{"id":42555,"date":"2024-03-08T09:29:02","date_gmt":"2024-03-08T14:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=42555"},"modified":"2024-03-08T09:29:04","modified_gmt":"2024-03-08T14:29:04","slug":"what-to-do-philadelphia-flower-show-in-full-bloom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=42555","title":{"rendered":"What To Do: Philadelphia Flower Show in full bloom"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

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Philadelphia Flower Show<\/p><\/div>\n

There is no need for anyone around here to suffer from winter doldrums. The entertainment\/activity schedule features many attractive events in a variety of genres including the final weekend of the Philadelphia Flower Show, Charter Day celebrations, St. Patrick\u2019s Day parades and an array of family-friendly expos.<\/p>\n

There already have been crocus and daffodil sightings in local outdoor gardens. But if you\u2019re in the mood for lots of flowers, all you need do is make a visit to this year\u2019s Philadelphia Flower Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (12th and Arch streets, Philadelphia, 215-988-8899,\u00a0phsonline.org\/the-flower-show<\/a>)\u00a0which runs through March 12.<\/p>\n

The PHS (Philadelphia Horticultural Society) Philadelphia Flower Show is the nation\u2019s largest and longest-running horticultural event and features stunning displays by the world\u2019s premier floral and landscape designers. Started in 1829, the Show introduces diverse plant varieties and sustainable garden and design concepts.<\/p>\n

Usually, when events have to be moved, they move indoors because of inclement weather. In 2021 and 2022, the Philadelphia Flower Show had to move \u2013 outdoors because of COVID restraints.<\/p>\n

Held indoors once again after two years in FDR Park, the\u00a0Philadelphia Flower Show\u00a0returns to the Pennsylvania Convention Center with the theme \u201cUnited by Flowers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Visitors can expect breathtaking displays by the world\u2019s premier floral and landscape designers, as well as musical performances from a slate of hand-picked artists.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s event also features some of the largest gardens in its history, with floral scapes that range in size from 2,200 to 2,900 square feet.<\/p>\n

The show, which is presented every year by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and celebrates its 194th anniversary in 20233, treats visitors to a spectacle of floral displays in every size, style and shape imaginable.<\/p>\n

The show will feature 10 acres of exhibition halls with floral displays and vendors and provide visitors with all new interactive experiences. This inviting part of the show will feature garden trends, chats with experts, and hands-on learning sessions for gardeners to become even greener.<\/p>\n

Guests are encouraged to enhance their Flower Show visit each day with other popular experiences, including Flower Show Guided Tours in the early morning. The Flower Show also features an exciting competition that brings together thousands of plant lovers who compete in hundreds of categories.<\/p>\n

The show\u2019s biggest attraction each year is the massive \u201cMarketplace\u201d featuring over 150 vendors from all over America and several European nations. They will be selling flowers, orchids, floral-inspired furniture, sheds, artwork and unique garden-related crafts and supplies.<\/p>\n

Throughout the week, hundreds of gardening experts will provide learning opportunities in the Lecture Series.<\/p>\n

Be prepared for large crowds during the weekend hours. If you want a more leisurely visit, plan to visit the show during the week. Also, take public transportation if possible. Vehicular traffic in the area is frequently a nightmare and parking lots tend to fill up early even though they are charging exorbitant fees.<\/p>\n

Tickets for the Philadelphia Flower Show start at $29.99.<\/p>\n

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (300 Gap Road, Ronks, 717-687-8628, www.rrmuseumpa.org<\/a>), has a special event this weekend that is both fun and educational — \u201cReading on The Rails.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReading on The Rails,\u201d which will be held on March 9, is geared for youngsters. Kids pick up their very own cardboard suitcase and use it to travel from story to story. They can collect a sticker after each story and create their own suitcase design with stickers, crayons, sparkles and other trimmings. As an added attraction they will receive a little gift to put inside their suitcase (while supplies last).<\/p>\n

Stories will take place at 10:30, 11:15 and 11:45 a.m. and 1:15, 2, and 2:30 p.m. among the historic trains in Rolling Stock Hall.<\/p>\n

Some of the featured readers will be Kristin Fernitz (Director, Strasburg Heisler Library), Patrick Morrison (Director of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania) and Juliette O\u2019Connor (educator at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania).<\/p>\n

Tickets are $10 for adults\u00a0(ages 12-64), $9 for Seniors\u00a0(65+), $8 for Youth (ages 3-11) and free for Children (ages 2 and under).<\/p>\n

