By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Radnor Hunt
This area has many — really many — annual events which have passed milestone anniversaries….and there are some still in their infancy.
May 17 is a big day in the local equestrian world – the day of the Radnor Hunt (826 Providence Road, Malvern, https://www.brandywine.org/conservancy/radnor-hunt-races).
This year marks the 94th running of the Radnor Hunt Races. Held on the grounds of the Radnor Hunt in Malvern, the event annually draws an estimated crowd of 20,000. The National Hunt Cup and the Radnor Hunt Cup headline the day’s six races.
The first Radnor Hunt Races were held in 1928 at Chesterbrook, the former estate of A.J. Cassatt. The Races were run annually until racing was suspended during the war years of 1943-1945.
The following year George Brooke, II, with the aid of Morris Dixon, Thomas McCoy, Jr., and George Strawbridge, Sr., supervised construction of a new course on the present Club property.
In 1980, the Radnor Hunt and Brandywine Conservancy began a partnership spearheaded by Betty Moran and George “Frolic” Weymouth. Under their leadership, the Radnor Hunt Races are Racing for Open Space. For the past 40 years the Brandywine Conservancy has been the sole beneficiary of the Radnor Hunt Races.
With more than five million dollars raised, those funds have fueled the Conservancy’s vital efforts to protect open space and water resources in southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware.
The 94th Radnor Hunt Races, which are held on the W. Burling Cocks Memorial Racecourse in Malvern, will get underway at 1:30 p.m. with The Milfern Cup race. Other featured races are The Thompson Memorial Steeplechase, The Radnor Hunt Cup, The National Hunt Cup and The Henry Collins Steeplechase.
Penns Woods Winery (124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, http://www.pennswoodswinery.com) will present “Derby @ the Vineyard” on May 17 and 18 from 1- a.m.-6 p.m. each day.
A Hunter Derby is a two-round horse jumping competition. Both rounds typically include natural fences reminiscent of the hunt field, such as stone walls, logs, brush jumps, white board fences, post-and-rail jumps, gates or coops.
“Derby @ the Vineyard” offers a deluxe experience for all spectators to enjoy a horse show with Penns Woods Wine, vineyard views, food trucks, artisanal vendors, and the ability to meet the stars of the show at the Stoltzfus Fence Meet & Greet paddock.
All ticket holders receive a “Derby @ the Vineyard” souvenir wine glass and event program, access to view up to eight hours of the Hunter Derby action, wine bar with wine available for purchase by the glass and bottle, live music and local food trucks and artisan vendors.
Tickets are $15.
The Fourth Annual West Chester Porchfest (westchesterporchfest.com) will be held on May 17 from 1-7 p.m. Rain date is May 18.Participants can stroll from porch to porch and enjoy live local talent and the beautiful porches of historic West Chester.
West Chester Porchfest is organized by the West Chester Green Team to promote community building, foster connections and celebrate the return of spring and the beginning of summer.
At locations between the band stages, the WCGT offers environmental education tables and information booths focusing on pollinator gardens and native plants.
Food trucks and picnic tables will be open while children’s activities will add to the festivities.
The entertainment also features a wide range of performers including Granddogs, Clean Slate, Cam Namaraniam, Rented Mole, The Mole Men of Philadelphia, Lisa Chosed, Harmless and Desparate, The White Feathers and Vinyl Logic.
Dogwood Festival
Phoenixville’s 82nd Annual Dogwood Festival (www.phoenixvilledogwoodfestival.org) is running now through May 17.
The annual staging of the springtime fair will take place at the historic Reeves Park Bandshell (Main Street between third and Fourth avenues, Phoenixville) with live entertainment each night.
The main day for activities at the free festival will be May 17 with a parade and other festivities running from 1-10 p.m. and live entertainment starting at 3 p.m.
The parade, which is one of the festival’s showcase events, is slated to get underway at 1 p.m.
