{"id":45454,"date":"2026-04-24T17:04:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T21:04:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=45454"},"modified":"2026-04-24T17:05:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T21:05:50","slug":"what-to-do-as-spring-blooms-many-outdoor-activities-to-choose-from","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=45454","title":{"rendered":"What To Do: As Spring blooms, many outdoor activities to choose from"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"

Longwood Gardens<\/p><\/div>\n

Earth Day 2026 took place on April 22, but the event\u2019s vibe didn\u2019t end that day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
The spirit of Earth Day, blossoming flowers everywhere and the arrival of spring weather has turned people\u2019s attention towards nature.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Fortunately, there are many sites in the area that offer daily celebrations of nature.<\/div>\n
Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org<\/u><\/a>) is now featuring one of its popular annual special events \u2013 \u201cSpring Blooms.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Early spring bulbs bring the season to life, followed by flowering trees bursting into bloom. Fragrance drifts on the breeze. Radiant tulips stretch towards the sky.<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
A featured attraction is Princess-tree in Bloom.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
This deciduous tree — Paulownia tomentosa \u2013 which is native to China, produces large, fragrant, panicles of lavender flowers in the spring. \u00a0The wood of this fast-growing tree is highly prized and used to make furniture and musical instruments.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Japanese craftsmen prize princess-tree wood for making the koto, a six-foot long, stringed instrument that is the national instrument of Japan.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Kotos create music when the strings that bridge across the hollow body of the instrument are plucked. The unique sound is distinctively energetic and reflective because of the resonance of the princess-tree wood.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Another colorful attraction is Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florid).<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The bright red berries produced in the fall, are a high-fat food source for over 36 species of birds, including wild turkeys, cardinals, and robins.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The tree supports more than 100 species of moths and butterflies, which lay their eggs on dogwood leaves\u2014making it essential for local food webs.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Because it flowers early, it\u2019s also a critical nectar source for pollinators just coming out of winter dormancy. In fact, its ecological value is so high that\u00a0Cornus florida\u00a0is often promoted in native plant gardening for habitat restoration.<\/div>\n
While the tree is too small for lumber, dogwood wood is incredibly hard and dense. It\u2019s been used historically for golf club heads and handles for tools and knives.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Other attractions in bloom are Carolina Silverbell, Blue Phlox, Fosteriana Tulip, Hoary Azalea, Cucumber Magnolia, Tower-of-jewels, Snowball Pincushion Cactus, Pineapple Guava, Dwarf Fothergilla, Throatwort and Ixia.<\/div>\n
Inside Longwood’s Conservatory, visitors can check out the towering Clerodendrum schmidtii (chains of glory) as well as nearly 300 blooming orchids on display in the Orchid House.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\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.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\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.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Admission to Longwood Gardens is $35 for adults, $21 for seniors (ages 62 and older) and $20 for youth (ages 5-18).<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"

Tyler\u00a0Arboretum<\/p><\/div>\n

Tyler\u00a0Arboretum\u00a0(515 Painter Road, Media, 610-566-9134, tylerarboretum.org<\/u><\/a>) will present \u201cSaturday Wildflower Walk\u201d on April 25 at 1 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Explore the Arboretum with wildflower expert\u00a0Dick Cloud. Slow down and look closely at what\u2019s growing along meadows, wooded paths, and occasional streamside spots. Enjoy the simple pleasure of seeing the landscape in detail and notice the Arboretum with fresh eyes. In April, notice the newness of spring as green carpets the Arboretum.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
All levels of experience are welcome.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Check in at the Visitor Center and then meet your guide.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Group departs from the Visitor Center at 1 pm, please be on time<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
All youth must be accompanied by an adult.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
What to expect:<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Moderate, three-mile walk<\/div>\n
Changes in grade and walking surfaces, including pavement, grass, gravel, and rocky trails<\/div>\n
Informal discussion of wildflowers and other natural observations<\/div>\n
Restrooms are available at the beginning and end of the walk<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Tickets for the event are $18 for adults and $10 for teens (ages 12-17).<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"

Newlin Grist\u00a0Mill<\/p><\/div>\n

Newlin Grist\u00a0Mill (219 South Cheyney Road, Glen Mills, newlingristmill.org<\/u><\/a>)\u00a0will present its \u201c1704 Mill Tour\u201d on April 25 and 26.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Visitors can take a guided tour of the site\u2019s 1704 water powered mill.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
While the Mill is not currently operational, visitors on guided tours will get a rare opportunity to see the process of building a new waterwheel and waterbox.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Visitors must be on a guided tour to go inside the Grist Mill.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Cost is $10 for adults and $6 for seniors and children 12 and under.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
While these events are all based on earth and what earth produces, there is another event this weekend that has its base beyond earth.<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
The intriguing Paranormal\u00a0Cirque\u00a0(https:\/\/paranormalcirque.com<\/u><\/a>), which is intended for a mature audience, is a touring circus like no other.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Paranormal Cirque Specter will visit Dover, Delaware from April 24-27 for a four-day, six-show run.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Big Top\u2019s stop in Delaware will be in the parking lot at the Dover Mall, which is located at 1365 North Dupont Highway in Dover.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Paranormal\u00a0Cirque\u00a0will expose audiences to a unique creation of combined theatre, circus, and cabaret with a new European style flare.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
