{"id":22593,"date":"2016-12-30T11:44:28","date_gmt":"2016-12-30T16:44:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=22593"},"modified":"2016-12-30T11:44:35","modified_gmt":"2016-12-30T16:44:35","slug":"what-to-do-ring-in-2017-in-kennett-square","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=22593","title":{"rendered":"What To Do: Ring in 2017 in Kennett Square"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mushroom Drop is just one great local way to celebrate New Years<\/em><\/h2>\n

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Staff Writer, The Times<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The biggest party night of the year is upon us. Saturday night is December 31 \u2013 New Year\u2019s Eve.<\/span><\/p>\n

On New Year\u2019s Eve, Kennett Square will be partying in style at its annual \u201cMidnight in the Square\u201d (downtown Kennett Square, midnightinthesquare.com<\/i><\/span><\/a>).<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Young children and their parents are invited to kick off Kennett Square\u2019s New Year\u2019s Eve celebration at 6 p.m. this year. The event will feature food, activities and live entertainment until 8 p.m. when the \u201craising\u201d and the \u201clighting\u201d of the huge 500-pound stainless steel Mushroom will take place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mushroom Drop Party at the Garage opens at 9 p.m. with a $10 cover fee. Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Funsters\u00a0will perform live music from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. on South Union Street. Later in the evening comes the main event — Kennett Square\u2019s Fourth Annual Mushroom Drop. The brightly-lit massive fungi will start drop at midnight in celebration of the arrival of 2017.<\/span><\/p>\n

For admission, attendees are requested to bring non-perishable food items to support local Kennett Area Community Service Food Cupboard. KACS will have two trucks at the event as well as volunteers to collect your donations.<\/span><\/p>\n

The list of attractions also includes a laser show that starts at 6 p.m. and is presented every hour until midnight and performances by Veronika Petra, Vocals by Kevin, Rose Project, Fred McCarthy <\/b>and dancers from Longwood Performing Arts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Food vendors will be on State Street starting at 6 p.m. with a wide array of tasty food items. The roster of participating vendors includes Kaboburritos, M&M BBQ, Robyn\u2019s Nest Catering, State Street Pizza and Helmut\u2019s Austrian Strudel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many of Kennett Square\u2019s restaurants and shops will be open for Midnight in the Square. <\/b>Some of the participants for in Saturday\u2019s event will be Half Moon, Kennett Brewing Company, Kennett Square Inn, La Maderia Bistro, LaVerona, Lily\u2019s Asian Cuisine, Portabello\u2019s, Longwood Art Gallery, KSI Sales, Mala Galleria, Marche, Salt and Pepper, State and Union, and The Mushroom Cap.<\/span><\/p>\n

Parking is available at Kennett High School and Exelon Way off East Baltimore Pike with free shuttle buses running from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are regulations on open containers in the Borough of Kennett Square.\u00a0Open container laws refer to anything regulating open alcohol containers in public or in vehicles. Adherence to the local laws is mandatory and will be enforced.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The rose drop in Lancaster.<\/p><\/div>\n

There will be another \u201cdrop\u201d on New Year\u2019s Eve in downtown Lancaster.<\/span><\/p>\n

Countdown Lancaster (www.lancasterrec.org<\/b><\/span><\/a>), which runs from 5:15 p.m.-midnight, will take place in Binns Park with the red rose ascending at midnight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other activities at the annual event, which has been around for more than two decades, include live music by Andy Mowatt\u2019s Steely Jam, juggling, sword swallowing, improv theater, live street performers, junkyard drumming, ice skating and dancing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Buttons ($10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-12) are required for admission to activities. On New Year\u2019s Eve, buttons will be $12 for adults. Free for children ages 5 and under. Free bus rides, free noisemakers and $5 parking will be offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

The most famous New Year\u2019s Eve \u201cdrops\u201d are the extravagant Waterford Crystal ball in Times Square in New York City, the peach in Atlanta and the\u00a0orange\u00a0in Miami Beach.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The pickle drop in Dillsburg<\/p><\/div>\n

