{"id":56805,"date":"2026-06-13T09:43:58","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T13:43:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=56805"},"modified":"2026-06-13T09:44:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T13:44:49","slug":"what-to-do-weather-events-schedule-heats-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=56805","title":{"rendered":"What To Do: Weather, events schedule heats up"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/div>\n
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\"\"Things are starting to heat up with special summertime activities at locations around the area.<\/div>\n
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Downingtown is a prime example. Downingtown will be a happening place this Saturday — and throughout the week — with a trio of top-flight events.<\/div>\n
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Last August, the \u201cCruiz in at the VFW Car and Motorcycle Show\u201d was held at the VFW Post 845 Downingtown and was an immediate success.<\/div>\n
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The charity event was so nice that they\u2019re doing it twice.<\/div>\n
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The \u201cSecond Annual Cruiz in at the VFW Car and Motorcycle Show,\u201d which has Downingtown\u2019s Trish Ciorrocco as one of its main organizers, will be held on June 13 from 1-5 p.m. at the VFW Post 845 at 4601 West Lincoln Highway in Downingtown.<\/div>\n

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The show is held each year as a benefit with 100% of the proceeds targeted to help local veterans.<\/div>\n
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Since the last show, Road Home Foundation worked with local VA social workers to identify need and spent much more than it raised to help local veterans and improve their lives and situations.<\/div>\n
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Road Home Foundation\u2019s \u201cMission\u201d is to assist active duty and retired military personnel who have been injured in the War on Terror.<\/div>\n
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Its goal is to continuously improve their quality of life as well as the quality of their families\u2019 lives.<\/div>\n
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Spectators at the free event can view a wide array of spectacular cars and motorcycles on display at VFW Post 845.<\/div>\n
Other activities include a silent raffle and live music by the Downingtown School of Rock House Band.<\/div>\n
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There will also be WaWa and Texas Roadhouse tents with games and giveaways.<\/div>\n
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Rain date is June 14.<\/div>\n
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\"\"Downingtown Summer Jam (Kerr Park, 28 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Downingtown, downingtownmainstreet.com<\/u><\/a>) will fill the air with music on June 13 from 4-9 p.m.<\/div>\n
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This family-friendly community concert, which is presented by Downingtown Main Street Association, features free admission and is open to the public.<\/div>\n
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Guests can listen to free live music while enjoying delicious food plus drinks from the beer garden \u2014 all held in the field next to the gazebo in Kerr Park.<\/div>\n
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No outside alcohol or food is permitted, but \u201cbring your own water\u201d is encouraged.<\/div>\n
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Live music will be provided by opening act\u00a0Cordelia Blue along with opening act Ndichu.<\/div>\n
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Participating food trucks will Cousins Maine Lobster,\u00a0Good Girls on the Go!, Minni Millie\u2019s Pasta,\u00a0Shimpy\u2019s BBQ,\u00a0The Nacho Depot,\u00a0Rosie\u2019s Kettle Corn, Alsies and Gourmet Ice Cream Truck.<\/div>\n
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Drinks will be provided by Dressler Estate,\u00a0East Branch Brewing Company,\u00a0Kind Juice Bar and\u00a0R Five Wines.<\/div>\n
From June 16-20, the sights, sounds and smells of a summertime fair will be filling the air in Downingtown when<\/div>\n
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Saint Joseph Church (338 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, 610-269-8294, www.stjoesfestival.com<\/u><\/a>) hosts its 20th annual \u201cCommunity Festival.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The event will feature all the traditional things associated with a summer festival \u2014 including exciting rides and amusement games.<\/div>\n
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There will also be food concessions with all the standard festival fare \u2014 cotton candy, ice cream, hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, corn dogs, soft pretzels and cheese fries along with mozzarella sticks, tomato pie and hot roast beef sandwiches.<\/div>\n
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The roster of music acts includes De La Salle String Band, Slingshot, Yesterday\u2019s News Band, Tinn Angel, Just Practicing and the Red Satins.<\/div>\n
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\"\"The 2026 Kennett Summerfest (100 South Broad Street,\u00a0Kennett Square,\u00a0kennettcollaborative.org<\/a>) will be held on June 14 from 2-6 p.m.<\/div>\n