This innovative horror story, which is presented in true circus style under a Big Top tent, features different shades of sexy and an incomparable storyline. Audiences likely will find it difficult to separate reality from illusion at this show as they fall into a parallel world and end up surrounded by monstrous creatures with hidden talents.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Currently,\u00a0Paranormal\u00a0Cirque\u00a0has three tours running \u2013 Paranormal\u00a0Cirque Voodoo, Paranormal\u00a0Cirque Specter, Paranormal\u00a0Cirque Inferno and Paranormal Cirque Nightmare. The tour visiting our area is Paranormal\u00a0Cirque Specter.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Paranormal\u00a0Cirque\u2019s \u201cClown Castle\u201d (also known as the Big Top) presents a mesmerizing effect while hosting a two-hour hypnotizing and enchanted show.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
A careful casting selection has united the best artists from all over the world.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Under this Clown Castle, the black and red big top tent, there are aerial acrobats, illusionists, freaks, mysterious creatures and all the elements that make one think of a \u201cnormal\u201d circus \u2013 but this one is not \u201cnormal.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
A new show with breathtaking implications always poised between fun and the most uninhibited fear that will transport you to a dark world inhabited by creatures with incredible circus art abilities.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
A crazy yet fun fusion between circus, theatre, and cabaret in perfect harmony with the evolution of a show that brings you back to when we dream \u2026 and when we had nightmares and fantasies.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on April 24, 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. on April 25, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. on April 26 and 7:30 on April 27.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Video link for\u00a0Paranormal\u00a0Cirque\u00a0\u2014 https:\/\/youtu.be\/locxFnh5UR8<\/u><\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Ticket prices start at $20.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (Route 52, Wilmington, Delaware, www.winterthur.org<\/u><\/a>) just opened its 2026 season and visitors are invited to celebrate the early bulb display of the March Bank with self-guided garden tours.<\/div>\n
Hikers will be able to explore the site\u2019s trails with Winterthur estate guides. Winterthur\u2019s 1,000-acre estate features 25 miles of walking paths and trails and 10 miles of roads to discover.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Admission to Winterthur is $27 for adults, $25 for seniors (age 62 and older) and students, and $10 for children (ages 2-11).<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The John\u00a0Heinz\u00a0National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum (8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, www.fws.gov\/refuge\/John_Heinz<\/u><\/a>) will host \u201cBird Walk with Cliff and Nancy Hence\u201d on April 26 at 9 a.m.<\/div>\n
Participants will be able to discover the 300+ species of birds that use the Refuge during their migration routes — each week guarantee different species.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Walk will meet by the Visitor Center and take place at a relaxed pace on flat surfaces.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cElmwood Park Zoo\u201d (1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, www.elmwoodparkzoo.org<\/u><\/a>) is hosting \u201cEarth Day in the Park\u201d on April 25.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The event, which runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., is the Zoo\u2019s annual celebration of Earth Day and all things eco-friendly.<\/div>\n
\u201cEarth Day in the Park\u201d is a family fun-filled day that emphasizes the importance of conservation and the environment.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Guests can enjoy demonstrations and education stations featuring animals, recycling, sustainable living and more.<\/div>\n
Zoo admission starts at $14.95.<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
The 2026 season has begun at Nemours Estate (1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, Delaware, nemoursestate.org<\/a>).<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
There will be a \u201cGuided Mansion Tour\u201d on April 25 starting at 9:30 a.m.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Visitors can get a different perspective on Nemours through this guide-led tour of Nemours Estate\u2019s Mansion.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
On April 25, there will also be a \u201cMindful Collage Workshop\u201d beginning at 10:30 a.m.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
This is a special workshop designed to help you slow down and be inspired.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The entrance is located on the campus of Nemours Children’s Health — follow signs for Nemours Estate.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Originally constructed in 1910,\u00a0Nemours\u00a0Estate is one of Delaware\u2019s grandest buildings and includes the largest formal French garden in North America.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Nemours\u00a0Estate comprises an exquisite, 77-room mansion, the largest formal French gardens in North America, a Chauffeur’s Garage housing a collection of vintage automobiles, and 200 acres of scenic woodlands\u00a0and\u00a0meadows.<\/div>\n
Nemours\u00a0was the estate of Alfred I. duPont.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Mt. Cuba Center (3120 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, Delaware, 302-239-4244<\/u>, www.mtcubacenter.org<\/u><\/a>) is hosting \u201cWildflower Weekend\u201d now through April 26.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Visitors will be able to experience a magnificent display of native spring blooms at the peak of their glory.<\/div>\n
They can enjoy three days of live music, gardening activities, outdoor family programming, and more.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Food selections and native plants will be available for purchase, while supplies last.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Participants will be able to take an in-depth look at the gardens, discover how to create sustainable landscapes with native plants, and learn effective techniques for gardening for ecological resilience.The event is free with general admission to the gardens and for members.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Site admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children (ages 6-17).<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The 2026 season is in full swing at Chanticleer (786 Church Street, Wayne, www.chanticleergarden.org<\/a>).<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Chanticleer estate dates from the early 20th-century, when land along the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad was developed for summer homes to escape the heat of Philadelphia. Adolph Rosengarten, Sr., and his wife Christine chose the Wayne-St. Davids area to build their country retreat. The family’s pharmaceutical firm would become part of Merck & Company in the 1920s.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Rosengartens hired architect and former classmate Charles L. Borie to design the house, which was completed in 1913. Landscape architect Thomas Sears designed the terraces as extensions of the house. A 1924 addition converted the summer home into a year-round residence and the family moved here permanently.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Rosengarten\u2019s humor is evident in naming his home after the estate \u201cChanticlere\u201d in Thackeray’s 1855 novel \u201cThe Newcomes.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
As the home of the Rosengartens, Chanticleer was beautiful and green with impressive trees and lawns. Most of the floral and garden development has occurred since 1990 — designed by Chanticleer staff and consultants.
