Grounds for Sculpture Anniversary Party

Head out to the Grounds for Sculpture this Saturday June 2nd between 11am - 4pm for their annual Anniversary Arts Party celebrating the Grounds for Sculpture birthday. This summer birthday bash features kids arts workshops, musical performances, opportunities to meet local working artists and tour the park with them. Plus, you can participate in the Grounds for Sculpture commemorative quilt project, free ice cream and birthday cake and everyone's favorite activity - the peacock calling contest. Free with park admission. Rain or shine!

Grounds For Sculpture is a 42-acre public sculpture park located in Hamilton, NJ. It was founded in 1992 on the site of the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds by J. Seward Johnson to promote an understanding of and appreciation for contemporary sculpture for all people. Visitors to the park can enjoy the outdoor permanent collection, indoor seasonal exhibitions, and learn about contemporary sculpture through a variety of educational programs including workshops for adults and children, artist residencies and lectures, tours for adults, schoolchildren, toddlers, as well as touch tours for the blind. In addition, the park also offers various events, a 42-acre arboretum, shopping and dining, including the high-rated fine dining destination known as Rat’s Restaurant.

Grounds for Sculpture Anniversary Party

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day, everyone! Hope you are enjoying this three day weekend and getting your fill of BBQs, R&R and family fun! Thank you to all those who have served - we remember. And we honor you today.

Don't forget if you're looking for family fun today to check out a local parade or other Memorial Day Weekend phillyfun picks. And, it's the last day of the Disney Pixar Summer Movie weekend at participating AMC theaters with $6 admission to four classic Pixar films including Toy Story 3, Wall-E, Up, and Ratatouille. Whatever you do, hope you enjoy your Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day!

Memorial Day Weekend Phillyfun Picks

It’s Memorial Day weekend in Philly and the unofficial start of summer means even more family friendly fun than ever! There are parades, festivals and so much more so who needs the shore? Just stay close to home, avoid the crowds and traffic and enjoy one of these great Memorial Day weekend fun picks with your whole family!

Devon Horse Show
Friday May 25th - Monday May 28th
23 Dorset Road
Devon PA

It’s time for the Devon Horse Show, the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed competition in the country, which just happens to be on the Main Line right outside of Philadelphia. In addition to the Horse Show, the Devon County Fair offers unique vendors, delicious treats like home made fudge and other old time candy and lunch/dinner options yummy options for the whole family. Plus enjoy rides, games and other attractions to make this an event for kids of all ages. On Monday May 28th a special Devon Doggie Parade will be held starting at 1pm. The Devon Horse Show and County Fair runs May 24th through June 3, 2012. General single day admission tickets are $5 for children ages 3-12, $10 for adults, and free for ages 2 and under.

Walk for Animals Philadelphia & Spring Festival for the Animals
Saturday May 26th 
Outside of Lloyd Hall
1 Boathouse Row
Philadelphia, PA

The annual Walk for Animals Philadelphia event takes place on Saturday May 26th at 11am beginning outside of Lloyd Hall on beautiful Boathouse Row. The walk continues along the Schuylkill River and ends back at Lloyd Hall for the Festival of Animals. Fur friends are welcome to join on the walk! Registration is free but advanced registration is required. All donations benefit The Humane League.

Franklin Square Memorial Day Celebration
6th & Race Sts.
Philadelphia, PA

It’s a free Memorial Day Celebration in Franklin Square this weekend! Enjoy free entertainment and Franklin Square’s beautiful park, Liberty Carousel and mini-golf all weekend long.

Fit & Fun Family Festival 
Saturday May 26th - Sunday May 27th
Camden Children’s Garden
3 Riverside Dr.
Camden, NJ

The Fit & Fun Family Festival takes place at the Camden Children's Garden Sat. May 26th and Sunday May 27th starting at 1pm and will highlight fun and easy ways to have a healthy lifestyle. The focus will be on fitness and fun with healthy eating, simple excervise and fitness routines, and much more. Kids will enjoy crafts, a vegetable plantng activity and other activities that support a healthy lifestyle for all ages. $6 per peron. Ages 2 and under are free.