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The Fifth Annual Kennett Summerfest, a wine and spirits festival, celebrates exceptional local wineries and distilleries and brings together wine, cheese, and live music in a sophisticated festival atmosphere.<\/div>\n
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With its moderate climate and rolling hills, in addition to microclimates with good elevation, soil composition and drainage, Pennsylvania continues to come into its own as a serious place for refined and elegant wines.<\/div>\n
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Local Chester County wines have been receiving national accolades for years, and as the vines that local vintners have been patiently tending for decades now come of age, wine enthusiasts both here and further afield are enjoying the (fermented) fruits of their hard work and perseverance.<\/div>\n
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Summerfest will give ticket holders the unique opportunity to taste wines from some of the best local and regional wineries, cheese samples from local cheesemakers, as well as spirits from local distilleries and locally crafted botanical mocktails for designated drivers.<\/div>\n
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Live music, wine-centric vendors, food trucks, and a curated pop-up al fresco gallery of local artists all combine to create a Sunday afternoon to savor.<\/div>\n
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The list of confirmed wineries and distilleries for the 2026 festival includes 1723 Vineyards, Acadian Wine Company, Chaddsford Winery, Casa Carmen, Dressler Estate, Harvest Ridge Winery, Red Brick Winery, Turks Head Wines and Penns Woods Winery.<\/div>\n
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Live music will be performed by Groove Street Brass.<\/div>\n
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Tickets are $65 with $45 tickets available for non-alcohol\/designated drivers. Regular Admission tickets include a Summerfest tasting mug with unlimited 1 oz. samples of wine + select\u00a0mixed drinks from local and regional wineries & distilleries, while enjoying the festival atmosphere with live music and other vendors.<\/div>\n
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Penns Woods Winery (124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, http:\/\/www.pennswoodswinery.com<\/u><\/a>) will present a \u201cTraditional Crafts Fair\u201d on June 13 from noon-7 p.m.<\/div>\n
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Visitors can experience the sights, sounds and skills of historic, traditional crafts with live demonstrations in blacksmithing, basket weaving, wood turning, spoon crafting and more.<\/div>\n
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They will be able to meet talented artisans, learn about historic techniques and explore the craftsmanship behind each trade.<\/div>\n
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Hand thrown ceramics and other local artisan goods will be available on site for purchase.<\/div>\n
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The free event will also feature the Haven Social food truck from noon-4 p.m. and \u201cLive Music on the Lawn\u201d with\u00a0Adam McCue\u00a0playing from 2-5 p.m.<\/div>\n
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Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, http:\/\/www.chaddsford.com<\/u><\/a>) is presenting \u201cLive on the Lawn\u201d now through September 27 and \u201cFriday Night Wine Down\u201d now through September 25.<\/div>\n
\u201cLive on the Lawn\u201d is a brand-new outdoor music series featuring local talent, great wine, and relaxed vibes every summer weekend afternoon.<\/div>\n
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\u201cFriday Night Wine Down\u201d offers fun games, drink specials, and extended hours on Friday evenings.<\/div>\n
The\u00a0laid-back, laugh-filled series features Quizzo trivia with fun themes and great prizes; seasonal wine slushies, PA craft beer, fresh mocktails, and the venue\u2019s newest wine releases; and delicious bites from the winery\u2019s new, in-house\u00a0food menu including specialty weekly pizzas.<\/div>\n
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On June 13, the Cherry Street Pier (South Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, www.delawareriverwaterfront.com<\/u><\/a>) will be the site of the\u00a0Islamic Heritage Festival.<\/div>\n
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The event, which is part of PECO\u2019s annual multicultural series at Penn\u2019s Landing, will feature a colorful parade and live performances featuring the Islamic culture.<\/div>\n
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The\u00a0Islamic Heritage Festival, which runs from 2-8 p.m., is free and open to the public.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0\u0671\u0644\u0633\u064e\u0651\u0644\u064e\u0627\u0645\u064f \u0639\u064e\u0644\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0643\u064f\u0645\u0652,\u00a0— \u201cAssalamu Alaikum\u201d (\u201cpeace be with you\u201d in Arabic).<\/div>\n
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On June 14, the Annual\u00a0Odunde\u00a0Festival (215-732-8510, http:\/\/odundefestival.org<\/u><\/a>) will be held from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. in the vicinity of 23rd and South streets in downtown Philadelphia.<\/div>\n
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Odunde, which is celebrating its 51st anniversary this weekend,\u00a0attracts close to 500,000 people each year, covers 12 city blocks and is one of the largest African American street\u00a0festivals in the country.<\/div>\n
