.

“I have no idea where those jokes came from,” said Packer, a vice president of Northridge-based Great American Creative Food Corp., whose main product is Mama Marie’s frozen pizza. “Philadelphia is a wonderful city of great neighborhoods, great people.”

Of course, Packer, 51, doesn’t live there anymore and doesn’t plan on going back, except for visits. But he is nostalgic for his childhood days in Philly and figures that there are several hundred others in Southern California who feel the same way.

He and two partners have organized the “West Coast/Philadelphia Area Reunion Extravaganza” to take place Sunday at Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City. The event, from noon to 10 p.m., will feature Philadelphia foods such as cheese steaks and TastyKakes, a deejay playing “Philadelphia sound” records, dancing and possibly Philly native Frankie Avalon’s new line of beauty care products.

“His agent said that if he can, he will try and make it and maybe set up a display booth to show his products,” Packer said.

Avalon is one of several celebrities who formerly resided in Philadelphia to be invited to the event. So far, only singer Eddie Fisher, radio talk-show host Peter Tilden and new Los Angeles Police Chief Willie L. Williams have said they will be there. Packer hopes that several others, including Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, Al Martino, Dick Clark and Tommy Lasorda, will also put in appearances.

Banners at the event will designate areas where people from the 29 sections of Philadelphia can gather and see if they recognize anyone from the old days. Other areas will be for those who attended the city’s various universities.

“There will also be a social and business exchange area for those who would like to network,” Packer said.

Less than a week before the event, only about 350 tickets ($22.50 for mail orders and $27.50 at the door) had been sold, but Packer was confident that the crowd would number at least 1,500.

“A lot of people have great memories of Philly,” said Packer, who left the city 20 years ago. “It was a great place to grow up.”

Where and When

What: “West Coast/Philadelphia Area Reunion Extravaganza.”

Location: Sportsmen’s Lodge, 4234 Coldwater Canyon, Studio City.

Hours: Noon to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Price: $27.50 at the door.

Call: (818) 984-0202 or (310) 477-5124.