What To Do: Things looking up for Father’s Day

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times

If there is a blimp, a helicopter or a bald eagle in the sky above you, it’s almost a certainty that you’re going to look up.

If it’s a helicopter, the sound of the plane also attracts your attention. Checking out a chopper flying overhead is virtually impossible to resist.

If you want to see helicopters flying above, just head to the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center (1220 American Blvd., Brandywine Airport, West Chester, 610-436-9600, www.helicoptermuseum.org) when it celebrates Father’s Day on June 18 with its annual event known as “Fatherfest.”

The American Helicopter Museum’s annual “Fatherfest” will get underway at 10 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m. Visitors can check out static displays, take a tour of the museum, and — for an extra fee — treat their fathers to a ride in a chopper.

The Pennsylvania National Guard based in Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, will bring a UH-60 Black Hawk on Sunday. The medevac helicopter will be open to the public during from 10 am until 3 pm.

The craft provides air assault, general support, aeromedical evacuation, command and control and special operations support to combat and stability and support operations. It is a utility tactical transport helicopter that replaced the UH-1 “Huey.”

The Vietnam War was known as “The Helicopter War” due to the versatility of rotary wing craft during the conflict. The Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” became the war’s symbol as it effortlessly rescued, deployed, transported, supplied and supported the troops. This year’s Fatherfest will feature a restored Vietnam Huey.

“Fatherfest” will also feature an “Antique Car and Motorcycle Show” with exhibitors competing for prizes, music by a local DJ, a beer garden and an array of concession booths with food, beverages and souvenirs.

Video link for Fatherfest – https://youtu.be/g–_PPduIwY.

Admission to the event is $10. Helicopter rides, which will be available from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., will cost $60 per person.

If you’re looking for a great fun, family event this weekend, a good place to look is Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (5105 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, Delaware, 800-448-3883, www.winterthur.org).

On June 17 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., the historic site, which is located on Route 52 in northern Delaware just south of the Pennsylvania state line, hosts its annual Enchanted Summer Day — the day when Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods celebrates its anniversary.

Enchanted Summer Day features crafts displays, live entertainers and food concessions. There will be an array of family activities, including storytelling, face painting, kids’ games and strolling entertainment.

Hoop chasing, ring toss, and the Game of Graces will be played on the lawn north of Enchanted Woods.

Crafts include making tiny turtle puppets, bug-eyed visors, and fluttering friends. Children can make their own flying Bee Buzzer, Colorful Critter necklace, Silly Spider ring, or decorate a Fluttering Frisbee.

Strolling musicians Slyte of Hand will perform Celtic music. Strolling storyteller Terry Colonna will tell tales as she roams through the woods from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Strolling magician Magic Tad will be performing tricks during the same time as he wanders around the woods.

Family-friendly events are also planned inside the museum that day.

The “Time Traveler’s Tour,” designed for children ages 4-11, leaves every half hour from the Galleries Reception Desk.

The Touch-It Room, near the Galleries Reception Desk, is a kid-oriented space where everything is touchable. From 12:30-4:30 pm, children can explore spaces inspired by a 1750s parlor, a colonial-era kitchen and an 1830s general store. A tea set, kitchenware, dress-up clothes, and wooden toys provide playful ways to learn about early American life.

Enchanted Woods is a unique children’s garden at Winterthur — a three-acre area where the “fairy folk” have created a magical garden for children of all ages. The site, which is situated under a canopy of majestic oak trees, features attractions such as the Tulip Tree House, Green Man’s Lair, the Troll Bridge and the Faerie Cottage.

Enchanted Woods is located within the larger 60-acre garden at Winterthur, the former country estate of Henry Francis du Pont. Winterthur is famous for its world-class collection of over 85,000 American antiques.

Regular admission to Winterthur is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors (62 and older) and students and $5 for children (ages 2-11).

On June 18, the Kennett Brewing Company (109 South Broad Street, Kennett Square, 610-444-0440, kennettbrewingcompany.com) is hosting a special event — a Father’s Day Beef and Beer.

The party will get underway at noon and continue until 8 p.m. at the Brewery’s location in the heart of Kennett Square.