The venue will celebrate the 343rd birthday of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with free admission to the Museum. The Charter Day special is scheduled for March 10.<\/p>\n

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Brandywine Battlefield Park<\/p><\/div>\n

The Brandywine Battlefield Park will open for its 2024 season just in time to celebrate Charter Day on March 10.<\/p>\n

The park\u2019s website offered this invitation — Join us for our annual kickoff to the season — Charter Day — where we celebrate Pennsylvania\u2019s 343rd birthday with free admission. Visit and learn about William Penn\u2019s Charter for Pennsylvania with historical interpreters, demonstrations, and more!<\/p>\n

The free event will run from noon-3 p.m. on March 10,<\/p>\n

Pennsbury Manor (400 Pennsbury Memorial Road, Morrisville, 215-946-0400, www.pennsburymanor.org<\/a>) is celebrating Charter Day on March 10 from 1-4 p.m.<\/p>\n

The free program at Pennsbury Manor includes exhibits, Living Theater presentations, blacksmithing, beer brewing, joinery, hearth cooking, and more. A wonderful display of 17th-century foods will be offered by the cooks, who will be on hand to explain the process of open-hearth cooking.<\/p>\n

St Patrick’s Day is approaching so break out the green and get ready to party.<\/p>\n

Even though next weekend (March 17) is officially St. Patrick\u2019s Day, this weekend also features some St. Patty\u2019s Day celebrations.<\/p>\n

There are a pair of local St. Patrick\u2019s Day Parades scheduled for this weekend \u2013 Philadelphia and Wilmington.<\/p>\n

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Philadelphia St. Patrick\u2019s Day Parade<\/p><\/div>\n

Dating back to 1771, the Philadelphia St. Patrick\u2019s Day Parade (www.philadelphiastpatsparade.com<\/a>) is one of the city\u2019s longest-running traditional events. It is also one of the oldest parades of any kind in the nation.<\/p>\n

It will be held on March 10 from 11:15 a.m.-3 p.m.<\/p>\n

A procession of drummers, dancers, various performers and Irish bands will move down JFK Boulevard alongside floats decorated in honor of St. Patrick, Ireland\u2019s patron saint.<\/p>\n

The parade will begin at 16th Street and JFK Boulevard.\u00a0 The highly entertaining annual event is free for spectators.<\/p>\n

Prior to the parade, Saint Patrick\u2019s Church (20th and Locust streets) will celebrate with a \u201cCommemorative Parade Mass.\u201d The Mass will begin at 9:15 a.m.\u00a0Prior to the Mass, at 9:00 AM, the Procession of the Grand Marshal\u00a0and the Board Members will be led by the Emerald Society Pipe Band.<\/p>\n

There is a local connection to this year\u2019s parade in Philly.<\/p>\n

The Parade Mass celebrated by Archbishop Nelson Perez and Chaplain Father Kevin Gallagher, procession led by Joe Tobin and the Philadelphia Emerald Society Pipe band, Bishop Shanahan High School Choir and Cantor Karen Boyce McCollum.<\/p>\n

One of the best events is the ICCD (Irish Culture Club of Delaware) St. Patrick\u2019s Day Parade in Wilmington.<\/p>\n

Traditionally, the parade is on the Saturday before St. Patrick\u2019s Day, unless the holiday falls on a Saturday. Then it’s staged the weekend before.<\/p>\n

Even though St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Sunday this year,\u00a0the annual parade\u00a0down King Street will not be held the day before. Bucking tradition, it will be held this Saturday \u2013 March 9.<\/p>\n

As always, the parade starts at noon at Fourth and King streets and ends at St. Patrick\u2019s Church at the intersection of 14th Street and King Street.<\/p>\n

The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Avenue, Oaks, phillyexpocenter.com<\/a>) is presenting two very different events this weekend.<\/p>\n

Some of the Philadelphia Eagles\u2019 standouts from the Super Bowl LII season along with the club\u2019s legendary coach Dick Vermeil will be autograph guests this weekend\u2019s Philadelphia Sportscard & Memorabilia Show, which is running from March 8-10 at the Greater Expo Center.<\/p>\n

The show will feature dealers from all over the country who will be selling a wide array of sports-related items such as game-used equipment, autographed balls, posters, magazine, game programs and autographed pictures \u2013 and plenty of Philadelphia sports memorabilia. Visitors can also find a huge selection of collectors\u2019 supplies including protective sheets, binders, ball protectors and display cases.<\/p>\n