There are quite a few \u201cdrops\u201d worth checking out that are within a short drive from Chester County including Lebanon Bologna in Lebanon, Marshmallow Peep in Bethlehem, Hershey\u2019s Kiss in Hershey, pickle in Dillsburg, button in Carlisle, Yuengling Beer bottle in Pottsville, strawberry in Harrisburg, Pac-Man in Hanover, white rose in York, anchor in Shippensburg, Bucky the Beaver in Beavertown, lightbulb in Sunbury, wrench in Mechanicsburg, kettle in McClure, coal in Shamokin, sled in Duncannon, and duck decoy in Havre de Grace (Maryland),.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other interesting \u201cdrops\u201d around the country are guitar in Memphis, Tennessee; live possum in Brasstown, North Carolina; \u201cglowtato\u201d (potato) in Boise, Idaho; a walleye fish in Port Clinton, Ohio; wedge of key lime pie in Key West, Florida; doughnut in Hagerstown, Maryland; hog in Fayetteville, Arkansas; olive in Bartlesville, Oklahoma; carp in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; pelican in Pensacola, Florida; bunch of grapes in Temecula, California; chunk of cheese in Plymouth, Wisconsin; watermelon in Vincennes, Indiana; wooden flea in Eastover, North Carolina; pine cone in Flagstaff, Arizona and eight-foot-tall glittering flip flops in Folly Beach, South Carolina.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Fireworks in Philadelphia.<\/p><\/div>\n

Philadelphia doesn\u2019t drop anything on New Year\u2019s Eve. Instead, it sends a massive amount of fireworks into the sky.<\/span><\/p>\n

When evening arrives in the Philadelphia area on New Year\u2019s Eve, it means that it is time for SugarHouse New Year\u2019s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront — a gala pyrotechnics display that explodes over the Delaware River.<\/span><\/p>\n

The fireworks can be viewed from either Penn\u2019s Landing on Delaware Avenue or Wiggins Park on the Camden side of the river. Traditionally, the aerial fireworks extravaganza took place at midnight. This year, there will again be a show at midnight and another fireworks display at 6 p.m. on December 31.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both fireworks displays, which last approximately 15 minutes each, will be launched from a barge in the middle of the Delaware River and will be choreographed to music played through speakers at the Great Plaza at Penn\u2019s Landing and at the riverfront area in Wiggins Park.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 6 p.m. fireworks show will be broadcast live on NBC10 and streamed live on nbc10.com<\/span><\/a>. For the midnight fireworks show, NBC10 will host a Facebook Live event to capture the festivities and fireworks.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, the fireworks show will be streamed live on the following screens — Verifone screens in 1,400 taxis, The Lit Brothers Building, The Kimmel Center, Schmidt\u2019s Commons in Northern Liberties, XFINITY Live!, and The Electric Factory.<\/span><\/p>\n

A popular New Year\u2019s Eve destination along the Delaware River to watch the fireworks is River Rink (Market Street and Delaware Avenue, 215-925-RINK, www.riverrink.com<\/b><\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

The rink will host its \u201c23rd Annual New Year\u2019s Eve Party on Ice\u201d not once but twice \u2013 from 5-8 p.m. and from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. The festive, non-alcoholic party with food, Mummers, party favors and live entertainment costs $40 for skaters and $30 for spectators.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another riverside location to watch the show in the sky is the Independence Seaport Museum (211 S. Columbus Boulevard Philadelphia, 215-413-8655, www.phillyseaport.org<\/b><\/span><\/a>) which will be open from 5-7 p.m. on New Year\u2019s Eve for the 6 p.m. fireworks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Guests can observe the fireworks from the second-floor balcony overlooking the river. The event, which features music and a sparkling cider toast at 6 p.m., is included with regular admission \u2013 adults, $16; children, $12.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The Mummers.<\/p><\/div>\n

New Year\u2019s Day in Philadelphia is all about the Mummers Parade (21-336-3050, www.phillymummers.com) —<\/b><\/span><\/a> a festive celebration featuring string bands, comic units and fancy divisions all strutting their stuff on Broad Street.<\/span><\/p>\n