Some of the music acts scheduled for the 20253 Dogwood Festival are Cresendo Music, Piper Down, American ramblers, Cole Campbell and Daniel.
The annual Chester County Studio Tour (chestercountystudiotour.com) will be held on May 17 and 18. The tour, which has continued to grow in size and stature from year-to-year, is a showcase for more than 150 different artists whose work will be displayed at more than 75 studios in the area.
Some of the artists whose work will be on display at 2025 edition of the event are Michael Fleck, Lin Webber, Theresa Haag, Erica Brown, Teri Morse, Dan Reed, Claire Rosen, Kimberly Hoescht and Diane Cirafesi.
Tour hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on May 17 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on May 18. The event is free and open to the public.
On May 17 and 18, the Brandywine Ballet will bring its annual spring performance to West Chester University’ Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall (South High Street, West Chester, 610-696-2711, www.brandywineballet.org).
This spring, Brandywine Ballet will present a full-length, fairytale ballet for its spring show.
Brandywine Ballet
This weekend, the Brandywine Ballet will present the classic family favorite — “Sleeping Beauty.”
This beautiful ballet tells the story of Princess Aurora who was born to the King and Queen of a magical fairytale kingdom.
A wicked fairy curses Aurora at her christening and promises that she will prick her finger on a spindle and die. The Lilac Fairy comes to the aid of the royal family and uses her magic to alter the wicked Carabosse’s spell.
Aurora is now destined to fall into a deep sleep only to be awoken by true love’s kiss. A century later, with the help of The Lilac Fairy, a
Prince seeks to wake Aurora from this sleep and lift the spell.
A magical story awaits audiences who embark on this adventure. This enchanting ballet will delight and enchant the entire family.
Performance times are noon and 4 p.m. on May 17 and 2 p.m. on May 18.
Ticket prices range from $30-$50.
A sure sign that summer is just around the corner is the opening of the “Festival of Fountains” at Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, www.longwoodgardens.org).
The “Festival of Fountains” opened for the season on May 9 and will run until September 28.
Longwood Gardens’ Open Air Theatre and Italian Water Garden fountains will spring to life, as will the Square Fountain, Round Fountain (Flower Garden Walk), Sylvan Fountain (Peirce’s Park), and Children’s Corner fountains.
The season of renewal and growth has started. Millions of tiny geophytes begin the season, blanketing Longwood’s vistas with sweeps of spring-has-sprung color.
Dancing fountains, performances under the stars, and beautiful gardens make the Festival of Fountains at Longwood Gardens magical. The spectacular celebration of music, light, water, and nature includes distinctive garden experiences indoors and out.
Before the fountain performances, guests can sit under the stars and enjoy live music and refreshing brews and pub fare in Longwood’s Beer Garden. Other dining options at Longwood are 1906 Fine Dining and The Café.
As the season unfolds, flowering trees delightfully punctuate the landscape, radiant tulips stretch toward the sun, and the delicious fragrance of wisteria floats along the breeze.
Visitors can also enjoy special exhibits at the Orchid House.
Admission to Longwood Gardens is $35 for adults, $31 for seniors and college students, $26 for active military and $20 for youth.
If you’re a fan of antique cars, you’ll have several options this weekend for events that will interest you.
Linvilla Orchards & the Historical Car Club of Pennsylvania will present an outstanding display of spectacularly restored cars this weekend at their annual Antique Car Show & Flea Market at Linvilla Orchards (137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, 610- 876-7116, www.linvilla.com).
On May 18, the orchard/market/tourist attraction in Media will host the interesting annual springtime event from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The free show, which grows in popularity every year, will be held rain or shine.
Linvilla Orchards has partnered with The Historical Car Club of Pennsylvania (HCCP) for over three decades to present their annual Spring Meet. More than 250 spectacularly restored and maintained antique, classic, and muscle cars will take over one of Linvilla’s big fields.
