What To Do: Devon Horse Show, Kennett Memorial Day Parade top busy weekend events

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

Memorial Day has arrived and many of the area’s traditional events for the holiday are back – including the Devon Horse Show and Kennett Square’s annual Memorial Day Parade

The Devon Horse Show (Lancaster Avenue, Devon, 610-688-2554, www.devonhorseshow.org) is one of the oldest events of any kind in the state.

No-one on earth right now is old enough to have attended every edition the Devon Horse. The 2023 show, which is running now through June 4, is the 127th Annual Devon Horse Show and Country Fair.

The Devon Horse Show is and always has been special.

More than just another annual equestrian event, it is a family event that spans generations and traditionally marks the start of summer. It is a place where attendees go as much to see and be seen as to watch horses compete — a sporting event and a tradition-based social event.

The Devon Horse Show began in 1896 as a one-day show with 28 classes. By 1914, it had grown immensely and had become the largest outdoor horse show in the country — a distinction it still holds.

In 1919, it was decided that a “Country Fair” should be held in conjunction with the horse show and that the event should benefit Bryn Mawr Hospital.

In 2010, the Devon Horse Show became just the fourth American horse show to be honored with the designation as a USEF Heritage Competition.

This award is reserved for those competitions that have been in existence for more than a quarter century, promoted and grown the equestrian sport, and made a contribution to the community outside the gates of the horse show by achieving, maintaining and promoting the equestrian ideals of sportsmanship and competition.

More than 3,000 horses are entered in the Devon Horse Show in over 30 divisions and more than 200 classes with prize money totaling over a quarter of a million dollars. The equestrian competition reaches its peak the final few days with the Devon Grand Prix and the Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake.

The Country Fair offers concessions featuring lemon sticks, cotton candy and buckets of fudge. Other main attractions at the fair are the garden café, sales booths featuring antiques, toys, hand-crafted items, Devon Horse Show souvenirs and over 30 other shops with jewelry, art, clothes and equestrian-related items.

Another popular family attraction is the Midway with its huge ferris wheel, old-time carousel and wide array of amusement rides and games — plus kid-favorite goodies such as popcorn, cotton candy and funnel cake.

Admission is $25 for adults and $10 for children (under 12) and seniors (over 65).

One of the most popular traditional events is Kennett Square’s annual Memorial Day Parade (West State Street, Kennett Square, kennettcollaborative.org). The parade, which honors the area’s veterans, is scheduled for May 29.

The parade, which is expected to feature more than 1,000 participants and twice as many spectators, will get underway at 10 a.m. The parade honors our veterans, many of whom participate in the parade, riding in antique convertibles.

Participants in the parade will represent a wide array of interests with historic battle re-enactors, antique military vehicles, bagpipers, fife and drum units, color guard groups, high school bands, and local youth sports teams — and the Ferko Mummers String Band.

Spectators also have the opportunity to enjoy seeing dancers, classic cars, colorful floats created by various community organizations, fire trucks, a Viking ship, and much more. The parade reflects and celebrates the community’s great cultural diversity with participants such as the popular Aztec dancers, charros on horseback, and Chinese folk dancers.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Kennett High School and follows South Union Street to East Cypress Street, up the 100 block of South Broad Street, then west on State Street to North Union Street and on to Union Hill Cemetery.

The parade ends at the Union Hill Cemetery with a Veterans Memorial Day Service featuring Kennett & Unionville High School Bands opening with the National Anthem, Civil War Reenactors and a 21-gun salute from Kennett American Legion Post 491.

The Mount Hope Estate & Winery in Cornwall’s Great Pennsylvania FlavorFest has evolved into one of the winery’s most popular annual events.

This year’s 13th Annual Great Pennsylvania FlavorFest will be held May 27 and 28 on Mount Hope’s grounds (Route 72, Cornwall, 717- 665-7021, www.parenfaire.com) from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. each day.

The annual feast for the taste buds features many of the region’s finest wineries sampling and selling their vintages, cooking demonstrations, specialty foods for sampling and for sale, master artisans, live music and an interactive Crafty Kid’s area.

