What To Do: Saluting our veterans

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

Monday is Veterans Day – a special holiday created to honor those who have served the nation as part of United States Armed Forces.

This is the weekend that America celebrates Veterans Day.

Valley Forge National Park (1400 North Outer Line Drive, Valley Forge, 610- 783-1000, www.nps.gov/vafo) is presenting “Artillery Demonstrations” on November 11 beginning at 3 p.m. The scenic National Historical Park will commemorate the Continental Army’s legacy, and honor all of America’s military, past and present day.

Park staff and volunteers will provide live firing demonstrations using a reproduction three-pounder cannon — similar to artillery pieces with Washington’s Continental Army at Valley Forge.

The “Artillery Demonstrations,” which will be canceled in the event of heavy rain, will take place at the Muhlenberg Brigade — Encampment Stop #2 on the Driving Tour, along North Outer Line Drive.

This “Living History Event,” which last 30 minutes, is free and open to the public.

Military history will also be celebrated at another area site this weekend.

On November 9 and 10, the Olde Fort Mifflin Historical Society will celebrate the 242nd Anniversary of the “Siege & Bombardment of Fort Mifflin.”  There will be two days of activities commemorating the historic siege and bombardment of Fort Mifflin (Fort Mifflin and Hog Island roads, Philadelphia, 215-685-4167, www.fortmifflin.us) that took place in 1777. The event gets underway each day at 10 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m.

Four full scripted battles will tell the story of the greatest bombardment of the Revolutionary War.

Fort Mifflin, which was originally called Fort Island Battery, was commissioned in 1771. It was also known as Mud Island Fort because it sits on Mud Island (also known as Deep Water Island) on the Delaware River near the Philadelphia International Airport. During the American Revolutionary War, the British Army bombarded and captured the fort as part of their conquest of Philadelphia in autumn 1777.

During the siege, 400 American soldiers held off more than 2,000 British troops and over 250 ships that had been responsible for launching an endless barrage of cannonballs into the fort. After five days of holding off the British, the American troops evacuated the fort after having successfully denied the British Navy free use of the Delaware River.

Activities at this weekend’s commemoration will depict life in the 18th century and feature weapons demonstrations, tactical demonstrations, musket drills for youngsters and a scavenger hunt. There will be military re-enactors portraying both American and British forces as they commemorate the largest bombardment that took place in the entire American Revolution.

Battle Reenactments will be staged at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for veterans and children (ages 6-12).

From November 8-11, the Museum of the American Revolution (101 South Third Street, Philadelphia, www.amrevmuseum.org) will be celebrating Veterans Day Weekend with a variety of special activities.

Starting on Friday, a sea chest that once belonged to Betsy Ross’ husband, John Claypoole, will be on display at the Museum. Aboard the Museum’s replica privateer sloop, visitors can join an educator to explore the contents of a replica sea chest – like the one used by Claypoole – and its contents. The original chest and the replica will be on display during regular Museum hours.

From November 9-11, the Museum will offer free admission to veterans, those currently serving in the military, and Blue Star Families. Visitors can explore stories of soldiers in the museum’s Galleries and in the site’s hands-on discovery center, Revolution Place. They also can uncover the life of Irish soldier Richard St. George in a special exhibition and during special 30-minute theatrical performances where he reflects on his role in the Revolutionary War and its Irish aftermath. Performances take place at 1:15 and 3:15 p.m. in Washington’s War Tent Theater.

On November 9 and 10, guests will be able to join a Museum educator for a 30-minute walking tour to the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier located in Washington Square Park to learn more about the history of Revolutionary veterans. Tours will depart from the Museum’s front desk at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on both days. Tickets are $5 in addition to regular Museum admission, which is $21 for adults, $18 for seniors and students and $13 for youth (ages 6-17).

One of the area’s longest-running traditional events is the Delaware Antiques Show (Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington, Delaware, 800-448-3883,www.winterthur.org). The event, which has been around for more than 50 years, will be held from November 8-10.