Visitors to Linvilla Orchards’ car show will be able to get an up-close-and-personal look at a large selection of antique vehicles — all of which have been maintained in pristine form. There will be cars dating from as far back as the early 1900s. The wide representation of vintage vehicles will include cars all the way up until the 1970s.
As an added attraction, there will be hayrides around the orchard’s grounds and train rides on Linvilla Orchards Playland Express. Other kid-oriented attractions include a playground, a barnyard and face-painting.
The 28th Annual Ambler Auto Show (Butler Avenue, Ambler, http://amblermainstreet.org) will be held May 18 from 1-6 p.m. in the center of Ambler.
Billed as “The Best Little Car Show Around,” the annual event has established a reputation as a quality show.
Butler Avenue will close for the event from Lindenwold Avenue to Main Street so that more than 200 classic cars and their owners can compete for a litany of prizes.
The Ambler Auto Show is designed to be a fun, low-pressure event for auto and truck enthusiasts.
Held each year at the beginning of the regional auto show season, Ambler gives the exhibitor a great opportunity to “tune-up” for upcoming shows. Vehicles are positioned along Butler Avenue covering the major shopping area of Ambler.
Visitors to the show have the opportunity to stop and chat with owners to learn more about each vehicle. Vehicles compete for awards in three categories — The Top 30, Major Sponsor Trophy and the Al Whitcomb Best-in-Show Award.
Additionally, all entrants receive a commemorative dash plaque marking their participation in the show.
ThrillPark Carnival, which features Tons of Fun Shows, is running now through May 18 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (Station Avenue, Oaks, www.phillyexpocenter.com).
The event is celebrating Mother’s Day with free admission for all mothers and unlimited free rides for mothers.
Tons of Fun Shows have a wide variety of children and adult rides, a good selection of games, and fine foods to excite your taste buds.
The popular event at the Greater Philadelphia Fairgrounds features more than 30 amusement rides and attractions for children and adults.
The ThrillPark Carnival opens at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Admission is $5 with children (36 inches and under) and Seniors (65 and older) admitted free.
On May 17, the Expo Center will also host the “Wicked Gluten Free Expo Philadelphia” from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The event will feature more than 100 exhibitors dealing with vegan and allergen-free options.
There will be a wide array of free samples and products for purchase.
Other features at the Expo are a kids’ play area, free parking and a variety of prepared food vendors and food trucks.
Tickets are $7.
From 2001-2019, collectors of comics, toys, gaming or non-sport trading cards made an annual pilgrimage to Philadelphia to attend the Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, 215-418-4700, fanexpohq.com).
One of the country’s top pop culture conventions, the annual event was the largest event of its type on the East Coast.
COVID-19 knocked the event out of the water for a few years, but it returned three years ago with a new name — FAN EXPO Philadelphia.
It is an event that features top celebrities, hundreds of exhibitors, creators and cosplayers as well as compelling programming, meet and greets, special events, kids’ zones and more.
FAN EXPO will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center now through May 18. It will feature movies, comics, toys, video gaming, television, anime, manga, horror, sports, original art, collectibles, contests and movie screenings — along with more than 150 celebrities who will be greeting fans and autographing items and industry professionals representing the best in today’s pop culture.
The lineup is a huge one, headlined by William Shatner (“Star Trek,” “Boston Legal”), Mel Gibson (Braveheart, Lethal Weapon), John Cena (WWE Superstar, The Fast and the Furious), John Carpenter (legendary director, Halloween, The Thing), Steve Guttenberg (Police Academy, Cocoon), Helen Hunt (What Women Want, Twister) and Bitsie Tulloch and Tyler Hoechlin (“Superman & Lois).
A vast array of talented comics artists and writers, spanning more than a half century of work and encompassing dozens of the most popular franchises in the history of the medium through the present, will also be on hand .
Other special attractions include comics-themed panels, portfolio reviews and costume contests. The show also will host hundreds of exhibitors who will be displaying and selling action figures, Anime, movie posters, trading cards, clothing, memorabilia, original artwork and comics.
