What To Do: Winterthur Point-To-Point returns with changes

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

Every year for more than four decades, Winterthur (Route 52, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-888-4600,www.winterthur.org) hosted the annual Winterthur Point-to-Point Races on the first weekend in May.

The event was one of the Brandywine Valley’s most cherished traditions.

Last year, COVID-19 caused a shutdown that knocked out traditions more effectively – and more brutally – than a vicious body shot accurately delivered by Mike Tyson in his prime.

Winterthur Point-to-Point was one of the KO victims.

This year, Winterthur’s Point-to-Point is back – with some alterations.

The tradition of holding the races on a Sunday in early May has been altered.

This year, the event will be held on the last Sunday in May – in the middle of Memorial Day Weekend. Point-to-Point will take place on May 30 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The line-up of traditional events has also been altered.

In normal times, the Alison Hershbell Pony Races and the Parade of River Hills Foxhounds would open the day’s activities followed by the George A. “Frolic” Weymouth Parade of Antique Carriages and the Stick Horse Races.

The main focus was on the Point-to-Point’s variety of cross-country equestrian events, but the full-day event also included its other traditional annual features such as the pony rides, food tents, the traditional opening ceremony with the bagpipers of the Delaware State Police Pipe Band and the legendary “Tailgate Picnic Competition.”

This year, Winterthur announced that it would not offer ancillary activities such as the Marketplace, Carriage Parade, Winterthur Hunt, Stick Horse Race, Pony Rides or Canine Capers.

According to Carol B. Cadou, CEO of Winterthur, “We worked diligently to create a plan for a fun and, most importantly, safe event for attendees. “We know how much everyone enjoys Point-to-Point, and we truly wish we could welcome all this year, but since the start of the pandemic, Winterthur’s number one priority has been doing our part to protect the health and safety of the community.”

Attendance has been reduced to comply with state regulations for COVID-19. All attendees are required to bring masks and to wear them wherever a safe physical distance of six feet from others outside their households cannot be maintained.

Point-to-Point this year will focus on the National Steeplechase Association-sanctioned racing action.

The four steeplechase events are the Isabella du Pont Sharp Memorial Maiden Timber Race, the Winterthur Bowl, he Vicmead Plate and the Middletown Cup.

Another change is that there are no concessions this year. Attendees are requested to bring their own food and beverages or to pre-order a tailgate picnic basket.

Tailgate spaces and tailgate tents are available. Each spot is a safe space for you and your guests, carefully measured to ensure safe social distancing of ten feet. All spaces and tents include four wristbands. Six additional wristbands may be purchased, for a total of 10 per space/tent.

Walk-in sales are available on May 28 from 3-5 p.m. and May 29 from 10 a.m.-noon at the Point-to-Point House, 4901 Kennett Pike (Route 52). Sales end on Saturday, May 29. There will be no will-call or sales on race day.

Memorial Day Weekend is a time for weekend getaways, barbecues and traditional events.

One of the area’s most popular traditional events is Kennett Square’s annual Memorial Day Parade (West State Street, Kennett Square, http://historickennettsquare.com).

The parade, which usually features more than 1,000 participants and twice as many spectators, was wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic last year – and again this year.

Fortunately, there will be an event in Kennett Square this weekend. “Memorial Day Tribute in Kennett Square” is scheduled for May 31 from 9 a.m.-noon.

On this 2021 Memorial Day, the American Legion will conduct a series of public tribute ceremonies at the following times and locations in the Kennett Square area: 9 a.m., VFW Post 5467 monument (704 West Baltimore Pike); 9:45 a.m., Mary D. Lange Kindergarten Center WWI monument (130 West Mulberry Street); 10:15 a.m., Union Hill Cemetery (424 North Union Street); and 11a.m., St. Patrick’s Cemetery (450 North Union Street).

All events will include placement of Memorial Day wreaths and a 21-Gun Military Honor Salute.