Honored as one of the nation’s most highly acclaimed antiques shows, the annual three-day event presents a large and diverse assemblage of art, antiques and design. With more than 60 top-flight dealers participating, the Delaware Antiques Show highlights the best of American antiques and decorative arts.

The 56th annual staging of the show will feature sales displays featuring furniture and decorative accessories from the 17th to the early 20th centuries, including folk art, Native American art, ceramics, needlework, quilts, jewelry, prints, paintings, and rugs.

As usual, the knowledgeable dealers will at their booths answering questions and offering advice to collectors. Visitors to the show can learn from the experts about a variety of different antiques categories, including brass, jewelry, painting, ceramics, silver, textiles and 18th and 19th century furniture.

Video link for Delaware Antiques Show — https://youtu.be/a-M4GcMmm24.

Proceeds from the Delaware Antiques Show benefit the educational programs at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library. Hours are from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $15 and include the show catalogue. Children under 12 are admitted free.

Autumn’s colors just came in and are already on their way out – especially with the cold, windy weather forecast for the next few days. There is still time to take in autumn’s annual color display by riding on a special excursion on an area tourist railroad.

The West Chester Railroad (Market Street Station, West Chester, 610-430-2233, www.westchesterrr.net) is running its special “Fall Foliage Express” trains on November 2, 3, 9, and 10. Trains depart at noon and 2 p.m.

The round-trip train ride travels to the village of Glen Mills and back and lasts for 90 minutes. During the brief layover in Glen Mills, riders can explore the historic Pennsylvania Railroad station and have a snack in the railroad’s picnic grove along the Chester Creek.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for children ages 2-12 and free for kids under two. On November 10, the West Chester Railroad will honor our veterans and active military members with a complimentary ticket with purchase of another ticket.

Elmwood Park Zoo (Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, www.elmwoodparkzoo.org) will be presenting its annual “Harvest Fest” now through November 17.

Visitors can participate in themed activities, navigate through a corn maze, play games like flip-a-chicken, bean bag toss, and basketball, paint a pumpkin, enjoy live entertainment, and sip on some festive fall drinks.

Hours are from noon-4 p.m. each day. Zoo admission is $17.95 for adults, $13.95 for children and $12.95 for seniors.

Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org) has a new attraction – “Blooms & Bamboo: Chrysanthemum and Ikebana Sogetsu Artistry.”

This once-in-a-lifetime experience features towering Ikebana bamboo art forms, enchanting Asian arrangements, and thousands of blooming chrysanthemums throughout the Conservatory. The displays have been crafted by masters from around the world.

The world’s pre-eminent master of Ikebana Sogetsu, Headmaster Akane Teshigahara, has created spiraling and twisting works of bamboo art exclusively for Longwood’s Conservatory and the results are extraordinary.

Longwood’s Thousand Bloom Chrysanthemum—a single plant bearing more than 1,000 perfect blooms on a single stem—makes its dazzling debut October 24.

Admission to Longwood Gardens is $23 for adults, $20 for seniors and $12 for youth (ages 5-18).

The next few days will feature several popular annual ethnic festivals – events where you can find distinctive holiday gifts and traditional food.

This weekend, you can get a glimpse at how holidays are celebrated in Eastern Europe and Russia by visiting the festival at Saint Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church (1855 North Middletown Road (Route 352), Gradyville, 610-459-5310, www.sthermansoca.org).

The annual Christmas bazaar and food festival at St. Herman, which is running from November 8-10, features authentic Eastern European cuisine. Visitors to the 2019 “Food Festival & Holiday Shopping Extravaganza” will be able to enjoy such taste treats as Beef Stroganoff, hiluski (stuffed cabbage), kielbasi and freshly made pierogies in the dining room.