The special one-day-only menu features choice of entrée — Hickory Smoked Prime Rib with horseradish aioli, Chimichurri Flank Steak or Wee Wobbly Beef Tenderloin Stroganoff — along with Caesar Salad, Caramelized Onion and Portabella Mushrooms, Rosemary Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes, Jammy Bastard Cheesy Grits, Citrus Dressed Asparagus and dessert.

The ticket price of $50 also includes a special KBC Father’s Day mug and beer fill. Tickets for food only are available for $35.

The Morris Arboretum (100 East Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-247-5777, http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum/index.shtml) is celebrating Father’s Day on June 18 with “Grist Mill Demonstration Day” from 1-4 p.m.

“Grist Mill Demonstration Day” will focus on the Springfield Mills at Morris Arboretum — a site that has been carefully restored and made operational once again by a dedicated group of volunteers.

Attendees will be able to visit this 19th-century mill and see how corn was milled for meal and flour.

The activity, which is free with garden admission, will take place at the Arboretum’s Bloomfield Farm.

Admission to Morris Arboretum is $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $9 for youth.

The West Chester Railroad (Market Street, West Chester, 610-430-2233, www.westchesterrr.net) is running its special “Father’s Day Express” on June 18 at noon and 2 p.m.

The ride treats dad to a 90-minute round trip train ride from West Chester to Glen Mills and return on his special day. During the brief layover in Glen Mills, passengers will be able to explore the historic Glen Mills train station as well as the railroad’s picnic grove along the Chester Creek.

All dads ride for a special reduced fare. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for children (ages 2-12) — and $5 for fathers.

The Wilmington & Western Railroad (2201 Newport Gap Pike, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-998-193, www.wwrr.com) will run its “Father’s Day Express” on June 18 at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

This event is powered by one of the rail line’s historic diesel locomotives.

Tickets are $14 for adults, $13 for senior citizens and $12 for children (ages 2-12). Dads can purchase their tickets for half-price.

The New Hope & Ivyland Railroad (32 Bridge Street, New Hope, 215-862-2332, www.newhoperailroad.com) is operating its “Father’s Day Limited” on June 17 and 18.

On the “Father’s Day Limited” excursion, passengers will enjoy a 45-minute, round-trip train ride through scenic Buck’s County on the “New Hope Branch” route, which was originally part of the North-East Pennsylvania Railroad, later the Reading Railroad.

Passengers will ride aboard beautifully restored vintage (early 1900’s) passenger coaches while a narrator presents interesting historical facts and stories of significant cultural locations along the route.

The train will travel to Lahaska, Pennsylvania where it will then change direction and return to New Hope.

Tickets are $20.95 for adults and $18.95 for children (ages 2-11).

Without question, one of the most popular special attractions each year at the Strasburg Railroad (Route 741, Strasburg, 717-687-7522, www.strasburgrailroad.com) is “Day Out With Thomas.”

There is a mutual love affair between kids and Thomas the Tank Engine and it’s especially evident when Thomas gets up-close and personal with his fans during his visits to the Strasburg Railroad.

Every year, the steam locomotive named Thomas makes several visits to Lancaster County where he entertains enthusiastic children and their parents. The locomotive, which has its own PBS television series, will return to Strasburg for nine days of “Day Out With Thomas” from June 17-25.

For more than 50 years, Thomas the Tank Engine and his Island of Sodor friends have been favorites of preschoolers and their parents. Based on “The Railway Series” (classic stories authored by a father who loved trains and wanted a shared experience with his son), “Thomas & Friends” has evolved into a rite of passage that inspires imagination.

Fans will be able to get personal with Thomas the Tank Engine, a full-sized operating steam locomotive who will be talking for the first time ever. And, they will also be able to ride a train pulled by Thomas and meet the locomotive’s buddy Percy.

Percy, who is a larger-than-life, full-size locomotive just like his friend Thomas, will be there for all days of the event. A ride behind Percy may be purchased as an add-on to the “Day Out With Thomas” ticket. Percy’s ride will last approximately 12 minutes.

In between trips, Percy will talk with families and be available between trips for photos.

Tickets for “Day Out With Thomas,” which are $21, include the train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, as well as a variety of Thomas & Friends themed entertainment such as storytelling, video viewing, temporary tattoos of Island of Sodor friends and an Imagination Station. The Percy Package is available for an additional $6.