The St. Patrick’s Cemetery event will include an extended program featuring past Kennett VFW Commander Mike Pralle (Master of Ceremonies), former Kennett Mayor Leon Spencer (singing “God Bless America”), United Methodist Church Rev. Jim Mundell (Tribute to Veteran Artilio “Tillie” J. DiAndrea), VFM and American Legion Guard (Laying of Commemorative Wreaths), Saint Patrick’s Church Father Christopher Rogers (Honor Prayers), American Legion Honor Guard (21 Gun Salute) and Matt Grieco (Bugle Taps).

The West Chester Railroad (610-430-2233, www.westchesterrr.net) is running its “Memorial Day Special” on May 30 at noon and 2 p.m.

Passengers can enjoy a 90-minute round trip to Glen Mills and return on a peaceful Sunday afternoon while remembering those who have served. All veterans, active military, police, fire, EMS, and first responders ride for a special reduced fare.

Tickets are: Adults – $20; Children (2-12) – $15; Military, Police, Fire, EMS, First Responders – $5; Under 2 ride free.

On May 29, the Colebrookdale Railroad (South Washington Street, Boyertown, www.colebrookdalerailroad.com) is running its “Doodlebug Excursion” at 1 p.m. and its “Cigar Run” at 6 p.m.

The schedule for May 30 features a “Secret Valley Expedition” lunch train on May 23 at 1 p.m. On May 31, there will be a “Doodlebug Excursion” at 11 a.m. followed by another at 1 p.m.

The tourist rail line’s two-hour expedition into the Secret Valley features rides on meticulously restored century-old rail cars and visits one of the most scenic and historic regions in the northeast.

The railroad will be offering a lunch aboard the Secret Valley Expedition to all dining class passengers. Riders can enjoy a choice of Chicken Parmigiana or lasagna while journeying through the verdant land lost in time. Children on board will be served chicken fingers with macaroni-and-cheese.

First Class Parlor and Lounge Car fares include one complementary beverage served in a commemorative glass, an hors d’oeuvre plate that includes a fine selection of cheeses, meats, cranberries, and mixed nuts, and a cheesecake dessert as part of the ticket price.

Additionally, an a la carte menu is available in all cars and all passengers have access to our open car for near 360-degree views of the Secret Valley.

Deluxe coach fares are $36 for adults (13-64), $29 for children (2-12), $31 for seniors (65 and older) and $6 for toddlers.

This year’s Annual Great Pennsylvania FlavorFest will be held May 29 and 30 on Mount Hope’s grounds (Route 72, Cornwall, 717- 665-7021, www.parenfaire.com) from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. each day.

This annual feast for the taste buds features many of the region’s finest wineries sampling and selling their vintages, cooking demonstrations, and specialty foods for sampling and for sale.

There will be more than 20 wineries from Pennsylvania offering samples of and selling of their many varieties. Local restaurants and food vendors will also be offering samples from their menus.

Some of the featured wineries are Benigna’s Creek Vineyard & Winery, Bee Kind Winery, Boyd’s Cardinal Hollow Winery, Capra Collina Winery, Deer Foot Vineyards, Franklin Hill Vineyards, Hungry Run Winery, Jackson Square Vineyard, Juniata Valley Winery, King Cole Winery, and Kulpmont Winery.

The roster also includes King Hill Mead, Mount Hope Estate and Winery, La Vignetta Winery, Red Shale Ridge Vineyards, Seven Mountains Wine Cellar, Shade Mountain Winery, Staggering Unicorn Winery, The Winery at Wilcox, Wine O’Clock Somewhere Winery, and Woody Lodge Winery.

There will also be several distilleries with booths at FlavorFest.

FlavorFest will feature a variety of specialty food vendors. Visitors will be able to sample and purchase gourmet food items such as sauces, dips, pastries, cheeses – along with Pennsylvania Dutch favorites such as whoopie pies and traditional shoo-fly pie.

Adult admission is $15.95. Admission includes 2021 Flavorfest Tasting Glass. (Disposable single-serve cups will be used by the wineries for sampling. The tasting glass will be given as guests leave the event.

Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, http://www.chaddsford.com) will host “Spring Food Truck Throw Down” on Memorial Day Weekend.

The event, which will run from noon-7 p.m. on Saturday and from noon-6 p.m. on Sunday and Monday, features an all-star lineup of local food trucks.

Visitors to the winery can enjoy tasty street food along with Chaddsford wine, PA-made craft beers and a featured wine slushie.

Admission is free, but the event is subject to capacity restrictions to ensure social distancing.

The food trucks on Saturday and Sunday will be Natalie’s Fine Foods, Meat House, Plum Pit, Ole Tapas, Ka’Chi, Bucky’s BBQ, Surf and Turf, and Buddy’s Burgers, Breast and Fries.

Monday’s food truck lineup features Natalie’s Fine Foods and Plum Pit.

Live Music will be presented on Saturday by Matt Spitko (noon-2 p.m.) and Joshua Howard Band (3-6 p.m.) and on Sunday by MK and COL (noon-2 p.m.) and Nicole Zell Duo (3-6 p.m.).

The summer season has already arrived at Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org) with the start of its annual “Festival of Fountains.”

The 2021 “Festival of Fountains,” which just opened at the beginning of May, is running through September 26.

Daily performances in the Main Fountain Garden will feature more than 1,700 spinning jets that spin dance to various music programs. These are no little jets as some shoot up as high as 175 feet in the air.

The 30-minute show is slated for Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 9:15 p.m.

The 2021 Illuminated Fountain performance schedule for this month is: May 28, Pure Imagination; and May 29, To Philly, With Love.

The Main Fountain Garden Show’s “Fountains Then and Now” show is a 12-minute fountain performance that begins with a touch of narrated history and concludes with dynamic choreography marrying music and the site’s newest fountain features.

These displays will be presented daily at 1:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. There will also be performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:15 p.m.

Another daily show in the Main Garden is “Classical, Jazz, and Hits of Today,” another 12-minue show but with a different musical style. These will be presented daily at 1:15 and 5:15 p.m.

The third show on the roster is “Fountain Refresher,” which is billed as “a five-minute mix of music genres that teases the theme of that evening’s Illuminated Fountain Performance.”

These are scheduled for Thursday through Saturday from May 6-August 28 at 6:15 and 8:15 p.m. and September 2 through October 30 at 6:15 p.m.

There will also be daily shows in the Open Air Theatre and the Italian Water Garden.

Featuring 750 jets in changing patterns, the Open Air Theatre comes alive with fountains set to music.

Since its 1914 Garden Party debut, this Italian-style outdoor theatre has expanded from its simple original fountains to the 750 jets that create the rainbowed curtain of water you see today, while playing host to more than 1,500 performances throughout the years.

To limit the spread of COVID-19, Longwood has made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend all ticketed concerts, fireworks shows and in-person continuing education classes. But live music can be heard in the Beer Garden, where live instrumental music from traditional Celtic tunes to Caribbean steel pan grooves sets the tone Thursday through Saturday evenings.

Beer Garden performances are scheduled through August from 6-9 p.m. from Thursday to Saturday evenings. They will also be held in September from 5-8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

As always, admission by “Timed Ticket” — tickets issued for specific dates and times. Timed ticketing limits the number of people in the Gardens at any given time and allows guests to enjoy minimal lines and a better viewing experience.

You may enter the Gardens up to 30 minutes prior and 30 minutes after your designated time. Make every effort to arrive at your designated reservation time. Earlier or later arrivals may not be accommodated.

Video link for “Festival of Fountains” — https://youtu.be/AHsC2YuFerY.

Admission to Longwood Gardens is $25 for adults, $22 for seniors (ages 62 and older) and college students, $18 for active military and veterans and $13 for youth (ages 5-18).

If you have an interest in classic automobiles, antique tractors, vintage Mustangs or just cars in general, you should plan on making a trip to Kimberton this weekend.

On May 30, the 41st Annual Chester County Antique Car Club Show will be held at the Kimberton Fire Company Fairgrounds (Route 113, Kimberton, http://www.chescoacc.com).

