What To Do: Celebrating the stars and stripes

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

Betsy Ross House

This a busy time of the year for the United States flag.

Many Americans like to display their flags on holidays – especially Memorial Day Weekend and Independence Day.

Sandwiched between the two patriotic holidays is another special day for the Stars and Stripes – Flag Day.

On June 14, 1777, Congress passed the first Flag Act, adopting the 13-star flag as the official flag of the new United States.

You can participate in flag celebrati

Two historic sites in Philadelphia — The Museum of the American Revolution and the Betsy Ross House – will be celebrating the flag from June 10-19.

The Museum of the American Revolution (101 South Third Street, Philadelphia, www.amrevmuseum.org) gets things started with a full weekend of programming celebrating the evolution of the American flag. “Flag Day Weekend at the Museum of the American Revolution” will run from June 10-14.

Opening just in time for Flag Day, the new summer exhibition at the Museum of the American Revolution – “Flags and Founding Documents, 1776-Today” — will showcase dozens of rare American flags that trace the country’s journey through the Civil War and beyond.

Museum of the American Revolution

The flags — many of which have never been exhibited before – depict the evolution of the Stars and Stripes through the addition and subtraction of stars as new states joined the Union and the nation battled through the Civil War. The flags serve as a visual narrative of America’s national story.

The flags are presented alongside documents that help tell the nation’s complicated history, including the Choctaw Nation Constitution of 1838, which sought to create equity and justice for Indigenous people through the creation of their own government. The documents on display also include early printings of more than 16 different state constitutions.

By telling stories from the nation’s revolutionary roots to its continuing struggle over equal rights, “Flags and Founding Documents, 1776-Today” will encourage visitors to consider their role in the ongoing effort to fulfill the promise of the American Revolution.

The collection of historic flags is on loan from Jeff R. Bridgman, a leading dealer of antique flags and political textiles. The documents are on loan from the Dorothy Tapper Goldman Foundation following their exhibition at the New-York Historical Society, titled Colonists, Citizens, Constitutions: Creating the American Republic, curated by Dr. James F. Hrdlicka.

This weekend, the Museum will also debut its “True Colours Flag Project” on its outdoor plaza by displaying handmade replicas of historic flags flown by privateers and navy ships at sea during the Revolutionary era.

The exhibit explores the work of women like Elizabeth “Betsy” Ross, Rebecca Flower Young, and other Philadelphia seamstresses who supported the Revolutionary War, and shows how 18th-century sailing vessels utilized a variety of flags to allow them to safely navigate enemy waters.

Another ambitious event celebrating the United States flag is “Flag Fest” at The Betsy Ross House (239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, http://historicphiladelphia.org/betsy-ross-house).

The Betsy Ross House brings back its annual “Flag Fest” to celebrate all things stars and stripes with a full week of events and programming from June 13-19.

The event will get underway at 10 a.m. on Sunday when Betsy raises the flag in the courtyard to mark the beginning of National Flag Week. Once Upon A Nation Storytellers will entertain from the courtyard stage, telling short, interactive and little-known stories featuring our nation’s flag.

Other highlights of the week will include the ongoing assembly of a larger-than-life American flag made entirely of M&M’s.

Visitors can enjoy free samples provided by Mars Wrigley and photo ops with the completed flag on June 13.  The moving, annual naturalization ceremony will welcome 13 new citizens on Flag Day. During the week, visitors will meet figures from history, including famous suffragists and, of course, Betsy Ross, herself.

All week, the first 100 visitors to the House each day will receive free admission.

Hope Lodge

After being down for more than a year, Hope Lodge (553 South Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, 215-343-0965, http://www.ushistory.org/hope/) is coming back to life this weekend.

The historic will resume presentation of “Guided Mansion Tours” on June 13 and then offer them every Sunday through October.

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.

The site will open at 12:30 p.m. with self-guided tours starting at 1 p.m. The site closes at 4 p.m.

Tour Admission: $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors (age 65+) and for youth ages 6-17, children under 5 are free.

Fort Mifflin (Fort Mifflin and Hog Island roads, Philadelphia, 215-685-4167, www.fortmifflin.us) is hosting an event called “Mud Island Hot Jazz Lawn Party.”

The concert featuring Drew Nugent & The Midnight Society will start at 3 p.m.

The music will allow visitors to travel back in time to the 1920s and dance to the hits that were popular 100 years ago.