Another major focus of the show will be trading cards \u2014 especially baseball cards. Show attendees will be able to find everything from ultra-rare vintage Honus Wagner and Babe Ruth cards to the latest releases. All sports will be represented, including football, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, wrestling, Olympics and UFC.<\/p>\n

Show hours are 3-8 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Admission to the show is $10 on Friday and $15 on Saturday and Sunday. Children (10-and-under) are admitted free with a paying adult.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a pet owner or just a lover of pets in general, there\u2019s an event for you this weekend at the\u00a0Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. From March 8-10, the huge convention hall is hosting the Greater Philadelphia Pet Expo.<\/p>\n

The Expo features a huge number of vendors offering virtually everything pet-related including pet food, supplies, training, pet hospital information, treats and lodging. There will also be booths operated by humane groups and rescue services.<\/p>\n

The line-up of special attractions includes \u201cRabbit Hopping,\u201d \u201cFletcher the Highland Cow,\u201d \u201cLuring 101,\u201d \u201cParties by Parrots,\u201d \u201cDynamo Disc Dogs,\u201d \u201cPiggyvilla,\u201d \u201cNeverland K9 Dog Training Demonstration,\u201d and the \u201cInternational Cat Association Show.\u201d<\/p>\n

Admission is $13 for adults and $5 for children (ages 4-12). As an added attraction, Friday night is \u201cFamily Night\u201d with all children under 12 admitted free.<\/p>\n

Monster-Mania Con 58 will be held now through March 10 at the Doubletree By Hilton (2349 Marlton Pike West, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, monstermania.net<\/a>).<\/p>\n

One of the nation\u2019s premier horror film conventions, Monster-Mania Con features an impressive list of celebrities who will be appearing this weekend, including John Cleese, Katey Sagal, Sam Raimi, Jon Lovitz, Michael Ironside, Jane Levy, Michael Gross and Tom Atkins.<\/p>\n

Visitors to the convention will be able to meet the stars, get autographs, browse vendor rooms and enjoy films and special events all weekend long.<\/p>\n

Activities get underway at 4 p.m. on March 8 and at 10 a.m. on March 9 and 10.<\/p>\n

Admission is $35 each day.<\/p>\n

\u201cRice Is Everything at Taller Puertorrique\u00f1o\u201d (2600 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, tallerpr.org<\/a>) is celebrating the final day of its current special exhibition — Dorcas Tang \u9093\u4f73\u9896: Los Paisanos del Puerto — Portraits of the Chinese diaspora community in Puntarenas, Costa Rica).<\/p>\n

\u201cLos Paisanos del Puerto\u201d\u00a0is Taller\u2019s kaleidoscopic exhibit on the Costa Rican Chinese community.<\/p>\n

This family-friendly event\u00a0features food, conversations and art tours that delve into the space bridging Asian and Latino cultures.<\/p>\n

Visitors will be able to explore the exhibit\u2019s portraits, photo albums, archival images and oral interviews during a tour with Dorcas Tang herself.<\/p>\n

They\u2019ll also get a food presentation by chef Yun Fuentes of Bolo and enjoy food and refreshments with the other guests and artists. The event is free\u00a0with RSVP.<\/p>\n

Every Saturday and Sunday in March and April, the Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, http:\/\/www.chaddsford.com<\/a>) is presenting \u201cReserve Tastings \u2013 Wine & Cheese.\u201d<\/p>\n

Guests will join the CFW Crew for an intimate and educational 60-minute experience in the Barrel Room.\u00a0The trained staff will guide them through a pre-selected tasting of five widely diverse and award-winning wines from across our portfolio. The selections will be paired alongside seasonal local cheeses and other accoutrements to enhance your tasting experience.<\/p>\n

The staff will also discuss topics such as grape growing conditions at our partner vineyards and the onsite winemaking process from production to aging and bottling.<\/p>\n

The 2024 Pairing Line Up is ’22 Sparkling White\u00a0paired with\u00a0\u00c9clat Blood Orange P\u00e2te de Fruits, ’22 Dry Ros\u00e9: Redux\u00a0paired with\u00a0Fresh Ch\u00e8vre with Local Spring Honey, ’21 Harbinger\u00a0paired with\u00a0Sea Salt Kettle-Cooked Potato Chips with Wild Mushroom Confit, Good Vibes Only\u00a0paired with\u00a0Noble Brie and Small Batch Sour Cherry Spread, and Revolution (the winery\u2019s very first port-style fortified wine).<\/p>\n