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The festival\u2019s authentic African marketplace features vendors from around the\u00a0world selling merchandise\u00a0from many African nations, the Caribbean and Brazil.<\/div>\n
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The free event, whose concept originates from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, celebrates the coming of another year. One of the highlights each year is a colorful procession from\u00a023rd and South streets to the Schuylkill River where an offering of\u00a0fruit and flowers is made to Oshun,\u00a0the Yoruba goddess of the river.<\/div>\n
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There will be continuous live music throughout the day along with also be traditional African dance performances.<\/div>\n
Music headliners are hip-hop artists Bell Biv Devoe, who will perform on the stage at 23rd Street.<\/div>\n
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In 2026, America turns 250, and Philadelphia is throwing the ultimate yearlong celebration.<\/div>\n
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After all, we\u2019ve been first in freedom, first in innovation and first in fun for 250 years.<\/div>\n
52 Weeks of Firsts (www.visitphilly.com\/52-weeks-of-firsts<\/u><\/a>) is a yearlong, citywide celebration honoring Philadelphia\u2019s legacy of innovation produced by the Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee.<\/div>\n
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Not only was Philadelphia the birthplace of the country, but it was also the backdrop for many other marvels.<\/div>\n
To honor these groundbreaking inventions and firsts, the Philadelphia Historic District is holding a year\u2019s worth of free events to celebrate the country\u2019s 250th birthday.<\/div>\n
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52 Weeks of Firsts shines a light on different Philly-born Firsts each week through a series of free public events called\u00a0Saturday Firstivals\u00a0\u2014 held every Saturday of 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in more than a dozen neighborhoods.<\/div>\n
Firstival:\u00a0Saturday June 13 will present \u201cFirst U.S. Army: 1775.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Before there was even a country, there were heroes.<\/div>\n
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Philly is where the U.S. Army was born, kicking off a legacy of service, courage and dedication that still stands strong today.<\/div>\n
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The event will be held June 13 starting at 11 a.m. at the Museum of the American Revolution, which is located at 101 South Third Street in Old City Philadelphia.<\/div>\n
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As part of Historic Philadelphia\u2019s anniversary celebration at Franklin Square (200 Sixth Street, Philadelphia, phillychineselanternfestival.com<\/a>), the organization is illuminating the park with its annual <\/a>\u201cPhiladelphia Chinese\u00a0Lantern\u00a0Festival in Franklin Square.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Now through August 16, Franklin Square will come alive every night with its Chinese\u00a0Lantern\u00a0Festival featuring more than two dozen illuminated\u00a0lanterns \u2013 all constructed by\u00a0lantern\u00a0artisans from China.<\/div>\n
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In addition to the gorgeous light installations, visitors can enjoy live cultural stage performances, see the\u00a0choreographed fountain light show in the historic Rendell Family Fountain,\u00a0taste expanded food and drink options including Asian cuisine and American comfort food, drink a toast at the Dragon Beer Garden, and shop for Chinese folk artists\u2019 crafts created on site as well as Festival-themed merchandise.<\/div>\n
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Guests can also play Philly Mini Golf and ride the Parx Liberty Carousel at a discounted rate.\u00a0A portion of the proceeds from the festival benefits Historic Philadelphia, Inc. for the programming and care of this important public space and its many year-round free events.<\/div>\n
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Chinese-inspired performances will take place in Franklin Square twice nightly. Performances, which celebrate Chinese performance art and entertainment, are 30-minutes long and are scheduled for 7 and 9 p.m.<\/div>\n
Festival hours are 6-11 p.m. Admission is $28 for adults ($32 on Saturday and Sunday), $25\/$29 for seniors and $16 $10 for children.<\/div>\n
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Laurel Hill Cemetery (3822\u00a0Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, www.laurelhillphl.com<\/u><\/a>) will \u00a0present \u201cHot Spots &\u00a0Storied\u00a0Plots\u201d on June 13 at 10 a.m.<\/div>\n
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In\u00a0life and death, we all have stories to tell, and what better place to hear tales of wonder than Philadelphia\u2019s most famous home of the dead?<\/div>\n
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This introductory tour provides an informative overview of Laurel Hill East\u2019s long history, which includes many marble masterpieces, stunning views, and legendary stories that afford the cemetery its WOW factor.<\/div>\n
Linda Blowney, an experienced graveyard guide, will offer guests an insightful perspective on beautiful art, scenic nature, and fascinating history.<\/div>\n