The Russian Tea Room will feature dessert items such as poppy cake, nut rolls and other Russian baked goods along with authentic Russian chai (tea). The festival will also host an expansive gift shop with a wide array of Eastern European and Russian items, including icons, jewelry, books and pysanki (Ukrainian-style decorated eggs).

There will also be demonstrations of traditional folk dancing. The festival, which features free admission, will be open from noon-8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon-4 p.m. on Sunday.

On Saturday, you can get a look at German holiday traditions at a special event in Delaware.

The German Christmas Festival, which is also known as Christkindl Markt, will take place November 9 at the Delaware Saengerbund (49 Salem Church Road, Newark, Delaware, 302-366-9454, www.delawaresaengerbund.org). The free event is scheduled to get underway at 11 a.m. and continue through 4 p.m.

The kitchen will open at 11 a.m. and feature a wide array of German cakes, stollen and pastries along with a variety of hot food and sandwich items. The Bauernstube (restaurant) will be open all day with food and beverages. A wide array of vendor booths will be set up at the festival featuring imported candy, handmade articles, German Christmas items and ornaments, bakery items, a White Elephant sale and a children’s gift shop.

Live entertainment will be presented all day with dance performances by the Children’s Enzian Volkstanzgruppe at 1:30 p.m. and seasonal music by Enzian Musikanten throughout the day. Santa is scheduled to arrive between 2:30 and 3 p.m. and there will be a holiday raffle at 3:30 p.m.

Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church (392 Charles St, Coatesville, www.holyghostuoc.org) is holding its Fall Bazaar on November 9 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The fair will have an array of tasty Ukrainian food items for sale including pierogi, halupki, kielbasa, and halushki along with baked goods such as walnut, apricot, poppyseed and lecvar nut rolls.

Other attractions include sales of religious items, “Chinese Auction” baskets and church tours.

All of the food dishes will be available to eat there or for take-out.

The 2019 Craft Fair and Greek Food Fest at St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church (900 South Trooper Road, Jeffersonville, 610-650-8960, www.saintsophiachurch.org) runs now through November 10 and features a wide array of tasty Greek treats such as souvlaki, shish-ka-bob, moussaka, pastitsio and gyros and baklava.

Other festival activities are areas featuring vendors with crafts and Greek items. The free festival is open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from noon-6 p.m. on Sunday.

The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Avenue, Oaks, 484-754-3976, www.phillyexpocenter.com) will have several events that cater to a wide variety of tastes this weekend.

From November 8-10, the Expo Center is hosting the Americana Indian Art & Jewelry Show.

American Indian art is always a popular motif for home decorating is American Indian art — especially artwork produced in the American Southwest. This weekend, you can find a lot of examples of this art style at the Americana Indian Art & Jewelry Show on Oaks.

The show provides an excellent opportunity to look at artifacts and other items related to the history of Native Americans. The show is presented by the Americana Indian and Western Gallery and admission is free.

The Americana Indian and Western Gallery had its beginning in 1947 when its founder Lee Anderson attended school on a Navajo reservation and worked after school for his uncle in the trading post. The family collected American Indian art such as Navajo rugs, pottery, baskets, and other Indian and western items.

Anderson’s sells Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and Santo Domingo jewelry, as well as Navajo rugs, Hopi and Zuni kachinas, baskets, pottery, art and collectibles. One of the most respected Native American art dealers in the United States, Americana Indian Shows brings thousands of items direct from the Southwest to the show attendees.

Show hours are 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. on November 8 and 9 and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on November 10.

If you’re at the Expo Center for an event this weekend and are one of those people who get freaked out by snakes and lizards, then you better avoid a certain part of the exposition hall in Oaks this weekend or be prepared to get freaked out.

On November 9, the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center will host the East Coast Reptile Super Expo featuring hundreds of live snakes and reptiles.

The East Coast Reptile Super Expo, which is always a well-attended event, will run from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. this Saturday. Tickets are $10 with children (under five) admitted free.