Reserve seatings are $35 per person.<\/p>\n

This month, Penns Wood Winery (124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, 610-459-0808, Penns Woods Winery – HOME<\/a>) is pairing wine and cupcakes.<\/p>\n

Every weekend in March, visitors will be able to experience the winery\u2019s highly anticipated annual pairing with\u00a0out-of-the-box custom flavors developed in partnership with the Food Network\u2019s Cupcake Wars winning shop Dia Doce!<\/p>\n

Reservations are required to enjoy in person or you can order a\u00a0Take Home Pairing Kit\u00a0for a fun night in.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $36.<\/p>\n

The Strasburg Rail Road (Route 741, Strasburg, 717-687-7522, www.strasburgrailroad.com<\/a>) is running a special train on Saturdays and Sundays in March \u2013 the \u201cWine & Cheese Train.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWine & Cheese Train\u201d boarding is 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. Riders must be 21 or older and have their photo ID ready when they board.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

In accordance with Pennsylvania law, alcohol is only served during the train ride. We are not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages while the train is berthed in the station.<\/p>\n

This popular train is available on select Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the season. Tickets are $65.<\/p>\n

Hagley Museum and Library (Buck Road East entrance via Route 100, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, www.hagley.org<\/a>), a 230-acre historical village on the site of the original du Pont Company gunpowder mills in northern Delaware, has a popular ongoing attraction \u2013 \u201cNation of Inventors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Additionally, there will be two special events over the next few days \u201cScience Saturdays\u201d at 11 a.m. on March 9 and \u201cWalking Tour\u201d on March 11 at 11 a.m.<\/p>\n

This edition of \u201cScience Saturdays\u201d has \u201cLet It Grow\u201d as its theme. In collaboration with Longwood Gardens\u2019 Community Read, visitors will dive into the science of how gardens can affect our health.<\/p>\n

With the \u201cWalking Tour,\u201d participants can walk through history during an in-depth, 90-minute guided tour each Monday morning from March through December. This week\u2019s topic is \u201cThe Legacy of Louise du Pont Crowninshield.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNation of Inventors\u201d\u00a0celebrates the American spirit of ingenuity by taking visitors on a journey from the early years of the patent system, in the 1790s, through the \u201cgolden age\u201d of American invention, in the late 1800s. The exhibit features more than 120 patent models from Hagley\u2019s unique collection highlighting the diverse stories of inventors from all walks of life.<\/p>\n

Patent models are scaled representations of inventions and were part of the patent application process for nearly 100 years.\u00a0\u201cNation of Inventors\u201d\u00a0showcases patent models representing innovations in a variety of industries from transportation and manufacturing to food preservation and medical devices.<\/p>\n

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

The patent models in\u00a0\u201cNation of Inventors\u201d\u00a0were created between 1833 and 1886. \u201cNation of Inventors\u201d 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\u2019s intellectual property system.<\/p>\n

\u201cNation of Inventors\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cNation of Inventors\u201d is located on the first two floors of Hagley\u2019s Visitor Center. Visitors can plan to spend about 30 minutes on their self-guided tour of the exhibition.<\/p>\n

Admission to Hagley is $20 for adults, $16 for students and seniors (62+) and $10 for children (6-14).<\/p>\n

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (Route 52, Wilmington, Delaware, 800-448-3883, www.winterthur.org<\/a>) just opened its 2024 season. This weekend, Winterthur is kicking into gear with a special event called \u201cBank to Bend,\u201d which will be held on March 9 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.<\/p>\n

Visitors are invited to celebrate the early bulb display of the March Bank with a lecture and garden tours \u2013 guided and self-guided.<\/p>\n

Celebrate the early-spring garden and bulb display on the beautiful\u00a0March Bank\u00a0with a day of events. The event takes its name from the du Pont family custom of walking the path from the March Bank to Magnolia Bend at this time of year looking for the first flowers in the garden.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s featured speakers will be Keith Wiley,\u00a0one of Britain\u2019s most innovative designers who has taken naturalistic planting to a new level in his development of the Wildside Garden<\/a>, and Ambra Edwards, an award-winning writer and garden historian.<\/p>\n

Other special activities include a \u201cPlant Sale\u201d featuring rare and unusual plants from Edgewood Gardens and a \u201cGuided Tour of March Bank.\u201d<\/p>\n

There will also be the \u201cDirector\u2019s Garden Walk: Snowdrops and Other Minor\u00a0Bulbs\u201d on March 9 at 2:15 p.m.<\/p>\n