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The expansion of Fairmount Park in the 1860s prevented further growth of Laurel Hill East, and in 1869 Laurel Hill West Cemetery was established just across the river in Bala Cynwyd. This walking tour provides a wonderful overview of Laurel Hill West\u2019s long and colorful history, including its architectural artistry, stunning trees and horticulture, and the stories of residents that encompass diverse and fascinating Philadelphia history.<\/div>\n
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Tickets are $18\/General Admission (Ages 13 and up); $16\/Seniors (Ages 65+) and $9\/Youth.<\/div>\n
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If you enjoy walking around garden displays or if you like to look at model railroad layouts, then you should definitely check out the Garden Railway Display at the Morris Arboretum & Garden (100 Northwestern Avenue, Chestnut Hill, www.morrisarboretum.org<\/a>).<\/div>\n
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The ultra-popular Garden Railway Display has become a major summer attraction at The Gardens at Morris Arboretum. The 27th annual edition of the display opened in May 23 and will remain open until September 30.<\/div>\n
This summer, Morris Arboretum will unveil a brand-new exhibition in its popular Garden Railway \u2013\u00a0\u201cGarden Railway: World Pollinators,\u201d part of its new summer-long exhibition,\u00a0\u201cBees, Butterflies & Blooms: A Pollinator Paradise.\u201d<\/div>\n
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As one of the largest outdoor miniature train displays in the United States, the Garden Railway will delight and amaze visitors of all ages.<\/div>\n
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The railway has a quarter mile of track featuring seven loops and tunnels with 15 different rail lines and two cable cars, nine bridges (including a trestle bridge you can walk under) and bustling model trains.<\/div>\n
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The buildings and the display are all made of natural materials \u2013 bark, leaves, twigs, hollow logs, mosses, acorns, dried flowers, seeds and stones \u2013 to form a perfectly proportioned miniature landscape complete with miniature rivers.<\/div>\n
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Philadelphia-area landmarks are all meticulously decorated for the holidays with lights that twinkle.\u00a0There is even a masterpiece replica of Independence Hall are made using pinecone seeds for shingles, acorns as finials and twigs as downspouts.<\/div>\n
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Visitors will be able to see miniature replicas of iconic structures at some of America’s most famous public gardens including the Climatron at Missouri Botanical Garden, Torii Gate and Pavilion at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Science Pyramid at Denver Botanic Gardens, and so much more.<\/div>\n
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Admission is $22 for adults; $20 for seniors (65 and older); $12 for youth (ages 13-17 or with ID), active military and retired military; and free for children (under 3).<\/div>\n
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Glen Foerd (5001 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, www.glenfoerd.org<\/u><\/a>) will host its \u201cSecond Saturday Guided Tour\u201d on June 13 at 11 a.m.<\/div>\n
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This engaging and relaxing walk will provide insight into local history while connecting participants to the natural space of the Delaware River watershed.<\/div>\n
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Guests can learn how this area of Philadelphia has developed from the Lenape to the Gilded Age \u2013 and get a glimpse of the two families that called Glen Foerd home from 1850 to 1971.<\/div>\n
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Glen Foerd will welcome the official start of summer at its Third Thursday Celebration on June 18 from 6-8:30 p.m.<\/div>\n
This month, there will be food from Clean Plate Club Food Truck, live music by Minas, and an arts-and-crafts table for visitors of all ages. Drinks will also be available for purchase.<\/div>\n
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The grounds and Main House will be open for free self-guided tours.<\/div>\n
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Glen Foerd is an 18-acre public park and historic site located along the Delaware River in Philadelphia. Built in 1850 and enlarged in 1902-03, the estate\u2014consisting of historic gardens, an Italianate-Classical Revival style mansion, and multiple additional structures\u2014was saved from potential development through the activism of dedicated neighbors in 1983.<\/div>\n
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Hope Lodge (553 South Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, http:\/\/www.ushistory.org\/hope\/<\/u><\/a>) will be presenting a \u201cGuided Mansion Tour\u201d on June 14.<\/div>\n
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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.<\/div>\n
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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.<\/div>\n
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Tour admission is\u00a0$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.<\/div>\n
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Newlin Grist\u00a0Mill (219 South Cheyney Road, Glen Mills, newlingristmill.org<\/u><\/a>)\u00a0will present its \u201c1704 Mill Tour\u201d on June 13 and 14.<\/div>\n
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Visitors can take a guided tour of the site\u2019s 1704 water powered mill.<\/div>\n
