By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Kimberton Fair
There are two things you can be sure of in this area every July – scorching heat waves and an assortment of festivals, outside music events, carnivals, family-oriented celebrations and summertime fairs.
If you enjoy country fairs, you should check out the Annual Kimberton Community Fair (Kimberton Fairgrounds, Route 113, Kimberton, 610-933-4566, http://kimbertonfair.org) which is running from July 24-29.
The Kimberton Community Fair, which was first staged in 1929, is one of the oldest community fairs in the state — and one of the last “free admission” fairs operating in the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs. The Kimberton Fair is a “free admission fair with parking by donation.”
As always, the fair offers a huge array of free attractions — a festive midway with amusement rides, live entertainment shows, nightly contests, exhibit buildings and livestock displays.
The fair will be held at the Kimberton Fairgrounds on Route 113 approximately one mile south of Phoenixville. The non-profit event, which lists the volunteer Kimberton Fire Company as its beneficiary, attracts over 60,000 people each year.
There will also be open class and 4-H competitions along with a full midway of rides by Reithoffer Shows.
The Kimberton Fair is a “rain-or-shine” event – more or less.
According to the event’s website, they never officially “close” the fair as a result of rain because they must remain “open” to adhere to Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture operating guidelines.
The indoor attractions stay open even in inclement weather, but the festival may shut down any amusement ride if the weather causes safety issues.
There are other good options for live music under the stars.
From July 26-29, Brandywiners, Ltd. ( brandywiners.org) are moving into their summer home at Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, www.longwoodgardens.org) where they will perform a four-show run of “Oliver!”
“Oliver!” is a coming-of-age stage musical, with book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. The musical is based upon the 1838 novel “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens. It takes audiences on a wild adventure throughout Victorian England.
The musical, which was the first musical adaptation of a famous Dickens work to become a stage hit, premiered at the Wimbledon Theatre, southwest London in 1960 before opening in the West End, where it enjoyed a record-breaking long run. Oliver! ran on Broadway, after being brought to the U.S. by producer David Merrick in 1963. Major London revivals played from 1977–1980, 1994–1998, 2008–2011 and on tour in the U.K. from 2011–2013. Additionally, its 1968 film adaptation, directed by Carol Reed, won six Academy Awards including Best Picture.
In 1963 Bart received the Tony Award for Best Original Score. Many songs are well known to the public, such as “Food, Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself” and “I’d Do Anything.”
For Brandywiners Ltd., there’s no place like home – as long as home is Longwood Gardens.
Every summer, the company presents a large-scale musical production at Longwood Gardens and contributes the proceeds to cultural, educational and civic causes throughout the Delaware Valley.
Performances at Longwood Gardens are set for 8 p.m. each night.
Tickets are $33 for general admission and include all-day Gardens Admission.
The Eagleview Summer Concerts on the Square at Eagleview Town Center (Wharton Boulevard, Exton, www.ineagleview.com) will present Adam Ezra Group with special guest Incendio with special guest Kuf and Christine on August 1, Miko Marks with special guest Brittany Ann Tranbaugh on August 15 and Mellow Fever on August 29.
David Wilcox will be heading a show at the Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts (9 South Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr, brynmawrtwilightconcerts.com) on July 22. Other upcoming Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts are Trout Fishing in America on July 23, John Gorka on July 29, Livingston Taylor on August 5, Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience on August 12, Susan Werner on August 19, Dar Williams on August 26, Carsie Blanton & Marielle Kraft on September and Jon McLaughlin on September 8.
The Rose Tree Summer Festival (Rose Tree Park, Route 252, Media, www.delcopa.gov/departments/parks) returns with a summer-long series of free outdoor shows at the scenic park just north of Media.
The schedule of upcoming shows in the next week features James Day & The Fish Fry on July 21, Class of ’84 on July 22, Los Bomberos de la Calle on July 23. Sensational Soul Cruisers on July 26, and Opera Under the Stars on July 27.
A trio of country music legends will be in the area on July 20 when the Bristol Riverside Theatre (120 Radcliffe Street
Bristol, www.brtstage.org) presents another edition of its “William Penn Bank Summer Music Fest.”
The show on July 20 will be the “Roots & Boots Tour” featuring Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye and Sammy Kershaw at Bristol Township’s outdoor amphitheater (2501 Bath Road, Bristol).
Stoneleigh
Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden (1829 East County Line Road, Villanova, stoneleighgarden.org/garden/home/) will present a “Home and Garden Tour” on July 22 from 10:30 a.m.-noon.
Formerly a Main Line country estate, Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden opened to the public in 2018.
Dazzling displays of native plants, ancient trees, landscape designs by the Olmsted Brothers, and myriad habitats are highlighted on this guided exploration of Stoneleigh. The spectacular Tudor Revival Main House—which is usually only open for special events—is also included in the tour.
This tour will highlight the transition from beloved family home to public garden through a guided exploration of breathtaking historical landscapes, majestic trees, and the more than 2,000 varieties of native plants.
Guests can learn how the staff created gardens that are beautiful, biodiverse, and beneficial to wildlife.
Tickets for the tour are $15.
Natural Lands is a non-profit organization that saves open space, cares for nature, and connects people to the outdoors in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.