One of the nicest aspects of the event is that it is free — free admission, free tastings and free parking.

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.

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.

As an added attraction, chefs from local restaurants will present cooking demonstrations each day highlighting gourmet dishes in their restaurants’ signature styles.

On May 27, the 43rd Annual Chester County Car Show will be held at the Classic Auto Mall (6180 Morgantown Road, Morgantown, ccacc.club/show.php).

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.

Thy Geekdom Con, which is running now through May 28 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Ave., Oaks, www.phillyexpocenter.com), is a convention of all things geek in pop culture.

Brought to you by the fine minds behind the YouTube sensation Game Infirmary, the Seventh Annual Thy Geekdom Con is billed as an epic weekend of fun and frivolity.

The festive annual event will include Acts, Anime, Artists, Board Games, Comics, Cosplay, Crafters, Panels, Table Top games, TV/Movies, and Video Game Tournaments.

Visitors are invited to show off their skills in the Cosplay Costume Contest and Masquerade.

Thy Geekdom Con embraces fandoms from all cartoons, comics, video games, anime, TV/Film, so there is truly something for everyone.

Entrance fees are — Weekend 3 Day Admission, $45; Friday Admission, $25; Saturday Admission, $35; and Sunday Admission, $30.

Fort Mifflin (Fort Mifflin and Hog Island roads, Philadelphia, 215-685-4167, www.fortmifflin.us) is hosting a “Philly Faire” from May 27-29.

The Philadelphia Renaissance Faire® will set up camp at Fort Mifflin this Memorial Day Weekend. Relaunched with the “Philly Faire” moniker, this three-day event promises Renaissance-themed family fun, with entertainment, unique vendors and artisans, and much more.

​Historic Fort Mifflin provides a picturesque setting for Philly Faire, which returns this year for a three-day holiday weekend run, Saturday through Monday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. all three days.

Attendees can explore a bustling marketplace filled with artisanal crafts, clothing, and jewelry, while enjoying a hearty meal from a variety of food and drink vendors. After trying their hand at archery or knife and axe throwing, they’ll be entertained by an array of interactive shows and performances, including captivating magic, fire eating, and lively music.

​Ticket prices are $17.75 for adults.

On May 27 and 28, the Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, http://www.chaddsford.com) is presenting “Memorial Day Taco Fest.”

With the weather co-operating, visitors can grab their shades and head to the winery for some warm weather sips, taco trucks, live music, and the release of Sangria Spritzer.

Sangria Spritzer is a canned, bubbly cocktail featuring Chaddsford’s sweet wine in a fun new format. Come out and be among the first to try this flavorful drink with complimentary samples to the first 100 guests.

Adding to the summertime state of mind, the Fest will have live entertainment (including Acoustic Keys on Saturday), refreshing libations like the Blueberry Lemonade or a Margarita Slushie, local blooms from The Flower Girls of Chester County, and a wide selection of festival food.

Admission is free.

For visitors who want to take the day to the next level, Chaddsfords Winery’s Festival VIP Pass provides early entry to the grounds, access to first come/first serve seating, a tasting and tour, complimentary charcuterie, and more.

Penns Woods Winery (124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, http://www.pennswoodswinery.com) will present “Live Music on the Lawn” every weekend in May.

The schedule for May 27 features Rick Caldwell from 2-5 p.m.

The line-up for May 28 features Chris Grunwald from 2-5 p.m.

The schedule for May 29 features Paul Wilkinson from 2-5 p.m.

The annual Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival will be held now through May 16-June 25 at the Wayne Art Center (413 Maplewood Avenue, Wayne, www.wayneart.org).

“En plein air” is the act of painting outdoors. This method contrasts with studio painting or academic rules that might create a predetermined look. The practice goes back for centuries but was truly made into an art form by the French Impressionists.

The Wayne Art Center Annual Plein Air Festival Collectors’ Preview Party & Sale is scheduled for May 12 from 6-10 p.m. Fresh off the easel, more than 250 works adorn Wayne Art Center’s walls opening night, as patrons enjoy an evening of fine art, heavy hors d’oeuvres, open bar, and live music, while experiencing the artists’ individual interpretations of life and landscapes.