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While the Mill is not currently operational, visitors on guided tours will get a rare opportunity to see the process of building a new waterwheel and waterbox.<\/div>\n
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Visitors must be on a guided tour to go inside the Grist Mill.<\/div>\n
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Cost is $10 for adults and $6 for seniors and children 12 and under.<\/div>\n
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The John\u00a0Heinz\u00a0National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum (8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, www.fws.gov\/refuge\/John_Heinz<\/u><\/a>) will host one of its popular \u201cBird Walks\u201d this weekend.<\/div>\n
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On June 13, visitors can take an educational walk with one of the site\u2019s knowledgeable volunteers.<\/div>\n
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They will be able to discover the 300+ species of birds that use the Refuge during their migration routes – each week guarantee different species.<\/div>\n
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The walk will meet by visitor center and be at a relaxed paced on flat surfaces. There are restrooms near the trailhead. No registration required.<\/div>\n
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The \u201cBird Walk\u201d will be led by Chuck Root and Emily Dodge.<\/div>\n
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The Academy\u00a0of\u00a0Natural\u00a0Sciences\u00a0of Drexel University (1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, www.ansp.org<\/u><\/a>) has just opened a new exhibit \u2013 \u201cBotany of Nations.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Visitors can experience a groundbreaking exhibition that provides a new perspective on the legendary Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery.<\/div>\n
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Co-curated with Enrique Salm\u00f3n, PhD, an ethnobotanist and author of IW\u00cdGARA: The Kinship of Plants and People, and developed with contributions from Indigenous cultural historians, \u201cBotany of Nations\u201d offers a culturally layered view of the plants of North America.<\/div>\n
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Collected on the famous expedition, some of the oldest plant specimens in the country today are housed in the Academy\u2019s own Lewis and Clark Herbarium.<\/div>\n
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Guests can learn how the Native Nations Meriwether Lewis met on the trail shaped America\u2019s plant knowledge long before Western scientists claimed these \u201cdiscoveries.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Centering the voices of Native Nations who have protected and cared for the lands for thousands of years, \u201cBotany of Nations\u201d presents plants as portals to Indigenous storytelling and knowledge.<\/div>\n
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Visitors will:<\/div>\n
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See 18th and early 19th century scientific instruments, original journals, maps and herbarium sheets that illuminate the role of natural science on the Corps of Discovery.<\/div>\n
View Native American peace pipes as well as Corps of Discovery peace medals.<\/div>\n
Navigate prairie, plains, plateau and Pacific coast landscapes within a model of the trail as you learn about the importance of plants such as tobacco and chokecherry through film, interactive media, cultural artifacts, sensory experiences and contemporary voices.<\/div>\n
Watch a newly produced film about how Indigenous traditional land practices and cultural systems surrounding food provide contemporary solutions to today\u2019s biodiversity and climate challenges.<\/div>\n
Experience a native plant garden on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to learn how you can grow heritage plants that foster biodiversity.<\/div>\n
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Museum admission is $22 for adults, $19 for seniors and $18 for children (ages 2-12).<\/div>\n
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Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum (1237 State Road, Andalusia, www.andalusiapa.org<\/u><\/a>) has opened for its 2026 season.<\/div>\n
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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,<\/div>\n
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Andalusia\u00a0is\u00a0also a natural paradise of native woodlands and spectacular gardens that have evolved over time.<\/div>\n
Placed on the National Register\u00a0of Historic Landmarks\u00a0in 1966, the Big House\u00a0\u2014 one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States \u2014 provides an unparalleled look into our nation\u2019s past, while also offering a glimpse into the life\u00a0of\u00a0a family\u00a0that helped to shape its future.<\/div>\n
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Its surrounding gardens delight the senses all through the year, from the tumbling, brightly colored leaves of fall to the floral extravaganza of spring and the abundance and scent of summer.<\/div>\n
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Self-Guided Garden Tours will be available Mondays through Wednesdays through November 4 (excluding holidays) at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.<\/div>\n
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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 \u201ccarry-in, carry-out\u201d policy).<\/div>\n
