By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Downingtown Good Neighbor Day
This is Fourth of July weekend and that means it is time for parties, festivals, picnics and a lot of fireworks displays.
The 45th Annual Downingtown Good Neighbor Day (www.GoodNeighborDay.com) will be held on July 4 at Kerr Park in Downingtown from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Activities will get underway with a “Prayer and Flag Ceremony” at 8 a.m. and then it will be time for the races.
The 44th Annual Run for Life (5K, 10K & 15K) and the 27th Annual 5K Freedom Walk are scheduled for 8 a.m. while the 26th Annual Kids-K Fun Run starts at 10 a.m.
The large array of crafts, food and vendors’ booths will open at 8 a.m. Carnival rides, amusement games and festival food will be available from 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Other activities scheduled for the pre-noon hours are the Canoe Race at 10 a.m. and the Annual Bicycle Decorating Contest at 10:30 a.m. At 12:30 p.m., it will be time for the Annual Mighty Duck Race and live music.
The Cornhole Madness Tournament will start at 2 p.m. and the Downingtown’s Got Talent event is scheduled for 6 p.m. The finale will be a fireworks display at 9 p.m.
Tredyffrin Township Fireworks (www.tredyffrin.org/services/parks-recreation/community-events-/fourth-of-july-celebration) are scheduled for July 4 at 7 p.m.The free, all-ages event will be held at Wilson Farm Park, which is located at 500 Lee Road in Wayne.
Families can gather to celebrate the Fourth of July at Wilson Farm Park starting with music by the Just For Fun DJ Joe Griffith. The fireworks display begins at dusk.
It is important to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Picnic dinners and lawn games can be brought along as well.
The Museum of the American Revolution (101 South Third Street, Philadelphia, www.amrevmuseum.org) is presenting “Living History Demonstrations — First Oval Office Project at the United States Military Academy on July 4 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
As part of Independence Day celebrations at West Point, the staff will set up its First Oval Office Project, a handsewn, full-scale replica of General George Washington’s sleeping marquee that served as his mobile headquarters while on campaign.
Visitors can explore the tent and meet costumed living history interpreters portraying the people who would have been with Washington in the Hudson Highlands during the Revolutionary War.
Washington’s original sleeping and office tent from the Revolutionary War is on permanent display at the Museum of the American Revolution.
Admission to the museum is $21 for adults, $19 for seniors and $13 for youth (ages 6-17).
Penns Woods Winery (124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, http://www.pennswoodswinery.com) is presenting a “4th of July @ The Vineyard!” from July 4-6.
The winery will open at 11 a.m. each day and have matinee performances of live music.
On July 4, there will be live music by Ryan Laliberte from 2-5 p.m.
July 5’s concert will feature Adam McCue from 2-5 p.m. On July 6, Ashley Sweetman will perform from 1-4 p.m.
Wine will be available by the glass or bottle for enjoying (no tastings).
Visitors are welcome to pack a picnic and bring their children and well-behaved leashed pets. Lawn seating is entirely weather dependent.
On July 5 and 6, Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, http://www.chaddsford.com) is presenting “Red, White & BBQ.”
The winery is celebrating Independence Day with delicious BBQ from local food trucks, live music, and a pre-release.
Visitors can keep cool through the weekend with the featured drinks — Watermelon Lemonade Cocktail featuring Rosé and Bluebird Distilling Vodka and frozen Wine Slushies (Rotating Flavors).
Admission is free with walk-in seating only. Wine is available by the glass only. Bottles are available for to-go sales.
On July 4, Paradocx Vineyard (1833 Flint Hill Rd, Landenberg, paradocx.com) is presenting “Red, Wine & Blue — Fourth of July at Paradocx” from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
There will be a free concert featuring October Oak from 1-4 p.m.
As an added attraction, Hangry Bear will be at the winery serving ice cream from 12:30-4 p.m.
The event features Award Winning Wine, Delicious Food and Wine Slushies.
The Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation at Ridley Creek State Park (3900 North Sandy Flash Drive, Newtown Square, http://www.colonialplantation.org/) gets into the spirit of the holiday with “Road to Revolution” on July 4 and “4th of July Celebration” on July 5.
At “Road to Revolution,” visitors can experience how farm families lived and worked during a transformative time in history and how a working farm played a vital role in the struggle for independence and the shaping of a new nation.
Ongoing activities include candle dipping, hearth cooking, textiles, quill writing, garden, and more.
Last admission is at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 4-12. Children under 4 and members are free.
At “4th of July Celebration,” visitors can discover the roots of Revolution on a colonial farm as you step into the tension of 1776 where Patriots, Loyalists, and Quakers debate the future of the colonies and the true loyalty of the farm. Join public demonstrations against the king, experience a debate among neighbors, listen to a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and show your loyalty by signing the Declaration.
Hands-on activities throughout the day include hearth cooking, quill writing, candle dipping, garden, textiles, and more.
“Pratt Run Tea Party” will run from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and there will be a “Militia Muster” at 1:30 p.m.
Last admission is at 2 p.m. Tickets are $14 for Adults, $10 Children, and $7 Members. Visitors are welcome to bring a lawn/folding chair and water bottles.
Fort Mifflin (Fort Mifflin and Hog Island roads, Philadelphia, 215-685-4167, www.fortmifflin.us) is presenting “The 4th at The Fort” starting at 10 a.m. on July 4.
Fort Mifflin is inviting visitors to “celebrate American Independence at the ‘Fort That Saved America.’”
Visitors can celebrate American Independence at an intact Revolutionary War battlefield.