Ticket prices start at $49 for adults.
There is a saying in Italian, “cento anni,” (pronounced colloquially by Italians as “gen-dahn”) that means “one hundred years” and implies “one hundred years of health.” It is often said during a toast.
For more than 100 years, South Philadelphia has been a stronghold of the city’s Italian-American population.
Nowhere is it more evidenced than at the South Ninth Street Italian Market (Ninth Street and Washington Avenue vicinity, Philadelphia, 215-278-2903, www.italianmarketfestival.com).
On May 17 and 18, it will be time once again for the annual “South Ninth Street Italian Market Festival.” The festival’s focus will center on specialty food shops, restaurants, taverns and stores.
The festival, which is free, features the annual “Procession of Saints,” along with live entertainment, family events, crafts vendors and food booths.
It will run from 11 a.m-6 p.m. both days and will be held rain or shine.
One of the festival’s most popular attractions is “Albero della Cuccagna” — the “Grease Pole.” It is a 30-foot-high pole greased with lard that is located at the Ninth and Montrose Piazza.
Teams will compete on both days for prizes of meats, cheeses, gift cards and money — prizes that are hanging from the top of the pole.
There will be a bustle happening on May 18 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. with the highly anticipated “Chestnut Hill Home + Garden Festival” (Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, chestnuthillpa.com)
The Festival features more than 250 vendors set up along the 8000 to 8600 blocks of Germantown Avenue, which will be closed to vehicular traffic.
The all-day, family-friendly event will highlight home and garden décor, outdoor craft demonstrations, live music, children’s activities, and more than 200 retailers, restaurants, and businesses within the Chestnut Hill Business District.
Returning this year is the Maker’s Village, featuring craft demonstrations, including pottery, macrame, sewing, and stained glass. The Sustainability Hub will highlight businesses, makers, and organizations working to support the goals of a more sustainable Philadelphia.
The Maker’s Village and Sustainability Hub complement the numerous home and garden stores throughout Chestnut Hill.
The Upper Darby Greek Festival 2025 (St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Upper Darby, 229 Powell Lane, Upper Darby, www.saintdemetrios.org) will be held now through May 18 with a wide array of tasty Greek treats such as souvlaki, shish-ka-bob, moussaka, pastitsio and gyros and baklava.
Other activities include vendors with crafts and Greek items and live Greek dancing. The free festival is open from 11 a.m.-midnight on Friday and Saturday and noon-9 p.m. on Sunday.
There will be live Greek folk dancing on Saturday and Sunday with performances by Pontian Society, St. Demetrios Pegasus and Cypriot Society.
Some of the tasty Greek food available at the festival will be gyros, souvlaki, mousaka, pastitsio, and spanakopita while featured desserts will be baklava, melomakarona, kataifi, galaktoboureko and roxakia.
A special attraction this year will be a Saturday Night Panigiri with Greek singer Konstantina Touni and her band on May 17 at 9:30 p.m. A Panigiri is a centuries-old traditional and cultural festival organized during the summer months mainly in the villages of Greek islands and mainland where the patron saint is celebrated.
The West Chester Railroad (610-430-2233, www.wcrailroad.com) is running its “Picnic Special” on Sundays through September.
Guests will enjoy a relaxing 90-minute train ride from West Chester to Glen Mills and return.
Riders should pack a lunch to have during the stop at the Glen Mills train station picnic grove where they can explore the picnic area, the 1880s station building, or the Red Brick Winery.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children (ages 2-12).
The New Hope Railroad (32 West Bridge Street, New Hope, 215-862-2332, www.newhoperailroad.com) is running its “Spring Excursion” on Saturdays and Sundays in May.
Riders will embark on a two-hour round-trip through the vibrant landscapes of Bucks County on the New Hope Railroad Spring Excursion.