The event is celebrating its 117th anniversary this year. The parade is always televised but you need to see it live if you want to really appreciate the sights and sounds of the annual extravaganza.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mummers tradition dates back to 400 B.C. and the Roman Festival of Saturnalias when laborers marched in masks throughout the day. Reports of rowdy groups \u201cparading\u201d on New Year\u2019s Day in Philadelphia date back before the revolution.<\/span><\/p>\n

The practice of awarding prizes was initiated in the late 1800\u2019s and the first \u201cofficial\u201d event was held in 1901. The Mummers Parade has grown in size and stature and currently features approximately 15,000 participants.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 2017 Parade will begin at 9 a.m. on PHL17 with the Fancy Division, followed by the Comic Division, Comic Wench Division and then the String Band Division.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mummers have a little bit for everyone. There are more than 10,000 Mummers broken up into five divisions — the Fancies, the Comics, the Wench Brigades, the String bands and the Fancy Brigades.<\/span><\/p>\n

The parade starts with the Fancies. The Comics are next followed by the Wench Brigades, the String Bands and the Fancy Brigades. During the parade, Fancy Brigades join with the string bands along the route. Then, the Fancy Brigades have a show of their own indoors at the Philadelphia Convention Center.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because it is an outdoor event, inclement weather could come into play. The outdoor parade was postponed in 2003, the first time in 13 years. There have been 22 weather-related postponements since 1922. There was no parade in 1919 due to WW1 and in 1934 due to the depression and the lack of prize money.<\/span><\/p>\n

On January 1 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., the Kimmel Center (260 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, 215-790-5800, www.kimmelcenter.org<\/span><\/a>) will welcome the new year with a free indoor \u201c2017 New Year\u2019s Day\u00a0Celebration.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Visitors can warm up indoors while enjoying Philadelphia\u2019s historical Mummers Parade on Broad Street. It features a variety of family-friendly\u00a0performances on the\u00a0Commonwealth\u00a0Plaza\u00a0level.<\/span><\/p>\n

Activity will get underway on January 1 at 10 a.m. with the opening of the \u201cResolution Wall.\u201d Guests can post their 2017 resolutions for all to see from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Children\u2019s events begin at 10:30 a.m. and run until 3:30 p.m. with activities such as ticket giveaways, origami, crafts, a free \u201cHot Chocolate Lounge\u201d with fun mix-in ingredients for children (12 and under) and Grow Up Great jazz for kids featuring Kendrah Butler at 11 a.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

The entertainment schedule features performances by The Glorious Sounds, Karen Smith and Weez the Peoples, Korey Riker, Drew Nugent and The Midnight Society, Steve Pullara & His Cool Beans Band,\u00a0and the Broadway Dreams Foundation. There will also be organ demonstrations every hour on the hour from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in Verizon Hall.<\/span><\/p>\n

Special activities throughout the day include Greater Philadelphia Paper Pholders, face painting, hula hooping, balloon art and roaming jugglers.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a truly unique way to kick off 2017, head south to Middletown, Delaware on New Year\u2019s Day to celebrate town\u2019s annual Hummers Parade (Main Street, Middletown, Delaware, 302-378-7545).<\/span><\/p>\n

Every year on New Year\u2019s Day, Middletown\u2019s Hummers Parade slowly but not very methodically moves down Main Street. The parade, which is intended as a spoof of Philadelphia\u2019s Mummers, is a loosely organized event that welcomes everyone to join in the fun.<\/span><\/p>\n

On January 1, floats and groups will assemble in the parking lot in Middletown. The parade of spoofs is scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m. The parade gathers on South Cass Street in the vicinity of Middletown Environmental Testing, Inc. at 100 South Cass.<\/span><\/p>\n

The parade travels from South Cass to Park Place, to Broad Street. The parade turns left onto Main Street from Broad and left onto South Scott Street, disbanding in the vicinity of South Cass.<\/span><\/p>\n