General Admission ticket is $40 and includes: Live music by Drew Nugent and the Midnight Society; Flappers; One bar ticket for the Speakeasy Bar featuring Mud Island Punch with Revivalist Gin, craft beer courtesy of Attic Brewing, and wine courtesy of Country Creek Winery; Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages; Silent Auction; Casemate Cinema featuring silent movies of the era; Tarot readings (fee applies, paid directly to reader); Vendors of exciting vintage and reproduction goodies, and contests for Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Gentleman, Best Couple, Best Group and Best Hat.

The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show

The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show (phsonline.org) has been a staple in Philadelphia since 1829. The massive annual show, which is the nation’s longest-running horticultural event, typically draws more than 250,000 people to Philadelphia every year.

The show, which is presented every year by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and celebrated its 190th anniversary in 2019, treats visitors to a spectacle of floral displays in every size, style and shape imaginable.

Each year, the show seems to get bigger and better. Each year’s event has the vibe of being special – different from its predecessors.

This year, the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is really special – totally different from all previous editions.

Like many other iconic events, the Flower Show is making changes for 2021. This year, the spectacular display takes place entirely outdoors for the first time ever. It is running now through June 13 in South Philadelphia’s FDR Park, which is located at South Broad Street and Pattison Avenue.

The 2021 show, themed “Habitat: Nature’s Masterpiece,” uses South Philadelphia’s expansive and lush FDR Park as the setting for its breathtaking displays by the world’s premier floral and landscape designers. As always, the annual gardening celebration features top-of-the-line horticulture and landscape design, demonstrations, entertainment, themed nights and a marketplace.

“HABITAT: Nature’s Masterpiece” will explore the beauty of life through nature’s kaleidoscopic lens. Visitors will be able to see exceptional beauty, learn from a diverse line-up of designers and leading horticulturalists, and enter a new gardener-centric experience that invites everyone at all skill levels to nurture a lifelong connection to plants and gardening.

This year’s event will be broken up into three “districts” across the park space, each with its own theme and interactive experience. They are Plant District, Garden District and Design District.

The Plant District has been curated to attract all types of plant lovers.

The area will feature a variety of plants that have been carefully arranged in the Show’s long-standing Hamilton Horticourt, showcasing hundreds of plants in their purest form by gardeners who have spent months priming their flora for just this event.

Plant “galleries” will allow guests to browse their favorites or explore new floral and plant varieties. Plant owners will be available to discuss their expertise in gardening. In this District, gardeners will learn about the planting, growing, care and maintenance of plants from PHS experts and other plant-knowledgeable volunteers.

In the Garden District, guests can see the “how to” of gardening with practical garden techniques, ongoing learning, and interaction with experts. The Garden District will feature several memorable experiences such as “Butterflies Live!” and the “PHS Gardeners Grove.”
Within the Grove, gardeners will want to visit the PHS Gardeners Green, the educational section of the Flower Show where PHS experts and other gardening experts will safely hold informative sessions on a variety of topics in horticulture. A curated library for gardeners will be onsite in the PHS Members’ Lounge.

The Design District, which is the largest district at the show, has been curated for the floral enthusiast who wants to see all the horticultural pomp and circumstance that the Flower Show has represented for decades. The area features the largest displays of floral and landscape design connected to this year’s Flower Show theme, “Habitat: Nature’s Masterpiece.”

Award-winning designers from all over the globe exhibit at the Flower Show, bringing the most current trends in landscape design, outdoor floral design, art combined with nature, and sustainability to guests. Guests can talk with the designers, view 360° displays on the grand lawn of FDR Park, take photos outdoors with the displays, and take in the beauty, creativity, and artistry of each exhibit.

There are several interesting “Major Exhibits” including Jeff Leatham’s “Habitat” which is located in the Design District at the Olmstead Pavilion, “Nomad Studio” which is located in the Design District, and PHS Gardeners Green which is located in the Garden District.

Timed tickets are required and include admission to the American Swedish Historical Museum, also located in FDR Park. Admission prices for the 2021 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show are Adult, $45; Young Friend (18-29), $30; and Child (ages 5-17), $20.

Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org) is always a special place to visit – especially  during the run of its annual “Festival of Fountains.”

The 2021 “Festival of Fountains” opened in May and is running through September 26.

Daily performances in the Main Fountain Garden will feature more than 1,700 spinning jets that spin dance to various music programs. These are no little jets as some shoot up as high as 175 feet in the air.

The 30-minute show is slated for Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 9:15 p.m.