An interesting annual summer event in Pennsylvania Dutch country is the Rough and Tumble Engineers Historical Association’s “John Deere Days” (4977 Lincoln Highway East, Kinzers, 717-442-4249,www.roughandtumble.org).
The event is scheduled for July 21 and 22 with activities slated to get underway at 9 a.m. each day.
This annual show, which is sponsored by the Waterloo Boys Club of Southeastern Pennsylvania, features a wide range of John Deere tractors with “Deere History” and “Tractor Pulling” events.
One of the highlights each day will be the “John Deere Parade of Power,” which is a showcase for many different and unique models.
On Friday, there will be the “Garden Tractor Parade” and the “Tractor Pull.” Popular activities on Saturday include the “Kiddy Pedal Pull,” “Large Tractor Pulling” and the always-popular “Raffle Tractor Drawing.”
Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for youth (ages 12-18). Children under 12 years are admitted free.
The Delaware Art Museum (2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware, www.delart.org) is presenting its “Pow Wow of Arts and Culture” on July 22 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Planned in partnership with community advisors and the Nanticoke Indian Association, this free event celebrates indigenous culture.
Keith Colston (Tuscarora and Lumbee) is the MC and Will Mosley (Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape) is the Arena Director.
Dancers and Drummers include Head Lady Adrienne Harmon (Nanticoke), Head Male Louis Campbell (Lumbee), and Host Drum: Red Blanket Singers (Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape) with Aztec Dance by Tonantzin Yaotecas. There will also be Indigenous arts and crafts along with food truck vendors.
This Powwow is open to the public. Visitors of all ages and backgrounds are welcome.
The following is the etiquette for non-native visitors:
The dance arena and the seats nearest the circle are reserved for singers, dancers, drummers, and their families.
Visitors are welcome to watch, but please do not participate in dancing unless explicitly invited by the Master of Ceremonies (MC).
Please ask permission before taking photos or videos. Please do not touch any part of the regalia of dancers.
This event is sponsored by the Center for Interventional Pain & Spine, Nuestras Raices, and Guerrilla Republik. This organization is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.
The Philadelphia Zoo
The Philadelphia Zoo (3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, www.philadelphiazoo.org) is unveiling several new attractions this summer.
Following the big global news of the two sloth bear cubs, Philadelphia Zoo announces the debut of two Humboldt penguin chicks, a vulnerable species, the birth of two Arapawa goats, a rare breed with less than 500 individuals in the world – and the return of red-tailed monkeys, a species that last lived at the Zoo in 1928.
Philadelphia Zoo also invites the public to a brand-new experience that is back after many, many years with the debut of Lemur Island.
Visitors are invited to get up close and personal as they enter Lemur Island – with the family of ring-tailed and mongoose lemurs.
Ring-tailed lemurs are named for their long black and white ringed tail, which always ends in a black tip. They spend much of their time on the ground and this species is the only living semi-terrestrial lemur.
Mongoose lemurs love nectar, which makes them important pollinators in their native forest. Their fur is heavy and wooly and they are sexually dichromatic. Males have gray to brown backs, pale faces, red cheeks and beards.
This brand-new walk-through experience takes guests inside their exhibit located outside of PECO Primate Reserve — no fences, moats or barriers of any kind. This experience brings participants right next to these endangered species – allowing guests to grow a greater appreciation of what makes these animals so amazing, and why they need our protection. The lemurs can walk around you — and you can watch them up close with no barriers.
According to Andrew J. Baker Curator of Primates and Small Mammals Michael Stern, “Philadelphia Zoo has one of the most diverse collections of lemur species in North America. We love seeing the joy on guests’ faces as they enter the experience and come within feet of these lemur families. We are thankful to all the Zoo teams who worked together to bring this experience to our guests for 2023.”
Also, new for the summer, all aboard for SEPTA PZ Express Train in the brand-new Watering Hole, the Zoo’s beer garden that has now greatly expanded in a much larger new location. The Train is offering daily rides in a brand-new exhibit and track – perfect for visiting families.
Admission to the Philadelphia Zoo is Adults (ages 12+), $25; Children (ages 2-11), $20; Children (under 2), Free.
The Elmwood Park Zoo (1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, www.elmwoodparkzoo.org) has a variety of special activities coming up.
A “Zoo Snooze” overnight campout will start at 5:30 p.m. on July 21 and run until 10 a.m. on July 22.
The “Campout” includes — Dinner (includes pizza, salad, and potato chips), Breakfast (includes pastries and fresh fruit), Flashlight tour of the zoo, Campfire & activities, educational show the next morning and Zoo admission the next day.
Tickets are $79.95.
“Night Adventures” is scheduled for July 21 from 7:30-10 p.m.
Adventurous visitors can zip the zoo in the dark with Treetop Adventures’ “Night Adventure.” They will be able to experience all the thrills of the zip line and ropes courses with the added challenge of darkness.
Adventurers will navigate through the trees, equipped with a headlamp. Young adventures can also experience the nighttime fun on the Zoo’s Cub Climb course.
Tickets are $55.
There will also be “Breakfast with the Giraffes” sessions on July 22 and 23 at 8:30 a.m. each day.