Memorial Day Weekend Celebration
Saturday May 26th - Monday May 28th
National Constitution Center
525 Arch St.
Independence Mall
Philadelphia, PA

It’s an interactive participation of a flag raising ceremony at the National Constitution Center every morning running Saturday May 26th through Monday May 28th at 8:30am. Enjoy special programs featuring our national monuments, join in for “patriotic karaoke” as well as patriotic crafts for the kiddos through the weekend. Free with museum admission. Tickets $8-$14.50.

Fireworks and Fountains at Longwood Gardens 
Saturday May 26th
Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Road
Kennett Square, PA

Enjoy the splendor of Longwood Gardens’ unique Fireworks and Fountains display on Saturday May 26th at 9:15pm. Musical theme will feature Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky. Guest may reserve their space in the gardens after 3pm. Families are encouraged to bring folding chairs or to rent chairs at the Gardens for $5 while available. Blankets not permitted. $18 - $38.

Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue 
Saturday May 26th - Monday May 28th
Garden State Discovery Museum
2040 Springdale Rd.
Cherry Hill, NJ

It’s a weekend of celebrating the red, white and blue at the Garden State Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill, NJ this weekend from Saturday May 26th – Monday May 28th from 11am – 3pm. Kids will enjoy crafts, flowers, music, and “quiet” fireworks in the theater along with a colorful patriotic Memorial Day celebration. Free with museum admission $10.95.

Memorial Day BBQ and Fireworks 
Sunday May 27th
Sesame Place
100 Sesame Road
Langhorne PA

Give your kiddos a Memorial Day to remember at Sesame Place on Sunday May 27th at the Memorial Day BBQ and Fireworks display. Enjoy a buffet dinner and character appearances in Big Bird’s Riverside Pavilion and then relax and enjoy the firework display, too. Tickets $25+ tax for adults, $17+ tax for children 2-11 and free for under ages 2 and under. Park admission ticket is also required. Advanced reservations required.

Memorial Day Breakfast Car Show 
Monday May 28th
Silver Diner 
Cherry Hill, NJ

The Silver Diner in Cherry Hill, NJ and the Original Garden State Corvette Club will host a Memorial Day Breakfast Car Show on Monday May 28th. The first 200 cars to register will receive a free T-shirt. $20 car entry fee required at check in. “Best of” trophies will be awarded in 16 difference categories starting at 12 Noon. Free for viewers. Meal not included.

Bridesburg Memorial Day Parade
Monday May 28th
Philadelphia, PA

The Bridesburg Memorial Day parade starts at Richmond and Juniata Streets at 10am on Monday May 28th.


Local Parades 
Monday May 28th
Of course, don’t forget to check your town/borough’s local parade listings for parades and other Memorial Day weekend fun!

For additional parade listings, check your local paper or town website or see http://www.vetfriends.com/memorial_day_parade/directory.cfm?state=PA

Memorial Day Weekend Phillyfun Picks

Guest Post: By Lily's Mom Trish Adkins

Today we are proud and honored to feature this guest post by fellow Philly-area blogger Trish Adkins, mom of two, teacher of yoga, freelance writer, and founder/author of Yoke. I have gotten very closely involved with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation this year mostly because of work at my "day job" involving schools around the world coming together to raise money through Alex's Virtual Lemonade Stand. I'm so touched to have the opportunity to begin to get to know Trish's daughter Lily, a childhood cancer hero (though Lily probably wouldn't call herself that). Won't you take a minute to read Trish's post and consider coming out to support Lily's stand on June 9th? Or making an online or text donation to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation through Lily's stand? Every penny DOES count! Just ask Lily and her family...

When life gives you lemons. . .you make Alex's Lemonade!

When my daughter was first diagnosed with a brain tumor, I knew nothing about Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF). Then one morning in June while she was upstairs at the Children's Hospital of Phildelphia in the PICU recovering from brain surgery, I went downstairs to buy a cup of lemonade.