They can experience the unique beauty of the “New Hope Branch” route, adorned with wildflowers and fresh spring greenery, from the comfort of our vintage coaches.
This excursion is an ideal retreat for everyone, from photography enthusiasts and nature lovers to those seeking a peaceful getaway. Due to its popularity and limited seats, early booking is recommended to ensure your spot on this journey of rejuvenation and scenic splendor.
Tickets are $60 for adults, $58 for children (ages 3-11) and $12 for children (ages 0-2).
The Strasburg Rail Road (Route 741, Strasburg, 717-687-7522, www.strasburgrailroad.com) is running a special train on May 16, 17 and 18 – the “Wine & Cheese Train.”
Passengers can enjoy the luxurious, climate-controlled first-class accommodation 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 4 and 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday. The total trip time is 45 minutes.
“Wine & Cheese Train” boarding is 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. Riders must be 21 or older and have their photo ID ready when they board.
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 $8 each.
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.
This popular train is available on select Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the season. Tickets are $70.
On May 17, The Northern Central Railway (2 West Main Street, New Freedom, www.northerncentralrailway.com) is running its Glen Rock Express” at 11 a.m. and its “Ales & Rails – Mystery Craft Beer Tour” at 1 p.m.
The “Glen Rock Express” will travel to Glen Rock and back with the historic PRR GP9 Diesel Locomotive built-in 1959. The ride will be on a former Pennsylvania Railroad mainline that has been in operation since 1838.
The “Hanover Junction Flyer” travels through the Heritage Rail Trail County Park and southern York County countryside on this trip to Hanover Junction.
On May 17, the annual Skippack Spring Wine Festival (Skippack Pike, Skippack, 610- 584-1155, http://winetober.com) will be staged along the main street of the scenic village near the Skippack Creek in Montgomery County.
The popular annual event will feature more than 30 wine vendors with a tasty array of wine and food samples along with live music. There will be more than 125 vendors overall.
Some of the wine vendors who will be participating in this weekend’s event are Blue Mountain Vineyards, Juanita Valley Winery, Bee Kind Winery, and Benigna’s Creek Vineyard & Winery, Inc.
This year’s Skippack Spring Wine Festival will be held from noon-6 p.m. Tickets for the event, which include food and wine sampling, are $35.
Rhubarb can have negative vibes if it refers to an angry discussion or positive vibes if it refers to a produce item that is frequently used in fruit pies.
On May 16 and 17, the 2025 Rhubarb Festival will be held at Kitchen Kettle Village (3529 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, 800-732-3538, www.kitchenkettle.com). The festival starts at 11 a.m. on both days.
In Lancaster County, people have been celebrating rhubarb for more than 30 years. This is the time of year when Kitchen Kettle Village comes alive with the sweet aroma of rhubarb jam bubbling in its kettles.
Rhubarb is the harbinger of spring in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and every year Kitchen Kettle Village pays tribute with a two-day food festival filled with delicious and sometimes zany events.
The not-your-everyday annual event will feature attractions and activities for people of all ages, including a rhubarb racecar derby, homemade desserts, the “Rhubarb Stroll” mini-parade, a “Rhubarb Whoopie Pie Filling Contest” and more.
The free, family-oriented event will also feature a wide array of homemade rhubarb foods, including rhubarb dips, rhubarb sauces, rhubarb pies and rhubarb drinks.
Newlin Grist Mill (219 South Cheyney Road, Glen Mills, 610-459-2359, www.newlingristmill.org) will host one of its “2025 Public Archaeology Days” on May 17.
Guests are invited to join the Mill staff as they dig into history with archaeological excavations and learn more about the site through the evidence under foot.
The public is invited to participate (or just watch) as Newlin Grist Mill’s professional archaeologist, Keith Doms, and a dedicated corps of archaeology volunteers seek to gain a deeper understanding of the site’s history through careful excavation using scientific techniques and thorough documentation.