The 15th Annual Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival will feature 32 juried, nationally recognized and emerging artists who have come to Wayne to capture the cool atmosphere and ephemeral, lush greens of spring in the Delaware Valley.

As one of the premier plein air events in the country, Wayne offers the unique opportunity to showcase work created during the festival in spacious, light-filled and state-of-the-art galleries during an exhibition that hangs until June 24.

The newest exhibition at the Brandywine Museum of Art (1 Hoffman Mill Road, Chadds Ford, brandywine.org), “Andrew Wyeth: Home Places,” opened a few weeks ago and will run through July 13.

This exhibition is a presentation of nearly 50 paintings and drawings of local buildings that inspired Wyeth time and again over seven decades of his career.

The artworks in this exhibition are drawn exclusively from the nearly 7,000-object Andrew and Betsy Wyeth Collection of the Wyeth Foundation for American Art, now managed by the Brandywine. Many of these pieces have never before been exhibited, offering a first glimpse at a significant treasure trove that will shed new light on the collaborative creative process of Andrew and Betsy Wyeth.

“Andrew Wyeth: Home Places” shares the story of a remarkable immersive and intensive artistic practice that ranged across the full array of media Andrew Wyeth practiced. Over the course of a long and diverse career of many chapters, Wyeth repeatedly depicted a small group of historic houses in the vicinity of his hometown of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.

In these weathered buildings others might have overlooked or even scorned in the face of gentrification and commercial development of the region, Wyeth found layers of emotion and association. These structures—both venerable and vulnerable in a changing Brandywine Valley—served as a means of pursuing his abiding attention to that which lies beneath the surface of things.

Through living in this landscape his whole life, he engaged in an artistic practice of uncommon focus over an extended timescale, coming to know deeply the evocative buildings in a radius of just a few square miles and rendering them in an astonishing variety of compositions, handlings and approaches. As Wyeth said, “You can be in a place for years and years and not see something, and then when it dawns, all sorts of nuggets of richness start popping all over the place. You’ve gotten below the obvious.”

Among the previously unexhibited works on view are the charming early oil “The Miller’s Son,” painted when Wyeth was just 17 years old, and the stunning watercolor “Noah’s Ark Study” made at age 87—both depicting the same property, Brinton’s Mill.

That the Wyeths came to own and restore this property for use as their primary residence is among the many contributions of Betsy James Wyeth, whose distinct role in stewarding historic properties in Pennsylvania and Maine, which informed her husband’s painting practice, is a key context of this exhibition.

Museum admission is $18 adults, $15 seniors (65+), $6 children (ages 6-18) and students with ID and free for children (ages five and under).

Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, www.longwoodgardens.org) is inviting visitors to enjoy the beauty of late spring.

The “Festival of Fountains” opened for the season on May 11 and 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.

The season of renewal and growth has started. Millions of tiny geophytes begin the season, blanketing Longwood’s vistas with sweeps of spring-has-sprung color.

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.

The first Festive Friday theme of the season is “Bollywood Blockbusters” on May 26, celebrating the soul of Hindi film and featuring the Daksha Dance Troupe at 6:30 and 7:30 pm in the pumphouse plaza. It’s all about Music with the June 30 Festive Friday theme – “Make Some Noise” — where keyboards will be set up around the gardens for guests to play from 5-8 pm.

Paying homage to the City of Brotherly, “It’s a Philly Thing” on July 14 highlights Longwood’s own collaboration with Victory Brewing Company and live music from Polkadelphia. “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.

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (Route 52, Wilmington, Delaware, 800-448-3883, www.winterthur.org) has attractions both indoors and outdoors going on right now.

There seems to be no end to what’s in bloom — and in almost every corner of the garden. Azalea Woods is at its breathtaking peak with its paths lined with azaleas in shades of red, pink, salmon, and white.

You can follow the white arrows through the garden or choose your own path. Visitors can discover the beauty and fragrance of the masses of lilac bushes and enjoy the showy display in Enchanted Woods and by the Reflecting Pool.