Participants in the parade arrive around noon to put the floats together. The floats should be put together on site and are spoofs of national and local events. All are welcome to join in the parade. The parade is not sponsored by the Town of Middletown or any specific group.<\/span><\/p>\n

Trophies will be awarded in categories that have yet to be determined. No registration or sign up is required and there are no rules. Actually, there are two basic unwritten rules — taste doesn\u2019t matter and no-one is permitted to work on a float or a costume any earlier than the morning of the event (and, if they do, they must lie and say they didn\u2019t).<\/span><\/p>\n

Delaware also has some New Year\u2019s Day events that are more conventional — and definitely more on the healthy side. Delaware State Parks are celebrating the first day of the New Year with hikes in the park.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Parks around Delaware will host a \u201cFirst State, First Day, First Hike\u201d <\/b>program to celebrate the national movement sponsored by America\u2019s State Parks to have all 50 states offer First Day Hikes. Designed to promote both healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year-round recreation at state parks, all 50 state park systems joined together to sponsor First Day Hikes for the first time in 2012.<\/span><\/p>\n

Participating parks in northern Delaware that are close to Chester County include Alapocas Run (302-577-7020), Auburn Heights (302-256-6321), Bellevue State Park (302-6963), Brandywine Creek State Park (302-5740), and Brandywine Zoo (302-7850).<\/span><\/p>\n

There are New Year\u2019s Eve events in the area that begin long before the evening arrives.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington, Delaware and the Garden State Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill, N.J. offer special family-oriented matinee events to celebrate the start of a new year.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The Please Touch Museum (Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, 215-581-3181, www.pleasetouchmuseum.org<\/b><\/span><\/a>) will again host its traditional \u201cCountdown to Noon\u201d. Kids can ring in the New Year at noon with confetti and noisemakers.<\/span><\/p>\n

After the doors open at 9 a.m., youngsters will be able to party with a wide array of storybook characters at\u00a0Philly\u2019s original \u201cNew Year\u2019s Eve Party for Kids.\u201d Additionally, there will be live music performed from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

To accommodate all its guests, the museum will have a second countdown at 1 p.m. The event will also feature a variety of kids\u2019 activities, dancing and a\u00a0special appearance by King Countdown, the museum\u2019s official Marshal of the New Year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seating for the Countdown in Hamilton Hall is first come, first served. Tickets are $25. Please Touch Museum will close at 3 p.m. following this event.<\/span><\/p>\n

The event in Wilmington, which is officially called \u201cNoon Year\u2019s Eve Celebration at Brandywine Zoo\u201d, is a popular all-ages celebration that runs from 11 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. at the Brandywine Zoo (1001 North Park Drive, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-571-7747, www.brandywinezoo.org<\/b><\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

The mid-day party features a celebration with games, crafts and a countdown to 12 o\u2019clock as noon approaches. And, there will be a sparkling apple cider toast when the clock strikes 12.<\/span><\/p>\n

Admission is $5 and the gates open at 10 a.m. with check-in at the main admission gate. Most festivities will take place outdoors, so visitors are advised to dress for winter weather.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another activity at the zoo on December 31 is billed as \u201cCome Say Farewell to Zhanna.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

From 1-2 p.m., visitors are invited to come say goodbye and offer best wishes to Zhanna as her life journey takes her to New York.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Brandywine Zoo’s Amur tiger, Zhanna, is scheduled to be transferred to the Wildlife Conservation Society\u2019s Bronx Zoo in New York early in January 2017. The relocation is prompted by the Association of Zoos and Aquarium\u2019s Species Survival Plan<\/span><\/a> — a robust and scientific endeavor to manage the genetic diversity of captive species. Zhanna\u2019s genetic profile and age make her a good candidate for breeding — and for transfer to a zoo with a successful tiger breeding program.<\/span><\/p>\n