They will be able to learn the story of the greatest bombardment of the American Revolution during guided tours and enjoy musket and cannon demonstrations and Revolutionary War Soldier Life display along with many living history activities, Patriots vs Loyalists games and contests.
Admission is $14 for adults, $10 for students and $8 for seniors.
On July 4, there will be “Free Deck Tours” of the Kalmar Nyckel at 1124 East 7th Street in Wilmington (kalmarnyckel.org).
The free tours will be offered from noon-4 p.m.
In addition to tours of the Kalmar Nyckel, there will be free tours of the Kalmar Nyckel Maritime Center, Outdoor Adventure Course, and Fort Christina Park.
On July 4, the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Frawley Stadium, 801 Shipyard Drive, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-888-2015, http://www.milb.com) will play the Jersey Shore Blue Claws and then present a fireworks extravaganza after each game.
Game time is 5:05 p.m.
July 5 will be “Military Appreciation Night” with a Military Appreciation Camo Cap giveaway.
The game on July 6 will feature “Puerto Rican Cultural Celebration,” “Sunday Family Fun Day” and “Post-Game Kids Run the Bases.”
An “Independence Day Weekend Fireworks Extravaganza” is slated for July 4 and again on July 5 starting at 6:45 p.m. at Clipper Magazine Stadium (650 North Prince Street, Lancaster, https://www.lancasterstormers.com) when the Lancaster Stormers play the Charleston Dirty Birds.
Guests can enjoy a fireworks display at Clipper Magazine Stadium. There will be craft beer served at the Broken Bat, food, lawn games, Tennis Ball Toss presented by PA Lottery and the kids park will be open.
The 2025 “Pottstown GoFourth!” (Downtown Pottstown, www.pottstowngofourth.com) will be held July 4 starting with the Rotary Club of Pottstown Parade on High Street at 10:15 a.m.
Parade participants will include the Pottstown Rotary Club’s 16-foot-high inflated yellow duck, veterans’ groups, local organizations, bands, musicians, performers – and fire trucks.
The “Pottstown GoFourth! Street Fest” will take place on High Street from Charlotte to York streets in the heart of downtown Pottstown. The festival will feature local restaurants, brew pubs and beer gardens, live music, kids’ activities, vendors and artisans.
At 9:30 p.m., there will be a spectacular fireworks show at Memorial Park, sponsored by Precision Polymer Products.
Hagley Museum and Library (Buck Road East entrance via Route 100, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, www.hagley.org) is celebrating the Fourth of July holiday with “Cannon Firings” on July 4.
Visitors can have a blast during their visit to Hagley with a demonstration of the site’s signal cannon. The cannon may look small, but it really packs a punch.
Demonstrations take place at 1, 2, and 3 p.m.
Additional “Cannon Firings” will be staged on July 5, 6 and 7.
Admission to Hagley is: $20, Adults; $16, Seniors (62+) and Students; and $10, Children 6-14.
The Northern Central Railway (2 West Main Street, New Freedom, www.northerncentralrailway.com) is running its “$17.76 Special” on July 5.
It’s “All Aboard” at the special price of just $17.76 for the train ride to Seitzland on the historic PRR GP diesel locomotive.
The ride follows the route of the original Northern Central Railroad through the scenic Heritage Rail Trail County Park. This excursion is a one-hour round trip ride.
Tickets are $17.76 (age 13+) and $10 Child (age 2-12).
Peddler’s Village (Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, 215-794-4000, www.peddlersvillage.com) is presenting a “Red, White & Blueberries BBQ Bash” on July 4.
On this special day, Peddler’s Village will be serving up all-American grilled favorites and featuring family entertainment, and kids’ activities.
Other activities include “Three-Legged Race,” “Sack Races,” “Balloon Toss” and a “Watermelon Eating Contest.”
Guests can stroll the Village and check out the exquisite sand sculptures, which are part of the site’s “Stories in the Sand.”
Elmwood Park Zoo (1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, www.elmwoodparkzoo.org) will feature free admission on July 4.
The Zoo’s Independence Day celebration features live music, rare animal guests, special appearances by historical impersonators, and more.
The Zoo will be open extended hours until 8 p.m.
The animal exhibits, including Trail of the Jaguar, Habitat HQ and Harmony Hideaway, close at 5 p.m. The exhibits in the Wetlands area – Alligator, River Otter, Porcupine, and more – will also close at 5 p.m.
Animals with indoor access, including Giraffe, Zebra, Bison, Red Panda, and Elk, will be shifted inside at 5 p.m. The Zoo’s Welcome Center and its exhibits inside will remain open until 8 p.m.
Aston Township (3270 Concord Road, Aston, astontownship.net) invites everyone join in on the Fourth of July for live music, food trucks and fireworks.
The free event will feature The Big House Band at its brand-new amphitheater, located in the rear of the Community Center. This portion of our celebration will begin at 5 p.m., with the band beginning at 7 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m., just in time for the annual fireworks display which will begin around 9:30 p.m. at Sun Valley High School.
Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com) is hosting “Sweet Treats and Fireworks” on July 4.
Visitors can celebrate America’s birthday with everyone’s favorite furry friends – and visit Elmo dressed in his red, white, and blue attire for a patriotic photo.
With the Fourth of July Fireworks, “C… is for Celebrate!”
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.
Ticket prices for Sesame Place start at $42.99.
There will also be fireworks displays on July 4 in Phoenixville, Upper Merion, Wilmington, Narberth, Lititz, Hockessin (DE), Parkesburg, Clifton Heights, Audubon (NJ) and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