Excavations this season are planned for the Trimble farm complex in the Historic Area. The Trimble family built their house on the property adjoining the Mill in 1739 and, over time, built a whole complex of structures to support the operations of their household and farm.
By conducting archaeological studies in the area around the Trimble House, the Newlin Grist Mill staff hopes to learn more about the people who lived and worked there in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries.
The event, which will run from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., is free and open to all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult).
The Birding Club of Delaware County (Brinton Run Preserve, 6 Oakland Road, Chadds Ford, northamericanlandtrust.org) is delighted to partner with NALT in hosting a special “Birds ‘N Brunch” event to highlight nesting and migratory bird species.
The event on May 17 will start at 8 a.m. with a walk led by BCDC expert leaders, looking for flycatchers, vireos, warblers, orioles, swallows, bluebirds and more.
After the walk, participants can stay for a light, continental-style brunch including juice, coffee, fruit, pastries, bagels and spreads.
They will also be able to mingle with fellow birders inside Brinton Run’s newly renovated facility.
This event is free, but it is requested that you register here: Registration for Birds ‘N’ Brunch.
Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com) will be presenting “Elmo’s Springtacular” every weekend now through June 16.
“Elmo’s Springtacular” at Sesame Place is filled with furry fun and exciting events – including an exciting line up of meet & greets, music, magic, pirate adventures, and fireworks.
This weekend will feature “PJ Masks Meet & Greet” on May 17 and 18.
Kids can enjoy an action-packed day with their favorites.
Get ready for an action-packed day with your favorite PJ Masks heroes – Catboy, Owlette, and Gekko.
This will be an opportunity to meet everyone’s favorite heroes as they pose for photos. These mystery-solving superheroes encourage children to spark their curiosity and inspire imaginative play and teamwork along the way!
Activity will take place at Sesame Studio.
From May 16-18, it will be time for the New Hope and Lambertville “Pridefest” (https://www.newhopecelebrates.com/pridefest/).
The event’s major festivities are “Pride Parade,” “Pride Fair,” “Best Cocktail Contest Crawl,” and “New Hope Celebrates Pride Dance Party.”
The Annual Pride Parade, the signature event of New Hope Celebrates PrideFest will kick off in Lambertville, NJ before marching into New Hope on Saturday. The parade and fair continue to highlight the diverse and inclusive communities of New Hope and Lambertville.
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. where New Jersey’s first same-sex marriages were performed in 2013 – Lambertville City Hall — and continue down Bridge Street into Pennsylvania, making it the only Pride Parade which crosses a state line.
Following the Parade, people can gather for the Pride Fair at the end of South Main St. open to the public in the Legion parking lot at the corner of New St. and South Main St. There will be vendors and live entertainment from noon-5 p.m.
Open to all, this fun-filled day brings everyone together to celebrate diversity. Cash bars are available. Admission proceeds will benefit New Hope Celebrates and all PrideFest events.
Hope Lodge (553 South Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, 215-343-0965, http://www.ushistory.org/hope/) will be presenting a “Guided Mansion Tour” on May 18.
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.
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.
Tour admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (age 65+) and for youth ages 6-17, and free for children under 5. 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.
If you’re looking for “attractive” attractions or “special” special events, the First State is great. Delaware always has a lot to offer.
The 2025 Brandywine River ShadFest is scheduled for May 18 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Brandywine Park (1080 North Park Drive, Wilmington, Delaware, www.brandywineshadfest.org).
The Fifth Annual Brandywine River ShadFest is a family-friendly celebration of the Brandywine River and the return of the American shad.
The festival starts at 11 a.m. with live music scheduled for noon.
The wide array of attractions includes fishing lessons for kids, seining demonstration, face painting, live stream bugs, interactive watershed model, t-shirt fish printing, shad obstacle course, food and craft vendors, adult beverages and more.
It didn’t take very long for the Wilmington Grand Prix (various locations around downtown Wilmington, http://wilmgrandprix.com) to evolve from a regional bicycle race to one of the premier cycling events in the country.
