What To Do: Soar at the New Garden Festival of Flight

Also, Stars, Butterflies and more fill the later summer skies

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times

One of Chester County’s oldest and best traditional County events is the annual air show at the New Garden Flying Field in Toughkenamon. The show has been staged continuously for more than 40 years and it gets better every year.

The 2015 Festival of Flight Air & Car Show (New Garden Flying Field, off Route 1, Toughkenamon, 610-268-2619, http://www.newgardenflyingfield.com/index-8.html) is scheduled for August 22 and 23 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day.

As always, Kennett Square’s Matt Chapman will be one of the stars of the show. Chapman, a US Aerobatic Team veteran, was an individual bronze medalist and team silver medalist at the 1988 World Aerobatic Championships in the Slovak Republic.

Aerial displays will be performed by Kevin Russo SNJ-6 Aerobatics, Jerry Wells Bucker Jungmeister Aerobatics, Jason Flood in a Pitts Special biplane, Greg Koontz Decathlon Aerobatics, Mark Murphy P-51 Mustang, and Scott Francis MXS Aerobatics.

There will be a variety of “Warbird Flights” featuring SNJs, B-25, TBM and T6s. Also featured will be demonstrations by RC Modelers and the always-popular Greg Koontz Flying Farmer/Truck Top landing routine.

Other attractions at this weekend’s show at the New Garden Airport include souvenir stands, airplane rides, a pancake breakfast, an antique and classic car show and food and beverage concessions.

Video link for Kevin Russo — http://www.kevinrussoairshows.com/video.asp?f=video_01.wmv&w=320&h=240

The ticket price schedule is — adults, $20 at gate or $17 online; children (ages 6-12), $10 at gate or $7 online; family pass (2 adults, 2 children), $55 at gate of $45 online.

The weather forecast for Saturday evening is calling for clear skies and that is making a lot of local sky watchers smile with anticipation.

On August 22 from 7:30-11 p.m., the Chesmont Astronomical Society (http://www.chesmontastro.org) is hosting a “Star Party” at Marsh Creek State Park, which is located at 634 Park Road just north of Downingtown.

Those attending will be able to view the nighttime sky using society members’ telescopes and live view star cameras. Public viewing of the sights found in the Milky Way will be available through more than 20 amateur and high-end telescopes.

The program will feature speakers, astronomy presentations, and activities for kids. Sunset is scheduled to occur at 7:52 p.m.

The Marsh Creek parties, which are held near first Lunar Quarter, focus on observing the moon, the planets and bright deep sky objects.

Potential targets for this weekend’s event tonight include the planets Saturn and Neptune, open cluster M11, globular clusters M15 and M13 (Keystone Cluster), planetary nebulae Cat’s Eye, Blue Racquette Ball, Blue Snowball, Saturn Nebula and Ring Nebula. How many or how few of these objects will be visible will depend on sky conditions.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket or a lawn chair — and to use red light flashlights. If you don’t have a red flashlight, cover the flashlight you have with red paper. Red light helps to preserve your night vision so you can enjoy the night sky in its entire splendor.

Galaxy Log video for August 2015 — https://youtu.be/trjhwucNmX4.

This event is free of charge provided to the community by your neighbors who are members of the Chesmont Astronomical Society. Even though admission and parking are free, donations are encouraged.

Because this event is dependent on a clear, dark sky, visitors are encouraged to check the Society’s website after 5 p.m. for last minute schedule changes.

This weekend, butterfly lovers will join with the staff at Tyler Arboretum (515 Painter Road, Media, 610-566-9134, www.tylerarboretum.org) for a special event focusing on the delicate, colorful insects.

On August 22, Tyler, which is one of the oldest and largest arboreta in the northeastern United States, will host its annual Butterfly Festival. Visitors to Saturday’s event will be able to bid farewell to the monarch butterflies as the colorful insects are tagged and released for their southern migration to Mexico.

The arboretum will have butterfly experts available to provide information on creating a butterfly-friendly habitat in home gardens — an environment featuring all the butterflies’ favorite plants. Visitors will be able to learn all about butterflies that are native to our area — how they transform from egg to caterpillar, then to chrysalis, and finally to butterfly.

In Tyler Arboretum’s Butterfly House, visitors will be treated to looks at a wide array of native butterflies, including Spicebush Swallowtails, Eastern Tailed Blues, Great Spangled Fritillaries, and, of course, Monarchs. Attendees can learn about their favorite insects in Jon the Bugman’s insectariums and watch live bees in a demonstration hive at Pieter’s Apiary.

Tyler Arboretum, a non-profit public garden, encompasses 650 acres of renowned plant collections, heritage and champion trees and historic buildings — along with 17 miles of hiking trails through woodlands, wetlands and meadows.

Kids of all ages can participate in games and make-and-take crafts throughout the day.    Tasty stone-fired pizza will be available for purchase from the Pizza Wagon, and, as always, visitors are invited to bring picnic lunches. The festival and all of its activities are included with the arboretum’s standard admission fee.