Video link for “Day Out With Thomas” — https://youtu.be/1o0EMtVUxoQ.

Summertime means festivals and country fairs. The attraction of a summer fair is timeless.

From June 20-24, the sights, sounds and smells of a summertime fair will be filling the air in Downingtown when Saint Joseph Church (338 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, 610-269-8294, www.stjoesfestival.com) hosts its 10^th annual “Community Festival.”

The event will feature all the traditional things associated with a summer festival — including exciting rides and amusement games. There will also be food concessions with all the standard festival fare — cotton candy, ice cream, hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, corn dogs, soft pretzels and cheese fries along with mozzarella sticks, tomato pie and hot roast beef sandwiches.

There will be live music every day — DeLaSalle String Band (June 20), Where’s Pete (June 20), Red Satins (June 21), POF (June 21), Downingtown School of Rock (June 22), Staycation (June 22), 4-Play Band (June 23) and Bulldogs (June 24).

Video link for 2017 Community Festival — https://youtu.be/LHBijIf6nzo.

From June 16-18, Intercourse Community Park (3730 Old Philadelphia Pike, Gordonville, 717- 768-8585, http://www.intercourseheritagedays.com) will host “Intercourse Heritage Days.” The free event will open at 5 p.m. on Friday, 6:30 a.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday.

Activities on June 16 will include “A Taste of Intercourse,” a pedal tractor pull, a petting zoo, a spelling bee, a volleyball tournament, a baking contest, music by the Sunny Side Blue Grass Band, a fire truck demonstration, and the “Heritage Display of History of Intercourse.”

The schedule for June 17 features the “Pancake and Sausage Breakfast in the Park,” “Together Initiative’s Sixth Annual Run, Ride, Walk & Scoot Activities,” strolling comedian Geist, a volleyball tournament, and juggler Chris Ivey. Saturday’s schedule also features balloon twisting and face painting, “A Taste of Intercourse,” a “Kids Variety Show,” music by The Churchmen, magician Erick Hershey, an antique tractor show and a fireworks display at dusk.

“Heritage Events,” which will be presented throughout the day, include demonstrations of horseshoeing, butchering, sling shooting, and wood carving.

On June 18, the event will wrap up with a “Sunday Worship Service” starting at 10 a.m. at the Intercourse Park. All activities throughout the weekend are free and open to the public.

The annual Hay Creek Classic Car & Motorcycle Show, which will be held on June 17 at Joanna Furnace (1250 Furnace Road, Geigertown, 610-286-0388, http://www.haycreek.org), will feature a wide variety of vintage vehicles spanning more than 80 years of transportation history.

Rows of antique cars will be on display throughout the day — from 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

Also during this June Third Saturday at Joanna Furnace event, local veterans of all U.S. Wars will be honored in a motorcycle-escorted review through the Joanna Furnace “town square” at 1:15 p.m.

At 9:45 a.m. the official veterans’ celebration begins with the flag raising and the National Anthem sung by Phyllis Hummel.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., visitors can “Meet A Vet”. Veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War will be located in the tent behind the main stage with table set-ups of personal memorabilia from their service and will talk to visitors about their war experiences.

Also, visitors can interact with numerous re-enactors and historians portraying military personnel from all branches of the U.S. military including a Civil War re-enactor, Revolutionary War re-enactor, and over a dozen re-enactors from the Greater Pennsylvania Military Vehicle Historical Society with 20th-century vehicles and military displays.

Visitors will be able to talk with all the re-enactors from various military units and see their encampments, vehicles, weapons and equipment.

At 11 a.m. members of the 22nd North Carolina Infantry from Petersburg, West Virginia will have a live musket fire demonstration.

This free admission event runs from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. The day begins with the Joanna Furnace Breakfast Buffet served from 7-11 a.m. The monthly flea and vendor market opens at 7 a.m.

St. Anthony’s Italian Festival (St. Anthony of Padua Church, 901 North DuPont Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-421-2790, www.stanthonysfestival.com is entering final weekend and will close on June 18. The event features cafes, carnival rides, live Italian music and amusement games.