\nThere are seven horticulturists, each responsible for the design, planting, and maintenance of an area. The areas are continually evolving, each with its own feel, yet joined together as one complete unit.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Admission to Chanticleer is $15 for adults and free for pre-teen children (12 years and under).<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Hagley Museum and Library (Buck Road East entrance via Route 100, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, www.hagley.org<\/u><\/a>), a 230-acre historical village on the site of the original du Pont Company gunpowder mills in northern Delaware, is presenting its\u00a0\u201cNation of Inventors\u201d\u00a0exhibition.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Visitors can learn about the patent process and see examples of early American ingenuity in the\u00a0\u201cNation of Inventors\u201d\u00a0exhibition.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\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.<\/div>\n
The exhibit features more than 120 patent models from Hagley\u2019s unique collection — highlighting the diverse stories of inventors from all walks of life.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Patent models are scaled representations of inventions and were part of the patent application process for nearly 100 years.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\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.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\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.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Admission to Hagley is $22 for adults, $18 for students and seniors (62+) and $12 for children (6-14).<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Historic Odessa (Main Street, Odessa, Delaware, 302-378-4119, www.historicodessa.org<\/u><\/a>) is both a scenic and an historic site in Delaware.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Historic Odessa just reopened for spring tours and celebrated the beginning of its 2026 season.<\/div>\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.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\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.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\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.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Rockwood Park & Museum (4671 Washington Street Ext, Wilmington, <\/u><\/a>\u00a0Delaware, 4671 Washington Street Ext, Wilmington, www.newcastlede.gov\/431\/Rockwood-Park-Museum<\/u><\/a>) is presenting \u201cRockwood Self-Guided Tour\u201d on April 25 and 26.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Visitors can explore the grandeur, history and beauty of the Rockwood Museum, home of the Shipley, Bringhurst and Hargraves families for 120 years, at your own pace.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Visitors access most of the museum\u2019s major rooms on this self-guided tour. Also, staff will be nearby to answer any questions.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The museum will also present a \u201cGuided House Tour: The Rockwood Experience\u201d on April 25 and 26.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Visitors will be able to get a deeper look into Rockwood and the people who lived, visited and worked here.This guided tour introduces key members of the Shipley, Bringhurst and Hargraves family of Rockwood through the spaces they lived and some of objects they collected.\u00a0Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum (1237 State Road, Andalusia, www.andalusiapa.org<\/a>) has opened for its 2026 season.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Located on a wooded promontory overlooking the Delaware River, Andalusia has been a stately presence on this stretch of water, just north of Philadelphia, for more than 200 years. The ancestral home of the Biddle family, Andalusia\u00a0is\u00a0also a natural paradise of native woodlands and spectacular gardens that have evolved over time.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Placed on the National Register\u00a0of Historic Landmarks\u00a0in 1966, the Big House\u00a0— one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States — provides an unparalleled look into our nation’s past, while also offering a glimpse into the life\u00a0of\u00a0a family\u00a0that helped to shape its future.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Its surrounding gardens delight the senses all through the year, from the tumbling, brightly colored leaves of fall to the floral extravaganza of spring and the abundance and scent of summer.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Self-Guided Garden Tours will be available Mondays through Wednesdays through November 4 (excluding holidays) at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Visitors can stroll the spectacular formal gardens and native woodlands during a self-guided garden tour at their leisure and enjoy sweeping views from the banks of the Delaware River. Picnics are allowed on the grounds (with a “carry-in, carry-out” policy).<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
There are a few events this weekend that are \u201cgoing to the dogs.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Chaddsford Winery (Route 1, Chadds Ford, www.chaddsford.com<\/u><\/a>) is presenting \u201cNoir Noir: A Speakeasy Experience\u201d on Friday evenings in April.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
It is also presenting a very special event this weekend.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
A special activity this weekend will be \u201cPups & Pours: Dog Days Meet & Greet\u201d on April 26 from noon-6 p.m.<\/div>\n
Guests are invited to join in for a tail-wagging afternoon at Chaddsford Winery as they celebrate their annual dog-friendly event, now reimagined as\u00a0\u201cPups & Pours.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Formerly known as \u201cDog Days,\u201d this beloved gathering brings together wine lovers, dog enthusiasts, and local makers for a lively day on the winery grounds.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The event is set across the patio, cottage garden, and lawn surrounding the historic Vintner House where guests are invited to sip, stroll, and socialize with their four-legged companions.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
They will be able to enjoy Chaddsford wines, seasonal bites from the outdoor bar and slushie shack, live music, and a curated selection of pet-focused vendors.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Event Highlights are: Dog meet & greet with adoptable pups (2-4 p.m.), 10% of bottle sales donated to All 4 Paws Rescue, live music throughout the afternoon, outdoor bar & slushie shack with seasonal offerings, specialty pizza menu, live pet portrait painting by Char & Whiskers and handmade dog treats from Black Sheep Dog Treats.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