Visitors are encouraged to rise and shine for the most important meal of the day and share it with the Zoo’s three towering giraffes.
After enjoying a delicious outdoor breakfast buffet right next to the giraffes, participants will be able to enjoy an exclusive giraffe feeding.
Prices start at $134.95 for a table of four.
Treetop Quest Philly (51 Chamounix Drive, Philadelphia, www.treetopquest.com) is an aerial adventure park that will challenge you physically and mentally as you maneuver from tree to tree through obstacles and zip-lines. Once you’re equipped, they will teach you how to operate your equipment and you’ll be able to swing through each course as many times as you want for 2.5 hours.
Each participant is outfitted with a harness and gloves. Each course has a continuous belay system — a lifeline that is impossible to detach without a staff member. The activity is self-guided, and the staff is ready to assist when needed.
Gloves are required for our activity. During this time, we encourage participants to bring their own gloves to use while up in the trees, gardening gloves are perfect for this activity.
Ticket prices are $55, adults; $48, ages 12-17; $38, ages 7-11.
“TreeTrails Adventures Trevose” (301 West Bristol Pike, Trevose, treetrails.com/trevose-pa) is an adventure park full of fun challenges for outdoor adventurers of all ages that is open now and will run through November 26.
Participants can experience the rush of TreeTrails Adventures as they swing through the trees of the new adventure park. They will be able to discover the excitement of climbing and zip lining above the forest floor with r family, friends, co-workers, or teammates.
The park, which is based at Phoenix Sport Club in Bucks County, offers two ways to experience climbing – TreeTrails Adventure Park and KidTrails Park. Young explorers can enjoy miniaturized courses in the adjacent KidTrails Park.
General Park Admission prices are: Main Park Adult Tickets (Ages 12+), $59 and Main Park Youth Tickets (Ages 7–11), $51.
There is never a shortage of fun things to do in Philly.
As part of Historic Philadelphia’s anniversary celebration at Franklin Square (200 Sixth Street, Philadelphia, www.historicphiladelphia.org), the organization is illuminating the park with its annual “Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square.”
Now through August 13, Franklin Square will come alive every night with its Chinese Lantern Festival featuring more than two dozen illuminated lanterns – all constructed by lantern artisans from China.
Chinese-inspired performances will take place in Franklin Square twice nightly. Performances, which celebrate Chinese performance art and entertainment, are 30-minutes long and are scheduled for 7 and 9 p.m.
Festival hours are 6-11 p.m. Admission is $22 for adults ($25 on Saturday and Sunday), $20/$23 for youth, and $14 for children.
“Shark Day” at Please Touch Museum (4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, www.pleasetouchmuseum.org) is scheduled for July 22 beginning at 9 a.m.
This Shark celebration is all about the fearsome ocean predators. The day features events such as Shark Tooth Dig, River Adventures, Shark Storytime, and Ocean-Themed Art Workshops.
Workshops run every hour beginning at 10 a.m., running through 3 p.m. in the Albert M. Greenfield Makerspace.
Museum admission is $22 for all ages.
Hope Lodge (553 South Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, 215-343-0965, http://www.ushistory.org/hope/) will be presenting a “Guided Mansion Tour” on July 23.
Hope Lodge was built between 1743 and 1748 by Samuel Morris, a prosperous Quaker entrepreneur. Morris acted as a farmer, shipowner, miller, iron master, shop owner, and owner of the mill now known as Mather Mill. Hope Lodge is an excellent example of early Georgian architecture, and it is possible that Edmund Woolley, architect of Independence Hall, offered advice in building. Samuel Morris owned the estate until his death in 1770.
Visitors can participate by watching a short film and then taking a tour. Guided tours of the mansion will depart at 1 and 2:30 p.m.
Tour admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (age 65+) and for youth ages 6-17, and free for children under 5. Hope Lodge is a Blue Star Museum which means that active-duty military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve and their families, are admitted free for regular tours from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Schuylkill Banks Riverboat Tour (www.schuylkillbanks.org/events/riverboat-tours-1) presents “Secrets of the Schuylkill” now through October.
The boat ride is a one-hour family-friendly tour of Philly’s second biggest river featuring sights such as Bartram’s Garden and Fairmount Water Works.
Riders can discover the Hidden River on a fun and educational riverboat tour while seeing spectacular views of Philadelphia.
They can also learn about the past, present, and future of the tidal Schuylkill River and its impact on Philadelphia on a one-hour Secrets of the Schuylkill tour which costs $25 for adults and $15 for children (age 12 and under).
Tours depart from the Walnut Street Dock, under the Walnut Street Bridge, east bank of the Schuylkill River. Tours are scheduled for July 23 and August 6 at 1 and 3 p.m. each day and July 27 and August 10 at 5:30 and 7:15 p.m.
On July 22, On April 22, Laurel Hill Cemetery (3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-228-8200, www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org) will present “Sacred Spaces and Storied Places” at 10 a.m.
The expansion of Fairmount Park in the 1860s prevented further growth of Laurel Hill, and in 1869 West Laurel Hill was established just across the river in Bala Cynwyd. This walking tour provides a wonderful overview of West Laurel Hill’s long and colorful history, including its architectural artistry, stunning trees and horticulture, and the stories of residents that encompass diverse and fascinating Philadelphia history.