CHOP was buzzing with excitement--it was the ALSF annual Lemonade Days. I, however, was in a bad place. The day before Lily had complications during a procedure. I hated the world. I hated everything and everyone. I was spent.

Then I heard Liz Scott speak. I only remember one word that Liz said:

Hope.

Hearing this amazing woman and mother, who lost her child, tell me to have hope, saved me.

My daughter Lily is a 6-year-old brain tumor survivor. She was diagnosed when she was 14-months old, after weeks of throwing up. Her pediatrician kept diagnosing a GI bug and a bladder infection. Finally, we begged for more answers and we were sent to the emergency room at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Within 30 minutes we had our answer: a brain tumor.

Those are two words, you never, ever want to hear as a parent.

Lily has endured multiple brain surgeries, seven weeks of proton radiation and continued therapies to help improve her motor skills and strengthen her muscles. Brain surgery damaged Lily's overall muscle tone and coordination. Therapy and hard work has brought Lily full circle. The little girl who once could not walk, now runs and tumbles and dances. She is a shining beacon of hope and strength and love.

But we know that Lily's battle is not unique. Everyday, 46 children are diagnosed with childhood cancer. Everyday, 46 mothers and fathers learn that their child will begin the fight for their lives. Seven children die everyday at the hands of childhood cancer.

46 children is 46 too many. The suffering has to stop.

It because of these children that our family holds an Alex's Lemonade Stand to support ALSF every year. For the past four years, our family has hosted a Lemonade Stand in our front yard and online to raise money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer.

Childhood cancer research is consistently underfunded and under researched. But ALSF is working to change that. Since 2004, the foundation has made a major impact--raising over $50 million for research. It all started with Alex--a little girl who was really sick and really wise. Alex knew that every penny counts and every donation adds up.

This year, our family aims to raise $10,000 for a cure to all forms of childhood cancer. It is an enormous goal--but it is one we hope to reach with the help of kind and generous friends.

Every donation--whether $5 or $50 counts. When you buy a cup (or 100 cups, please!), you will be sipping in the beautiful stories of some of my favorite people in the world, my heroes. In honor of all those children, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who fight, have fought and will continue to sell lemonade for their friends, until cures for pediatric cancer are found, I ask, I beg you to raise a glass to these amazing blessings.

Together, we will beat childhood cancer, one icy cold, sweet cup of lemonade at a time!

To donate to Lily's stand: http://www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/80920 To donate in person, come to the stand on June 9, in Lily's front yard in Lindenwold, NJ. There will be loads of great activities for the kids: face painting, a sour lemon face contest, moon bounce, crafts, raffle prizes and much more!

-- Trish Adkins

Guest Post: By Lily's Mom Trish Adkins

The weather is getting warmer and Philly is all a buzz with the unofficial start of summer fast approaching. Check out these great phillyfun family events taking place in and around the city this weekend.

Philadelphia on Parade
Saturday May 19th
11am - 6pm
Mann Music Center
Fairmount Park
Philadelphia, PA

Bring the whole gang out to the 2nd Annual Philadelphia on Parade, a free family fun festival at the Mann Music Center this Saturday May 19th from 11am – 6pm for a day of music, art, dance, fun, and so much more. This day-long celebration features hundreds of the region’s best musical performers on five stages for all to enjoy. Plus, take part in dance workshops, a special children’s pavilion, a crafter’s marketplace and health pavilion. The children’s pavilion will feature storytellers, jugglers, face-painters, a mini-circus, arts and crafts stations and other fun surprises. For the full line up of musical performances see the Philadelphia on Parade website.

Annual Italian Market Festival
Saturday May 19th - Sunday May 20th
10am - 5pm
9th Street Italian Market
Philadelphia, PA

The annual 9th Street Italian Market Festival is taking place this Saturday May 19th and Sunday May 20th from 10am – 5pm at the nation’s oldest outdoor market right in South Philadelphia. Delight in the sights and sounds of Italy with 100 outdoor vendors, live entertainment and of course the annual procession of the saints.