All 4 Paws Rescue<\/u>\u00a0is a Malvern-based nonprofit dedicated to saving and rehoming animals in need. From 2-4, guest can meet a selection of their adoptable dogs and learn more about their life-saving mission.<\/div>\n
At the \u201cNoir Noir: A Speakeasy Experience\u201d, guests can enjoy specialty cocktails and light bites in the winery\u2019s hidden wine cellar.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Inspired by the glamour and intrigue of the 1920s\u201330s, this intimate pop-up experience transforms the West Tank Room into a moody, art deco\u2013inspired lounge complete with themed music, vintage touches, and low-lit ambiance.<\/div>\n
Guests are invited to enjoy a rotating menu of specialty cocktails crafted with locally sourced spirits and Chaddsford wines, available exclusively during speakeasy hours.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
A limited selection of bar bites will also be available.\u00a0Themed attire is encouraged but never required.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Whether you\u2019re in the mood for a carefully crafted cocktail, a cozy corner to linger with friends, or a reason to rediscover a hidden part of the winery, \u201cNoir Noir\u201d\u00a0invites you to start your weekend somewhere unexpected.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Chester County SPCA is inviting the community to join them and celebrate the Annual \u201cWalk for Paws\u201d event on April 25 at West Goshen Community Park (bvspca.org<\/a>).<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
This \u201cpawsome\u201d day of family fun kicks off with a 5K color run,\u00a0a 1K walk and yoga with puppies. The festivities continue with live music by the Bachelor Boys Band, vendors, food trucks, a pet costume contest, kid fun zone, a dog lure course, and so much more.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The proceeds from this event, which runs from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., go directly toward helping to provide shelter, food, medical care, and the chance to find forever homes for the thousands of homeless animals that pass through the Chester County SPCA each year.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
If you\u2019re looking for something different in films, you\u2019ll be able to find it at this weekend\u2019s 19th Annual West Chester Film Festival (484-639-9237, www.westchesterfilmfestival.com<\/u><\/a>).<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The highly respected film festival will run now through April 26 at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts (226 North High Street, West Chester).<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Tickets are $15 per two-hour block of films — $12 with Senior Citizen or valid Student I.D.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The mission of the West Chester Film Festival is \u201cto\u00a0entertain,\u00a0enlighten\u00a0and\u00a0educate\u00a0the public through the presentation of global independent and innovative short film and interactive workshops by hosting an annual International Short Film Festival.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The organizers\u2019 short-term goal is to present a self-sustaining annual film festival.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The festival will feature works in a variety of film genres, including comedy, documentary, experimental\/art, animation and drama. Entries have been submitted from all over the world, including works by filmmakers from Europe, Australia, Canada and the United States.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The 2026 edition of the festival will present approximately 100 independent short films — all of which are 30 minutes or less in length. The three-day event will include film screenings, interactive workshops and social events.<\/div>\n
The Yellow Springs Art Show (Art School Road, Chester Springs, www.yellowsprings.org<\/u><\/a>), which is one of the longest-running art shows in the state, is celebrating its 53rd anniversary in 2026.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
It returns to the historic village of Yellow Springs from April 25 through May 10.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Yellow Springs Art Show got its start back in 1973 as a free event featuring a variety of artists displaying their work on clotheslines.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
It has changed immeasurably since then and has become one of the largest and most prestigious annual art shows in the Delaware Valley.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The show is still free and open to the public. The popular annual event now features close to 200 participating artists — including many artists who are new to the show this year.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The show is running now through May 10 in Historic Yellow Springs Lincoln Building. Show hours are from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The 2026 Yellow Springs Art Show will have on display more than 3,000 pieces of fine art in a wide range of media and styles \u2013 oils, watercolors, bronze sculptures, pastels, landscapes, still life, three-dimensional works, seascapes and abstract.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
All proceeds benefit arts education, environmental protection and historic preservation of the 300-year-old village of Historic Yellow Springs.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Linvilla Orchards (137 West Knowlton Road, Media, 610-876-7116, www.linvilla.com<\/u><\/a>) is presenting its annual \u201cFood Truck Frenzy\u201d on April 25 and 26.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The site is partnering with local food trucks to bring visitors a \u201cfood-tastic event\u201d at Linvilla.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Along with delicious treats from the trucks there will be music by Wood Flower and Whiskey Trail and fun for the whole family \u2013 including hayrides, pony rides and train rides.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Participating food trucks will be Albie\u2019s Burgers, Anthonys Hot Dogs, Bacon-on-a Stick, Bruster’s Ice Cream, Chanks Pizza Cones, Chickie’s & Pete\u2019s, Crepe Truck, Dan\u2019s Waffles, Dino’s Italian Ice, Munchies Grilled Cheese, Ranyas Thai and Savannah Southern Cuisine.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The list also includes Farina Pasta, Barkely BBQ, House of Cupcakes, Fiesta Churros, Humpty Dumplings, Mr. Burger, Munchies Grilled Cheese, Raviloi Remix, Star of the Sea, and Who Made This?