This festival is more than just a carnival with rides and food. It also is an educational experience with a focus each year on a different cultural region in Italy. This year, the focus is on Sicily. Many members of the St. Anthony’s community, and many Italian-Americans in the Delaware region, trace their origins back to the island off Italy’s southern tip.

The festival has become famous for its array of tasty Italian food. Visitors will be able to enjoy such taste treats as spezzato, pizza, sausage and peppers, panzarotti, porkette, clams and spaghetti, pasta fagioli, pizza frita, meatball sandwiches, mozzarella sticks, calamari rings, spaghetti dinners and fresh espresso and cappuccino.

There is a $5 admission fee for all visitors ages 14-61. Seniors (age 61 and older) and children (age 13 and under who are accompanied by parent or guardian 18 or older) will be admitted free.

Chaddsford Winery (Route 1, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, www.chaddsford.com) will present “International Food and Wine Weekends” every Saturday and Sunday in June.

Visitors can take a trip around the world by exploring global flavors and savoring award-winning wines during a summertime winery tasting tour.

Each weekend, there are four unique pairing stations offering assorted hors d’oeuvres, snacks, and wines that celebrate various cultures – Italy (antipasta station of imported meats and cheeses with Chaddsford Red and 2014 Pinot Grigio); Asia (vegetable spring rolls with Thai Chili Sauce with Sunset Blush and 2015 Artisan Series Traminette); Mexico (wine-braised pork carnitas nachos with Sangri-la Sangria and 2015 Proprietors Reserve Red; and U.S.A. (caramel apple pie with Spiced Apple wine and 2013 Artisan Series ‘sur lie’ Chardonnay).

Advanced tickets purchased online are $20 per person, and onsite tickets will be available at $25 per person. Attendees can arrive for the tasting tour anytime between noon and 6 p.m. on Saturdays and noon and 5 p.m. on Sundays.

On June 17, the 2017 Juneteenth Festival in Germantown (www.freedomsbackyard.com) will be held along the 6300 Block of Germantown Avenue.

Midway through June each year, Historic Germantown honors the end of slavery in the U.S. during its annual Juneteenth Festival at The Johnson House.

The community festival begins with the Freedom Walk on Germantown Avenue leading up to a day of performances, family-friendly events and educational activities teaching visitors about the history of anti-slavery and abolitionist movements.

The event begins at 11 a.m. at 5109 Germantown Avenue — at the State Marker commemorating the site of the writing of the First Protest Against Slavery. From there the “Freedom Walk” parade will march up Germantown Avenue to the Johnson House to kickoff festivities.

The list of attractions includes historical re-enactments, food, live music, a cultural marketplace, a Beer Garden, the Oimah Ammi Children’s Village and guided tours of the Concord School House and Upper Burying Ground.

If it’s June 16 in Philadelphia, it’s time for Bloomsday.

On June 16, Rosenbach Museum & Library (2008-2010 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, 215-732-1600, https://rosenbach.org) is presenting Bloomsday 2017.

The annual event, which is free, is a commemoration of Leopold Bloom and James Joyce’s novel “Ulysses.”

Lauded as the greatest novel of all time, “Ulysses” tells the story of a day in the life of everyman Dubliner Leopold Bloom. The action of the story takes place on June 16, 1904, hence the selection of June 16 for Bloomsday, the annual international holiday celebrating “Ulysses” and its creator.

As the home of Joyce’s manuscript of the novel, the Rosenbach has observed Bloomsday in grand fashion for over 20 years. The site celebrates the occasion with a day-long, public reading of the novel, inviting international literati, local artists, and public figures to read in three different locations throughout the city.

The readings are accompanied by musical performances, and the combination of word and song brings the novel to exhilarating life in the open air.

Other attractions during Bloomsday, which runs from noon-8 p.m. are a silent auction and free admission to the museum’s current exhibit.

Bloomsday at the Rosenbach will run from noon to 8 p.m.

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, 215- 299-1000, www.ansp.org) has just opened “Backyard Adventures” – an exhibit that reveals a hidden world of science in your backyard.

“Backyard Adventures” is filled with interactive play stations where families can investigate the great outdoors and discover a hidden world of science.

Visitors can ride a bee bike, collect nectar, explore a food web pond, copy critter calls, and even dress up like a favorite animal.