Meet the Ballerinas
Saturday May 19th
12 Noon - 1pm
The Piazza at Schmidt’s
North Second Street and Germantown Ave
Philadelphia, PA

Your littlest dancing divas will never forget this opportunity to Meet the Ballerinas this Saturday May 19th from 12 Noon – 1pm at the Piazza at Schmidt’s in Northern Liberties. Members from the Philadelphia Youth Ballet will be performing in full costume for audiences young and old. Little ones will then have a chance to dance and learn tips with the ballerinas and get photos taken with the youth ballet members. Free

Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
Saturday May 19th
12pm - 5pm
Along Walnut St. from Broad to 19th St.
Philadelphia, PA

The annual Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival is taking place this Saturday May 19th from 12pm – 5pm and will showcase live entertainment, local cuisine, and great fashion. Free food, fashion and fun for the whole family.

Camp In For Kids’ Cancer At Lincoln Financial Field
Saturday May 19th
Starting at 5pm
1020 Pattison Ave
Philadelphia PA

This is one overnight experience you won’t want to miss at the Camp In For Kids' Cancer at Lincoln Financial Field! Spend the night this Saturday May 19th at Lincoln Financial Field, meet members of the Philadelphia Eagles, get a behind the scenes tour of the stadium, even have a catch on the same field that our local sports heroes play on all while helping raise money and awareness to end childhood cancers. This unique event is hosted by the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation in partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles. Cost $75 - $150 per person. A dinner only (no sleepover) ticket is also available for $50.

5th Annual Spring Festival
Sunday May 20th
Seger Park
1020 Lombard St
Philadelphia PA

It’s the 5th annual Spring Festival this Sunday May 20th from 11am – 3pm at Seger Park. Kids will enjoy a moon-bounce, free tennis lessons, face painting, karate, crafts, live music and dance performances. Plus lots of food and drink, awesome giveaways and Seger Park T-Shirts for sale. All proceeds benefit the renovation of the Seger Park Playground.

Linvilla Antique Car Show and Flea Market
Sunday May 20th
137 W. Knowlton Rd.
Media, PA

Head out to Linvilla Orchards on Sunday May 20th from 9am – 5pm for the annual Antique Car Show and Flea Market. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the antique and classic cars on display. Or, head over to the flea market for some bargain shopping and treasure hunting. And of course there are the hayrides, pony rides, petting zoo, playground, face painting and so much more to keep even the littlest ones entertained, too. Free admission.

Virtua Presents Kids Land 2012
Sunday May 20th
Katz JCC
1301 Springdale Rd
Cherry Hill, NJ

Bring the littles out to the Katz JCC in Cherry Hill New Jersey for Kids Land this Sunday May 20th from 11am – 3pm for pony rides, a petting zoo, carousel, inflatables, visits with sports mascots, dancing, mummers and more. Over 100 activities will keep your kiddos entertained at this great community fun day. $5. Ages 1 and younger free.

International Museum Day

Every year since 1977, International Museum Day is held worldwide sometime around 18 May. From America and Oceania to Europe, Asia and Africa, International Museum Day aims to increase public awareness of the role of museums in developing society. The theme for 2012 is Museums in a Changing World. New challenges, New inspirations.

Today, the world is changing faster than ever. New technology delivers new ideas, gigabytes of information, news of an increasingly unstable climate, all shared by social media. Modern museums must compete for an audible voice against the furious pace of this background.

Museums in a Changing World is recognition that institutions are faced with interpreting, and existing in, a field that is becoming increasingly fluid. Each may face a unique set of goals, interests and audiences.

As part of International Museum Day, several Philadelphia area museums are offering free admission including:

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
Woodmere Art Museum
American Swedish Historical Museum
Philadelphia Museum of Art

Don't miss this great opportunity to experience a new museum for free as part of this international celebration of museums!!