The Peony Garden and Quarry Garden are both must-sees this week, with primroses and peonies going strong in shades of white, pink, and red. Tree peonies provide unusual shades of peach, yellow, and deep red, and broadleaf rhododendrons continue to flower in Azalea Woods.

Torch azaleas add touches of red, salmon, and pink on the museum lawn, Icewell Terrace, and Enchanted Woods, while Sycamore Hill is beginning to glow with the blossoms of fringe trees, kousa dogwoods, red buckeye, fragrant abelias, and more. Enjoy this video of the Quarry Garden.

Admission to Winterthur is $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and students and $8 for children.

Historic Odessa (Main Street, Odessa, Delaware, 302-378-4119, www.historicodessa.org) is both a scenic and an historic site in Delaware.

The Historic Odessa Foundation is excited to be the northern Delaware venue for an exhibition of selected works by the beloved Delaware artist Jack Lewis (1912-2012). The exhibition entitled “Everyday Lives, Everyday People: The Work of Jack Lewis” is running now through July 2 in the Historic Odessa Visitors Center Art Gallery.

The selection of paintings by Jack Lewis comes from the Nancy and Russell Suniewick Collection on loan from the Rehoboth Art League. In 2021, the Suniewicks, long-time friends of Lewis, and the executive producers of “If You Lived Here, You Would Be Home Now: A Film About Jack Lewis and Bridgeville, DE,” donated an outstanding collection of 52 paintings and various documents of the late artist to the Rehoboth Art League.

The works from the Nancy and Russell Suniewick Collection date from the 1930s to 1980s, and include portraits, domestic and foreign scenes, and an important early self-portrait.

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.

The Delaware Art Museum (2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware, delart.org) currently is featuring four exhibitions.

“Estampas de la Raza: Contemporary Prints from the Romo Collection” is running now through May 28.

Estampas de la Raza chronicles the unique heritage, history, and experience of Mexican Americans and Latinos in an exhibition of 61 eye-catching screen prints and lithographs from the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio. This body of prints comprises an essential but largely overlooked aspect of contemporary American art, focusing on prints made by Mexican American and Latino artists between 1980 and 2010.

Inspired by the Chicano art movement of the 1960s and 1970s, many of these artists activate Pop Art aesthetics and powerful messages to explore the complex identities and struggles of Latinos living in the United States. The exhibition highlights Mexican icons, including Frida Kahlo and Che Guevara, and celebrates Latino cultural traditions.

The 44 featured printmakers include Raul Caracoza, Sam Coronado, Richard Duardo, Germs (Jaime Zacarias), Ignacio Gomez, Ester Hernandez, Luis A. Jiménez Jr., Malaquias Montoya, Frank Romero, Patssi Valdez, and Ernesto Yerena.

“Our Red Planet: Anna Bogatin Ott” is running now through July 16.

Ukrainian-born abstract painter, sculptor, and digital artist Anna Bogatin Ott captures the sublime in nature and the complexity of human existence. This exhibition showcases her most recent work, informed by NASA images from Mars and her meditations on the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

“My Life, My Voice: Occupying Spaces (La vida de uno y el lugar que ocupamos)” is running now through September 24.

Cesar Viveros is transforming DelArt’s Orientation Hall with a painted mural and a series of seven screen prints, commissioned by the Museum to accompany the exhibition Estampas de la Raza: Contemporary Prints from the Romo Collection. Born in Mexico, Viveros is a renowned muralist, painter, screen-printer, clay and papier-mâché sculptor in the Philadelphia area, and a leader in the region’s Latino community and art world.

Viveros’ mural represents a bodega or tienda de la esquina—a typical corner store which serves as a daily point of encounter in Latino neighborhoods. His posters are based on conversations with members of the Hispanic American Association of Delaware and Los Abuelos, a senior group from the Latin American Community Center.

“Revision: David Meyer” is also running now through September 24.

Sculptor David Meyer uses various materials—flour, dirt, steel, or glass—to form objects that elevate our senses. For this large-scale installation, Meyer creates shapes derived from distorted photographic images. It is the moment of recognition that Meyer elicits in his sculptures.