Visitors can join Chris Strand, director of Winterthur, on a special walk highlighting interesting and seldom seen parts of the landscape.\u00a0The walk is included with admission. Free for Members. In case of inclement weather, an update message will be left at 302.888.4915 approximately three hours before the walk.<\/p>\n

Self-guided tours, plant sale, and guided garden walk included with the $20 admission fee. Lectures may be added for $20. Registration is recommended.<\/p>\n

Another venue where you can enjoy flowers up close is Tyler Arboretum (515 Painter Road, Media, 610-566-9134, www.tylerarboretum.org<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The arboretum\u2019s schedule for this weekend features the \u201cSaturday Wildflower Walk: Early Spring Edition\u201d\u201d on March 9 at 1 p.m.<\/p>\n

At the \u201cSaturday Wildflower Walk,\u201d wildflower expert\u00a0Dick Cloud\u00a0will lead an informative two-hour hike that will take visitors through meadows, woods, and occasionally streamside. These walks are for those who have a love of plants, their role in ecology, or for those who want to learn more.<\/p>\n

Admission to Tyler Arboretum is $18 for adults and $10 for children (ages 3-17) and Military with valid ID.<\/p>\n

Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org<\/a>) is celebrating the new year with one of its annual special events \u2013 \u201cWinter Wonder.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWinter Wonder,\u201d which runs now through March 24, celebrates the beauty of winter. It\u2019s all about outdoor spacious, indoor oasis, and the power of story.<\/p>\n

Outside, visitors can find a sense of peace and tranquility as they walk past textural grasses, seed heads and the dramatic silhouettes of trees that stretch up into the sky.<\/p>\n

Inside, they can bask in a world of warmth that features an overhead garden of hanging baskets adorned with such vibrant beauties as jasmine, cape-primrose, and lipstick-plant.<\/p>\n

Visitors will be able to enjoy a paradise of flowers and foliage, bursting with color — all in a beautiful indoor winter wonderland with a tropical twist.<\/p>\n

Inside Longwood\u2019s Conservatory, visitors can check out nearly 300 blooming orchids on display in the site\u2019s Orchid House. There will also be rare blue poppies blooming in March but for only about 10 to 15 days.<\/p>\n

Another popular attraction this year is Longwood Gardens\u2019 \u201cScience Saturdays\u201d series.<\/p>\n

Topics for Science Saturday events are \u201cManaging Our Natural Lands\u201d on March 9 and \u201cSeed Science\u201d on April 20.<\/p>\n

Longwood custom grows a staggering 1,300 (and counting) types of plants each year for seasonal indoor displays and outdoor gardens \u2026 and each type has its own needs.<\/p>\n

While Longwood\u2019s team utilizes its horticulture expertise to grow this diverse palette of plants, its innovative greenhouses further the capabilities to grow them precisely and efficiently, all while attending to each plant type\u2019s individual needs.<\/p>\n

The gardens are open from Wednesdays through Mondays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Friday, March 31. Hours change in the spring.<\/p>\n

As always, admission by \u201cTimed Ticket\u201d — tickets issued for specific dates and times. Timed ticketing limits the number of people in the Gardens at any given time and allows guests to enjoy minimal lines and a better viewing experience.<\/p>\n

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

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

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

On March 1, Historic Odessa reopened for spring tours and celebrated the beginning of its 2024 season.<\/p>\n

Known in the 18th-century as Cantwell\u2019s Bridge, Odessa played a vital role in commercial life along the Delaware River as a busy grain shipping port.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 The site is also open Monday by reservation.<\/p>\n

From March 1-31, Historic Odessa presents \u201cWomen of Courage, Independence and Perseverance,\u201d as it celebrates Women’s History Month.<\/p>\n

\u201cWomen of Courage, Independence and Perseverance,\u201d a\u00a0special petite case exhibit in the Wilson-Warner House will be offered as part of the general tour. It will explore the lives of four extraordinary Wilson and Corbit women who exemplified perseverance and courage at a time when women faced many barriers to their independence.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnder the Canopy: Animals of the Rainforest,\u201d which will run now through\u00a0September 2 at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, ansp.org<\/a>),\u00a0is an immersive exhibition introducing visitors to the fascinating world of rainforests and the animals that inhabit them.<\/p>\n

You can learn about unique plants and rainforest ecology as you encounter a live sloth, boa constrictor and other animals that call these habitats home. You will see the importance of rainforests to the planet as you explore interactive discovery stations, dynamic displays and engaging programming.<\/p>\n

