{"id":49735,"date":"2022-01-14T09:19:49","date_gmt":"2022-01-14T14:19:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=49735"},"modified":"2022-01-14T09:19:59","modified_gmt":"2022-01-14T14:19:59","slug":"what-to-do-lets-get-prehistoric","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=49735","title":{"rendered":"What To Do: Let’s get prehistoric"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>This weekend, there will be a dinosaur showdown featuring two travelling animatronic dinosaur exhibits touching down at different locations \u2013 \u201cDino & Dragon Stroll\u201d in Oaks and \u201cJurassic Quest\u201d in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

From January 15-17, the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (Station Avenue, Oaks, 800-677-4677, www.phillyexpocenter.com<\/a>) will be the site of the \u201cDino & Dragon Stroll.\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cDino & Dragon Stroll\u201d is billed as \u201cthe only North American tour that lets visitors walk through and get up close to life-like and life-size dinosaurs and dragons.\u201d<\/p>\n

This event features the largest creatures touring the country — much larger than any other event of its kind. The dinosaurs and dragons are huge — some standing more than 25 feet tall reaching a length of 60 feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cDino & Dragon Stroll\u201d also features the newest dinosaurs and dragons produced with advanced animatronic and sound technology that bring the creatures to life. <\/p>\n

Participants in the \u201cDino & Dragon Stroll\u201d will be taken to the Mesozoic Era featuring prehistoric dinosaurs from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods \u2013 along with some amazing dragons.<\/p>\n

The exhibit\u2019s creatures feature moving heads, necks, tails, wings, eyes blinking, mouths that open and close, breathing movements, synchronized sounds, roars, and other amazing details that make them look real and alive.<\/p>\n

When guests stroll through the exhibit, they can get up close to dinosaurs — ranging from babies to life-like and life-size dinosaurs \u2013 and experience encounters with a T-Rex, Velociraptor and Stegosaurus. They also will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with a selection of large, serpentine, winged, horned and legendary fire breathing dragons.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $17.99.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Jurassic Quest<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cJurassic Quest,\u201d which will be presented at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, www.jurassicquest.com\/events\/philadelphia-pa<\/a>) on January 15-17 and 21-23, is billed as \u201cNorth America\u2019s largest and most realistic dinosaur event.\u201d<\/p>\n

Guests are presented with the opportunity to walk through the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic Periods and experience for themselves what it was like to be among dinosaurs of all kinds.<\/p>\n

In collaboration with leading paleontologists, each dinosaur has been painstakingly replicated in every detail. Whether their prehistoric counterpart had skin that was scaly, had feathers or fur, \u201cJurassic Quest\u201d has gone to extremes to bring the dinosaurs to life.<\/p>\n

\u201cJurassic Quest\u201d exhibits also allow future paleontologists to dig up fossils, ride their favorite life-sized dinosaur, enjoy walking dinosaur and baby dinosaur shows, and enjoy a dinosaur themed play land in addition to face painting, crafts and much more.<\/p>\n

Ticket prices are $36 child admission with unlimited rides, $22 general admission (ages 2 and up), $19 senior, and free (under 2).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Elmo<\/p><\/div>\n

More dinosaur activity this weekend can be found during \u201cElmo\u2019s Furry Fun Fest\u201d at Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

On weekends now through March 20, guests are invited to visit the park to enjoy an event series during \u201cElmo\u2019s Furry Fun Fest,\u201d a festive, family-friendly celebration with everyone\u2019s favorite Sesame Street friends live and in-person at the amusement park in Langhorne.<\/p>\n

This weekend\u2019s special attraction is a visit by Jon and Blitz from Dino Ranch on January 15 and 16.<\/p>\n

Kids are invited to \u201csaddle up and get ready for a wild adventure\u201d as the Dino Ranchers roll into Sesame Place. Guests will be able to join Jon and his dino best friend Blitz for \u201cmeet & greets\u201d and photo opportunities.<\/p>\n

Dino Ranch\u00a0is a Canadian American\u00a0CGI\u00a0animated\u00a0children\u2019s television series\u00a0that follows the adventures of the Cassidy family as they tackle life on the ranch in a fantastical, \u201cprewestoric\u201d setting where dinosaurs roam. Dino Ranch is operated by the Cassidy family \u2013<\/p>\n