“Sacred Spaces and Storied Places” is the perfect introductory tour for anyone who wants to learn all that West Laurel Hill Cemetery has to offer. Experienced tour guides offer visitors a unique perspective and every Sacred Spaces tour is different.
The tour guide for this event is Jen Krivinskas.
Tickets, which must be purchased in advance, are: $15/General Admission, $13/Seniors (65 & up) and Students with ID, $7.50/Youth (6-12), and $0/Child (5 & under). Youth and children must be accompanied by an adult.
On select Saturday and Sundays now through July 30, the Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, http://www.chaddsford.com) is presenting “Reserve Tastings – Summer Sips.”
The winery staff is matching the intense heat and bold flavors of the season with exciting, crushable combinations. From delicious textures to a diverse range of fruity, floral, and herbaceous flavors, they are keeping visitors fresh and cool with these carefully curated, summer-approved pairings.
The winery’s trained staff will guide guests through a pre-selected tasting of five widely diverse wines from across the winery’s portfolio alongside artisan cheeses and other accoutrements. During this intimate and educational 60-minute experience, they will discuss topics such as grape growing conditions at partner vineyards and the onsite winemaking process from production to aging and bottling.
The “Pairing Line Up” is Greeting Wine: 2021 Sparkling White, 2022 Vidal Blanc with Goat Rodeo Chevre, 2022 Cabernet Franc with Hudson Valley Camembert with Blueberry Basil Jam, Good Vibes Only with Eclat Chocolate’s Tahitian Vanilla Truffle and Niagara with Gemelli Gelato’s Pear Gelato.
Reserve Tastings are $35 per person and offered only on select Saturdays and Sundays. There are three seatings per day – noon, 2 and 4 p.m. Advanced reservations are required and are non-refundable.
Chaddsford Winery is also hosting “Wine Down” on Thursday and Fridays now through September 2 from 5-8 p.m. each night.
“Wine Down” will feature live music on Thursday evening and Quizzo trivia games on Fridays.
In addition to wine available by the glass, there will be food items provided by Common Good Pizza.
The schedule for live music is: July 27: Acoustic Keys, August 3: Adam Moncao, August 10: Danie Ocean, August 17: John Rossi, August 24: Chris Peace, and August 31: Caroline Quinn
Penns Woods Winery (124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, http://www.pennswoodswinery.com) is presenting a summer music series.
The winery will open at 11 a.m. each day and have matinee performances of live music.
There will be music by Jason Ager from 2-5 p.m. on July 22 while the concert on July 23 will feature Bill Hake from 2-5 p.m.
The Kalmar Nyckel is holding public sails this month in Historic New Castle.
The cruises will depart from the Historic New Castle Public Pier (1 Delaware Street, New Castle, Delaware, www.kalmarnyckel.org) on July 21, 22 and 23.
For two decades, the Kalmar Nyckel, which has its home base in Wilmington, has been hosting riders all over the world – especially in Delaware.
A ride on the Kalmar Nyckel is totally different from most tourist water rides. The ship is a beautiful recreation of the original Kalmar Nyckel, which was built in Holland in the 1620s. Her mainmast is taller than a 10-story building and she carries 7,600 square feet of sail area and six miles of rigging.
The original Kalmar Nyckel was a Swedish-owned, three-masted armed pinnace that sailed from Goteborg, Sweden in November of 1637 and brought the first permanent European settlers to the Delaware Valley.
In 1986 a group of citizens established the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation to design, build and launch a replica of the Kalmar Nyckel at a shipyard adjacent to the original landing site.
The new Kalmar Nyckel was constructed there and was launched on September 28, 1997. She was commissioned on May 9, 1998, and now serves as Delaware’s sea-going Ambassador of Good Will. She is a fully functional sail training vessel and has represented Delaware all over the country.
Lehigh Valley Passport to History’s flagship event, “Passport to History Month” (lvhistory.org/passport-to-history-month) is held every July.
More than three dozen historic sites have signed on to open their doors for free tours, activities and programs for visitors of all ages.
The event, which originally began as a one-day event in 2019, has quickly grown in popularity. By the second year, it turned into a weekend event, and now it’s a month-long event.
“Passport to History Month” is a celebration of local history, stories, and the community that brings Lehigh Valley history to life. The event gives an opportunity for visitors, regardless of family size or income, to explore local history through a variety of museum tours, interactive exhibits, children’s activities, and more.
Participating locations this weekend are 1803 House, Atlas Cement Company Memorial Museum, Emmaus Historical Society, Horner’s Cemetery, Moravian Historical Society, Knauss Homestead, Coopersburg Historical Society, Lower Macungie Township Historical Society, Northampton Area Historical Society, Weatherly Area Museum and Whitehall Historical Preservation Society.
The Brandywine Valley has quite a few museums and tourist sites that provide residents and tourists ideal opportunities to spend leisure time — and you can maximize your effort if you take advantage of the 2023 Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport.
The cost is $49 for an individual pass and $99 for a family pass (for up to five family members).
The Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport is good for one-time admission to Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley’s top attractions now through October 31.