<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (Station Avenue, Oaks, www.phillyexpocenter.com<\/u><\/a>) is hosting three special events this weekend — \u201cInternational Gem & Jewelry Show,\u201d \u201cEast Coast Haunters Convention\u201d and \u201cTransWorld\u2019s East Coast Christmas Show.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Expo Center is hosting the International\u00a0Gem\u00a0&\u00a0Jewelry\u00a0Show\u201d now through April 26.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The \u201cInternational\u00a0Gem\u00a0&\u00a0Jewelry\u00a0Show\u201d features an amazing exhibition of\u00a0gems, minerals and\u00a0jewelry. Dealers will be displaying and selling every type of\u00a0gemstone, as well as one-of-a-kind\u00a0jewelry\u00a0creations, estate\u00a0jewelry, special celebrity exhibits and accessories.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The show will have more than 150 dealer booths where show attendees can select items from a wide range of categories, including beads, rings, settings, watches, necklaces, diamonds, opals, earrings, silver, gold, crystals and pearls.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Admission to the public show is $6 for adults while children (ages 9-16) are free with a paid adult ticket. The show\u2019s policy states that children ages eight and under are not permitted to attend the show.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cEast Coast Haunters Convention,\u201d which will be held April 25 and 26, is dedicated to all things Halloween — welcoming home\/pro haunters, actors, enthusiasts and anyone who loves to celebrate Halloween.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
This regional show will be action-packed and stacked with exciting entertainment. This year will feature premier haunted house tours, networking events, evening parties and a top-notch show floor.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
This fully interactive convention will give you a chance to celebrate Halloween in April.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Guests can enter this year\u2019s costume contests, makeup wars, and even take part in the Haunt Olympics. They can also spend some time in the PIT located on the show floor, meet some of your favorite haunted house owners and get up close and personal with their icon characters.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Tickets are $50 on Saturday, $40 on Sunday and $65 for Two-Day.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cTransWorld\u2019s East Coast Christmas Show\u201d is a new regional convention geared for Christmas and holiday decorators, coming to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center on April 25 and 26.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
East Coast Christmas Show is\u00a0open to the public\u00a0and is dedicated to all things Christmas and holiday. It welcomes home decorators, pro decorators, enthusiasts and anyone who just loves to celebrate Christmas.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Whether you are someone who wants to start decorating, or a seasoned decorator wanting to take their home Christmas display to the next level, the East Coast Christmas Show is perfect for you.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
All seminars, events, tours and parties are sold separately. Advanced purchase is recommended. Children 12 & under are welcome to attend the show floor only at no addition cost but must be accompanied by an adult at all times.<\/div>\n
Tickets are $50 on Saturday, $40 on Sunday and $65 for Two-Day.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
GoggleWorks Center for the Arts (201 Washington Street, Reading, https:\/\/goggleworks.org\/<\/a>), one of the country’s largest interactive art centers, will hold its Sixth Annual Iron Pour and Fire Arts Festival on April 26.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The event will take place from 3-9 p.m.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
This dynamic, family-friendly event brings together artists and makers from across the region to explore the beauty, energy, and artistry of fire and heat.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Guests can experience live demonstrations in glassblowing, metal casting, blacksmithing by the\u00a0Pennsylvania Artists\u2019 Blacksmith Association, and ceramics firing.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
They can take part in hands-on workshops and enjoy a full day of art, food, music, and community connection.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Then, as the sun sets, they can watch the campus come alive with glowing furnaces, molten metal, and fiery displays that celebrate transformation through art.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
This year\u2019s event features even more activities beyond metalworking, including hands-on activities for kids and families, live music and a food truck fair.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The event features free admission and free parking.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Harvest Ridge Winery (1140 Newark Road, Toughkenamon, www.harvestridgewinery.com<\/a>) will present its \u201cFloral Design Workshop & Bath Salts Bar\u201d on April 26 at 2 p.m.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Guests can welcome spring with a fun girls\u2019 afternoon out at our\u00a0Floral Design Workshop & Bath Salts Bar.<\/div>\n
Under the guidance of a talented floral designer,\u00a0they can learn simple design techniques and craft a charming bouquet in a jar using fresh seasonal bloom<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Then, they will be able to step up to our bath salts bar and choose from a variety of colorful and scented epsom salts to layer in a flip-top bottle to take home!<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The $79 Ticket Includes:<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Your own custom floral arrangement to take home in a cute jar!<\/div>\n
Hands-on floral design workshop with use of all necessary tools!<\/div>\n
A seasonal selection of fresh flowers from our signature bloom bar!<\/div>\n
A flip-top bottle filled with your selection of scented Epsom salts!<\/div>\n
\n
A welcome mimosa!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
In 2026, America turns 250, and Philadelphia is throwing the ultimate yearlong celebration.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
After all, we\u2019ve been first in freedom, first in innovation and first in fun for 250 years.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
52 Weeks of Firsts (www.visitphilly.com\/52-weeks-of-firsts<\/u><\/a>) is a yearlong, citywide celebration honoring Philadelphia\u2019s legacy of innovation produced by the Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Not only was Philadelphia the birthplace of the country, but it was also the backdrop for many other marvels.<\/div>\n