Presented in English and Spanish,\u00a0\u201cUnder the Canopy\u201d\u00a0will engage students of all ages, with accompanying curriculums on rainforests, water cycles, the science of diversity, deforestation and soil, how kids can save the planet and so much more. Hands-on interactives are complemented by life-size, climbable animal sculptures, including a gorilla, tortoise, crocodile, red-eye tree frog and Banyan tree.<\/p>\n

All exhibits are included with the purchase of a general admission ticket.<\/p>\n

Admission prices are — Adults (Age 13 and above), $22; Children (Age 2 – 12), $18.<\/p>\n

This weekend, there will be an Auburn\u00a0Heights\u00a0Mansion Tour at\u00a0Auburn\u00a0Heights\u00a0Preserve (3000 Creek Road, Yorklyn, Delaware, 302-239-2385, http:\/\/auburnheights.org<\/a>).<\/p>\n

On March 8, the site, which features the Marshall Steam Museum and the\u00a0Auburn\u00a0Heights\u00a0Mansion, is hosting the event which focuses on the stately mansion, which is one of the best examples of a Queen Anne style Victorian mansion in Delaware.<\/p>\n

The mansion is the former home of the Marshall family whose legacy of industry and innovation filled the home with the antiques and furnishings there today. Visitors will get to explore two floors of Auburn Heights with a small group.<\/p>\n

The tour will also be held on March 16<\/p>\n

Tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for children. Parking is available in the event lot on Creek Road across from the mansion.<\/p>\n

On March 9, \u00a0Laurel Hill Cemetery (3822\u00a0Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-228-8200, www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org<\/a>) will present \u201cHot Spots and\u00a0Storied\u00a0Plots\u201d walking tour at 10 a.m.<\/p>\n

In life and in death, we all have stories to tell, and what better place to hear tales of wonder than Philadelphia\u2019s most famous home of the dead?<\/p>\n

This tour provides an informative overview of Laurel Hill\u2019s long history, which includes many of the marble masterpieces, stunning views, and legendary stories about Laurel Hill.<\/p>\n

\u201cHot Spots and\u00a0Storied\u00a0Plots\u201d is the perfect introduction for anyone who enjoys beautiful art, scenic nature, and fascinating history. An experienced graveyard guide will offer a unique perspective. No two \u201cHot Spots and\u00a0Storied\u00a0Plots\u201d are alike.<\/p>\n

The Tour Guide will be\u00a0Guenevere Eckert.<\/p>\n

The Philadelphia Zoo has been a habitat for an amazing array of animals ever since its opening day in July 1874. Now, for the next two-and-one-half months, the Zoo will be home to a sextet of Trolls.<\/p>\n

Now through April 15, the Philadelphia Zoo (3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia) is hosting the East Coast debut of Thomas Dambo\u2019s \u201cTROLLS: Save the Humans,\u201d produced by Imagine Exhibitions. This represents the first-ever winter feature experience at Philadelphia Zoo.<\/p>\n

The world\u2019s leading \u201crecycle\u201d artist has created these six, folklore-inspired Trolls using repurposed wood. The Trolls are on a mission to inspire humans to take better care of nature. The Trolls, ranging up to 15 feet tall, will be located throughout the Zoo\u2019s 42-acre campus.<\/p>\n

\u201cTROLLS\u201d were created by artist Thomas Dambo, who currently lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark.\u00a0 Born in Odense, Denmark in 1979, Dambo\u2019s mission is to create art that inspires people to explore, have adventures in nature, and show that recycled goods can be turned into something beautiful.<\/p>\n

Dambo\u2019s colossal troll sculptures range in height from 16-50 feet and \u2018live\u2019 as permanent or semi-permanent installations in parks, greenspaces, industrial parks, and in other site-specific locations around the world. Each folklore-inspired sculpture is imbued with expression and character and is built entirely from reclaimed materials.<\/p>\n

Each Troll has a unique name and story. There are six Trolls who will be taking up residence at the Philadelphia Zoo through April 15.<\/p>\n

They all believe rethinking how we live our daily lives will help save the planet for all animals, including humans, and they want to share their ideas. They want all humans to reduce trash, reuse everything, and recycle when they can. The Trolls believe that these actions and others to protect wildlife and wild places are important steps to help save the planet for all animals, including humans.
\nThe exhibition is included in admission to the Zoo. Admission prices start at $19 for adults and children. Tickets are now available on philadelphiazoo.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a fun family activity \u2013 an indoor activity unaffected by the weather — Linvilla Orchards (137 West Knowlton Road, Media, 610-876-7116, www.linvilla.com<\/a>) has something just for you — the\u00a0miniature golf course \u201cFore! the Planet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Linvilla Orchard\u2019s\u00a0\u201cFore! The Planet\u201d\u00a0is a highly interactive and playful museum exhibit created by the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. This exhibition pairs important environmental issues with the fun of miniature golf.<\/p>\n