Amur tigers are an endangered species, with fewer than 500 living in small populations in far eastern Russia and northeast China. The tigers are losing their habitat due to logging activities, human encroachment and poaching. The AZA supports habitat protection and anti-poaching programs and at the same time, also supports careful matching of breeding pairs in captivity within the AZA accredited facilities. Zhanna was born at the St. Louis Zoo and she is one of only 300 tigers in zoos accredited by the AZA.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The Garden State Discovery Museum (2040 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, 856-424-1233, www.discoverymuseum.com<\/b><\/span><\/a>) is presenting a special program called \u201cNew Years at Noon\u201d during the day on December 31.<\/span><\/p>\n

Guests are invited to be the first to ring in the New Year — kids\u2019 style. The entire Museum will be alive with singing and dancing and counting down to 2015. As an added attraction, the countdown celebrations will be held at noon and again at 3 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Admission to the Garden State Discovery Museum is $13.95 for adults and children 12 months and over and $12.95 for seniors.<\/span><\/p>\n

On December 30, the Delaware Museum of Natural History (4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-9111, www.delmnh.org<\/b><\/span><\/a>) presents the final installment of \u201cDiscovery Days: Extreme Habitats.\u201d The event, which is scheduled to run from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each day, features activities highlighting some of the planet\u2019s extreme habitats.<\/span><\/p>\n

Activities\u00a0include themed children\u2019s movies, scavenger hunts, food trucks and more,\u00a0ending with an early New Year\u2019s Eve celebration at a time perfect for families.<\/span><\/p>\n

December 30 is \u201cFrozen Friday\u201d with Outlandish food truck, Mr. Mike\u2019s Dinorific Poetry and the movie \u201cFrozen\u201d — with an appearance by the princesses themselves, Anna and Elsa. The event will end with an early New Year\u2019s celebration at 3:30 p.m. featuring music, a snowball drop and countdown to 2017.<\/span><\/p>\n

Discovery Days is a special event\u00a0with specific admission prices — $9 for adults, seniors and children and free for children under three.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Ephrata Cloister (632 West Main Street, Ephrata, 717-733-6600, www.ephratacloister.org<\/b><\/span><\/a>) is hosting the final evening of its annual \u201cLantern Tours\u201d on December 30.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Ephrata Cloister or Ephrata Community was a religious community, established in 1732 by Johann Conrad Beissel at Ephrata. The grounds of the community are now administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.<\/span><\/p>\n

The tours take guests back in time to visit the Cloister as it may have appeared in the 1700s. Each year\u2019s story offers a cast of junior and senior high school students playing the roles that bring history to life. A different story is presented each year.<\/span><\/p>\n

This year\u2019s tours will lead visitors through four of the historic buildings on site as the story unfolds to offer differing views of Conrad Beissel.\u00a0Refreshments and a chance for conversation will end the evening.\u00a0 Each of the one-hour tours is limited in attendance, and begins each half-hour starting at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors (65 and older) and youth (ages 6-11) and $5 for children (ages 3-5).<\/span><\/p>\n

Another popular annual holiday event in Lancaster County is Yuletide at Wheatland (President James Buchanan\u2019s Wheatland, 1120 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, 717-392-4633, http:\/\/www.lancasterhistory.org\/events\/yuletide-at-wheatland<\/b><\/span><\/a>). The event concludes on December 30.<\/span><\/p>\n

Visitors are invited to join LancasterHistory.org<\/span><\/a> for a historical performance that captures a moment in time and takes them back to the holiday of 1867 when President James Buchanan celebrated the holidays with friends and family at his beloved Wheatland.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children (ages 6-13) and free for children (5 and under).<\/span><\/p>\n

Another Lancaster County attraction is \u201cMagic Lantern Show: A Victorian Christmas,\u201d which is running through December 31 at the Amish Experience Theater at Plain & Fancy Farm (3121 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, 717-768-8400, http:\/\/amishexperience.com\/magic-lantern-shows\/christmas-show<\/b><\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Visitors are taken back in time and become part of a Victorian family\u2019s traditional Christmas Eve celebration. The presentation includes sing-alongs and a narrator delivering iconic stories and poems like \u201cThe Night Before Christmas\u201d and \u201cA Christmas Carol\u201d with stunning visual images, heartfelt music and legendary storytelling.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tickets are $16.95 for adults and $11.95 for children (ages 4-12).<\/span><\/p>\n