To honor these groundbreaking inventions and firsts, the Philadelphia Historic District is holding a year\u2019s worth of free events to celebrate the country\u2019s 250th birthday.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
52 Weeks of Firsts shines a light on different Philly-born Firsts each week through a series of free public events called\u00a0Saturday Firstivals\u00a0\u2014 held every Saturday of 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in more than a dozen neighborhoods.<\/div>\n
Firstival:\u00a0Saturday April 25 will focus on \u201cFirst Postmaster: 1737.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Before there was email, there was Ben Franklin.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Franklin became America\u2019s first postmaster, creating a system that did more than deliver mail, it brought people together. See how one man\u2019s mail shaped a new nation.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The event will be held April 25 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Franklin Court, which is located at 322 Market Street in Philadelphia.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
On April 18 at 6 p.m., Fort\u00a0Mifflin\u00a0(Fort\u00a0Mifflin\u00a0and Hog Island roads, Philadelphia, 215-685-4167, www.fortmifflin.us<\/u><\/a>) will host a special event\u00a0 — \u201cMud Island Speakeasy.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Guests can swing, swig, sway and swoon with Drew Nugent and the Midnight Society at the annual fundraiser.<\/div>\n
They can step back into 1926 when the City of Philadelphia is under the thumb of the Volstead Act, and the feds are everywhere.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The cold stone walls of Fort Mifflin (historically known as Mud Island) transform into the region\u2019s most exclusive underground sanctuary.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
All tickets benefit upkeep, renovations, programming, and staffing at Fort Mifflin for the next year.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
A bespoke menu of 1920s-style cocktails, from classic sours to punch will be provided by local breweries and distilleries.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Other activities include a silent auction, games and contests, ticket tiers and vendors by Melody Market.<\/div>\n
Tickets are $45 for the event which gets underway at 8 p.m.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
This is a rain-or-shine event. Additionally, portions of the experience take place in historic underground tunnels and barracks.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Academy\u00a0of\u00a0Natural\u00a0Sciences\u00a0of Drexel University (1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, www.ansp.org<\/u><\/a>) has just opened a new exhibit \u2013 \u201cBotany of Nations.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Visitors can experience a groundbreaking exhibition that provides a new perspective on the legendary Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Co-curated with Enrique Salm\u00f3n, PhD, an ethnobotanist and author of IW\u00cdGARA: The Kinship of Plants and People, and developed with contributions from Indigenous cultural historians, \u201cBotany of Nations\u201d offers a culturally layered view of the plants of North America.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Collected on the famous expedition, some of the oldest plant specimens in the country today are housed in the Academy\u2019s own Lewis and Clark Herbarium.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Guests can learn how the Native Nations Meriwether Lewis met on the trail shaped America\u2019s plant knowledge long before Western scientists claimed these \u201cdiscoveries.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Centering the voices of Native Nations who have protected and cared for the lands for thousands of years, \u201cBotany of Nations\u201d presents plants as portals to Indigenous storytelling and knowledge.<\/div>\n
Visitors will:<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
See 18th and early 19th century scientific instruments, original journals, maps and herbarium sheets that illuminate the role of natural science on the Corps of Discovery.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
View Native American peace pipes as well as Corps of Discovery peace medals.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Navigate prairie, plains, plateau and Pacific coast landscapes within a model of the trail as you learn about the importance of plants such as tobacco and chokecherry through film, interactive media, cultural artifacts, sensory experiences and contemporary voices.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Watch a newly produced film about how Indigenous traditional land practices and cultural systems surrounding food provide contemporary solutions to today\u2019s biodiversity and climate challenges.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Experience a native plant garden on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to learn how you can grow heritage plants that foster biodiversity.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Museum admission is $22 for adults, $19 for seniors and $18 for children (ages 2-12).<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Delaware Art Museum (2301\u00a0Kentmere\u00a0Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware, www.delart.org<\/u><\/a>) is currently featuring several new exhibitions.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cLiving Indigenous,\u201d which runs through August 23,\u00a0celebrates the creative contributions of Indigenous artists living in and connected to Delaware, developed in partnership with the Nanticoke Indian Museum.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cCitizen Artist,\u201d which is on display through July 19, coincides with the Semiquincentennial in 2026.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The \u201cCitizen Artist\u201d\u00a0will meet a moment of national reflection with a celebration of artist workers in America.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cThe People\u2019s Gallery,\u201d which runs August 7 through September 6,\u00a0amplifies Delaware 250 by inviting up to 600 Delaware residents or DelArt Members to submit one work of art for exhibition in the Museum.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Museum is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.<\/div>\n
Admission is $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $6 for youth.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com<\/u><\/a>) will celebrate \u201cElmo\u2019s Springtacular\u201d now through June 14.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cElmo\u2019s Springtacular\u201d at Sesame Place is filled with furry fun and exciting events! Join in on the fun with an exciting line-up of meet & greets, music, magic, pirate adventures, and fireworks.<\/div>\n