The Main Fountain Garden Show’s “Fountains Then and Now” show is a 12-minute fountain performance that begins with a touch of narrated history and concludes with dynamic choreography marrying music and the site’s newest fountain features.

These displays will be presented daily at 1:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. There will also be performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:15 p.m.

Another daily show in the Main Garden is “Classical, Jazz, and Hits of Today,” another 12-minue show but with a different musical style. These will be presented daily at 1:15 and 5:15 p.m.

The third show on the roster is “Fountain Refresher,” which is billed as “a five-minute mix of music genres that teases the theme of that evening’s Illuminated Fountain Performance.”

These are scheduled for Thursday through Saturday from May 6-August 28 at 6:15 and 8:15 p.m. and September 2 through October 30 at 6:15 p.m.

There will also be daily shows in the Open Air Theatre and the Italian Water Garden.

Featuring 750 jets in changing patterns, the Open Air Theatre comes alive with fountains set to music.

Since its 1914 Garden Party debut, this Italian-style outdoor theatre has expanded from its simple original fountains to the 750 jets that create the rainbowed curtain of water you see today, while playing host to more than 1,500 performances throughout the years.

To limit the spread of COVID-19, Longwood has made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend all ticketed concerts, fireworks shows and in-person continuing education classes. But live music can be heard in the Beer Garden, where live instrumental music from traditional Celtic tunes to Caribbean steel pan grooves sets the tone Thursday through Saturday evenings.

Beer Garden performances are scheduled through August from 6-9 p.m. from Thursday to Saturday evenings. They will also be held in September from 5-8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

As always, admission by “Timed Ticket” — 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.

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.

Video link for “Festival of Fountains” — https://youtu.be/AHsC2YuFerY.

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).

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum

On June 12 from 8-10 a.m.-noon, the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum (8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, www.fws.gov/refuge/John_Heinz) is presenting an event called “Bird Walk with Chuck and Emily.”

Participants will be able to take an educational walk with one of the venue’s knowledgeable volunteers.

Visitors to the Refuge can discover the 300-plus species of birds that use the Refuge during their migration routes — with a different species guaranteed each week.

The walk will be at a relaxed paced on flat surfaces. There are restrooms and a water fountain near the trailhead.

Later in the day on Saturday, the Refuge is presenting “Plant Walk with Dick Cloud” from 1-3 p.m.

The “Plant Walk” will start by visitor center and move at a relaxed paced on flat surfaces. There are restrooms and a water fountain near the trailhead.

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

The ultra-popular Garden Railway Display has become a major summer attraction at The Gardens at Morris Arboretum. The annual edition of the display has its official season opening a few days ago and will remain open until October 11.

The railway has a quarter mile of track featuring seven loops and tunnels with 15 different rail lines and two cable cars, nine bridges (including a trestle bridge you can walk under) and bustling model trains.

The buildings and the display are all made of natural materials – bark, leaves, twigs, hollow logs, mosses, acorns, dried flowers, seeds and stones – to form a perfectly proportioned miniature landscape complete with miniature rivers.

Philadelphia-area landmarks are all meticulously decorated for the holidays with lights that twinkle. There is even a masterpiece replica of Independence Hall are made using pinecone seeds for shingles, acorns as finials and twigs as downspouts.

This year the tracks are surrounded by miniature replicas of “Wonders of the World.” Visitors will be able to see the Eiffel Tower, Hagia Sophia, the Egyptian Pyramids, the Wall of China and more.

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

Hagley Museum and Library (200 Hagley Creek Road, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, www.hagley.org), the site of the former DuPont Powder Mill, offers a wide array of special events for visitors every summer.

“Summer Saturday at Hagley,” an event that runs every Saturday now through August 28, features fun outdoor activities. The program, which is included in admission, will run from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

The theme for June 12 is “Water Balloon Games.” Featured activities include competitions in Volleyballoon, Balloon Ring Toss, and Water Balloon Long Shot.

Also on June 12, Hagley Museum will present a recurring attraction called “Science Saturday.”

Visitors of all ages are invited to discover solutions to science and engineering challenges. Science Saturdays are drop-in activities, so visitors are free to stop by at any time during the event hours.

For this Saturday’s activity – “Spring Fling” — visitors will have the opportunity to use Newton’s laws of motion to build a catapult and find out how far they can launch a paper ball.

Another special activity on June 12 will be the “DCAD Plein Air Drawing Marathon.”