International Museum Day

Giveaway: Lancaster, PA Family Fun Package

I don't know about you but my daughter's last day of preschool is next week (ack!) and while summer vacation is coming we are also cutting back on our time on extended vacation this year and going to do a lot more local day trips. If you're like me and looking for an affordable, fun-filled day trip, look no further!

On less than a tank of gas you and your family can enjoy a day of education and entertainment in Lancaster County, PA. PA Dutch Country is not only home to the oldest and largest Amish Community in the country, it is home to many family-friendly attractions and historical sites, such as the oldest American short line railroad. Now you can win tickets to three Lancaster attractions (just in time for Memorial Day and the official start of Summer): Strasburg Rail Road, Choo Choo Barn and The Amish Village.

One lucky PhillyFun4Kids reader will win:
• A family 4-pack of coach tickets to Strasburg RailRoad, America’s oldest short line railroad. Enjoy a 45-minute train ride with an authentic steam locomotive through 1,000 acres of beautiful Amish farmland. Kids will love the Cagney miniature steam train, Cranky Cars and Pump Cars. (You may even catch a glimpse of Thomas the Tank Engine – he will be running on the tracks June 16-24).
• A family 4-pack of tickets to Choo Choo Barn, Traintown U.S.A. Experience one of the largest, most entertaining custom model train displays in America, featuring a 1,700 square foot model train display with more than 150 hand-built animations and 22 operating trains.
• A family 4-pack of tickets to The Amish Village. Families can experience the life of Lancaster County’s Amish. Located on 12 acres, visitors can take a guided tour of an authentic Amish house and explore the farm property at their leisure, including a one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, Smokehouse Market and more.

To enter, to win a family fun pack of four tickets to each of three Lancaster attractions including Straburg Rail Road, Choo Choo Barn and the Amish Village simply leave a comment below by Sunday May 20th at 11:59 PM EDT. The lucky winner will be chosen using random.org and announced and contacted on Monday May 21st. Please be sure to leave a way to contact you (email) so we can get you your tickets.

Congratulations to our winner Julia McDevitt!! Thanks to everyone who entered. And remember to enter the Strasburg Rail Road contest on facebook to win a Day Out With Thomas, too!

Increase your chances to win by:
1. Like phillyfun4kids on facebook
2. Follow phillyfun4kids on twitter
3. Like Strasburg Rail Road on facebook
4. Follow Strasburg Rail Road on twitter
5. Like Choo Choo Barn on facebook
6. Follow Choo Choo Barn on twitter
7. Like Amish Village on facebook
8. Like Amish Village on twitter
9. Bonus TWO ENTRIES -- You get a bonus two entries if you share the contest via facebook or twitter
10. Bonus TWO ENTRIES -- Get another two bonus entries if you blog about the contest on your blog

Just be sure to leave an additional comment for each entry letting us know that you posted/shared/followed/liked, please. If I'm doing my math correctly, that's a total of 13 (count 'em 13!) chances to win!!

*All tickets are valid through December 31, 2012. Tickets are not valid during special events.

Learn more:

Strasburg Rail Road:
http://www.facebook.com/StrasburgRailRoad
http://twitter.com/#!/strasburgrr
http://www.youtube.com/user/StrasburgRailRoadPA

Choo Choo Barn:
http://www.facebook.com/choochoobarn
http://twitter.com/#!/choochoobarn
http://www.youtube.com/thechoochoobarn

The Amish Village:
http://www.facebook.com/TheAmishVillage

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post but we were provided with four tickets to each attraction to giveaway. All opinions expressed about Lancaster County PA being a super fun day trip or free tickets being awesome are our own.

Giveaway: Lancaster, PA Family Fun Package

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing, incredible moms out there who do what it takes 24/7 365 days a year to take care of their children through sickness, disease, sleepless nights, endless days, IEPs, disabilities, terrible twos, the teenage years, funding college, funding weddings, and even sometimes horrifyingly burying their own. Here's to all that you do, here's to the countless and endless ways that we all get through it. We all "just do it" and here's to taking a day to celebrate the moms of the world who do so much to take care of us all. You are all cherished and honored today and every day. Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day Weekend Phillyfun Picks

Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful moms out there! Looking for a fun way to celebrate mom this weekend? There are plenty of ideas for everyone including Mother’s Day teas, nature hikes and much more! So don’t just make her breakfast in bed - how about one of these great Mother’s Day Weekend fun events in Philly?