This weekend, the featured event is \u201cEmma Memma Concerts.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Beloved children’s entertainer, Emma\u00a0Memma, formerly of The Wiggles, brings her Jungle Picnic tour to Sesame Place! With her love of dance, sign language, and music, Emma brings visual communication to the forefront, empowering the next generation through movement, creativity, inclusiveness, and friendship.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The \u201cEmma Memma Concerts\u201d events will be held on April 25 and 26.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Laurel Hill Cemetery (3822\u00a0Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia,\u00a0laurelhillphl.com<\/a>) will present several special events this weekend.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cSacred Spaces & Storied Places\u201d will be held on April 25 at 1 p.m.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cSacred Spaces & Storied Places\u201d is the perfect introductory tour that provides an overview of Laurel Hill West including its architectural artistry, stunning trees and horticulture, and the stories of residents that encompass diverse and fascinating Philadelphia history. Experienced tour guides offer visitors a unique perspective as no two tours are the same.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cSweet Souls: Confectionery Connections,\u201d which is scheduled for April 25 from 1-3 p.m., is a tasty tour.<\/div>\n
On this walking tour, you will be treated to the sweet knowledge of the individuals and families who invented delicious products we still consume today.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The tour includes a tasting of delectable delights invented by our residents.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
On April 26 at 1 p.m., Laurel Hill will present \u201cA Ghostly Gallery: Artists & Their Patrons.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
19th-century Philadelphia was a hotbed of artistic activity, filled with artists and illustrators trained at renowned local schools like the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA). Young men and women struggled to make their marks as landscape painters, portraitists, sculptors, and illustrators.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Meanwhile, the new millionaires of the Workshop of the World built private art galleries and amassed magnificent collections, many of which would later be donated to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, National Gallery of Art, and other major repositories.\u00a0A Ghostly Gallery\u00a0brings these artists back to life, along with their wealthy patrons.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Tour Guide will be Tom Keels.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Hope Lodge (553 South Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, 215-343-0965, http:\/\/www.ushistory.org\/hope\/<\/u><\/a>) started its season\u00a0 of \u201cGuided Mansion Tours\u201d a few weeks ago.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
This week, there will be tours on April 26 at 1 and 2:30 p.m.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Hope Lodge was built between 1743 and 1748 by Samuel Morris, a prosperous Quaker entrepreneur. Morris acted as a farmer, shipowner, miller, iron master, shop owner, and owner of the mill now known as Mather Mill. Hope Lodge is an excellent example of early Georgian architecture, and it is possible that Edmund Woolley, architect of Independence Hall, offered advice in building. Samuel Morris owned the estate until his death in 1770.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Visitors can participate by watching a short film and then taking a tour. Guided tours of the mansion will depart at 1 and 2:30 p.m. all three days.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Tour admission is\u00a0$8 for adults, $5 for seniors (age 65+) and for youth (age 6-17) and free for children under 5.<\/div>\n
Hope Lodge is a Blue Star Museum which means that active-duty military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve, and their families, are admitted free for regular tours from Memorial Day through Labor Day.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Founded more than 50 years ago, Choo Choo Barn \u2014 Traintown U.S.A. (Route 741 East, 226 Gap Rd, Strasburg, 717-687-7911, www.choochoobarn.com<\/u><\/a>) presents a 1,700-square-foot train layout featuring over 150 hand-built animated figures and vehicles and 22 operating trains.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The majority of trains that are running in the display are \u201cO Gauge\u201d trains but there are also some HO Gauge trains as well as one N Gauge train.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Several of the original pieces and animations are still on the display today, including the ski slope, ski lodge and ice skaters, Dutch Haven, the Willows, the two-lane moving highway (in front of Dutch Haven), the farm with the tobacco barn, the Strasburg Fire House, the church beside Dutch Haven and a few other houses.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children (ages 3 and under) at Choo Choo Barn \u2014 Traintown U.S.A.<\/div>\n
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia (500 W Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, Https:\/\/philadelphia.legolanddiscoverycenter.com\/<\/u><\/a>) is open all winter with its family-oriented rides and play.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Popular attractions are \u201cImagination Express,\u201d \u201c4-D Cinema,\u201d \u201cThe Great LEGO\u00ae Race Virtual Reality Experience,\u201d \u201cLEGO\u00ae NINJAGO\u00ae\u00a0Training Camp,\u201d \u201cDuplo Park\u201d and \u201cPirate Adventure Island Spoftplay.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Admission is $21.99.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cTreeTrails Adventures Trevose\u201d (301 West Bristol Pike, Trevose, treetrails.com\/trevose-pa<\/u><\/a>) is an adventure park\u00a0full of fun challenges for outdoor adventurers of all ages.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Participants can experience the rush of TreeTrails Adventures\u00a0as they swing through the trees of the new\u00a0adventure 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.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\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.<\/div>\n