The event will begin with auto registration at 9 a.m. A wide array of vehicles will be on display, including antique cars, motorcycles, classic cars, antique tractors, hit-and-miss engines, Mustangs and street rods.

In addition to all the cars on display, the one-day event will also feature an automobile flea market, an arts-and-crafts show, a food court and music by a deejay. There is no admission fee, but a $2 parking donation is requested.

Two of the most popular Greek festivals in the area traditionally start a few days after Memorial Day. The main attractions are the tasty Greek food offerings and the festival part with rides and live entertainment

The Grecian Food Festival at St. Sophia Church Grecian Festival (900 South Trooper Road, Jeffersonville, 610-650-8960, www.saintsophiachurch.org) is running from June 2-6.

The 2021 Greek Festival at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (808 North Broom Street, Wilmington, 302-654-4446, www.holytrinitywilmington.org) opens on June 2 and runs through June 5.

With the pandemic still happening, both events are limited to take-out food offerings.

The list of main dish items at theses festivals has a wide variety of meat and vegetable items. Chicken Oreganato is Grecian-style chicken roasted with a mixture of lemon, oil and oregano, while souvlaki is grilled pork tenderloin marinated with special herbs.

Gyros are pita sandwiches featuring a spice-infused ground beef-and-lamb mixture that is grilled, sliced fresh and served with tzatziki (cucumber and yogurt sauce), tomatoes, onions and olives.

Pastitsio is a macaroni dish with braised ground lamb and beef that is topped with béchamel sauce and baked. A similar entrée is mousaka, which features layers of eggplant, potato, ground lamb and beef, which is then baked and topped with a light béchamel sauce.

Other selections that can either be a main meal or a side dish are tyropita, which is a Greek-style cheese pie in a crispy phyllo crust; spanakopita, which is a tyropita that has spinach added; and Dolmades, which are rice and meat wrapped in grape leaves.

For dessert, it is impossible to go wrong with any of the traditional Greek pastries. The most well-known Greek dessert is baklava, which is made with multiple layers of thin buttered phyllo dough cooked with walnuts, spices and honey syrup. Kataifi features shredded wheat with chopped nuts and honey syrup.

Loukoumades, the Greek version of doughnuts, are deep-fried and dipped in honey with a dash of cinnamon. Floyeres is a baked dessert prepared with thin layers of buttered pastry sheets, almonds, spices, and honey syrup. Galaktoboureko is a custard dessert baked between carefully placed pastry sheets and covered in syrup. Karidopita is a moist walnut cake with spices and syrup.

Greek cuisine also includes a variety of mouth-watering cookies including melomakarona (oval cookie dipped in honey and rolled in nuts), kourabiedes (butter cookie served with confectioner’s sugar), paximadia (zwieback-type cookie that is baked then sliced and toasted in the oven), koulourakia (butter cookie that is twisted, basted with egg yolk and baked.)

The Delaware Art Museum (2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware, www.delart.org) has resumed its “DelArt Cinema Drive-in Series.”

Participants can enjoy a classic film from the comfort of their own car. Concessions will be available to purchase on site. Rain dates will be scheduled as needed. Parking begins at 7:15 p.m. and the movie starts at dusk.

The just-announced schedule is:

Friday, May 28 – Weekend at Bernie’s

Friday, June 4 – The Color Purple

Tickets, which include popcorn and soda, are $19 per person.

The Elmwood Park Zoo (1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, www.elmwoodparkzoo.org) has several upcoming special events.

On May 29 and 30, the Zoo is hosting “Breakfast with the Giraffes.”

Guests can enjoy a delicious, socially distanced outdoor breakfast buffet, right next to the zoo’s three towering giraffes. After participants have cleared their plates, they will be invited to an exclusive giraffe feeding.

The breakfast will get underway at 8:30 a.m.

The Zoo will have another animal-themed special activity on May 28 called “Dog Days.”