Mother’s Day Tea
The Little Treehouse
10 West Gravers Lane
Philadelphia, PA
215-247-3637

It’s a Mother’s Day Tea on Saturday, May 12th from 10 am – 12 pm at The Little Treehouse in Chestnut Hill. The Little Treehouse has partnered with Bredenbeck’s Bakery to offer delicious pastries fit for tiny fingers at this traditional sit down tea in honor of mom. They’ll also be serving petit fours, hot cocoa, chocolate milk, and English tea. Kids will get to enjoy a craft-making session that includes a picture frame for mom so be sure to bring a photo, too! Seating is limited, pre-registration is required by calling The Little Treehouse.

Mother’s Day Tea
The Wayne Art Center
413 Maplewood Ave
Wayne, PA
610-688-3553 ext208

The Wayne Art Center will host a Mother’s Day tea on Sarturday May 12th at 2pm for moms, grandmas, and just for spring fun with an authentic sit-down tea service in the Art Center’s elegant kitchen area. And guests will be able to create a beautiful flower pot with a “sprouting” cookie. Live entertainment provided by local musicians as well. Geared for children ages 4 and up accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration required.

Mother’s Day Tea Party with Betsy Ross
Betsy Ross House
239 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA
215-686-1252

It’s the fourth annual Mother’s Day Tea at The Betsy Ross House in the House’s courtyard. Come out to dine on an elegant array of sandwiches, scones, pastries and more all provided by City Tavern. And of course enjoy delicious teas in a beautiful, historic setting eating with Betsy Ross herself as your hostess. Reservations are required. Call to reserve your spot.

Free Admission for Moms
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
Philadelphia, PA
215-299-1000

All moms get free entrance to The Academy of Natural Sciences this Sunday May 12th. So take mom out for some fun seeing the humongous dinosaurs beautiful butterflies and so much more at the Academy of Natural Sciences this Sunday!

National Train Day
30th Street Station
Philadelphia, PA

Take Mom out to 30th Street Station on Saturday May 12th from 11am – 4pm for the free 5th Annual National Train Day celebration. Celebrate train travel and the ways trains touch the lives of so many people at this free family event for all. Enjoy live entertainment, interactive and educational exhibits, kids’ activities, train displays and much more!

Mother’s Day Lunch and Cruise
Spirit of Philadelphia Cruises
866.455.3866

Enjoy special Mother’s Day brunch and dinner cruises all weekend long on the Spirit of Philadelphia. Take mom out and take sail Dine on delicious all you can eat buffets, listen to professional DJs spin some special Mother’s Day tunes so you can save a dance for mom, and of course some of the best views of the city. Call for reservations.

Mother's Day Weekend Phillyfun Picks

Weekend Phillyfun Picks

May is here! There’s First Friday, Happy Cinco de Mayo, and lots of other great fun including great fairs and festivals in and around Philadelphia this weekend! Get out, enjoy warm weather and sunny skies when you can and make some family memories!

Philadelphia International Children’s Festival
Saturday May 5th
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
3680 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA

 The 28th annual Philadelphia International Children’s Festival features family-friendly music, theater and dance performances plus kid-friendly fun like face-painting, a moon bounce, jugglers and more in the FUN ZONE on the Outdoor Plaza. Tickets $10. Fun Zone free with ticketed admission. Check website for full performance availability and schedule.

Dover Days
Saturday May 5th - Sunday May 6th
Legislative Mall, The Green Downtown Dover
411 Legislative Ave.
Dover, DE

 It’s the 79th anniversary of Dover Days this weekend with a celebration of Delaware’s capital city. Bring the whole family out to Dover for rides, food, crafts, entertainment and more! Fun for the kids includes a kid zone with inflatables, carnival rides and maypole dancing on the green. Plus enjoy a car show, fireworks and other great family fun. Free admission. Some events ticketed.