Many people think snakes and lizards are interesting creatures and maybe even fun pets to own. If you fall into this category, you should check out the show on Saturday. A wide array of reptiles will be on display as part of the popular exhibition, which is an annual event that is closing in on its silver anniversary.

One of the show’s main attractions is a sales exhibit area featuring a large number of vendors with live reptiles, amphibians and arachnids as well as food items, supplies, books, cages, and related accessories.

The roster of very diverse vendors includes Darwin’s Toyboa, RKZ Rodents, Monstar Reptiles, Turtle to Turtle, Delaware Valley Herpetarium, Newville Dragons, PM Herps, Black Jungle Terrarium Supply, VSCV Ventures LLC, Dachiu Dragons, Tom Rogan Reptiles, Native Exotics, Heath’s Frog Farm, Corralus Creations, Rogue Reptiles LLC, Jason R Bartolett Captive Bred Reptiles, and Fowler Reptiles.

For more than three decades, the nation’s most-talented artisans have personally sold their contemporary crafts and fine art at Sugarloaf Craft Festivals. Rated as one of the top craft experiences in the country, approximately 300,000 visitors attended SugarloafCraft Festivals around the states and enjoyed the work of thousands of juried artisans.

The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival will visit the area this weekend for a three-day run at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Avenue, Oaks, 800-210-9900,www.sugarloafcrafts.com) from November 8-10.

The well-attended annual event features an amazing array of top caliber works in a wide variety of categories such as furniture, sculpture, photography, tapestry, musical instruments, jewelry, accessories, bells, quilts, glass, copperware, chair caning, enamels, boxes, pillows and clothing.

The list of craft genres also includes brass items, woodwork, fused glass, hats, blown glass, painted silk, fine arts, weaving, pottery, mixed media, rugs, leather, wind chimes, woodturnings, forged iron, baskets, specialty foods and collectibles.

A full slate of craft demonstrations will be featured at this weekend’s event in categories such as wheel-thrown pottery, paper making, iron forging, broom making, copper spinning, stone sculpting and hand-carved wooden bowls and spoons.

Additionally, the festival offers an ambitious schedule of live musical entertainment by Ed Wright, Don Thomas Music and Spahr Studios. Children’s entertainment will feature costumed storytelling by Carl Odhner and the Middle Earth Studio.

The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 and are good all three days.

The 43rd Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show, an annual event that features the work of approximately 200 talented crafters from around the country, will be held from November 8-10 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, https://www.pmacraftshow.org/).

Visitors will be able to check out and/or buy jewelry, furniture, glassworks, ceramics and other handcrafted items at the huge three-day craft show.

The show is part of CraftNOW Philadelphia, a weeks-long event that celebrates the many talented craft artists throughout the Philadelphia area.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show is presented annually by the Women’s Committee and Craft Show Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art for the benefit of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Funds raised are used to purchase works of art and craft for the permanent collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, to fund conservation and publication projects and to support exhibitions and education programs.

The Independence Seaport Museum and The Rosenbach are presenting a “Moby-Dick Marathon Reading” from November 9-10 at the Independence Seaport Museum (211 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, https://phillyseaport.org/mobydick).

Visitors are invited to climb aboard the Pequod, one of the Independence Seaport Museum’s ships, for a “white whale of a celebration.”

Participants will read Herman Melville’s entire novel over a 25-hour period, starting on Saturday, November 9 at 2 p.m. and reading through Sunday, November 10 at 3 p.m.

This collaboration with The Rosenbach celebrates the iconic novel and the adventures of 19th-century seafarers with live readings, an interactive artifact show-and-tell, hands-on activities for all ages, boatloads of food and fare for purchase, a late-night happy hour, and much more.

The event is free and open to the public.

The Independence Seaport Museum’s two other National Historic Landmark ships — Cruiser Olympia and Submarine Becuna – will be open Saturday & Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (last boarding is at 4:30 p.m.), Admission is $10.