A family pass, which includes one-day admission to each of 12 sites, can bring a savings of over $200 for the holders — especially since many of the participating institutions have regular admission fees in double figures.
The list of locations covered by the Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport includes Longwood Gardens, Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, Brandywine River Museum, Delaware Art Museum, Delaware History Museum, Hagley Museum and Library, Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts, Nemours Mansion & Gardens, Read House and Garden, Mt. Cuba Center, Rockwood Museum and Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library.
For more information, call (800) 489-6664 or visit www.visitwilmingtonde.com/bmga/.
Hagley Museum and Library (Route 141, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, www.hagley.org) presents a special event called “Science Saturday” on July 22.
Visitors of all ages are invited to discover solutions to science and engineering challenges. Science Saturdays are drop-in activities, so visitors are free to stop by at any time during the event hours – noon-4 p.m.
The program on July 22 will be “Science Saturday: Blast Off.”
Participants will be able to explore rocketry and propulsion. They can also make a stomp rocket and see how high it can go.
The Special Guest on Saturday is the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science.
Hadley will also host “Summer Saturdays at Hagley Museum on July 22 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
The featured attraction will be “Water Balloon Games.” Guests can compete in Volleyballoon, Balloon Ring Toss, and Water Balloon Long Shot.
Hagley Museum and Library is the site of the gunpowder works founded by E. I. du Pont in 1802. This example of early American industry includes restored mills, a workers’ community, and the ancestral home and gardens of the du Pont family.
High on a bank of the Brandywine River overlooking the original powder mills, E. I. du Pont, founder of the DuPont Company, built his home. For almost a century the Georgian-style home and surrounding complex of buildings and gardens served as the center of family and business life. Five generations of du Pont family members lived in the house since its completion in 1803, each leaving their mark. Today you will see it much as it was when the last family member lived there, filled with furnishings and collections of American folk art, alongside treasured family pieces and items brought with the family from France when they left in 1799.
Admission to Hagley is: $20, Adults; $16, Seniors (62+) and Students; and $10, Children 6-14.
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (5105 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, Delaware, 800-448-3883, www.winterthur.org) is hosting “Terrific Tuesdays” – a special activity that is running every Tuesday through the end of August.
Visitors will be able to meet the families who lived, worked, and played at Winterthur.
They can engage in crafts, games, and demonstrations inspired by families who called this place home.
There will also be sessions introducing history, art, conservation, and storytelling to kids ages 3–10 and the adults they bring along.
The event, which costs $5, runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Winterthur is always a special place to enjoy both history and nature.
There seems to be no end to what’s in bloom — and in almost every corner of the garden.
The garden is a result of the artistic vision of its creator, Henry Francis du Pont (1880-1969) and is surrounded by nearly 1,000 acres of meadows, farmland, and waterways.
The views in every direction are important to the whole. The paths are an integral part of the overall design, curving rather than straight, following the contours of the land, passing around trees, and drawing walkers into the garden.
Visitors can explore the garden on foot, or on a narrated tram ride (March-December).
Admission to Winterthur is $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and students and $8 for children.
Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, www.longwoodgardens.org) is inviting visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature in summer.
The “Festival of Fountains” will run until September 24.
Longwood Gardens’ Open Air Theatre and Italian Water Garden fountains sprang to life, as did the Square Fountain, Round Fountain (Flower Garden Walk), Sylvan Fountain (Peirce’s Park), and Children’s Corner fountains.
Dancing fountains, performances under the stars, and beautiful gardens make the Festival of Fountains at Longwood Gardens magical. The spectacular celebration of music, light, water, and nature includes distinctive garden experiences indoors and out.
Iconic Illuminated Fountain Performances dance, soar, and delight in the Main Fountain Garden Thursday–Saturday evenings. New Illuminated Fountain Performances for 2023 include “Put Me In, Coach,” featuring a variety of sports-related tunes; “Rachmaninov: Power and Passion”; “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift; “Starman” by David Bowie; “To Infinity and Beyond” highlighting beloved songs from animated movie favorites; and “Where the Heart Is” a showcase of coming-home hits by the likes of Bon Jovi and Ed Sheeran. Illuminated Fountain Performances are free with Gardens admission.
Before the fountain performances, guests can sit under the stars and enjoy live music and refreshing brews and pub fare in Longwood’s Beer Garden. Guests can enjoy a variety of selections from Victory Brewing Company, including the Longwood Seasons series brewed with ingredients grown at Longwood. Regional artists perform live instrumental music, including Hawaiian-Inspired Steel Guitar from Slowey & The Boats, Jazz Age Blues from Drew Nugent & The Midnight Society, Traditional Cuban Son by Conjunto Philadelphia.
Select Fridays throughout Festival of Fountains bring extra family fun during Longwood’s “Festive Friday” theme nights. During these special evenings, enjoy themed fountain performances, concessions, entertainment, and more. Plus, every festive Friday brings the rare opportunity to climb to the top of the Chimes Tower for a stunning view of Longwood’s 62-bell carillon and the surrounding landscape.
“To Infinity and Beyond” on August 4 is sure to be an evening of fun for both the young and the young at heart when performers from the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts takeover the Pumphouse Plaza from 6–8 pm.