The Men’s and Women’s Professional Criterium Races will be an official stop on USA Cycling’s National Criterium Calendar.
The action starts May 16 with the Monkey Hill Time Trial, a 3.2-mile race against the clock through Wilmington’s Brandywine Park.
On May 17, there will be a series of races beginning at 9 a.m. and culminating with the Women’s Pro and Men’s Pro races in the afternoon.
The racing on Saturday will be held in downtown Wilmington on a figure-eight criterium over a one-mile course. The start line and finish line are the same and are located in front of the Grand Opera House in the 800 block of Market Street.
Saturday will also feature the Major Taylor Community Ride at 11 a.m. and a free Street Festival from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
On May 18, it will be time for the 10th Annual Governor’s Ride and the Ninth Annual Delaware Gran Fondo. Last year’s Gran Fondo attracted cyclists from 20 states, including Maine, Florida and Colorado.
On May 17, you can take a trip back to a different era in America’s history by attending the annual “A Day in Old New Castle” in Historic New Castle (off Route 141, New Castle, Delaware, 302-322-5774, http://www.historicnewcastle.com).
The event, which will be held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., is a special activity that not only celebrates history but also has a lot of history of its own. It is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
It is a tradition of home and garden tours in New Castle that dates back a full century — in a town that was founded 350 years ago.
Billed as the oldest home and garden tour in the United States, “A Day in Old New Castle” provides visitors with the opportunity to see what life was like during the historic era when New Castle served as the capital of the fledgling colony of Delaware.
New Castle was where William Penn first set foot in North America in 1682. New Castle was also the home to two of Delaware’s three signers of the Declaration of Independence. This weekend’s event will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the year of “Union and Freedom.”
Visitors will be able to tour the many homes, gardens and public buildings that witnessed the rebirth of America at the conclusion of the Civil War. Also included are tours of the A.J. Meerwald.
The cobblestone streets of Old New Castle will be alive with activities. There will be confederate and union encampments by Union Patriotic League and Garrison of New Amstel.
Other attractions include blacksmithing, historic caricatures, a Colonial brewer, children’s games, bell ringers, a maypole, carriage rides, beer garden, tours of historic Buttonwood School.
Tickets for “A Day in Old New Castle” are $25 for adults and $5 for children (ages 6-12).
The Annual Bellefonte Arts Festival (Brandywine Boulevard, Bellefonte, Delaware, www.bellefontearts.com) will be held on May 17.
The event, which is scheduled to run from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., will feature more than 50 local artists and artisans who will be selling and demonstrating handcrafted items such as pottery, photography, paintings, “up-cycled art for home and garden,” jewelry, glass, textiles, candles, and mixed media.
There will also be an array of community booths, activities for children and pet lovers, performances of live music in the festival’s big music tent and tasty food treats at the food truck food court.
The 2025 season is underway at Nemours Estate (1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, Delaware, nemoursestate.org). The entrance is located on the campus of Nemours Children’s Health, follow signs for Nemours Estate.
One of the site’s popular spring events will be held this weekend.
On May 17, Nemours will present “Mindful Rock Painting Workshop” at 10:30 a.m. by the Estate’s upper ponds.
Nemours was the estate of Alfred I. duPont.
Originally constructed in 1910, Nemours Estate is one of Delaware’s grandest buildings and includes the largest formal French garden in North America.
Nemours Estate 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, meadows and lawns.
The Gardens are one of the estate’s prime attractions.
Admission to Nemours is $23 for adults, $21 for seniors and $10 for children.
Hagley Museum and Library (Buck Road East entrance via Route 100, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, www.hagley.org), a 230-acre historical village on the site of the original du Pont Company gunpowder mills in northern Delaware, has a popular ongoing attraction – “Nation of Inventors.”
A popular upcoming event is “Walking Tour.”
