Looking to the east
St. Mary and St. Kyrillos Coptic Orthodox Church: Middle Eastern food, prizes and games are some of the highlights of the Christian Egyptian Festival, held 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 10-11 and 17-18 at the church, 2500 Unionville Pike, Hatfield. Admission is free. Call (215) 421-4480.
St. Philip Orthodox Christian Church: The fourth annual International Food Festival takes place noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 16-17 on the church grounds. 1970 Clearview Road, Hilltown Township. The festival will feature ethnic dishes from Greece, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Romania, Russia and the USA. Entrees range in price from $9-$11. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Keystone Opportunity Center of Souderton, Manna on Main Street of Lansdale,and Pennridge FISH of Perkasie. The festival will also feature scheduled church tours, live entertainment, chant demonstrations, an iconography demonstration, children’s activities and a craft bazaar. See www.st-philip.net/festival, or contact the church office at (215) 721-4947 or apostlephilip@gmail.com.
Spirited events
Morgan Log House: The fourth annual Tavern Night Sept. 16 features liquors distilled 18th century-style, food, music, distilling and beer brewing. VIP hour starts at 5 p.m., with the main event scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $40, $70 per couple, $65 for VIPs, $30 for designated drivers. You must be at least 21. Go to www.morganloghouse.org. The historic site is at 850 Weikel Road, Towamencin.
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: Eight Pennsylvania wineries – including Blue Mountain, Boyd’s Cardinal Hollow, Peace Valley, Sand Castle, Stone & Key, III Ponds and Unami Ridge – will offer samples during Wines on the Hill, a fundraiser for the Hilltown Township Volunteer Fire Company, held noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 17 on the soccer field at the church, 1530 Augsburg Drive, Hilltown. There will also be food, live music, games, basket raffles and more than 75 vendors and exhibitors. Tickets are $15 in advance, $25 at the gate, $5 for designated drivers, $4 for youths 13 and over. Call (215) 453-2051.
Celebrate
Morris Arboretum: Celebrate National Grandparents Day Sept. 11. Kids who bring a grandparent to the Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Ave., Chestnut Hill, will receive $4 off admission, making youth admission $5. All guests are invited to join in three garden activity stations, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., designed for multi-generational fun. Also, explore the 92-acre garden and your heritage as you and family members follow the “Founding Treasures” map. Visit www.morrisarboretum.org.
Peddler’s Village: The 37th annual Scarecrow Competition and Display can be seen from Sept. 12-Oct. 30. Vote for your favorites through Oct. 10. Get more information at www.peddlersvillage.com or call (215) 794-4000. The village is near the intersection of Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska.
Avenue of the Arts: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 10, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Merriam Theater, the Academy of Music, and the Avenue of the Arts – all part of the Kimmel Center Campus on South Broad Street, Philadelphia – will come alive with a free Open House season kickoff event in partnership with its eight resident companies. Highlights include performances, behind-the-scenes tours, giveaways (including two American Airlines tickets to Paris), family-friendly activities, chats with Kimmel Center staff and artistic teams and more. Free programming will include kindie group Moona Luna and the Kimmel Center’s PNC Grow Up Great children’s musical theater program, season sampler performances from members of The Philly Pops and Pennsylvania Ballet II, dance classes, demonstrations on the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ, stage selfies and a panel discussion. Visit www.kimmelcenter.org/openhouse.
Broomall Fire Company: The Majestic Midways Carnival will be held Sept. 9-11 at Malin Road and West Chester Pike, Broomall (across from the Broomall Fire Company). The carnival hours are 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, which features a Family Day ride special from 1 to 5:30 p.m. In addition to the various carnival rides, there will also be face painting.
Parkside Place: The 26th annual Upper Gwynedd Township Carnival runs 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 9, 1 to 10 p.m. Sept. 10 and 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Parkside Place complex off Sumneytown Pike. There will be fireworks displays at dusk Friday and Saturday. The Mango Men will play a concert at 1 p.m. Sept. 11.
Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church: The 139th Oyster Picnic is held Sept. 10 in the picnic grove across the street from the church, 2092 Church Road, Woxall, Upper Salford. This event features food, games for children and live music throughout the day. The menu includes fried oysters, oyster stew, raw oysters on the half shell, hot dogs, burgers, fries, funnel cakes, ice cream and smoked salmon sandwiches. The picnic is starting an hour earlier this year for those who want a noon lunch. See more at https://ogrc.org/events/oyster-picnic.
Doylestown Arts Festival/Thompson Bucks County Classic: Downtown Doylestown will have artisans, live music, food, men’s and women’s pro cycling, a recreational ride for cycling enthusiasts, children’s races and more Sept. 10-11. Check out www.doylestownartsfestival.com and www.buckscountyclassic.com.