Admission to the Delaware Museum of Art is $14 for adults, $7 for college students and $6 for youth.

Hagley Museum and Library (Route 141, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, www.hagley.org), a 230-acre historical village on the site of the original du Pont Company gunpowder mills in northern Delaware, has opened a new attraction – “Nation of Inventors.”

“Nation of Inventors” celebrates the American spirit of ingenuity by taking visitors on a journey from the early years of the patent system, in the 1790s, through the “golden age” of American invention, in the late 1800s. The exhibit features more than 120 patent models from Hagley’s unique collection highlighting the diverse stories of inventors from all walks of life.

Patent models are scaled representations of inventions and were part of the patent application process for nearly 100 years. “Nation of Inventors” showcases patent models representing innovations in a variety of industries from transportation and manufacturing to food preservation and medical devices.

In the exhibition, visitors will enjoy engaging experiences around every corner, testing their knowledge of innovation and hearing personal accounts from inventors.

The patent models in “Nation of Inventors” were created between 1833 and 1886. “Nation of Inventors” not only features patent models submitted by inventors from the United States, but also models from inventors in England, France, Ireland, Russia, and Spain, demonstrating an international interest in America’s intellectual property system.

“Nation of Inventors” includes patent models from well-known inventors and companies like Ball (Mason Jars), Jim Beam, Bissell, Corliss, Steinway, and Westinghouse. The exhibit presents important topics and timely themes including women inventors, Black inventors, immigrant inventors, improvements in urban living, and the ways Americans learn about and understand progress and change.

“Nation of Inventors” is located on the first two floors of Hagley’s Visitor Center. Visitors can plan to spend about 30 minutes on their self-guided tour of the exhibition.

Admission to Hagley Museum is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students and $6 for children (ages 6-14).

The Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard (1124 East Seventh Street, Wilmington, Delaware, www.kalmarnyckel.org) is beginning its 2023 season of live sails.

Sailing season for the Kalmar Nyckel returns with river cruises in Wilmington and tall ship sails in Historic New Castle. Tickets for day sails plus private ship rentals are now available.

Day Sails from New Castle are scheduled for May  26, 27 and 29. Ticket prices start at $40.

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.

There will be free deck tours on May 29.

The West Chester Railroad (610-430-2233, www.westchesterrr.net) is running its “Memorial Day Special” on May 28 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.

Ticket prices 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 “Memorial Day Service Appreciation Excursions” at 1 and 4 p.m.

The tourist rail line offered this invitation – “Join us this Memorial Day for an excursion for those who have and who continue to serve our country as a token of our appreciation. This includes veterans, active duty members, firefighters, first responders, and police. We thank you for your service.”

Tickets for Deluxe Coach, Dining Car, and Garden Cafe cars are $20 for service members and $35 for non-service members. In these cars, a light-fare a la carte menu will be provided featuring cocktails, various liquors, specialty sodas, snacks, and treats.

The Strasburg Rail Road (Route 741, Strasburg, 717-687-7522, www.strasburgrailroad.com) is running a special train on May 26, 27 and 28 – the “Wine & Cheese Train.”

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 6 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.

On May 27 and 28, The Northern Central Railway (2 West Main Street, New Freedom, www.northerncentralrailway.com) is running its Glen Rock Express” at 11 a.m. and its “Hanover Junction Flyer” at 12:30 p.m.  each day.

The “Glen Rock Express” will travel to Glen Rock and back with the historic PRR GP9 Diesel Locomotive built-in 1959. The ride will be on a former Pennsylvania Railroad mainline that has been in operation since 1838.

The “Hanover Junction Flyer” travels through the Heritage Rail Trail County Park and southern York County countryside on this trip to Hanover Junction.

Wilmington and Western Railroad (Greenbank Station, 2201 Newport-Gap Pike, Wilmington, Delaware, www.wwrr.com) is running a special train on May 27 – the “Yorklyn Express.”

Passengers 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.

If you they 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, we’ll make a brief stop at Mt. Cuba to pick up the picnic passengers.