It features nine unique educational holes — explore butterfly metamorphosis, a tropical rain forest, evolution, dinosaur extinction, food chains, and more. It\u2019s perfect for kids of all ages. The entire family will enjoy playing miniature golf while learning about our environment \u2013 every step of the way.<\/p>\n

The mini-course is open daily from 9 a.m. -5 p.m. through April 1. Tickets are $8.<\/p>\n

\u201cTreeTrails Adventures Trevose\u201d (301 West Bristol Pike, Trevose, treetrails.com\/trevose-pa<\/a>) is an adventure park\u00a0full of fun challenges for outdoor adventurers of all ages.<\/p>\n

Participants can experience the rush of TreeTrails Adventures\u00a0as they swing through the trees of the new adventure park.\u00a0They will be able to discover the\u00a0excitement of climbing and zip lining above the forest floor\u00a0with family, friends, co-workers, or teammates.<\/p>\n

The park, which is based at Phoenix Sport Club in Bucks County, offers two ways to experience climbing \u2013 TreeTrails Adventure Park and KidTrails Park. Young explorers can enjoy miniaturized courses in the adjacent KidTrails Park.<\/p>\n

General Park Admission prices are: Main Park Adult Tickets (Ages 12+), $59; Main Park Youth Tickets (Ages 7\u201311), $51; KidTrails Tickets (Ages 4\u20137), $12.<\/p>\n

Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com<\/a>) may be closed for park rides and activities but there\u2019s still furry fun to be had.<\/p>\n

This weekend\u2019s special event will be \u201cMardi Gras Celebration,\u201d which will be now through March 17.<\/p>\n

Visitors can let the good times roll at Sesame Place\u2019s family-friendly Mardi Gras Celebration.<\/p>\n

Guests can join in the festivities and celebrate by dancing along with special strolling entertainment, participating in the Mardi Gras Mask Scavenger Hunt, and much more. They also can enjoy Sesame Street-themed rides and attractions for guests of all ages.<\/p>\n

The Sesame Street Mardi Gras Parade is a celebration with everyone\u2019s favorite Sesame Street friends dressed up and ready to shine, and features lively tunes, fancy dancing, and floats decked out in Mardi Gras colors of sparkly purple, green, and gold.<\/p>\n

Visitors to Sesame Place can enjoy mouth-watering menu items made famous by the city of New Orleans like beignets and jambalaya.<\/p>\n

Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Philadelphia (215-413-1997, www.ghosttour.com<\/a>),\u00a0Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Lancaster (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com<\/a>) and\u00a0Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Strasburg (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com<\/a>) operate throughout the winter and offer an eerily entertaining evening of true\u00a0ghost\u00a0stories and real haunted houses.<\/p>\n

The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia, which is based on the book, \u201cGhost Stories of Philadelphia, PA.,\u201d is a candlelight walking\u00a0tour\u00a0along the back streets and secret gardens of Independence Park, Society Hill, and Old City, where\u00a0ghostly spirits, haunted houses, and eerie graveyards abound.<\/p>\n

Participants can discover the ghost lore of America\u2019s most historic and most haunted city with stories from the founding of William Penn\u2019s colony to present-day hauntings.<\/p>\n

The activity is open year-round \u2013 weekends, December-February; every night, March-November. Tickets are $24.<\/p>\n

The Ghost Tour of Lancaster and the Ghost Tour of Strasburg are based on the book, \u201cGhost Stories of Lancaster, PA.\u201d<\/p>\n

Participants in the\u00a0Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Lancaster explore the long-forgotten mysteries of one of America\u2019s oldest cities, with haunting tales of otherworldly vigils, fatal curses, and star-crossed lovers. The\u00a0tour\u00a0provides the opportunity to experience 300 years of haunted history from the Red Rose City\u2019s thorny past. Tickets are $20.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Strasburg is a candlelight walking\u00a0tour\u00a0of the quaint and historic town of Strasburg in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Visitors will experience an entertaining evening with a costumed\u00a0tour\u00a0guide spinning tales of haunted mansions, eerie graveyards, and spirits that roam the night \u2026 in a town lost in time. Tickets are $20.<\/p>\n