This event is held at Hagley Museum and Library and hosted by the Delaware College of Art and Design

Inspired by the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting & Sculpture, which founded the Drawing Marathon more than 25 years ago, this one-day drawing intensive is based on the belief that drawing is the basis of understanding one’s experience of the world.

Today, drawing marathons are a worldwide phenomenon, spanning the U.S. and the globe. For some participants, it is an opportunity to immerse themselves in their preferred artistic practice, while for others, it is a fun, creative, and challenging way to spend a day focused on drawing.

Artists 16 years and older and of all levels of experience are invited to participate.

The Delaware Art Museum (2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware, www.delart.org) has resumed its “DelArt Cinema Drive-in Series.”

Participants can enjoy a classic film from the comfort of their own car. Concessions will be available to purchase on site. Rain dates will be scheduled as needed. Parking begins at 7:15 p.m. and the movie starts at 9 p.m.

On June 11, the feature film will be “Dazed and Confused.”

“Dazed and Confused,” which was released in 1993, is a is coming-of-age film that follows the mayhem of a group of rowdy teenagers in Austin, Texas, celebrating the last day of high school in 1976. Starring roles were filled by then-young talented actors including Milla Jovovich, Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey and Anthony Rapp.

Tickets, which include popcorn and soda, are $19 per person.

The West Chester Railroad (610-430-2233, www.westchesterrr.net) is running its “Summer Picnic Specials” every Sunday from June 6 through Sept 19. There will be one excursion each day at noon.

Passengers can enjoy a 90-minute round trip train ride from West Chester to Glen Mills and return on a warm summer afternoon. Riders are invited to pack a lunch to have during excursion’s stop at the Glen Mills train station picnic grove.

Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for children (2-12) and free for children (under two).

The Colebrookdale Railroad (South Washington Street, Boyertown, www.colebrookdalerailroad.com) is running its “Secret Valley Excursion – Dinner” train on June 12 at 6 p.m. Earlier in the day, there will be a “Doodlebug Excursion” at 1 p.m.

On June 13, the tourist rail line is presenting “Secret Valley Excursion – Lunch” train with a 1 p.m. departure.

The tourist rail line’s two-hour expedition into the Secret Valley features rides on meticulously restored century-old rail cars and visits one of the most scenic and historic regions in the northeast.

Deluxe coach fares are $36 for adults (13-64), $29 for children (2-12), $31 for seniors (65 and older) and $6 for toddlers.

The New Hope Railroad (32 Bridge Street, New Hope, 215-862-2332, www.newhoperailroad.com) is running its “Grapevine Express,” which features “Wine & Cheese Tasting,” on June 12, 13, 26 and 27.

Riders are invited to take part in a romantic “Wine and Cheese Excursion” and enjoy fine gourmet cheese, artisan crackers, meats, fruit, and our featured local wines. Additional Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic beverages are also available onboard.

Wine and cheese will be served to passengers as they travel along the same railroad line passengers did when it was built in 1891 connecting New Hope with Philadelphia. The journey travels through the beautiful hills and valleys of Bucks County, along once vital waterways and streams and across numerous trestle bridges.

The excursions will take place aboard one of the railroads lavishly appointed early 1900’s first-class parlor cars.

Tickets are $79.99 (Ages 21 and older only).

The Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, http://www.chaddsford.com) will host “Reserve Tastings – Sweet Wine Showcase” on Saturdays and Sundays from June 5-20.

Steuben, Concord and Niagara grapes are the building blocks of the winery’s popular sweet wine portfolio. These wines are fun, distinctive, and very versatile.

This month’s reserve tasting is designed to celebrate the unique characteristics of the winery’s wide-ranging sweet wines. The program is equal parts wine tasting, food pairing, and mixology class.

The “Pairing Lineup” is: Welcome Wine: Chaddsford White; Sunset Blush paired with Brie and Hot Pepper Jelly; Spiced Apple paired with Applewood Smoked Cheddar; Chester County Cooler cocktail featuring Niagara wine with DiBruno Gorgonzola spread and Terra Blue chips; and Sangria Frozen Wine Pop.

Reserve Tastings are $35 per person and offered only on select Saturdays and Sundays. There are three seatings per day – noon, 2 and 4 p.m.

Beer fans from all around the region look forward to an annual gathering for an event known as “BrewFest.”