This departure is powered by one of our historic first-generation diesel locomotives.

Excursions depart at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

If you enjoy walking around garden displays or if you like to look at model railroad layouts, then you should definitely check out the Garden Railway Display at the Morris Arboretum & Garden (100 Northwestern Avenue, Chestnut Hill, www.morrisarboretum.org).

The ultra-popular Garden Railway Display has become a major summer attraction at The Gardens at Morris Arboretum. The 25th annual edition of the display has its official season opening scheduled for May 26 and then will remain open until October.

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.

In honor of its’ 90th anniversary, Morris is celebrating the joy and importance of public gardens at the Garden Railway.

Visitors will be able to see miniature replicas of iconic structures at some of America’s most famous public gardens including the Climatron at Missouri Botanical Garden, Torii Gate and Pavilion at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Science Pyramid at Denver Botanic Gardens, and so much more.

The Garden Railway is celebrating 25 years with a new addition — 300 feet of track. This is the largest expansion of the Garden Railway since it was installed in 1998. The new looping section of track extends the total model rail trackage to a third of a mile, making it one of the largest outdoor model train displays in the country.

Admission is $20 for adults; $18 for seniors (65 and older); $10 for students (ages 13-17 or with ID), active military and retired military; and free for children (under 3).

Memorial Day is always an exciting time at Linvilla Orchards (137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, 610- 876-7116, www.linvilla.com).

Linvilla’s two members-only swim clubs open for the season, corn is on sale for $9.99 a dozen, and the bakery is offering fireworks cakes for $13.99.

There will be special holiday hours — Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.  and Monday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Ship Bottom Beer Garden will be open from noon-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Farm Market and Garden Center will be open during regular hours all three days as will Playland Playground and visits with the Barnyard Animals.

Pick-Your-Own is open all weekend with special holiday hours on Monday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

As an added attraction, there will be hayrides around the orchard’s grounds and train rides on Linvilla Orchards Playland Express. Other kid-oriented attractions include a playground, a barnyard and face-painting.

There are many other sites where nature’s spring glory is on display.

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.

A sweet place to enjoy flowers in bloom is Tyler Arboretum (515 Painter Road, Media, 610-566-9134, www.tylerarboretum.org).

The arboretum’s schedule for this weekend is a “Saturday Wildflower Walk” on May 27 at 1 p.m.

Participants can join wildflower expert Dick Cloud on an informative two-hour hike that will take them through meadows, woods, and occasionally streamside. Although the focus is on plants, we will talk about whatever we might see while we are out! In May, we should see a large variety of spring wildflowers.

Another featured attraction will be the “Bluebird Nesting Box Tour” at 1 p.m. on May 28.

For more than 50 years, volunteers at Tyler Arboretum have been monitoring the nesting activities of the Eastern Bluebird. This is a family-friendly tour to share this tradition.

Admission to Tyler Arboretum is $18 for adults (ages 18-64), $15 for Seniors (65+) and $10 for children (ages 3-17) and Military with valid ID.

On May 26,  Laurel Hill Cemetery (3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-228-8200, www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org) will present “Hot Spots & Storied Plots” on May 26 at 10 a.m.

In life and death, we all have stories to tell, and what better place to hear tales of wonder than Philadelphia’s most famous home of the dead?

This introductory tour provides an informative overview of Laurel Hill East’s long history, which includes many marble masterpieces, stunning views, and legendary stories that afford the cemetery its “wow” factor. An experienced graveyard guide will tell stories about the site’s beautiful art, scenic nature, and fascinating history.

The tour guide for this weekend’s event will be Bill Linhart.

If you snooze, you lose.

The “FRIENDS™ Experience: The One Near Philadelphia” is running now through May 29 at the King of Prussia Mall, 640 West Dekalb Pike, King of Prussia). That means you have only a few days left to check out this touring exhibit.

Visitors can step into the iconic TV show like never before in this interactive experience.

They will be able to explore set recreations including Joey and Chandler’s apartment, Monica and Rachel’s kitchen, and Central Perk!
Visitors to the attraction can dance in front of the fountain and pose on the iconic orange couch.