The event runs 10 a.m.-2 p.m. — rain or shine. Admission to the festival is included with general admission tickets, which are $11 for adults (ages 16-64), $9 for seniors (65 and older) and $7 for youths (ages 3-15). Children (under 3) are admitted free.

On August 22, there will also be a Butterfly Festival at Colonial Gardens (745 Schuylkill Rd, Phoenixville, 610-948-9755, www.colonialgardenspa.com).

The festive and colorful event, which will be held in the Garden, will feature a “Butterfly Release” at noon.

Visitors to the annual event will be able to learn about the life cycle of Monarchs and how to create their own way station to protect the fragile insects. The festival will also feature vendors, guest speakers and seminars. Raindate is August 23.

Is the tomato a fruit or a vegetable? You’ve been taught that it is a fruit but it still always seems like a vegetable — unless it’s one of the tiny golden-orange cherry tomatoes that has so much natural sweetness that it convinces you that it is a fruit.

If fresh, flavorful local tomatoes are among your favorite vegetables — make that fruits — this is the time of season you look forward to every year. It’s that time of the season when local tomatoes are at their juiciest and succulent best.

The variety of tomatoes increases from year to year — especially heirloom tomatoes. Heirlooms come in all sizes, shapes and colors — and each has a very distinguishable taste.

On August 22, heirloom tomatoes will be the stars of the show when terrain (914 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, 610-459-2400, http://styers.shopterrain.com) hosts its annual Tomato Festival

Terrain’s Tomato Toss & Eighth Annual Staff Salsa Contest is scheduled to get underway at noon and run until 4 p.m. Visitors are invited to join the terrain staff to celebrate a summertime tradition and help judge in our annual staff salsa contest.

After the tasting, there will be a charity tomato toss benefiting the Natural Lands Trust.

This event is free and open to the public. Winners will be announced at 4:30 p.m.

On August 23, terrain will present “Wine & Conversation: Tomato Plants and Produce Swap” from 4-6 p.m.

Attendees can join store manager Matt Poarch for conversation and a glass of wine in the garden. Poarch will focus on tomato plants and other favorite edibles. Participants are invited to bring produce from their own gardens to participate in a produce swap. 

Reservations are required. Tickets are $10 per person and include a glass of wine and instruction.

There will be a variety of fun activities this weekend at Penn’s Landing (Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-922-2FUN, www.delawareriverevents.com).

“Weekend at the Waterfront” (Delaware River Waterfront) offers live entertainment every night now through August 23 from 8-11 p.m. nightly.

On August 21 at 7:30 p.m., the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing will present “Smooth Jazz Summer Nights” with Jazz Attack featuring Rick Braun, Euge Groove and Peter White while the Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest will host the Philly Roller Derby 10th Anniversary Party and Fundraiser from 7 p.m. until midnight.

Video link for Rick Braun — https://youtu.be/Lz8jFvew-Ec.

There will also be daytime attractions at the Spruce Street Harbor Park. PECOs “Smart Ideas” program will be presented from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. followed by The Clay Studio crafting sessions from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Providing the nightcap on August 21 will be a “FringeArts Late Night” show featuring Drew Nugent & the Midnight Society. The concert will take place at FringeArts’s La Peg Stage (140 North Columbus Boulevard) at 10:30 p.m. with a $5 suggested donation.

On August 22, Smith Playground will be on site with activities at Spruce Street Harbor Park from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest will have “Face Painting with Matt Deifer” from noon-4 p.m., “Balloon Animals with Black Cat Balloon” from 2-6 p.m. and “Skate Along to DJ JT” from 9 p.m.-midnight.

On August 23 at Spruce Street Harbor Park, Sweet & Low will be sampling iced tea from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and there will be “You-tensils Crafting” from 1-3 p.m. Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest, juggler David Ramsey along with a Black Cat Balloon artist will be on site art noon and “Face Painting with Matt Deifer” will take place from 2-6 p.m.

All across the United States, there are festivals, museums and foundations that are working to honor and preserve the culture of North America’s original inhabitants — Native Americans. One of these festivals will take place locally this weekend.

On August 22 and 23, the Museum of Indian Culture (2825 Fish Hatchery Road, Allentown, 610-797-2121, http://museumofindianculture.org) is hosting the 2015 Roasting Ears of Corn Festival.

The event, which is Eastern Pennsylvania’s oldest American Indian festival, is a showcase for American Indian drumming, singing, dancing and food.

Visitors can watch demonstrations of Native American cooking, flintknapping and arrow making, experience throwing a tomahawk or see what it’s like using an atlatl (spear thrower). There will be a special crafts area for kids where they can make sand art pictures and weave dreamcatchers.

The festival features a wide array of Native American entertainment. This year’s featured performers are Joanne Shenandoah and Arvel Bird.