This year’s Annual BrewFest will be held on June 12 at Mount Hope on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire (Route 72, Cornwall, 717- 665-7021, www.parenfaire.com) from 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

One admission ticket to Pennysylvania’s premier craft brew festival includes a tasting glass, complimentary foods, shopping with unique vendors – and beer sampling from more than 40 breweries.

BrewFest features two four-hour sessions – 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4:30-8:30 p.m.
Brewfest is two, 4-hour sessions – 11AM-3PM and 4:30PM-8:30PM.
You must be 21 or older to attend and tickets are priced at $57.

The Brandywine Zoo (1001 North Park Drive, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-571-7747, www.brandywinezoo.org) is hosting “Sip and Stroll” on June 16 from 5-7 p.m.

The Brandywine Zoo is excited to announce a new happy hour series in which guests “Sip & Stroll” through the Zoo and enjoy an adult beverage from Bellefonte Brewing, Liquid Alchemy Beverages and Dogfish Head Brewery.

Beer purchases will be sold separately. Alcohol and Kona Ice is available for purchase.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children.

The Elmwood Park Zoo (1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, www.elmwoodparkzoo.org) has several upcoming special events.

A “Zoo Snooze” overnight campout will start at 6 p.m. on June 11 and run until 9:30 a.m. on June 12.

The “Campout” includes — Dinner (includes pizza, salad, and potato chips), Breakfast (includes pastries and fresh fruit), Flashlight tour of the zoo, Campfire & activities, educational show the next morning and Zoo admission the next day.

Tickets are $54.95.

“Night Adventures” is a recurring event that will get underway on June 11.

Adventurous visitors can zip the zoo in the dark with Treetop Adventures’ “Night Adventure.” They will be able to experience all the thrills of the zip line and ropes courses with the added challenge of darkness.

Adventurers will navigate through the trees, equipped with a headlamp. Young adventures can also experience the nighttime fun on the Zoo’s Cub Climb course.

The “Night Adventure” ticket includes access to an all-you-can-eat buffet (full of Norristown specialties like zeps, veggie zeps, pretzels, tomato pie and local beer) and one drink ticket.

Tickets are $55.

On June 16 and 18, the Zoo is hosting “Dog Days.”

All guests visiting the zoo with a furry friend must complete an online waiver and submit required documents before visiting the zoo. You must upload a copy of your most recent veterinary visit, including proof of vaccine and heartworm test here. All items will be required for you to attend “Dog Days.”

The “Dog Days” event is slated to run from 1-5 p.m. It will also be held on selected dates throughout June.

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

Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com), a family-friendly amusement park in Langhorne, hosting “Elmo’s Springtacular” now through June 20.

“Elmo’s Springtacular” at Sesame Place is filled with furry fun and exciting events. On weekends now through the end of June, guests can join in on the fun with an exciting lineup of meet & greets, music, magic, pirate adventures, and fireworks.

Guests will be able to rock out with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and Count von Count.

The festive “Meet & Greets with Elmo” will be held on Saturday and Sunday at the Sesame Place Neighborhood Theater. Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

This weekend, the theme is “Elmo’s Pirate Weekend.”

On June 12 and 13, park guests can join Elmo and his crew as they set sail for a pirate adventure with exclusive showings of “Elmo and the Bookaneers” in Abby’s Paradise Theater.

They can also join in the fun with a Treasure Hunt throughout the park and get physically distant photos with everyone’s favorite furry friends dressed in their pirate garb!

In the show “Elmo and the Bookaneers,” Elmo and his friends are bombarded by two goofy, book-loving pirates, the Bookaneers, who try to steal their beloved books. The furry friends set out on a high seas adventure to prove that they too can be Bookaneers and attempt to pass the Bookaneer test.

Ticket prices for Sesame Place start at $49.99

On June 12, the 2021 Juneteenth Festival in Germantown (www.freedomsbackyard.com) will be held along the 6300 Block of Germantown Avenue.

Midway through June each year, Historic Germantown honors the end of slavery in the U.S. during its annual Juneteenth Festival at The Johnson House.

The community festival begins with the Freedom Walk on Germantown Avenue leading up to a day of performances, family-friendly events and educational activities teaching visitors about the history of anti-slavery and abolitionist movements.

The event begins at 11 a.m. at 5109 Germantown Avenue — at the State Marker commemorating the site of the writing of the First Protest Against Slavery. From there the “Freedom Walk” parade will march up Germantown Avenue to the Johnson House to kickoff festivities.

The list of attractions includes historical re-enactments, food, live music, a cultural marketplace, and guided tours of the Concord School House and Upper Burying Ground.