Bucks County Fair
Saturday May 5th - Sunday May 6th
Oxford Valley Mall East
Lincoln Hwy. and Oxford Valley Rd.
Langhorne, PA

The 7th annual Bucks County Fair runs through May 6th outside in the parking lot at the Oxford Valley Mall Langhorne, PA This year’s Bucks County Fair features amusement rides, games, food, attractions, music & so much more! The fair opens at 5pm Mon.-Fri. and at 12noon on Saturdays & Sundays. 


Strawberry Festival
Saturday May 5th - Sunday May 6th
10am - 6pm
Peddler’s Village Routes 202 & 263
Lahaska, Bucks County, PA

It’s the Strawberry Festival in Peddler’s Village this Saturday May 5th and Sunday May 6th from 10am – 6pm. Families can partake in a celebration of all things strawberry with treats - including chocolate dipped strawberries, strawberry shortcake, strawberry fritters and more! Plus juried artisans will be on hand to show crafts and demonstrations, too. There is also live entertainment and strawberry pie eating contests so don’t miss this free fun taste of summer fun for all. Free admission and free parking.

Circus Comes to Narberth and Music and Arts Festival
Saturday May 5th and Sunday May 6th
Narberth Playground and Downtown Narberth
Narberth, PA

Downtown Narberth PA is all a buzz this weekend with fun for the whole family! On Saturday enjoy the excitement of the Big Top at the Narbeth Playground with a Circus show at 1, 4, and 7:30 PM. Tickets $8 available at the Narberth Library. Then on Sunday May 6th head to the avenue for the Narberth Spring Music and Arts Festival from 2-7pm. Enjoy great food, great drinks, local art, and live music! Admission is free but donations appreciated and will be collected for Philabundance.

Maya 2012: Lords of Time Exhibition Opening Weekend
Saturday May 5th - Sunday May 6th
Penn Museum
3260 South Street
Philadelphia, PA

It’s the opening weekend of the new exhibit Maya 2012: Lords of Time at the Penn Museum on Saturday May 5th and Sunday May 6th. Enjoy special sights, sounds and activities including dancers, puppet masters, weavers, and artists on hand to help illustrate the Maya culture of Mexico and Central America. Celebration is free with museum admission $8-$12, ages 5 and younger free.

Trail of the Lorax
Saturday May 5th - Sunday May 6th
The Philadelphia Zoo
3400 West Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
215-243-1100

The Philadelphia Zoo’s newest exhibit The Trail of the Lorax is a 3-dimensional interactive experience that shares the true story of an animal in peril, the endangered orangutan. Grab your 3D glasses at the gates of the Zoo and follow the trail of clues left by The Lorax himself to help you on this journey of conservation and saving wildlife. End your quest at the Lorax Loft, a fantastical play and learning environment featuring the Orangutangle, a climbing structure sure to delight little explorers. Free with Zoo Admission.

Free Admission on Sunday Mornings
Sunday May 6th
Brandywine River Museum
1 Hoffman's Mill Rd., Rte. 1
Chadds Ford, PA

It's free admission to the Brandywine River Museum on Sunday May 6th from 9:30am – 12 Noon. Bring the whole family to the beautiful museum featuring classic American art in a 19th-century grist mill. Free on Sunday mornings.

Once Upon A Time Family Concert
Sunday May 6th
Trinity Presbyterian Church
499 Rte. 70 East
Cherry Hill, NJ

This Sunday May 6th at 3pm families can take part in a kid-friendly opera for all ages at the Once Upon a Time Family Concert with mini-versions of The Magic Flute, The Barber of Seville, and Hansel and Gretel all narrated by a loveable fairy godmother and a puckish Imp. Geared for ages 6-13. Tickets $5-$15.