Shenandoah, an Oneida who is a Grammy-award winner and 13-time Native American Music Award-winner, will perform in a special Friday night concert on August 21 at 7 p.m. at the Museum of Indian Culture. She will also perform at the festival on August 22 at 11 a.m. with Arvel Bird, a Paiute. Bird, an award-winning violinist and Native American flutist, is known as “Lord of the Strings.”

Other live music and dance performances include “Youngblood Singers,” “White Buffalo Singers,” Aztec Fire Dancing by the Salinas Family from Mexico City, Matthew White Eagle Clair (a Mikmaq hoop dancer), and American Indian dancers, singers and performers from all over Canada and the U.S.

This year’s Master of Ceremonies will be George Stonefish, a Delaware from Canada. Featured dancers will include head man George Bearskin (Sandia/Delaware) and head woman Natasha Bearskin (Navajo).

Festival attendees will be able to shop at the Marketplace for Native American jewelry, fine arts, and clothing. There will also be food vendors with Indian burgers, frybread, buffalo stew, Indian tacos and fire-roasted corn.

Video link for Joanne Shenandoah — https://youtu.be/swZBe-aPeAo.

Tickets for the festival are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (age 62 and older) and youth (age 8-17) and free for children (age seven and under).

On August 23, the annual Ukrainian Folk Festival at the Tryzub Ukrainian American Sport Center (County Line and Lower State roads, Horsham, 215-343-5412, www.tryzub.org) will be held from noon-8 p.m.

The festival, which is one of the most popular late-summer ethnic festivals in the area, starts at noon with children’s activities, vendor areas with Ukrainian crafts, food booths and live music by the Karpaty Orchestra and the Vox Ethnika Orchestra.

The “Gala Festival Stage Show” is slated to get underway at 1:30 p.m. and run through 4:30 p.m. with performances by Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, Iskra Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, violinist Innesa Tymochko Dekajlo and the Prometheus Ukrainian Male Chorus.

From 4:30-8 p.m., it will be time for “Zabava,” which is billed as a “Public Social Dance.” The “Zabava” at this year’s 24th annual staging of the festival, will feature the Vox Ethnika Orchestra performing a variety of eastern European dance music, including traditional, modern, ballroom and Polka.

There also will be vendors selling a wide variety of mouth-watering Ukrainian foods such as pyrohy (pierogies), holuptsi (stuffed cabbage) and kowbasa (kielbasa). Other items available for purchase include baked goods, picnic fare and cold beverages.

Video link for festival — https://youtu.be/H8Appd5u_aY.

Admission to the festival is $15 for adults, $10 for students and free for children (under 13).

The focus will be on beads at a special event this weekend at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Avenue, Oaks, 610-323-3263,  www.beadfest.com). From August 21-23, the expo hall near Valley Forge National Park is hosting Bead Fest — an event that claims to be the largest bead and jewelry show on the East Coast.

The ambitious annual event, which is billed as a bead and jewelry extravaganza, will feature hands-on jewelry making classes, informative seminars, beading competitions and a large vendors’ area where visitors can purchase everything from beading supplies to hand-crafted jewelry.

Bead Fest will have close to 150 booths and a wide array of workshops which will be presented by experts in the bead and jewelry fields.

A number of special techniques will be demonstrated, including wire knitting, design, wire and beads, bead crocheting, wire weaving, bead stitching, lampworking, metal clay, chain maille, wire and metal, kiln fusing, metalsmithing, bead stringing and wire wrapping.

Featured workshops will be “Pierced and Cut-Out: Mastering the Lentil Bead” by Ed and Martha Biggar, “Welcome Home Jewelry” by Francesca Watson and “Vintage Vogue Jewels” by Renee Prioleau. The event’s featured instructor will be Stephanie Maddalena.

Tickets for Bead Fest — $12 for a weekend pass — are available only at the door.

On August 22, Alapocas Run State Park (1914 West Park Drive, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-577-1164, http://www.destateparks.com/park/alapocas-run/index.asp) will host the 2015 Pawpaw Folk Festival.

Visitors are invited to come to the park’s Blue Ball Barn for a day of music, storytelling, “down home” food, folk artists and Pawpaw tasting.

All-day activities will be presented by Auburn Heights Preserve (Steam Cars), FiberGuilde (Weaving/Spinning), Willis Phelps (Blacksmithing), George Williams (Duck Carving) and Mark Scira (Metalworking).

Live entertainment will be performed by Cab Calloway School of the Arts’s Cabgrass, Nice Like Dat, Amber Waves Band and The Honey Badgers.

Some of the other special activities will be provided by Brandywine Zoo (traveling zoo), Barbarba Woodford (Pawpaw hike), Clem Bowen (storytelling), Simon Hamermesh (lampworking demonstration), Andy Moore (Pawpaw lecture), Bellevue State Park (“Wiggly Worms”), Kate Calais (Pawpaw hike), Eunice LaFate (storytelling), and White Clay Creek State Park (rocks and minerals).

The free event will run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the park which is located just off Route 202 a few miles south of the Pennsylvania-Delaware state line.