And, on September 15, the “I’m a Believer” theme for Festive Friday brings family-friendly magic with The Give and Take Jugglers in the Pumphouse Plaza from 5:30–7:30 pm. Included with Gardens Admission, visit Longwoodgardens.org for more information.
As the season unfolds, flowering trees delightfully punctuate the landscape, radiant tulips stretch toward the sun, and the delicious fragrance of wisteria floats along the breeze.
Visitors can also enjoy special exhibits at the Orchid House.
Admission to Longwood Gardens is $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and college students, $18 for active military and $13 for youth.
Historic Odessa (Main Street, Odessa, Delaware, 302-378-4119, www.historicodessa.org) is both a scenic and an historic site in Delaware.
Odessa is one of Delaware’s most historic sites.
Known in the 18th-century as Cantwell’s Bridge, Odessa played a vital role in commercial life along the Delaware River as a busy grain shipping port.
Today, visitors can stroll along tree-lined streets and admire examples of 18th- and 19th-century architecture in one of the best-preserved towns in Delaware. They can also tour a remarkable collection of antiques and Americana preserved in period room settings and quaint exhibits.
Historic Odessa is open to the public from March through December, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. The site is also open Monday by reservation. General Admission: Adults, $10; Groups, Seniors, Students, $8; and Children under six are free.
Nemours Estate (1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, Delaware, nemoursestate.org) has come alive with its magnificent gardens.
Originally constructed in 1910, Nemours Mansion is one of Delaware’s grandest buildings and includes the largest formal French garden in North America.
Nemours Estate comprises an exquisite, 77-room Mansion, the largest formal French gardens in North America, a Chauffeur’s Garage housing a collection of vintage automobiles, and 200 acres of scenic woodlands, meadows and lawns.
Nemours was the estate of Alfred I. duPont. Alfred Irénée du Pont was an American industrialist, financier, philanthropist and a member of the influential Du Pont family.
He named the estate Nemours, after the French town that his great-great-grandfather represented in the French Estates General. While looking to the past and his ancestors for inspiration, duPont also ensured that his new home was thoroughly modern by incorporating the latest technology and many of his own inventions.
The Gardens are one of the estate’s prime attractions.
The two elk at the top of the Vista are the work of French sculptor Prosper Lecourtier (1855–1924), a specialist in animal figures. Lined with Japanese cryptomeria, pink flowering horse chestnuts and pin oaks, the Long Walk extends from the Mansion to the Reflecting Pool.
The 157 jets at the center of the one-acre pool shoot water 12 feet into the air; when they are turned off, the entire “Long Walk” is reflected in the pool. The pool, five and a half feet deep in its deepest section, holds 800,000 gallons of water and takes three days to fill. The Art Nouveau-style, classical mythology-based “Four Seasons” around the pool are by French-born American sculptor Henri Crenier (1873–1948).
The entrance is located on the campus of Nemours Children’s Health, follow signs for Nemours Estate.
Admission to Nemours is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $10 for children.
Another site with impressive gardens can be found just across the Pennsylvania-Delaware state line.
The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum (8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, www.fws.gov/refuge/John_Heinz) has several attractive events scheduled for this weekend – a pair of “Birds Walks” which will take place on July 22.
The “Annual Heinz Butterfly Count with Cliff and Nancy Hence” will run from 8-10 a.m.
Guests can take an educational walk with the site’s knowledgeable volunteers Cliff and Nancy Hence.
They’ll be able to discover the 300+ species of birds that use the Refuge during their migration routes – each week guarantee different species.
The walk on July 22 is the Annual Heinz Butterfly Count.
Participants will meet by Visitor Center. The walk will be at a relaxed paced on flat surfaces. Along the way, they will also be looking out for the many species of butterflies and dragonflies at the refuge.
There are restrooms and a water fountain near the trailhead.
Another special event on July 22 will be “Beginner Bird Walk with Karin Marcus.”
This beginner program will guide guests through the basics of using binoculars and seeing common birds of the refuge.
Walks will begin in the Visitor Center, where binoculars are available for loan. The event, which will run from 9-11 a.m., is free and no registration is needed.
Another venue where you can get close to nature is Tyler Arboretum (515 Painter Road, Media, 610-566-9134, www.tylerarboretum.org).
The arboretum’s schedule for this weekend features the “Bird Walk with In Color Birding” from 7-9 a.m. and “Tasting Station in Lucille’s Garden” from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.” and the “Bluebird Nesting Box Tour,” on July 23 from 1-2 p.m.
Visitors are invited to join In Color Birding Club for this free program as they explore Tyler Arboretum for the first time. In Color Birding Club encourages the accessibility and welcoming of Black and brown folks into birding.
At the “Tasting Station in Lucille’s Garden,” visitors will be able to sample the seasonal bounty from Tyler’s edible garden. No registration is necessary and it’s free with admission.
The “Bluebird Nesting Box Tour” lats for approximately one hour on Sunday afternoon.
For more than 50 years, volunteers at Tyler Arboretum have been monitoring the nesting activities of the Eastern Bluebird. On this family-friendly tour, participants will walk the succession field and check on quite a few bluebird boxes. They can expect to see bluebirds, active nests of bluebirds and other cavity-nesting birds, eggs, and young nestlings.