The American Music Theatre (2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, 800-0 648-4102, www.AMTshows.com<\/span><\/a>) wraps up its holiday show on December 30.<\/span><\/p>\n

The AMT\u2019s 2016 show \u201cWinter Wonderland\u201d 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Show length is two hours and 15 minutes with a short intermission. Tickets are $42.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Wilmington & Western Railroad (2201 Newport Gap Pike, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-998-193, www.wwrr.com<\/b><\/span><\/a>) will run its special \u201cHoliday Night Express Trains\u201d for the final time of its 2016 season on December 30.<\/span><\/p>\n

Guests can enjoy a peaceful evening ride in the railroad\u2019s 1929 Doodlebug rail car. Tickets for these trains are $12 for adults, $11 for senior citizens and $10 for children.<\/span><\/p>\n

The New Hope & Ivyland Railroad (32 Bridge Street, New Hope, 215-862-2332, www.newhoperailroad.com<\/b><\/span><\/a>) is operating its \u201cNorth Pole Express\u201d now through December 31. Tickets are $48.95 for adults, $46.95 for children (ages 2-11) and $14.95 for toddlers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Passengers can ride the rails with Santa, Mrs. Claus and a group of holiday revelers. Children and adults of all ages can sip hot cocoa and enjoy cookies while Santa visits with each child and presents them with a special gift. Local musicians will be on board to play and sing Christmas carols. Additionally, children are encouraged to come dressed in the pajamas.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most elaborate model train layouts in the Delaware Valley can be found at the Morris Arboretum (100 Northwestern Avenue, Chestnut Hill, 215-247-5777, www.business-services.upenn.edu\/arboretum\/index.html<\/b><\/span><\/a>). The popular Garden Railway Display that has become a summer fixture at The Gardens at Morris Arboretum returns again for a special holiday display.<\/span><\/p>\n

The display, which is open to the public now through December 31 in the winter garden of the Morris Arboretum, 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Admission to the Morris Arboretum is $17 for adults, $15 for seniors (65 and older) and $9 for students and military.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA Brandywine Christmas\u201d is running now through January 8 at the Brandywine River Museum (Route 1, Chadds Ford 610-388-2700, www.brandywinemuseum.org<\/b><\/span><\/a>). The attraction features an extensive O-gauge model.\u00a0Five moving trains operate at all times and include a 60-car freight train winding past a village, stone quarry, oil refinery, mountains, Herr Foods plant, running waterfall and animated skating<\/span><\/p>\n

Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org<\/b><\/span><\/a>) is in full holiday mode with its annual presentation of \u201cA Longwood Gardens Christmas\u201d \u2013 an event that also features model trains.<\/span><\/p>\n

Visitors to \u201cA Longwood Gardens Christmas\u201d can check out Longwood\u2019s Garden Railway — a whimsical display set into motion with G-scale model trains. This is the 15th year that the railway has delighted visitors with special water features and custom trains traveling in and out of bridges and tunnels.<\/span><\/p>\n

The festive holiday display at Longwood Gardens, which is continuing through January 8, features spectacular lights, lavish decorations, holiday music and colorful displays featuring thousands of brilliant poinsettias, brightly-decorated trees and fragrant flowers — all inside the heated Conservatory.<\/span><\/p>\n

Admission to Longwood Gardens is $23 (non-peak), $30 (peak) for adults, $20\/$27 for seniors (ages 62 and older) and $12\/$16 for students (ages 5-18).<\/span><\/p>\n

Visitors are invited to experience the magic of the holidays at the Franklin Square Holiday Festival (Franklin Square, Sixth and Race streets, Philadelphia, www.historicphiladelphia.org<\/span><\/a>). Now through December 31, there will be an amazing display of lights at the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show.<\/span><\/p>\n

Inspired by Benjamin Franklin\u2019s electrifying genius, the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show features more than 50,000 lights that shimmer, dance, and illuminate the Square to a soundtrack of holiday classics performed by\u00a0The Philly POPS in two alternating shows every 30 minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