General Park Admission prices are: Main Park Adult Tickets (Ages 12+), $69; KidTrails Tickets (Ages 4\u20137), $23.<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Philadelphia (215-413-1997, www.ghosttour.com<\/u><\/a>),\u00a0Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Lancaster (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com<\/u><\/a>) and\u00a0Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Strasburg (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com<\/u><\/a>) operate throughout the winter and offer an eerily entertaining evening of true\u00a0ghost\u00a0stories and real haunted houses.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\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.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\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.<\/div>\n
The activity is open year-round \u2013 weekends, December-February; every night, March-November. Tickets are $28.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Ghost Tour of Lancaster and the Ghost Tour of Strasburg are based on the book, \u201cGhost Stories of Lancaster, PA.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\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 $28.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\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 $28.<\/div>\n
Grim\u00a0Philly\u2019s \u201cDark Philly History Tour\u201d (www.grimphilly.com<\/u><\/a>) will be held every evening throughout the spring.<\/div>\n
Participants can walk with tour guides from the grounds of America\u2019s 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.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The surprising dirt of espionage, murder, sexual license and blackmail highlight the secrets of 1776 with a ghost story or two along the way.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
This tour is highly researched. And your guide is a historian.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Ticket prices start at $38.<\/a><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Peddler\u2019s Village (Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, 215-794-4000, www.peddlersvillage.com<\/u><\/a>) will present \u201cThe Best of the Nest: Birdhouse Competition & Display\u201d throughout its site.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cThe Best of the Nest: Birdhouse Competition & Display\u201d runs runs now through May 25 and showcases unique birdhouses designed and built by members of the public.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Guests are invited to vote for their favorite birdhouses in multiple categories: traditional, whimsical, Bucks County landmark, and natural habitat.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
For this event, Peddler\u2019s Village is proud to partner with the\u00a0Bucks County Chapter of the American Institute of Architects\u00a0and the\u00a0Honey Hollow Nature Center.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
By participating in this event as either a birdhouse creator or a visitor, you can support two local nonprofits. Creators can donate their birdhouses to a fundraising auction, and visitors can donate either directly or by \u201cbuying\u201d additional votes for their People\u2019s Choice favorites. Donations can be made and ballots can be obtained at the Visitor and Event Center on Street Road.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The New Hope Railroad (32 West Bridge Street, New Hope, 215-862-2332, www.newhoperailroad.com<\/u><\/a>) is running its \u201cGrapevine Express\u201d on April 25 at 5 p.m.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Riders can choose premium parlor or lounge cars for an intimate one-hour (approximately) excursion through the wooded foothills of Bucks County. On the journey, they will be able to enjoy food and beverage service from the friendly and attentive parlor car attendants.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Each couple will receive an assortment of crudit\u00e9s, a lush charcuterie board, and a sweet treat to wrap up the experience. In addition, guests over 21 years of age will receive their choice of wine, beer, or whiskey flight from Bucks County.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Now through April 26, the Strasburg Rail Road (Route 741, Strasburg, 717-687-7522, www.strasburgrailroad.com<\/u><\/a>) is running a special train \u2013 \u201cThe Wine & Cheese Train.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\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.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The train departs at 4 and 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday. The total trip time is 45 minutes.<\/div>\n
\u201cWine & Cheese Train\u201d boards 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. Riders must be 21 or older and have their photo ID ready when they board.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\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 $10 each.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
In accordance with Pennsylvania law, alcohol is only served during the train ride. The rail line is not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages while the train is berthed in the station.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Northern Central\u00a0Railway (2 West Main Street, New Freedom, www.northerncentralrailway.com<\/u><\/a>)\u00a0is running several special excursions this weekend.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
On April 25, the featured train rides will be \u201cMimosa Express\u201d at 11 a.m., \u201cBingo Express\u201d at 2 p.m. and \u201cThe Golden Era Limited Featuring Derek Reed\u201d at 5 p.m.<\/div>\n
S<\/div>\n
pecial rides on April 26 will be \u201cSundaes on Sunday Express Aboard the 1800 Coach Cars\u201d at 11 a.m. and \u201cHanover Junction Flyer Special\u201d on April 26 at 1 p.m.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Earth Day 2026 took place on April 22, but the event\u2019s vibe didn\u2019t end that day. The spirit of Earth Day, blossoming flowers everywhere and the arrival of spring weather has turned people\u2019s attention towards nature. Fortunately, there are many sites in the area that offer daily celebrations […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":45451,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[6518,84,8714,4840],"class_list":["post-45454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-featured","tag-longwood-gardens","tag-newlin-grist-mill","tag-tyler-arboretum"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45454","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=45454"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45454\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45457,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45454\/revisions\/45457"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/45451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=45454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=45454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=45454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}