The Historic White Chimneys Estate (5117 Lincoln Highway, Gap, whitechimneys.com) will host a day dedicated to living history of the Civil War. There will be battle reenactments, band performances, house tours, displays, food trucks, cannons fired and fireworks, among other activities.
The event will take place on July 22 at the Historic White Chimneys Estate.
Doors open at 10 a.m. with house tours, carriage displays, food trucks, Amish BBQ and food vendors all day.
The Historic Society of Salisbury Township will be in the Bridal Suite with historic displays from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Some of the featured attractions are Pennsylvania 69th Irish Volunteers, 69th Irish Volunteer Band, cannon firing, “Line Dance With Brittanie,” and a fireworks display at dusk.
Tickets are free.
Morris Arboretum & Gardens (100 Northwestern Avenue, Chestnut Hill, www.morrisarboretum.org) is presenting “Bloomin’ Bubbles” from 11 a.m.-noon starting at the Azalea Meadow – weather permitting.
There are more than flowers in bloom this spring and summer at the Morris Arboretum. Visitors are invited to join the arboretum staff for “Bloomin’ Bubbles,” when the Azalea Meadow is transformed into a magical flurry of bubbles for children to play with, play in and pop before lunch.
Another attraction at Morris Arboretum& Gardens is the ultra-popular Garden Railway Display, which has become a major summer attraction at the site. The annual edition of the display will remain open until October 10.
The railway has a quarter mile of track featuring seven loops and tunnels with 15 different rail lines and two cable cars, nine bridges (including a trestle bridge you can walk under) and bustling model trains.
The buildings and the display are all made of natural materials – bark, leaves, twigs, hollow logs, mosses, acorns, dried flowers, seeds and stones – to form a perfectly proportioned miniature landscape complete with miniature rivers.
Philadelphia-area landmarks are all meticulously decorated for the holidays with lights that twinkle. There is even a masterpiece replica of Independence Hall are made using pinecone seeds for shingles, acorns as finials and twigs as downspouts.
This year the tracks are surrounded by miniature replicas of “Wonders of the World.” Visitors will be able to see the Eiffel Tower, Hagia Sophia, the Egyptian Pyramids, the Wall of China and more.
Admission is $20 for adults; $18 for seniors (65 and older); $10 for youth (ages 13-17 or with ID) and retired military; and free for active military and children (under 3).
Chanticleer (786 Church Street, Wayne, www.chanticleergarden.org), which just opened its 2023 season, is one of them.
The Chanticleer estate dates from the early 20th-century, when land along the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad was developed for summer homes to escape the heat of Philadelphia. Adolph Rosengarten, Sr., and his wife Christine chose the Wayne-St. David’s area to build their country retreat. The family’s pharmaceutical firm eventually became part of Merck & Company in the 1920s.
The garden has evolved greatly since the death of the owner in 1990. As the home of the Rosengartens, Chanticleer was beautiful and green with impressive trees and lawns. Most of the floral and garden development you see today has occurred since 1990 — designed by Chanticleer staff and consultants.
There are seven horticulturists, each responsible for the design, planting, and maintenance of an area. The areas are continually evolving, each with its own feel, yet joined together as one complete unit.
The Teacup Garden and Chanticleer Terraces feature seasonal plants and bold-textured tropical and subtropical plants. The Tennis Court, Ruin, Gravel Garden, and Pond Garden focus on hardy perennials, both woody and herbaceous. Asian Woods and Bell’s Woodland are shady areas. The Serpentine celebrates the beauty of agricultural crops.
Admission to Chanticleer is $12 for adults and free for pre-teen children (12 years and under).
Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum (1237 State Road, Andalusia, www.andalusia house.org) opened its gates for the 2023 season at the beginning of April.
Located on a wooded promontory overlooking the Delaware River, Andalusia has been a stately presence on this stretch of water, just north of Philadelphia, for more than 200 years. The ancestral home of the Biddle family, Andalusia is also a natural paradise of native woodlands and spectacular gardens that have evolved over time.
Placed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks in 1966, the Big House is one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States.
Its surrounding gardens delight the senses all through the year, from the tumbling, brightly colored leaves of fall to the floral extravaganza of spring and the abundance and scent of summer.
Self-Guided Garden Tours will be available Mondays through Wednesdays from April 4-November 2 (excluding holidays) at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Picnics are allowed on the grounds (with have a “carry-in, carry-out” policy).
Access to the Big House is not included with this tour, which is $20 per person. There is no charge for children 12 and under.
Big House Tours with Garden Access will be available Mondays through Wednesdays from April 4-November 2 (excluding holidays) at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person. There is no charge for children 12 and under.
Peddler’s Village (Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, 215-794-4000, www.peddlersvillage.com) is presenting its annual
“Bluegrass & Blueberries Festival” throughout July. this weekend.
On July 12 and 23, Peddler’s Village will be bursting with “Bluegrass and Blueberries” at the festival which runs from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. each day.
The bluegrass segment will feature Flint Hill Express on July 22 and Bob Stumpf Duo on July 23.
The weekend will include fresh local blueberries, blueberry-themed food, beverages, live bluegrass and country music, food trucks, kids’ activities, and shop specials.