The festival will also offer comfort food, authentic German beers, and hot beverages at Ben’s Bites & Brews and gift shopping at the Holiday Market.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYuletide at Winterthur,\u201d which is now in its 38th season, is running through January 8 at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (Route 52, Wilmington, Delaware,800-448-3883, www.winterthur.org<\/b><\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

With the arrival of\u00a0the\u00a0extraordinary dollhouse recently gifted to Winterthur by the McDaniel family, Yuletide at Winterthur 2016 will highlight the holidays through a child\u2019s eyes in the 19th and 20th centuries and feature the exquisite house-in-miniature as\u00a0a central attraction. The 18-room house is fully decorated with wreaths, candles, trees, and more miniature delights.<\/span><\/p>\n

In celebration of the house\u2019s debut, Yuletide at Winterthur will highlight the holidays as experienced by children from 1850-1950 and feature museum room displays that include Winterthur\u2019s own collections of miniature objects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Timed Yuletide Tour reservations are required. Admission to Yuletide at Winterthur is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors (age 62 and older) and $2 for children (ages 2-11).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHolidays at Hagley,\u201d a popular Brandywine Valley exhibit that is included with regular admission, is running now through January 1 at Hagley Museum and Library (Route 141, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, www.hagley.org<\/b><\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

This year\u2019s edition of \u201cHolidays at Hagley\u201d features tours of Eleutherian Mills, which is the first du Pont family home built in America. The tours, which will be presented each day from 10a.m.-4:30 p.m., feature decorations in a combination of styles from both the 19th and 20th centuries.<\/span><\/p>\n

The theme this year at Eleutherian Mills residence is \u201cA Child\u2019s Delight.\u201d Toys, games, and dolls are the decorative theme in the annual \u201cHolidays at Hagley\u201d exhibition at Eleutherian Mills. \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Admission is $14 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and $5 for children (ages 6-14).<\/span><\/p>\n

Nemours Mansion & Gardens (Route 141 South, Alapocas Drive, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-651-6912, www.nemoursmansion.org<\/b><\/span><\/a>) is welcoming visitors for the Christmas holidays with special holiday-themed tours. The three-hour tours are held Tuesdays through Sundays and run now through January 3.<\/span><\/p>\n

Originally constructed in 1910, Nemours Mansion is one of Delaware\u2019s grandest buildings and includes the largest formal French garden in North America.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the holiday period, the guided tours will include several stories of the house and part of the gardens. Many of the rooms featured in the tour will be decorated as they would have been when DuPont resided there in the early 1900s while some will retain their traditional period decorations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tickets for the tour at Nemours are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $7 for children (under 16).<\/span><\/p>\n

The Historic Odessa Foundation\u2019s 2016 Christmas Holiday Tour will be presented now through December 31 in Odessa\u2019s historic district (Main Street, Odessa, Delaware, 302-378-4119, www.historicodessa.org<\/b><\/span><\/a>). The Historic Houses of Odessa\u2019s National Historic Register Wilson-Warner House has been transformed into vignettes inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann\u2019s \u201cThe Nutcracker and The Mouse King.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Historic Odessa will celebrate the bicentennial of this classic tale as the National Historic Register Wilson-Warner House is transformed into the home of the Stahlbaums on Christmas Eve. There will also be story vignettes beautifully recreated throughout the 247-year old Wilson-Warner\u2019s period rooms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another popular attraction is the \u201cStorybook Trees Exhibit,\u201d which is a festive display of Christmas trees that reflect books and works of children\u2019s literature. The trees have been decorated by local families, schools and organizations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Admission to the Historic Odessa Foundation holiday tour is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and students and free for children (under 6).<\/span><\/p>\n