Grim\u00a0Philly\u2019s \u201cDark Philly History Tour\u201d (www.grimphilly.com<\/a>) will be held every evening throughout the winter.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $35.<\/p>\n

Blue Cross RiverRink (Market Street at the Delaware River, Philadelphia, www.riverrink.com<\/a>) is a great place to enjoy a pleasant winter skate.<\/p>\n

Unlike most of the suburban ice rinks,\u00a0RiverRink\u00a0features public skating. Ice skating is the only use of this ice rink.<\/p>\n

This winter,\u00a0RiverRink\u00a0takes the ice-skating experience on the Delaware River waterfront to another level by once again transforming the annual rink into a bona fide winter wonderland.<\/p>\n

For three decades, Winterfest has been Philadelphia\u2019s favorite Winter tradition on the Delaware River Waterfront, inviting\u00a0visitors for a chance to indulge in flights of fancy under\u00a0thousands of sparkling lights in a\u00a0winter wonderland with spectacular views of the Delaware River, complete with comforting warming cabins, physically distanced fire pit stations, games for the young and young-at-heart, delicious food and refreshing drinks, the signature holiday tree and \u2014 of course \u2014 ice skating on an NHL-sized rink.<\/p>\n

Another ice-skating option in downtown Philadelphia is Center City Parks District\u2019s Rothman Orthopaedics Institute Ice Rink at Dilworth Park (1 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, http:\/\/ccdparks.org\/dilworth-park<\/a>).<\/p>\n

It is an unparalleled entertainment experience on Philadelphia\u2019s center stage in a wonderfully urban and unique setting. Open seven days a week, the rink offers wintery fun for all ages, with a full slate of programs.<\/p>\n

Wonderspaces\u00a0at the Fashion District (27 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, philadelphia.wonderspaces.com<\/a>) is an experiential, interactive arts venue.<\/p>\n

Building on the success of annual pop-up shows in San Diego, and its first permanent location in Scottsdale, Arizona,\u00a0Wonderspaces\u00a0opened a 24,000 square foot gallery space in Philly a year ago.<\/p>\n

Wonderspaces\u00a0features 14 art installations that all play with the idea of perspective.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

New artworks rotate in every few months, creating an ever-evolving, year-round show.<\/p>\n

Tickets are for entry at a specific date and time. Visitors are welcome to stay as long as they please during operating hours.\u00a0The average time spent experiencing the show is 90 minutes.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

This week, Thursday will not just be another Thursday \u2013 it will be \u201c\u03c0\u00a0Day (Pi Day).\u201d<\/p>\n

Pi Day\u00a0is an\u00a0annual celebration\u00a0of the mathematical constant \u03c0\u00a0(pi). Pi Day is observed on March 14 (3\/14 in the\u00a0month\/day\u00a0format) since 3, 1, and 4 are the first three\u00a0significant digits\u00a0of \u03c0.<\/p>\n

Celebrations often involve eating\u00a0pie\u00a0or holding\u00a0pi recitation\u00a0competitions. In 2009, the\u00a0United States House of Representatives\u00a0supported the designation of \u201cPi Day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pi (often represented by the lower-case Greek letter \u03c0), one of the most well-known mathematical constants, is the ratio of a circle\u2019s circumference to its diameter.\u00a0 For any circle, the distance around the edge is a little more than three times the distance.<\/p>\n

Rajveer Meena set the\u00a0Guinness record\u00a0of most \u03c0 digits memorized when he recited 70,000 digits in 9 hours, 7 minutes, while blindfolded, on March 21, 2015. Meena is the officially recognized world record-holder by Guinness World Records.<\/p>\n

The North American record for digits of \u03c0 recited belongs to Upper Darby\u2019s Marc Umile who recited 15,314 digits from memory in July 2007.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times There is no need for anyone around here to suffer from winter doldrums. The entertainment\/activity schedule features many attractive events in a variety of genres including the final weekend of the Philadelphia Flower Show, Charter Day celebrations, St. Patrick\u2019s Day parades and an array of family-friendly expos. There […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":42552,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[49,6518,10044,5933,11035],"class_list":["post-42555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-brandywine-battlefield","tag-featured","tag-pennsbury-manor","tag-philadelphia-flower-show","tag-philadelphia-st-patricks-day-parade"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42555","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=42555"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42555\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42556,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42555\/revisions\/42556"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/42552"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=42555"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=42555"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=42555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}