Peddler’s Village shops will be open until 8 p.m. on Saturday. Admission and parking are free. Rain or shine.
During the month of July, blueberry-themed food and drink specials are being served every day in the village’s restaurants and eateries.
The West Chester Railroad (610-430-2233, www.wcrailroad.com) is running its “Summer Picnic Specials” every Sunday now through September 17 at noon each day.
Passengers can enjoy a relaxing 90-minute train ride from West Chester to Glen Mills and return on a warm summer afternoon. They can also pack a lunch to have during the excursion’s stop at the Glen Mills train station picnic grove.
Tickets are $22 for adults and $15 for children (ages 2-12).
Wilmington and Western Railroad (Greenbank Station, 2201 Newport-Gap Pike, Wilmington, Delaware, www.wwrr.com) is running its “Yorklyn Limited” on July 21, 22 and 23 with departures at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
Riders can take a leisurely 1.5-hour round-trip ride up the Red Clay Valley to the Mt. Cuba Picnic Grove, where they can de-train to enjoy a half-hour layover along the banks of the Red Clay Creek to have a picnic or simply admire the natural surroundings.
For those who don’t want to get off the train at Mt. Cuba, they can remain onboard and travel further up the line through the communities of Ashland and Yorklyn. On the return trip, there will be a brief stop at Mt. Cuba to pick up the picnic passengers.
The “Yorklyn Limited” excursion is the re-branded name of the “Mt. Cuba Meteor” excursion.
These trips are powered by one of Wilmington and Western Railroad’s historic first-generation diesel locomotives.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $17 for seniors and $16 for children (ages 2-12).
On July 22, the Colebrookdale Railroad (South Washington Street, Boyertown, www.colebrookdalerailroad.com) is running its “Royal Princess Express” at 2:30 p.m.
On Saturday afternoon, riders will get to meet Cinderella and Belle.
On the train, the Royal Princesses will be going around to everyone onboard to take precious photos and create a magical experience guaranteed to create smiles.
Passengers are encouraged to dress up. The princesses are excited to see everyone!
There will be a light-fare menu with snacks and drinks optional for purchase.
This excursion departs from our Boyertown station for a one-hour ride. The Deluxe Coach is not air-conditioned.
Tickets are $40 for adults and children, $37 for seniors and $20 for toddlers (under 2).
The Northern Central Railway (2 West Main Street, New Freedom, www.northerncentralrailway.com) is running several special excursions this weekend – “Glen Rock Express” on July 22 and 23 at noon, “Hanover Junction Flyer” on July 22 and 23 at 2 p.m. and “Firefly Flyer” on July 22 at 6:30 p.m.
The “Glen Rock Express” will take the train to Glen Rock on a former Pennsylvania Railroad mainline that has been in operation since 1838. The ride follows the route of the original Northern Central Railroad through the scenic Heritage Rail Trail County Park.
Tickets are $26.99, Adult; and $19.99, Child (age 3-12).
“Hanover Junction Flyer” travels through the Heritage Rail Trail County Park and southern York County countryside.
Tickets are $36.99, Adult; and $24.99, Child (age 3-12).
The “Firefly Flyer” is an evening excursion to Glen Rock that will make a 1.5-hour stop at Railroad Park for a campfire (weather permitting) where riders can roast marshmallows for s’mores and listen to music from Dave Campbell.
Tickets are $28.99, Adult; and $20.99, Child (age 3-12).
The New Hope Railroad (32 Bridge Street, New Hope, www.newhoperailroad.com) is running its “Grapevine Express,” which features “Wine & Cheese Tasting” on July 22 and 23 at 5 p.m. each night.
Riders are invited to take part in a romantic “Wine and Cheese Excursion” and enjoy fine gourmet cheese, artisan crackers, meats, fruit, and our featured local wines. Additional Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic beverages are also available onboard.
Wine and cheese will be served to passengers as they travel along the same railroad line passengers did when it was built in 1891 connecting New Hope with Philadelphia. The journey travels through the beautiful hills and valleys of Bucks County, along once vital waterways and streams and across numerous trestle bridges.
The excursions will take place aboard one of the railroads lavishly appointed early 1900’s first-class parlor cars.
Tickets are $106 (Ages 21 and older only).
This weekend, the Strasburg Railroad (Route 741, Strasburg, www.strasburgrailroad.com) is running its “Wine & Cheese Train” on July 21 and 22 at 5 and 7 p.m. each night and July 23 at 5 p.m.
Passengers can enjoy the luxurious, climate-controlled first-class accommodations and a tasting of select wine, cheese, and crackers as they travel in style down the tracks from Strasburg to Paradise and back. The train departs at 7 p.m. and the total trip time is 45 minutes.
“Wine & Cheese Train” boarding is 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. Riders must be 21 or older and have their photo ID ready when they board.
Featured wines are carefully selected from Waltz Vineyards, and cheeses are paired accordingly. Beer and select non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase upon request. Riders can purchase a souvenir wine glass on board the train if desired. Glasses are $7 each.
In accordance with Pennsylvania law, alcohol is only served during the train ride. The rail line is not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages while the train is berthed in the station.
Tickets are $65.