This weekend’s activities schedule also features the Center City Parks District’s opening of the Rothman Orthopaedics Institute Ice Rink at Dilworth Park (1 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, http://ccdparks.org/dilworth-park),

The Rothman Institute Ice Rink at Dilworth Park is an unparalleled entertainment experience on Philadelphia’s center stage in a wonderfully urban and unique setting. Open seven days a week, the rink offers wintery fun for all ages, with a full slate of programs.

On November 8 and 9, the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink and Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin will present the Fire and Ice Festival Grand Opening Celebration to celebrate the start of the 2019 winter season.

Starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, fire and ice performers will entertain guests as synthetic snow and firework effects dazzle the crowd. The rink opens for skating at 6:30 p.m. A similar celebration will be held on November 9 from noon-2 p.m.

Now though January 5, people can get in a happy mood by visiting HAPPY PLACE (HappyPlace.me).

Live Nation Philadelphia has brought HAPPY PLACE, an interactive, immersive pop-up exhibit with larger-than-life installations and multi-sensory themed rooms, to the King of Prussia Mall where it will run now January 5, 2020.

HAPPY PLACE is filled with multi-sensory immersive rooms inducing smiles and laughter, plus larger-than-life, one-of-a-kind installations including seven-foot stilettos made of a million candies and six-foot tall mirrored X and O letters surrounded by a wall of one thousand red lips.

From dancing in the world’s largest confetti dome to posing inside the famous rubber ducky bathtub of fun and jumping off a rainbow into a pot of happiness, guests travel through each unique room guided by a team of specially selected and trained Happy People. HAPPY PLACE is created for an audience for all ages. Minors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

HAPPY PLACE features more than 15,000 square feet of playful spaces and cheerful moments including a Super Bloom room filled with 40,000 handmade gold flowers for the perfect photogenic floral backdrop, the World’s Largest Indoor Confetti Dome, a Giant Rainbow complete with a Pot of Happiness into which guests can jump, the signature Rubber Ducky Bathtub of Fun plus other photo-friendly fantasy rooms.

Philadelphia’s HAPPY PLACE, which will also add special features unique to Philadelphia, will occupy the space once occupied by JCPenney at the King of Prussia Mall, which is located at 160 North Gulph Road in King of Prussia.

HAPPY PLACE at King of Prussia Mall will also bring its charity Lemonade Stand, to work with local non-profit organizations throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region. To date, HAPPY PLACE has donated over $100,000 to local groups in the four cities it has resided in.

Video link for HAPPY PLACE — https://youtu.be/_hR57sn6R-k.

HAPPY PLACE will be open though January 5 at the King of Prussia Plaza. Tickets start at $30 for adults and $20 for children (ages 4-12).

The Paws Discovery Farm (1105 Hainesport-Mount Laurel Rod, Mount Laurel, 856-778-8795, https://www.pawsdiscoveryfarm.com) will host its annual “Unicorn Festival” on November 9 and 10 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. each day.

Visitors to Paws Discovery Farm can enjoy a magical fun filled day at the farm with some unicorn crafts, games, glitter tattoos, magical makeup, a bounce house, and the greatly anticipated unicorn rides.

Admission is $10 — $9 for senior citizens.

Anyone wanting to get into a Christmas mood early can visit Koziar’s Christmas Village (782 Christmas Village Road, Bernville, 610-488-1110,www.koziarschristmasvillage.com) which begins its 72nd season on November 2.

Koziar’s Christmas Village is truly a holiday wonderland — a wintertime spectacle that delights young and old alike with a huge amount of holiday displays and special attractions. It will remain open every night through January 1 — including Christmas Eve, Christmas Night, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Night.

The tours of “Christmas Village” feature visits to a variety of displays and exhibits, including “Santa’s Post Office,” “Christmas in the Jungle,” “Manger Scene,” “Christmas Beneath the Sea,” “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “Olde Fashioned Bakery Shop,” “Toy Maker and his Toy Shop,” “Christmas in Other Lands” and “The Olde Church”.