Weekend Phillyfun Picks

Philly Area Spring Fairs and Carnivals Roundup

I'm a sucker for fairs. I really am. It's one of the things I love most about this time of year is all the fairs taking place. I've even been known to stop my car and pull into a little local fair on a whim and this was before I even had kids. There's just something about the indulgence of junk food, rides and amusements that makes me think of the summer fun to come down the shore and at the boardwalk and also makes me nostalgic for my little local fair that I went to growing up and meant so much to me as a kid (it's listed below of course!) So, check out this roundup of local fairs and carnivals that you and your family can enjoy this season. Waste some money, ride a few rides, win a fish and make family memories to last a lifetime!

Amity Firemans Carnival 
Dates/Hours:
Friday May 4th - 6-11pm
Saturday May 5th - 5-11pm
Location: Amity Fire Company, 47 Pine Forge Road, Douglasville, PA
Website: www.amityfiremanscarnival.org/
Tips/Deals: Fireworks and live music on Friday May 4th. Live music on Sat. May 5th.

Broomall Fire Company Carnival 
Dates/Hours: 
Friday May 4th - starting at 6pm
Saturday May 5th - starting at 3pm
Sunday May 6th - starting at 1pm
Location: Across the street from the Brommal Fire Company 10 N. Malin Rd. Broomall, PA
Website: www.broomallfirecompany.com/pages/carnival.html
Tips/Deals: Sunday only May 6th - Wristbands for $25.00 per person

Spring Carnival 
Dates/Hours: 
Through May 6th
Mon-Fri 5-10pm
Sat. and Sunday 2-10pm
Location: 5100 Woodland Ave, Philadelphia PA
Website: http://springcarnival2012-eorgf.eventbrite.com/
Tips/Deals: $12 all you can ride armband Mon-Fri. $2 dollar discount coupon on armbands valid Mon-Fri. $15 all you can ride armband Sat. - Sun.

Bucks County Fair 
Dates/Hours: 
Through Sunday May 6th
Opens at 5pm on weekdays and Noon on weekends
Location: Oxford Valley Mall, Bucks County PA
Website: www.middletowncf.org/pr_bucksfair.php
Tips/Deals: $5.00 off ride coupons are available at WaWa (Trenton & Durham) and the stores at Oxford Valley Mall. Or, print coupons online before you go! $25 pay one price night on Thursday May 3rd. Saturday May 5th, Matinee Special $15 Pay-One-Price Matinee Special from Noon to 6 PM Sunday May 6th, LAST BLAST! $20 Pay-One-Price Last Blast Special ALL DAY.

St. Denis Family Fun Fair
Dates/Hours:
Wednesday and Thursdays May 2, 3 and May 9, 10  6-9pm
Fridays May 4 and May 11 6-10pm
Saturdays May 5 and May 12 7-11pm
Casino May 4-5 and May 11-12 7-11pm
Location: St. Denis Church, Havertown, PA
Website: www.stdenisfamilyfunfair.org/
Tips/Deals: New for 2012 Denis Dollars which can be used at the Food Court or any St. Denis Booth
Editorial Note: This was MY fair growing up as a kid. I went almost every year. Still do. And love that I can go back there now and enjoy it even more now with my own two kids. Chances are we'll probably be going on Sat. the 12th. DM me if you're there, too!

Perkiomen Valley Fair
Dates/Hours:
June 5th - 9th 5-9pm
Location:  Central Perkiomen Rotary/CPYA Baseball Field Complex, 1046 Cemetery Road, Limerick PA (Corner of Township Line and Cemetery Road)
Website: www.CPRotaryFair.org
Tips/Deals: Fireworks and a wine tasting on Friday June 8th! Print your $1 off coupon for the wine tasting from the website.

Kimberton Fair 
Dates/Hours: 
July 23rd - July 28th
Location: 762 Pike Springs Road Phoenixville PA
Website: http://www.kimbertonfair.org/
Tips/Deals: Don't miss the famous donuts!

What's your favorite local fair? Be sure to send it to us and we'll keep adding to this list for the summer!

Philly Area Spring Fairs and Carnivals Roundup