Bo and Jane Cassidy and their adopted children, Jon, Min, and Miguel, and dinosaurs.<\/p>\n

Every weekend through March, visitors can celebrate everyone\u2019s favorite red monster during\u00a0\u201cElmo\u2019s Rockin\u2019 Birthday Bash,\u201d\u00a0treat little loves to a fun day during the\u00a0\u201cMy Fuzzy Valentine\u2019s Celebration,\u201d let the good times roll during the family-friendly\u00a0\u201cMardi Gras Celebration,\u201d experience the park\u2019s \u201cSt. Patrick\u2019s Day Celebration,\u201d and wish Big Bird a Happy Birthday during his Birthday Weekend.<\/p>\n

Activities include a riding on the Sunny Day Carousel, dancing and grooving during at the \u201cFurry Friends Dance Party,\u201d watching \u201cElmo the Musical, LIVE!\u201d and having fun at the always popular Mini Parades.<\/p>\n

The schedule features \u201cRubber Duckie\u2019s Birthday\u201d on\u00a0January 8 and 9, \u201cErnie\u2019s Birthday Bash\u201d on\u00a0January 15, 16, 17, 22 and 23, \u201cElmo\u2019s Rockin\u2019 Birthday Bash\u201d on\u00a0January 29 and 30 and February 5 and 6, \u201cMy Fuzzy Valentine\u2019s Celebration\u201d on\u00a0February 12 and 13, \u201cMardi Gras Celebration\u201d on February 19, 20, 26 and 27, \u201cSt. Patrick\u2019s Day Celebration\u201d on\u00a0March 5, 6, 12 and 13, and \u201cBig Bird\u2019s Birthday Pajama Party\u201d on\u00a0March 19 and 20.<\/p>\n

The park will be open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays now through March 20 along with January 17 and February 21.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Philadelphia (215-413-1997,\u00a0www.ghosttour.com<\/a>),\u00a0Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Lancaster (717-687-6687,\u00a0www.ghosttour.com<\/a>) and\u00a0Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Strasburg (717-687-6687,\u00a0www.ghosttour.com<\/a>) operate throughout the winter and offer an eerily entertaining evening of true\u00a0ghost\u00a0stories and real haunted houses.<\/p>\n

The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia, which is based on the book, \u201cGhost Stories of Philadelphia, PA.,\u201d is a candlelight walking\u00a0tour\u00a0along the back streets and secret gardens of Independence Park, Society Hill, and Old City, where\u00a0ghostly spirits, haunted houses, and eerie graveyards abound.<\/p>\n

Participants can discover the ghost lore of America\u2019s most historic and most haunted city with stories from the founding of William Penn\u2019s colony to present-day hauntings.<\/p>\n

The activity is open year-round \u2013 weekends, December-February; every night, March-November. Tickets are $24.<\/p>\n

The Ghost Tour of Lancaster and the Ghost Tour of Strasburg are based on the book, \u201cGhost Stories of Lancaster, PA.\u201d<\/p>\n

Participants in the\u00a0Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Lancaster explore the long-forgotten mysteries of one of America\u2019s oldest cities, with haunting tales of otherworldly vigils, fatal curses, and star-crossed lovers. The\u00a0tour\u00a0provides the opportunity to experience 300 years of haunted history from the Red Rose City\u2019s thorny past. Tickets are $18.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Strasburg is a candlelight walking\u00a0tour\u00a0of the quaint and historic town of Strasburg in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Visitors will experience an entertaining evening with a costumed\u00a0tour\u00a0guide spinning tales of haunted mansions, eerie graveyards, and spirits that roam the night \u2026 in a town lost in time. Tickets are $18.<\/p>\n

Another event dealing with the deceased be found in Chadds Ford.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Every Saturday in January, the Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, http:\/\/www.chaddsford.com<\/a>) will present \u201cMurder Mystery Nights 2022\u201d from 6:30-9 p.m. each night.<\/p>\n

Here is the scenario as posted by the winery \u2013 \u201cFollowing the murky details of her husband\u2019s untimely death, Mrs. de Blanc hosts an intimate vigil for her late husband with several of his nearest and dearest friends. \u00a0Are the guests there to pay their respect, or do they have ulterior motives? Is foul play afoot?<\/p>\n