Other attractions at Koziar’s Christmas Village include a huge model train display, a toy shop, a country kitchen, indoor and outdoor Christmas displays and a place to visit with Santa and even get pictures taken with the old guy in the red suit. Admission to Christmas Village is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors (65 and older) and $10 for children (ages 4-10).

The American Music Theatre (2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, 800-648-4102, www.AMTshows.com) has its holiday show running now through December 30.

The AMT’s 2019 show “Joy to the World” is an all-new presentation of favorite sacred and secular holiday songs performed by professional artists from across the country. The show will feature spectacular vocal harmonies, lively musical arrangements, impressive dancing and the music of the AMT Orchestra.

Also featured will be elaborate scenery, elegant costumes and a theater decked out with holiday decorations.

The show will have both matinee and evening performances each week with the addition of 10:30 a.m. performances on Saturdays throughout December. Show length is two hours and 15 minutes with a short intermission. Tickets are $46 for adults and $23 for children.

Just as some people enjoy the Christmas season so much that they keep their holiday lights lit deep into February, some people cling to the Halloween season well into November.

“Terror Behind the Walls” (Eastern State Penitentiary, 2124 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, 888-763-NITE, www.easternstate.org), is running through November 10, takes place at a penitentiary site that was once was an active prison and is now a National Historic Landmark. It is a scream-inducing event featuring laser and special-effect lighting, digital sound, sinister scents, animatronic creatures and 3-D illusions.

Popular attractions include “Blood Yard,” “Infirmary,” “Machine Shop,” “Lock Down,” “Break Out!,” and “Quarantine 4D.”

Admission prices, which vary with the date, range from $19-$45.

Ghost Tour of Philadelphia (215-413-1997, www.ghosttour.com), Ghost Tour of Lancaster (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com) and Ghost Tour of Strasburg (717-687-6687,www.ghosttour.com) operate through November and offer an eerily entertaining evening of true ghost stories and real haunted houses.

The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia is a candlelight walking tour along the back streets and secret gardens of Independence Park, Society Hill, and Old City, where ghostly spirits, haunted houses, and eerie graveyards abound. Tickets are $20.

Participants in the Ghost Tour of Lancaster explore the long-forgotten mysteries of one of America’s oldest cities, with haunting tales of otherworldly vigils, fatal curses, and star-crossed lovers. The tour provides the opportunity to experience 300 years of haunted history from the Red Rose City’s thorny past. Tickets are $18.

The Ghost Tour of Strasburg is a candlelight walking tour of the quaint and historic town of Strasburg in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Visitors will experience an entertaining evening with a costumed tour guide spinning tales of haunted mansions, eerie graveyards, and spirits that roam the night … in a town lost in time. Tickets are $18.

Shocktoberfest (94 Park Avenue, Sinking Spring, 610-375-7273, shocktoberfest.com) has transformed into “Zombie World Theme Park” where, for the first time anywhere in the world, guests can view an array of natural and genetically engineered Zombies in a safe and controlled habitat.

“Schockfest Zombie World” is celebrating its 28th Year with eight “Killer Experiences” — “Zombie Safari Haunted Hayride,” “Prison of the Dead,” “The Unknown 2.0,” “Almost Naked and Scared Challenge,” “Ground Assault: Zombie Laser Tag,” “Zombie Night Run,” The Zombie Experience,” and “Monster Midway.”

Other premium attractions are “Zombie Paintball Hayride,” “Prison of the Dead Escape,” and “Shock’s Tailgate Party.”

The attraction will close on November 9. Ticket prices range from $20-$70.

The “26th Annual Field of Screams” (109 College Avenue, Mountville, 717-285-7748, www.fieldofscreams.com), which is open now through November 15, features four world-class Haunted Experiences and an impressive Midway Area. Top attractions include “Horrifying Haunted Hayride,” two massive Haunted Houses, and Wicked Haunted Woods.

Ticket prices start at $16.