Elmwood Park: The Norristown Park and Recreation Center and Sam Ash, King of Prussia will host Music for Kids’ Sake 4 1 to 8 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Fireman’s Memorial Band Shell, 1325 Harding Blvd., Norristown. The festival will feature local artisans and five bands, and will benefit Expressive Path. In remembrance of 9/11, there will be a tribute to local fire and police departments. There will be several vendors, painting, giveaways and a raffles for local artwork, gift baskets and more. Feel free to bring a picnic, coolers, chairs and blankets. There are grills located in the park to barbecue and the park snack bar will be open. Admission is free. Go to www.expressivepath.org or www.facebook.com/pages/Expressive-Path/1427517144179110.
Central Schwenkfelder Church: An old-fashioned Country Fair with activities for the whole family will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 17 on the historic farm property adjacent to the church, off of Valley Forge Road, Worcester. Food, entertainment, the North Penn S Gaugers, an antique and classic car show, tractor rides, face painting and games for children are part of the fun. At noon a live auction begins, with a variety of furniture and household items up for bid. Call (610) 584-4480 or see www.centralschwenkfelder.com.
Artistic expression
Studio B Fine Art Gallery: “Out of the Woods,” an exhibit featuring artwork created by Sandra and Bob Wood, opens with a free public reception 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 16. Check it out at the gallery, 39 E. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown, call (610) 563-7879 or visit www.studiobbb.org.
Main Street, Sellersville: The Pennridge Gallery of the Arts community arts and crafts show takes place on Main Street noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 18, and features live music, children’s entertainment, food and beverages and more. Visit www.galleryofthearts.org.
Lansdowne Arts on the Avenue Festival: The Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation presents the festival noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 11 on Lansdowne Avenue between East LaCrosse and Baltimore avenues. Highlights include music, craft beer, food trucks, local artisans, a YMCA Kids’ Zone and more. Visit www.lansdowneartsontheavenue.com.
Main Line Art Center: “Panorama: Image-Based Art in the 21st Century” features special events celebrating photography and digital media in contemporary art September through November. Main Line Art Center, 746 Panmure Road, Haverford, and its 40+ partners will present more than 50 physical and virtual exhibitions, lectures, film screenings and portfolio reviews. Other participating institutions are 3rd Street Gallery; Allen’s Lane Art Center; ArtsQuest/ Banana Factory Arts Center; Big Bright Monster; Bryn Mawr Film Institute; Center for Emerging Visual Artists; Cheltenham Center for the Arts; Da Vinci Art Alliance; The Delaware Contemporary; FringeArts; Gravers Lane Gallery; Haverford College’s Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery; InLiquid Art & Design; Institute of Contemporary Art; Media Arts Council; The Galleries at Moore;Painted Bride Art Center; Perkins Center for the Arts; Philadelphia’s Art in City Hall; The Photo Review; The Print Center; Rowan University Art Gallery; Twelve Gates Arts; University of the Arts’ Gallery 1401, Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery and Sol Mednick Gallery; Vox Populi; and WP Gallery. Get all the complete details at www.mainlineart.org/panorama2016.
Main Line Unitarian Church: Edwina Brennan presents her latest abstract paintings in a show in the Fireside Gallery Sept. 11-Oct. 16. The church is at 816 S. Valley Forge Road, Devon. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. Visit www.mluc.org or call (484) 341-8014.
Icon of industry
Perkasie Historical Society Museum/Sellersville Museum: An exhibit dedicated to Bethlehem Steel can be seen noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 10-11 at the museums at 513 W. Walnut St., Perkasie and 120 E. Church St., Sellersville, as well as Menlo Park, 425 Arthur Ave., Perkasie and Perkasie Park, 200 S. Ninth St., Perkasie. A trolley will be running between the four venues, and there will be refreshments at the parks (Menlo Park 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday only) and the historic carousel in Menlo Park will be operating noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Feast
Kennett Square Mushroom Festival: A National Fried Mushroom Eating Contest on Sept. 10 will be part of this year’s festivities Sept. 9-11 in Kennett Square Borough. The festival spans more than a mile and features culinary events, growing exhibits, contests, children’s entertainment and nearly 250 vendors. Sept. 9 is the Community Parade with dining and dancing in the streets. Admission is $3 for everyone 12 and up. The main festival runs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 10 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 11. Go to www.mushroomfestival.org.