Participants will be able to see a wide array of props and costumes from the show which will bring them one step closer to their favorite characters.

And they can shop exclusive items at The FRIENDS™ Experience Retail Store which features an array of clothes, accessories, collectibles and more.

The interactive exhibit is open from noon-7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sundays.

The exact location is at The Pavilion, which is on the third floor above Cheesecake Factory and Urban Outfitters and across from Ethan Allen)
All ages are welcome. Children 3 and younger don’t need a ticket when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Adult ticket prices start at $32.

Wonderspaces at the Fashion District (27 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, philadelphia.wonderspaces.com) is an experiential, interactive arts venue.

Building on the success of annual pop-up shows in San Diego, and its first permanent location in Scottsdale, Arizona, Wonderspaces opened a 24,000 square foot gallery space in Philly a year ago.

Wonderspaces features 14 art installations that all play with the idea of perspective.  The artwork ranges from award-winning virtual reality short film about a dinner party-turned-alien abduction, to a room where visitors digitally paint the walls with the movement of their bodies.

New artworks are rotated in every few months, creating an ever-evolving, year-round show.

Tickets are for entry at a specific date and time. Visitors are welcome to stay as long as they please during operating hours. The average time spent experiencing the show is 90 minutes.

A few installations contain flashing lights, images, and patterns that may trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. All visitors must sign a waiver prior to being admitted into the space. Adult supervision is required for visitors under 16.

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 throughout the winter and offer an eerily entertaining evening of true ghost stories and real haunted houses.

The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia, which is based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Philadelphia, PA.,” 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.

Participants can discover the ghost lore of America’s most historic and most haunted city with stories from the founding of William Penn’s colony to present-day hauntings.

The activity is open year-round – weekends, December-February; every night, March-November. Tickets are $24.

The Ghost Tour of Lancaster and the Ghost Tour of Strasburg are based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Lancaster, PA.”

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 $20.

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 $20.

Grim Philly’s “Dark Philly History Tour” (www.grimphilly.com) will be held every evening throughout the winter.

Participants can walk with tour guides from the grounds of America’s first White House, Congress, and Liberty Bell to homes and sites of Hamilton, Washington, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and more than 10 other Founding-Fathers. The surprising dirt of espionage, murder, sexual license and blackmail highlight the secrets of 1776 with a ghost story or two along the way. This tour is highly researched. And your guide is a historian.

Tickets are $35.

Hope Lodge (553 South Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, 215-343-0965, http://www.ushistory.org/hope/) will be presenting a “Guided Mansion Tour” on May 28.

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.

Elmwood Park Zoo (1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, www.elmwoodparkzoo.org) will also be hosting several of its ultra-popular “Dog Days” over the next week.

The Zoo’s “Dog Days” event will be held on May 26, 28 and 31 from noon-4 p.m. each day.

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.”

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

There4 will also be “Breakfast with the Giraffes” sessions on May 27, 28 and 29 at 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.

Peddler’s Village (Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, peddlersvillage.com) is presenting “Strawberry Month” now through the end of May.

Peddler’s Village is also presenting its “Cupcake Decorating Competition” from May 3-20.

On display for the first two weeks of May, this icing-laced display will include professional and amateur culinary creations in four categories: Traditional, Baker’s Choice, Student, and Kids.

Admission is free to the display which is housed in the Visitor & Event Center (Red Barn, located off Street Road and Peddler’s Lane).

Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com) will be presenting “Elmo’s Springtacular” every weekend now through June 18 – and this weekend, the focus will be on mothers.

“Elmo’s Springtacular” at Sesame Place is filled with furry fun and exciting events – including an exciting line up of meet & greets, music, magic, pirate adventures, and fireworks.

This weekend will feature “Memorial Day Celebration” on May 27 and 28.

The highlight will be the “C… is for Celebrate!” fireworks on May 28 at 9 p.m.

Guests can 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.

Participants can watch Sesame Place paint the sky red (and green and blue) from inside the park.

Kids can take a spin on the rides, catch their favorite Sesame Street shows, and watch the Sesame Street Party Parade.