Polish up your looking glass and help uncover clues to pinpoint the killer and determine the motive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Along with an evening of mystery and suspense, participants will enjoy a\u00a0full, five-course dinner and some frightfully fabulous Pennsylvania wine. Dinner will be presented\u00a0as a roving dining experience spread out at stations throughout the building, and each course will be carefully paired with a Chaddsford wine.<\/p>\n

This is a roaming scavenger-hunt type event. You will walk to several stations throughout the main Winery searching for clues while enjoying delicious food and wine pairings.<\/p>\n

For the health and safety of our visitors and staff, Murder Mystery Nights will be\u00a0limited to just 60 guests per evening.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $135 and reservations are required. All ticket sales are final.\u00a0\u00a0Ticket dates cannot be swapped, changed or refunded.<\/p>\n

The \u201cWine, Cheese & Honey Pairings at Penns Woods\u201d at Penns Wood Winery (124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, 610-459-0808, http:\/\/www.pennswoodsevents.com<\/a>) provide a nice way for visitors to enjoy a winter weekend day.<\/p>\n

Penns Woods Winery is joining forces with local cheese makers and local honey artisans to present exclusive pairings of wine, cheese and honey. The tastings will feature four premium Penns Woods wines, each paired with various cheeses and honey from local farms.<\/p>\n

The mouth-watering tastings will be held every weekend in January at 11 a.m. and 1:30 and 4 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets cost $28 per person in advance and reservations are required. Cancellations must be made within 72 hours or ticket holders will be charged the full amount of the tasting. Reservations are made and kept on the hour.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Martin Luther King Weekend will be celebrated from January 17 at the Eastern State Penitentiary<\/strong> (2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-236-3300, www.easternstate.org<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Eastern State Penitentiary commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his 1963 Letter from Birmingham Jail with special readings from the landmark text and opportunities for visitors to respond to its relevance today.<\/p>\n

The event examines the following questions — Why did the civil rights leaders of the 1960s choose jail time to demonstrate their plight? How did Dr. King\u2019s letter, written in the margins of a newspaper and smuggled out of Birmingham Jail, create a pivotal moment in the American civil rights movement? If Dr. King were alive today, what issues would his letter address?<\/p>\n

Professional actors will read excerpts from King\u2019s letter.<\/p>\n

The letter will be read in three\u00a0acts with a short\u00a0intermission between each section. During the event, special\u00a0guests, including returning host STARFIRE,\u00a0will provide space for reflection and connection as well as music and art inspired by Dr. King’s legacy. People attending in person are also invited to write to\u00a0someone currently incarcerated in Pennsylvania at a designated letter-writing station.<\/p>\n

In-person attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather. The event space will be heated with temporary space heaters, but climate conditions inside the historic penitentiary are not always ideal.\u00a0In accordance with guidelines issued by\u00a0the City of Philadelphia, all staff and visitors (ages 2+) are required to wear\u00a0a mask in indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Seating is limited\u00a0and available on a first come, first served basis.<\/p>\n

Admission is $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $33 for students and children.<\/p>\n

Wonderspaces\u00a0at the Fashion District (27 North 11th Street, Philadelphia,\u00a0philadelphia.wonderspaces.com<\/a>) is an experiential, interactive arts venue.<\/p>\n

Building on the success of annual pop-up shows in San Diego, and its first permanent location in Scottsdale, Arizona,\u00a0Wonderspaces\u00a0opened a 24,000 square foot gallery space in Philly a year ago.<\/p>\n

Wonderspaces\u00a0features 14 art installations that all play with the idea of perspective. The artwork ranges from award-winning virtual reality short film about a dinner party-turned-alien abduction, to a room where visitors digitally paint the walls with the movement of their bodies.<\/p>\n

New artworks rotate in every few months, creating an ever-evolving, year-round show.<\/p>\n

Tickets are for entry at a specific date and time. Visitors are welcome to stay as long as they please during operating hours.\u00a0The average time spent experiencing the show is 90 minutes.<\/p>\n

A few installations contain flashing lights, images, and patterns that may trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. All visitors must sign a waiver prior to being admitted into the space. Adult supervision is required for visitors under 16.<\/p>\n

The installation is open from noon-10 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sundays.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $24 for adults, $20 for seniors, teachers, healthcare workers, students and active military, and $15 for children (ages 3-12).<\/p>\n