Engaging in fun activities like mini-golf, children will solve simple physics challenges and uncover the amazing interactions between insects and plants.

While touring the exhibit, visitors will learn interesting facts such as coyotes, flying squirrels, and star-nosed moles are commonly spotted in Philadelphia and insects outnumber humans by two million to 1.

“Backyard Adventures” is designed and produced by Scitech of Perth, Australia and produced by Imagine Exhibitions.

Founded in 1812, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is a leading natural history museum dedicated to advancing research, education, and public engagement in biodiversity and environmental science.

The Museum’s hours are Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission is $17.95 for adults (13 and over) and $13.95 for children (ages 3-12).

If you’re looking for some relief on a hot, muggy day in the Delaware valley, head to the Philadelphia Zoo (3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, www.philadelphiazoo.org)

A new exhibit called “Winter” opens on June 17 and runs through August 20.

“Winter” is a nine-week experience that enables guests to frolic and enjoy a frozen winter wonderland — right in the middle of summer. If it seems like it’s too hot to go outside, guests can visit the Philadelphia Zoo for some frozen fun and experience a magical snow destination.

Visitors to the Zoo will be able to tube down Snow Leopard Slope, a 120-foot-long, 20-foot-high, snow-covered incline.

They can also check out the Polar Bear Pavilion and make snow angels or throw a snowball or two in Snow Zone, a free-play area for all ages.

Guests can also learn about the connection between animals and snow, discover surprising photo opportunities, and make an adult-and-kid-refreshment stop at Cozy Café.

Video link for “Winter” at Philadelphia Zoo — https://youtu.be/116yMB4fE2Q.

Tickets for “Winter” are $10 on weekdays and $12 on weekends in addition to general admission which is $23 for adults and $19 for children.

The Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square (200 Sixth Street, Philadelphia, www.historicphiladelphia.org) has been extended until June 18.

Every night, Franklin Square comes alive every night with illuminated lanterns, handcrafted giant flowers, a three-story pagoda and a 200-foot-long Chinese dragon. All creations were 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.

Festival hours are 6-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 6-10 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $17 for adults, $12 for youth, and $15 for seniors and military.

The well-attended annual Philadelphia Pride Parade and Festival (www.phillygaypride.org) is scheduled for June 18 in Center City Philadelphia.

The first gay pride parade took place in New York City in 1970 to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall riots and is considered to be the beginning of the LGBT civil rights movement.

Within just a few years, many cities — including Philadelphia — were staging gay pride parades and festivals.

In 1988, there was a spontaneous parade from the gayborhood to a rally sponsored by the Lesbian and Gay Task Force in Love Park.  This parade was so successful that community leaders got together to establish an organization that would coordinate a gay pride parade and festival in Philadelphia every June.

That organization is Philly Pride Presents, which is celebrating its 29th PrideDay this weekend.

The LGBT Pride Parade and Festival will get underway at 11:30 a.m. in the heart of the Gayborhood at 13th and Locust streets and then proceed through Center City and Philadelphia’s historic district. The judging stand is at Independence Mall, 6th and Market Street.

The parade terminates at the Festival location at the Great Plaza of Penn’s Landing. The festival gates open at noon at the Great Plaza and the parade reaches the Festival location at approximately 1 p.m.

The Festival will present a variety of live entertainment including Shannon Turner, Nancy and Beth, Azra, Jason Maek & Zaena, Sandra Vallis, Kemar Jewel & Xcel Dance Crew, Anesha Robinson, Sandy Beach, and D2D: Dare to Dance.

Rock Ford Plantation (881 Rockford Rd., Lancaster, 717-392-7223, www.rockfordplantation.org) will present its “Stories-on-the-Porch” series every Tuesday now through August 1.

A volunteer in period costume will read a story to children gathered on the porch of the Rock Ford Mansion. Following the story, children will enjoy a game or craft and light refreshments.

A parent or other responsible adult must accompany their child. The suggested age range for this event is 3-7 years, but all are welcome.  In the event of rain, “Stories-on-the-Porch” will be held in the Barn.

Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors (age 65 and older), $6 for children (ages 6-12) and free for children (under 6). All proceeds from the Second Sunday Living History Series will benefit the ongoing preservation and operation of Rock Ford Plantation.