This month, the Chestnut Hill Business District (https://chestnuthillpa.com/events/second-saturdays/) is hosting the second chapter of its new monthly series, “Second Saturday.”

This month’s “Second Saturday” celebration, which is an event highlighting Chestnut Hill’s vibrant arts scene, will be held on June 12.

With live music, retail and restaurant specials, and family-friendly activities, “Second Saturday” offers art enthusiasts, collectors, and casual spectators plenty of reasons to visit Chestnut Hill.

During each “Second Saturday,” which is free and open to the public, visitors can stroll the Avenue and explore the works of dozens of visiting regional artists. The event will feature highly sought-after professionals and new emerging talents.

“Second Saturday” events are a great time to explore and shop in one of the many art galleries and art supply stores in Chestnut Hill, as well as take a self-guided tour of the multiple outdoor and indoor exhibits at the Woodmere Art Museum.

Each month, a rotating selection of guest artists will set up outdoor pop-up shops on the sidewalks of Germantown Avenue where guests can meet artists, shop works, and watch artists painting live. “Second Saturday” will also host various opportunities for children to delve into their creative side.

“Second Saturday” will run from 2-6 p.m. along the 7600 to 8600 blocks of Germantown Avenue. Additional “Second Saturday” events are scheduled for July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, and November 13.

On June 16, Rosenbach Museum & Library (2008-2010 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, 215-732-1600, https://rosenbach.org) is presenting Bloomsday 2021 at 7 p.m.

The annual event, which is free, is a commemoration of Leopold Bloom and James Joyce’s novel “Ulysses.”

Lauded as the greatest novel of all time, “Ulysses” tells the story of a day in the life of everyman Dubliner Leopold Bloom. The action of the story takes place on June 16, 1904, hence the selection of June 16 for Bloomsday, the annual international holiday celebrating “Ulysses” and its creator.

As the home of Joyce’s manuscript of the novel, the Rosenbach has observed Bloomsday in grand fashion for over 20 years. The site celebrates the occasion with a day-long, public reading of the novel, inviting international literati, local artists, and public figures to read in three different locations throughout the city.

The readings are accompanied by musical performances, and the combination of word and song brings the novel to exhilarating life in the open air.

The 2021 Bloomsday Festival features the premiere of “I Said Yes: A Celebration of Bloomsday at The Rosenbach.”

Through interviews, commentary, music, readings, and much more,” I Said Yes: A Celebration of Bloomsday at The Rosenbach” reflects on the literary legacy of Ulysses and The Rosenbach’s place in its history.

After “First Fridays” and “Second Saturdays” comes “Third Thursdays.”

On June 17, it will be time for the City of Allentown’s “Third Thursday Arts Crawl” (downtownallentown.com).

Visitors will be able to explore all the breathtaking public artwork in Downtown Allentown during the Third Thursday Arts Crawl hosted by the Allentown Arts Museum and Downtown Allentown Business Alliance.

First tour leaves at 5:30 p.m. and the second tour departs at 6:30 p.m.

The tour is approximately one hour long and includes stair. Tickets are $10 and include your drink and a small bite.

Peddler’s Village (Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, 215-794-4000, www.peddlersvillage.com) is celebrating summer with its “Peddler’s Village Summer Block Party!”

Every weekend through the month of June, visitors can enjoy live entertainment, plenty of delicious food and drink specials, family-friendly activities and more across all five Village neighborhoods.

They can enjoy lunch or dinner in one of the many Village restaurants and eateries, cool off in chic boutiques and specialty shops, and play arcade games or ride the antique carousel at Giggleberry Fair.

Peddler’s Village shops will be open until 8 p.m. on Saturday. Admission and parking are free. Event is rain or shine.

Every Sunday, the Village will host string bands — famous Mummers string bands including Jersey, Aqua, Ferko, and Uptown.

Each weekend, Peddler’s Village will host talented musicians, entertainers, and fantastic food trucks, plus kids crafts, family-friendly activities, and more. On certain weekends, join us for carnival rides, ponies and a petting zoo, a charity dunk tank, bubble magician, axe throwing, and a cartoonist.

The entertainment schedule for June 12 features Trinidelphia, Jersey Harmony Chorus, Lolly and YoYo, and Galena Brass Band. On June 13, the live acts will be Matt Gordeuk, Harmonics Quartet and Aqua String Band.

Pin It

Share this post:

Related Posts

Comments are closed.