Center City Parks District\u2019s Rothman Orthopaedics Institute Ice Rink at Dilworth Park (1 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, http:\/\/ccdparks.org\/dilworth-park<\/a>) is open for the season.<\/p>\n

Visitors of all ages can enjoy a dramatic seasonal activity.<\/p>\n

Rink and reindeer topiaries take up winter residence on the Greenfield Lawn.<\/p>\n

The Rothman Institute Ice Rink at Dilworth Park is an unparalleled entertainment experience on Philadelphia\u2019s center stage in a wonderfully urban and unique setting. Open seven days a week, the rink offers wintery fun for all ages, with a full slate of programs.<\/p>\n

The Northern Central Railway (2 West Main Street, New Freedom,\u00a0www.northerncentralrailway.com<\/a>)\u00a0 is running two special excursions \u2013 two events that feature a train ride and winter-themed trackside activities.<\/p>\n

Northern Central Railway\u2019s \u201cFestivICE\u201d events are scheduled for January 14 at 6 p.m. and January 15 at 11 a.m.<\/p>\n

FestivICE is spreading to the towns of the scenic Heritage Rail Trail County Park.<\/p>\n

Guests are invited to take part in this special excursion to visit the ice sculptures in Glen Rock, Railroad, and New Freedom.<\/p>\n

The trains will be stopping in Railroad and Glen Rock where passengers will have 20-25 minutes to disembark the train and view the ice-cold art on display in each town.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for children (ages 2-12) and $5 for toddlers (in lap).<\/p>\n

A warmer way to enjoy railroads this weekend would be to head to an indoor train exhibit.<\/p>\n

Founded more than 50 years ago, Choo Choo Barn — Traintown U.S.A. (Route 741 East, 226 Gap Rd, Strasburg, 717-687-7911, www.choochoobarn.com<\/a>) presents a 1,700-square-foot train layout featuring over 150 hand-built animated figures and vehicles and 22 operating trains. The majority of trains that are running in the display are \u201cO Gauge\u201d trains but there are also some HO Gauge trains as well as one N Gauge train.<\/p>\n

Several of the original pieces and animations are still on the display today, including the ski slope, ski lodge and ice skaters, Dutch Haven, the Willows, the two-lane moving highway (in front of Dutch Haven), the farm with the tobacco barn, the Strasburg Fire House, the church beside Dutch Haven and a few other houses.<\/p>\n

The layout features a special Christmas display now through January 17. The homes and businesses along the tracks have been decked out with holiday trim. And there are 55 hidden Santas — one for each year the site has been open — located around the display for visitors to find.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $8.50 for adults and $5 for children (ages 3 and under) at Choo Choo Barn — Traintown U.S.A.<\/p>\n

You can also find Santa still hanging around in Bucks County.<\/p>\n

The \u201cHoliday Light Show\u201d at\u00a0Shady Brook Farm (931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley,\u00a0www.shadybrookfarm.com<\/a>)\u00a0has been extended until the end of the month.<\/p>\n

The farm features a three-million-light\u00a0Holiday Light Show\u00a0with\u00a0\u201cDashin\u2019 Through the \u2026 Lights,\u201d a family-friendly two-mile drive-through on Thursday and Friday nights.<\/p>\n

The main display allows visitors to drive or (if weather permits) ride in wagons past post-sundown displays including illuminated tunnels.<\/p>\n

The\u00a02021-2022 run of the \u201cHoliday Light Show\u201d has been extended through January 30.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times This weekend, there will be a dinosaur showdown featuring two travelling animatronic dinosaur exhibits touching down at different locations \u2013 \u201cDino & Dragon Stroll\u201d in Oaks and \u201cJurassic Quest\u201d in Philadelphia. From January 15-17, the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (Station Avenue, Oaks, 800-677-4677, www.phillyexpocenter.com) will be the site […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":49729,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[3581,14303,12777,7426,12737,13750,13620],"class_list":["post-49735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-chaddsford-winery","tag-dino-dragon-stroll","tag-dr-martin-luther-king-jr","tag-featured","tag-jurassic-quest","tag-philadelphia-ghost-tour","tag-sesame-place"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=49735"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49735\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49736,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49735\/revisions\/49736"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/49729"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=49735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=49735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=49735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}