With the “Walking Tour,” participants can walk through history during an in-depth, 90-minute guided tour each Monday morning from March through December. This week’s topic is “What’s for Dinner?”
“Nation of Inventors” celebrates the American spirit of ingenuity by taking visitors on a journey from the early years of the patent system, in the 1790s, through the “golden age” of American invention, in the late 1800s.
The exhibit features more than 120 patent models from Hagley’s unique collection highlighting the diverse stories of inventors from all walks of life.
Patent models are scaled representations of inventions and were part of the patent application process for nearly 100 years. “Nation of Inventors” showcases patent models representing innovations in a variety of industries from transportation and manufacturing to food preservation and medical devices.
In the exhibition, visitors will enjoy engaging experiences around every corner, testing their knowledge of innovation and hearing personal accounts from inventors.
“Nation of Inventors” is located on the first two floors of Hagley’s Visitor Center. Visitors can plan to spend about 30 minutes on their self-guided tour of the exhibition.
Admission to Hagley is $20 for adults, $16 for students and seniors (62+) and $10 for children (6-14).
On May 17, Laurel Hill Cemetery (3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-228-8200, www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org) will present “Nurture with Nature” from 3-5 p.m.
Working with the healing power of plants can help to decrease stress and anxiety, process grief, and improve overall well-being. Combining eco-mindfulness and creative activities, the workshops in this series invite participants to learn about the uses and roles of specific native plants through the lens of natural cycles.
Workshops are led by Kate Irvine, a licensed Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner and mixed media artist. Participants are welcome to attend one, some, or all four 2025 sessions.
The May session will take place at Bala Green, one of Laurel Hill West’s green burial habitats. Participants will use pressed flowers and collage to create take-home suncatchers.
This event takes place during Love Your Park Week, a citywide celebration of Philadelphia’s park system.
Tickets are $20.
The Ghost Tour of Lancaster and the Ghost Tour of Strasburg are based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Lancaster, PA.”
Participants in the Ghost Tour of Lancaster explore the long-forgotten mysteries of one of America’s oldest cities, with haunting tales of otherworldly vigils, fatal curses, and star-crossed lovers. The tour provides the opportunity to experience 300 years of haunted history from the Red Rose City’s thorny past. Tickets are $20.
The Ghost Tour of Strasburg is a candlelight walking tour of the quaint and historic town of Strasburg in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Visitors will experience an entertaining evening with a costumed tour guide spinning tales of haunted mansions, eerie graveyards, and spirits that roam the night … in a town lost in time. Tickets are $20.
You can capture the same vibe closer to home with tours in Philadelphia.
The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia, which is based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Philadelphia, PA.,” is a candlelight walking tour along the back streets and secret gardens of Independence Park, Society Hill, and Old City, where ghostly spirits, haunted houses, and eerie graveyards abound.
Participants can discover the ghost lore of America’s most historic and most haunted city with stories from the founding of William Penn’s colony to present-day hauntings.
The activity is open year-round – weekends, December-February; every night, March-November. Tickets are $24.
Ghost Tour of Philadelphia (215-413-1997, www.ghosttour.com), Ghost Tour of Lancaster (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com) and Ghost Tour of Strasburg (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com) operate throughout the spring and summer and offer an eerily entertaining evening of true ghost stories and real haunted houses.
The 2025 season is in full swing at Chanticleer (786 Church Street, Wayne, www.chanticleergarden.org).
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 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.
There 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.
Admission to Chanticleer is $12 for adults and free for pre-teen children (12 years and under).
Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum (1237 State Road, Andalusia, www.andalusiapa.org) is in full swing for the 2025 season.
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 is also a natural paradise of native woodlands and spectacular gardens that have evolved over time.
Placed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks in 1966, the Big House — 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 of a family that helped to shape its future.
Self-Guided Garden Tours will be available Mondays through Wednesdays through November 4 (excluding holidays) at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.
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).