All guests visiting the zoo with a furry friend must complete an online waiver and submit required documents before visiting the zoo. You must upload a copy of your most recent veterinary visit, including proof of vaccine and heartworm test here. All items will be required for you to attend “Dog Days.”

The “Dog Days” event is slated to run from 1-5 p.m. It will also be held on selected dates throughout June.

Pricing is $10.95 per dog with each additional dog at $9.95. Regular zoo admission is required for all humans.

There will be a pair of interesting and educational events this weekend in the vicinity of the Philadelphia International Airport.

On May 29 from 8-10 a.m.-noon, the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum (8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, www.fws.gov/refuge/John_Heinz) is presenting an event called “Bird Walk with Chuck and Emily.”

Participants will be able to take an educational walk with one of the venue’s knowledgeable volunteers.

Visitors to the Refuge can discover the 300-plus species of birds that use the Refuge during their migration routes — with a different species guaranteed each week.

The walk will be at a relaxed paced on flat surfaces. There are restrooms and a water fountain near the trailhead.

Fort Mifflin (Fort Mifflin and Hog Island roads, Philadelphia, 215-685-4167, www.fortmifflin.us) is hosting an event called “Map the Fort with a Colonial Surveyor” on May 29 at 11 a.m.

Participants will be able to “Apprentice” with the Colonial Surveyor. It was an important job in Colonial times and George Washington’s first job was as a surveyor.

Visitors to Fort Mifflin will learn the art and science of surveying the land in the 18^th-century manner with the site’s visiting colonial surveyor. They can “apprentice” with him to measure and map the Fort interior (11 a.m.) or the “Wilderness” of the High Battery (1 p.m.) All supplies and materials provided.

Your ticket includes admission to the Fort for the day (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) and participation in the activity time that you select. You must purchase a special ticket to participate in this activity.

Admission is $20 for either “Mapping Inside the Fort” at 11 a.m. or “Mapping the Wilderness” at 1 p.m. “Journeyman All Access to Both Activities” is $32.

Bucks County is offering a pair of interesting attractions this weekend.

It’s the final weekend of “Strawberry Month” at Peddler’s Village (Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, 215-794-4000, www.peddlersvillage.com) – a popular annual celebration of the sweet red berry.

Every day in May, visitors can savor strawberry-themed food and drink specials at the village’s restaurants and eateries. On weekends, they can visit the site for live entertainment and strawberry treats served at outdoor food tents.

This weekend’s featured attractions will be Dwayne Dunleavy as DJ Host on Village Green from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Go with Yoyo at the Outdoor Event Tent from 1-3 p.m. and fresh strawberries and strawberry jams/jellies/preserves.

Sunday’s attractions will be Paul Tozz in the Courtyard from noon-3 p.m., Spinning Straw in CNB Tent from 12:30-3:30 p.m., Caricaturist Daniel Perez from noon-4 p.m., Go with Yoyo at the Outdoor Event Tent from 1-2 p.m. and fresh strawberries and strawberry jams/jellies/preserves.

Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com), a family-friendly amusement park in Langhorne, hosting “Elmo’s Springtacular” now through June 20.

“Elmo’s Springtacular” at Sesame Place is filled with furry fun and exciting events. On weekends now through the end of June, guests can join in on the fun with an exciting lineup of meet & greets, music, magic, pirate adventures, and fireworks.

Sesame Place’s “Memorial Day Weekend Celebration” is scheduled for May 29 and 30

Visitors to the park can partake in physically distant photos with Elmo (who will be dressed in festive red, white and blue all weekend) at Photos with Elmo & Friends.

Guests will be able to rock out with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and Count von Count, as their music fills the air and the sky is covered with colorful bursts of brilliance.

They can also watch the park staff paint the sky red (and green and blue) from inside the park. This impressive display will provide an exciting Memorial Day celebration.

Fireworks will start at 9 p.m.

The festive “Meet & Greets with Elmo” will be held on Saturday and Sunday at the Sesame Place Neighborhood Theater. Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Ticket prices for Sesame Place start at $49.99