Pennypacker Mills (3 Haldeman Road, Perkiomenville, 610- 287-9349, www.historicsites.montcopa.org<\/b><\/span><\/a>) is hosting \u201cVictorian Holiday Tours\u201d now through January 8 while \u201cTwelfth Night Tours at Pottsgrove Manor\u201d (100 West King Street, Pottstown, 610-326-4014, www.historicsites.montcopa.org<\/b><\/span><\/a>) are running now until January 8.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pennypacker Mills will offer free tours of the 18-century mansion used by General George Washington as temporary headquarters during the Revolutionary War. The home will be decorated for an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas and will feature the warm glow of oil lamps, festive decorations and a candy-making demonstration.<\/span><\/p>\n

The event at Pottsgrove Manor features guided tours through an elegant 18th-century Georgian mansion that is decked out in period holiday decorations. Tour guides will discuss Twelfth Night celebrations and Christmastide traditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Visitors will be able to view the parlor and kitchen as it would have been during colonial times when the Potts family prepared for their holiday guests. They will also be able to check out the servants\u2019 quarters and see the rustic holiday celebrations as enjoyed by the household staff.<\/span><\/p>\n

Koziar\u2019s Christmas Village (782 Christmas Village Road, Bernville, 610-488-1110, www.koziarschristmasvillage.com<\/b><\/span><\/a>) has started its 68th annual season and it will remain open every night through January 2 — including Christmas Eve, Christmas Night, New Year\u2019s Eve and New Year\u2019s Night.<\/span><\/p>\n

The village is a visual wonderland with a large amount of holiday displays and special attractions including \u201cSanta\u2019s Post Office,\u201d \u201cChristmas in the Jungle,\u201d \u201cToy Maker and his Toy Shop\u201d and \u201cChristmas in Other Lands. Other attractions are a huge model train display, a toy shop, a country kitchen, indoor and outdoor Christmas displays. Admission to Christmas Village is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors (65 and older) and $8 for children (ages 4-10).<\/span><\/p>\n

Now through January 1, \u201cA Very Furry Christmas\u201d will be presented by Sesame Place (100 Sesame Place, Langhorne, 215-752-7070, www.sesameplace.com<\/span><\/a>). The event is a one-of-a-kind family-friendly celebration with everyone\u2019s favorite furry friends — Grover, Oscar and the rest of the gang from Sesame Street. Admission is $27 online and $32 at the gate.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cChristmas Candylane,\u201d which is the annual holiday event at Hersheypark (100 West Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, 800-HERSHEY, www.hersheypark.com<\/b><\/span><\/a>), is running now through December 31. Tickets are $19 per person. Children age two and under are admitted free.<\/span><\/p>\n

Visitors to Hershey can also experience the winter wonderland called \u201cHershey Sweet Lights, A Holiday Drive-Thru Spectacular.\u201d The attraction is a two-mile drive through wooded trails featuring approximately 600 illuminated, animated displays.<\/span><\/p>\n

Admission is $24.15 on Fridays and Saturdays and $19.15 the rest of the week,<\/span><\/p>\n

Dutch Wonderland\u00a0Family Amusement Park (2249 Route 30 East, Lancaster, 866-386-2389, www.dutchwonderland.com<\/b><\/span><\/a>) is hosting its \u201cDutch Winter Wonderland\u201d through December 30 on Saturdays, Sundays and select weekdays.<\/span><\/p>\n

Visitors are invited to celebrate the magic of the season at Dutch Winter Wonderland with rides, entertainment, and the Royal Light Show, a spectacular display of thousands of twinkling lights dancing to music.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tickets are $11.99 in advance and $13.99 at the gate. Children age two and under are admitted free.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mushroom Drop is just one great local way to celebrate New Years By Denny Dyroff,\u00a0Staff Writer, The Times The biggest party night of the year is upon us. Saturday night is December 31 \u2013 New Year\u2019s Eve. On New Year\u2019s Eve, Kennett Square will be partying in style at its annual \u201cMidnight in the Square\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22595,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[4679,6518,8369,4226,5682,3757,557],"class_list":["post-22593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-celebration","tag-featured","tag-kennett-square-mushroom-drop","tag-lancaster","tag-mummers","tag-new-years-eve","tag-philadelphia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22593"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22593\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22594,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22593\/revisions\/22594"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22595"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}