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One of Delaware\u2019s most popular events is St. Anthony\u2019s Italian Festival (St. Anthony of Padua Church, 901 North DuPont Street, Wilmington, Delaware, sapde.org\/italianfestival<\/a>).<\/div>\n
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The festival, which runs through June 13, features cafes, carnival rides, live Italian music and amusement games.<\/div>\n
This festival, which is celebrating its 52nd anniversary this year, is more than just a carnival with rides and food. It also is an educational experience with a focus each year on a different cultural region in Italy.<\/div>\n
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Over the past several years, the festival has focused on the art, architecture, food, and traditions of various regions.<\/div>\n
It will celebrate all that makes Italy and the Italian lifestyle the envy of much of the world.<\/div>\n
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There will be culinary highlights from various regions at the cafes and vendor locations, handcrafted Italian home decor items and Italian classical and contemporary music at concerts in the church and on the festival\u2019s entertainment stages.<\/div>\n
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The St. Anthony\u2019s Festival has become famous for its array of tasty Italian food.<\/div>\n
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Visitors will be able to enjoy such taste treats as spezzato, pizza, sausage and peppers, panzarotti, porkette, clams and spaghetti, pasta fagioli, pizza frita, meatball sandwiches, mozzarella sticks, calamari rings, spaghetti dinners and fresh espresso and cappuccino.<\/div>\n
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There is a $8 admission fee for all visitors ages 14-61. Seniors (age 61 and older) and children (age 13 and under who are accompanied by a parent or guardian 18 or older) will be admitted free.<\/div>\n
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Mt. Cuba Center (3120 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, Delaware, 302-239-4244, www.mtcubacenter.org<\/u><\/a>) is presenting \u201cGardening for Ecological Resilience Tour\u201d on June 13 at 10:30 a.m.<\/div>\n
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Participants will be able to take an in-depth look at the gardens, discover how to create sustainable landscapes with native plants, and learn effective techniques for gardening for ecological resilience.<\/div>\n
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This two-hour tour expands on concepts covered in the introductory Welcome Walk, exploring topics including systems thinking, climate change impacts, drought-resistant landscapes, and invasive species management.<\/div>\n
\u201cNavigating Non-Chemical Restoration\u201d is scheduled for 1 p.m.<\/div>\n
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Participants can explore native plant allies that can help outcompete invasive species and bolster biodiversity. This interactive class will equip visitors with the confidence to confidently tackle tenacious introduced species without chemical sprays.<\/div>\n
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Tickets are $7 for \u201cGardening for Ecological Resilience Tour\u201d and $39 for \u201cNavigating Non-Chemical Restoration.\u201d<\/div>\n
This weekend, Rockwood Park & Museum (4671 Washington Street Ext, Wilmington,\u00a0Delaware, 4671 Washington Street Ext, Wilmington, www.newcastlede.gov\/431\/Rockwood-Park-Museum<\/u><\/a>) is hosting \u201cRockwood Guided House Tours.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Visitors can explore the grandeur, history and beauty of the Rockwood Museum, home of the Shipley, Bringhurst and Hargraves families for 120 years, at their own pace.<\/div>\n
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Visitors will be able to access most of the museum\u2019s major rooms on this self-guided tour. Also, staff will be nearby to answer any questions.<\/div>\n
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Tours are scheduled for 12:30 and 2 p.m. on June 13 and 14.<\/div>\n
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Self-guided tours will also be available both days from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday and noon-4 p.m. on Sunday.<\/div>\n
The Delaware Art Museum (2301\u00a0Kentmere\u00a0Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware, www.delart.org<\/u><\/a>) is currently featuring several new exhibitions.<\/div>\n
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\u201cLiving Indigenous,\u201d which runs through August 23,\u00a0celebrates the creative contributions of Indigenous artists living in and connected to Delaware, developed in partnership with the Nanticoke Indian Museum.<\/div>\n
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\u201cCitizen Artist,\u201d which is on display through July 19, coincides with the Semiquincentennial in 2026.<\/div>\n
The \u201cCitizen Artist\u201d\u00a0will meet a moment of national reflection with a celebration of artist workers in America.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe People\u2019s Gallery,\u201d which runs August 7 through September 6,\u00a0amplifies Delaware 250 by inviting up to 600 Delaware residents or DelArt Members to submit one work of art for exhibition in the Museum.<\/div>\n
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The Museum is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.<\/div>\n
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Admission is $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $6 for youth.<\/div>\n