West Passyunk Avenue: The second annual South Philly SausageFest is set for noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 10 along West Passyunk Avenue between South Broad and 15th streets, Philadelphia. Look for sausage and sausage-inspired dishes cooked up in a variety of traditional and unique styles, including vegan, from 10 restaurants and eateries, craft beer from seven breweries, live music, vendors and family fun. Admission is free with food and drink pay-as-you-go. Advance beer tickets and other information is available at www.southphillysausagefest.com. Advance beer tickets are three for $12, 10 for $35 and 18 for $54.
Historic Bethlehem: The third annual Apple Days weekend at Burnside Plantation will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 10-11. Activities including apple bobbing, cooking and colonial demonstrations, square dancing, donkey-drawn wagon rides, pony rides, barn and house tours, doughnut-eating contests, live music, baking contests, plein air painting and apple treats such as doughnuts, pies, dumplings, fritters and cider. Kids’ activities include sack races, apple stamping T-shirts, colonial dress up, and totem pole making and sand art with The Museum of Indian Culture. Admission is $5 per vehicle with free parking at 1499 Schoenersville Road. For more information, call (610) 691-6055 or visit www.historicbethlehem.org.
Horse show
4-H Romano Center: The Northern Chester County 4-H Horse and Pony Club, in conjunction with the Oley Valley Combined Training Association, presents the 2016 “Over the Hill” Horse Show, featuring riders 19 and older, Sept. 10 (rain date Sept. 11) at the center, off of Route 322, Honey Book. Call (610) 696-3500.
Music highlights
Historic Sugartown: The third annual Shugart’s Sunday BBQ & Bluegrass will be happening 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 11. Uncle B’s BBQ Smoke Shack of Phoenixville and Summit Hill Bluegrass will be back again this year providing food and music. New this year, Manatawny Still Works will be on hand to offer tastings of their hand-crafted spirits. Admission is $40, $12 for children 3-10. Visit www.historicsugartown.org or call (610) 460-2667.
Dock Woods: Amici Opera Company performs Rossini’s “Barber of Seville” at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 11 in the retirement community’s chapel. Enter from Woods Drive, Towamencin. Tickets are $20. Call (215) 224-0257 or visit www.amiciopera.com/events.html.
Swedesburg Fire Company: From 8 to 11 p.m. Sept. 10, The Swedesburg Hall, 310 Jefferson St., will have a tribute to the oldies by Gary Baker. Tickets are $35, which also includes food. The doors open at 6 p.m. to give you time to eat before the show. No tickets will be sold at the door, so contact (610) 279-3563 or bernardgutkowski@verizon.net.
Green Lane Park: Re-scheduled due to weather, Philly Rock & Soul will play a free concert of Motown, oldies, R&B and soul at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 at the amphitheater, 2298 Green Lane Road, Marlborough Township.
Day in the park
Souderton Community Park: A Family Fun Flea Market runs 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 10 in the park at Main Street, Reliance Road and Wile Avenue, Souderton. There will be live music, pony rides, crafts, food, vendors and family activities.
Lorimer Park: Preregistration is required for a free all-ages nature scavenger hunt at Lorimer Park at 2 p.m. Sept. 11. Find natural items and answer questions. The first group, family or individual to finish with all the required items will win a prize. Call (215) 947-3477 or email lorimerpark@montcopa.org to preregister. The park is at 183 Moredon Road. Meet near the ranger hut.
History lessons
Montgomery County Historical Society: The musical “Hamilton” has revived interest in Alexander Hamilton. From 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15, learn more as Gene Pisasale presents “Alexander Hamilton – Architect of the American Financial System” at the historical society, 1654 DeKalb St. Norristown. This program is free and open to the public.
St. Luke’s United Church of Christ: The Historical Society of Trappe, Collegeville and Perkiomen Valley invites the community to its Heritage Day program 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at the church, 200 W. Main St., Trappe. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Karl Krueger, an affiliate professor of church history at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Cost is $10 per person. A luncheon is included. For reservations, call (610) 454-9732 between 6 and 9 p.m. To learn more, visit www.trappehistoricalsociety.org.
Whitpain Community Open House: The Wissahickon Valley Historical Society will sponsor the Whitpain Community Open House from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 18. Many Whitpain institutions will be open to the public for tours that day. They include: Boehm’s United Church of Christ, Centre Square Fire Station, Daniel Dowling American Legion Post 769, the Franklinville one-room schoolhouse, Grace Baptist Church of Blue Bell, St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, St. Helena’s Catholic Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Second Alarmers EMS Station, Tiferet Bet Israel synagogue, the Whitpain Police Station and the 1895 Whitpain Public School. The public may start the tours at any location. Maps and booklets will be available at all locations.