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Historic Odessa (Main Street, Odessa, Delaware, 302-378-4119, www.historicodessa.org<\/u><\/a>) is both a scenic and an historic site in Delaware.<\/div>\n
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Historic Odessa just reopened for spring tours and celebrated the beginning of its 2026 season.<\/div>\n
Known in the 18th-century as Cantwell\u2019s Bridge, Odessa played a vital role in commercial life along the Delaware River as a busy grain shipping port.<\/div>\n
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Today, visitors can stroll along tree-lined streets and admire examples of 18th- and 19th-century architecture in one of the best-preserved towns in Delaware. They can also tour a remarkable collection of antiques and Americana preserved in period room settings and quaint exhibits.<\/div>\n
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Historic Odessa is open to the public from March through December, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m.\u00a0 The site is also open Monday by reservation.<\/div>\n
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The Ghost Tour of Lancaster and the Ghost Tour of Strasburg are based on the book, \u201cGhost Stories of Lancaster, PA.\u201d<\/div>\n
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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 $20.<\/div>\n
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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 $20.<\/div>\n
You can capture the same vibe closer to home with tours in Philadelphia.<\/div>\n
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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.<\/div>\n
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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.<\/div>\n
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The activity is open year-round \u2013 weekends, December-February; every night, March-November. Tickets are $24.<\/div>\n
Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Philadelphia (215-413-1997, www.ghosttour.com<\/u><\/a>),\u00a0Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Lancaster (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com<\/u><\/a>) and\u00a0Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Strasburg (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com<\/u><\/a>) operate throughout the spring and summer and offer an eerily entertaining evening of true\u00a0ghost\u00a0stories and real haunted houses.<\/div>\n
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Grim\u00a0Philly\u2019s \u201cDark Philly History Tour\u201d (www.grimphilly.com<\/u><\/a>) will be held every evening throughout the spring.<\/div>\n
Participants can walk with tour guides from the grounds of America\u2019s first White House, Congress, and Liberty Bell to homes and sites of Hamilton, Washington, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and more than 10 other Founding-Fathers.<\/div>\n
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The surprising dirt of espionage, murder, sexual license and blackmail highlight the secrets of 1776 with a ghost story or two along the way.<\/div>\n
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This tour is highly researched. And your guide is a historian.<\/div>\n
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Ticket prices start at $38.<\/div>\n
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Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com<\/u><\/a>) will be presenting \u201cSesame Summer Splash\u201d every weekend now through September 7.<\/div>\n
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\u201cSesame Summer Splash\u201d is filled with furry fun and exciting events \u2013 including an exciting line up of meet & greets, music, magic, pirate adventures, and fireworks.<\/div>\n
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This weekend will feature Bert & Ernie\u2019s Splashy Shores, Big Bird\u2019s Beach, The Count\u2019s Splash Castle, Big Bird\u2019s Rambling River, and more.<\/div>\n
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Guests can have even more fun in the sun by enjoying Sesame Place\u2019s family-friendly rides like Oscar\u2019s Wacky Taxi Roller Coaster, Elmo\u2019s Flyin\u2019 Fish, the Sunny Day Carousel, and the 123 Playground.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Things are starting to heat up with special summertime activities at locations around the area. Downingtown is a prime example. Downingtown will be a happening place this Saturday — and throughout the week — with a trio of top-flight events. Last August, the \u201cCruiz in at the VFW […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":56802,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[15674,16327,7426,14575],"class_list":["post-56805","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-downingtown-summer-jam","tag-downingtown-vfw-post-845","tag-featured","tag-kennett-summerfest"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56805","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=56805"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56805\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56806,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56805\/revisions\/56806"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/56802"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=56805"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=56805"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=56805"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}