Take off
American Helicopter Museum and Education Center: Celebrate World Helicopter Day noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 20 at 1220 American Blvd., West Chester. Every day thousands of people rely on helicopters for rescue, disaster relief, transport, firefighting, medical transfers, power line maintenance, tourism, agriculture and many other roles. See helicopters up close and talk to the people who work with them. Admission is $10, $8 for children, students and seniors. Helicopter rides begin at 1 and cost an additional $60 per person. Vendors include Crowded Castle Brewing Co., Kona Ice of King of Prussia, New Castle County Police, Dogs Home Rescue and Petey Possum’s Hangout. Call (610) 436-9600 or see www.americanhelicopter.museum.
On the double!
To the rescue: The 2017 PAW Patrol Roll Patrol Road Tour makes two stops in the region this weekend. The event features characters and an “immersive PAW Patrol-branded experience,” according to a press release. “Kids can explore the inside of the life-size PAW Patroller and meet their favorite PAW Patrol characters, as well as reenact their own rescue missions through an interactive play experience.” Times and locations are from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18 at Walmart, 1570 Chester Pike in Eddystone; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 19 and 20 at Walmart, 275 N Gulph Road in King of Prussia. For more information and pre-registration, check http://www.pawpatrol.com/tour.
Down on the farm
Shady Brook Farm: Jeeps at the Farm is held 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 19, followed by 4x4s on the Farm 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 20. Jeeps at the Farm highlights include a Show-N-Shine for pristine and clean rigs, a Jeeper’s Car Wash (a mud bath), an obstacle course with a mud bog and rock garden, a car crush section, a beer and wine garden and more. Preregistration is $25 (includes Jeep and driver), registration at the gate is $30. General admission for spectators and passengers is $5, free to children 10 and under. Shady Brook Farm is at 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley. Go to https://www.extremeterrain.com/jeeps-at-the-farm.html or www.eventbrite.com/o/jeeps-at-the-farm-4x4s-at-the-farm-10927778712.
Good eats
Chaddsford Winery: It’s a Summer Food Truck Competition, and you’re a judge, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 19 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 20 at the winery, 632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford. Admission is free and all wine and food purchases are pay-as-you-go. Find more details at www.chaddsford.com.
Summer happenings
Lansdale Founders Day: “Moving through the Years” is the theme for Founders Day 2017, being held Aug. 26. Events include the Lansdale Farmers’ Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Penndale Middle School, the Festival of the Arts 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Memorial Park, the PennSuburban Chamber Health & Wellness Fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Railroad Plaza, a Vintage Car Parade at 11 a.m. along Broad, Vine and Wood streets, an open house at the Jenkins Homestead from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a model train layout at Fairmount Fire Company from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free admission at White’s Road and Fourth Street pools, a Food Festival and Beer Garden on Green Street from 1 to 7 p.m., live music and family entertainment on Century Plaza from 1 to 7 p.m., and fireworks at Penndale Middle School at 9 p.m.
Tryzub Ukrainian American Sport Center: The 26th Annual Ukrainian Folk Festival will be held noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 27 at Tryzub, County Line and Lower State roads, Horsham. It has everything from the color and deep symbolism of pysanka to the movement of the Hopak to polka songs. Other highlights include a “United Ukraine – United with Us” outdoor summer stage concert and show, a public social dance from 4:30 to 8 p.m., homemade Ukrainian foods and baked goods, picnic fare, a kid’s fun area, an arts and crafts displays and bazaar, reenactments from Ukrainian history and more. Admission is $15 ($10 online at www.tryzub.org), $10 for students, free to children under 15. Call (267) 664-3857.
Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El: Jewish Federation of Philadelphia presents a Smoke BBQ Festival, a Kansas City BBQ Society sanctioned event, starting at 11 a.m. Aug. 27 at 1001 Remington Road, Wynnewood. Activities include a beer garden, mechanical bull riding, a pickle eating contest and live music. Parking and shuttle service will run from the Kaiserman Jewish Community Center. Tickets are $10, $20 for families, $20 for pickle eating contest registration. Learn more at www.phillykosherbbq.com.
St. James United Church of Christ: The annual Chicken BBQ happens 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 19 at the church pavilion, 321 Limerick Road, Limerick. Cost is $10 per person and dinner includes a half chicken, corn on the cob, potato salad, applesauce, roll, drink and dessert. Call (610) 489-0990.
Perkiomen Valley High School: The Perkiomen Township Fire Company Car Show begins at 9 a.m. Aug. 27 in the school’s parking lot, Route 29 and Trappe Road, Perkiomen Township. Registration will run from 8 to 11 a.m. Call Bill for more information at (484) 614-4698.
St. Patrick Church: The annual Irish Festival begins after the noon Mass of the Golden Rose Aug. 20 at the church, DeKalb and Chestnut streets, Norristown. Festivities continue from 2 to 6 p.m. in the church hall. The festival is hosted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies AOH Division No. 1. Montgomery County. Music will be provided by the Paul Moore Band, and food and beverages will be available.
Upper Schuylkill Valley Park: It’s a Butterfly Celebration 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 26, featuring information on tagging, feeding and raising butterflies with local butterfly expert Ron Richael. Fun for the kids will include hands-on activities, face painting, a butterfly-themed craft to make and take home, and butterfly bingo played at 11, 11:30, and noon. If the weather allows, the butterflies will be released at 12:45 p.m. so they can begin their southern migration before winter. This program is suitable for all ages. There is a $4 per person suggested donation. The park is located on Route 113, Upper Providence. Call (610) 948-5170.
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ: The church at 1312 Old Swede Road, Douglassville, hosts its 36th annual Peach Festival 3 to 8 p.m. Aug. 19. Call (610) 689-9364.
Heckler Plains Farmstead: The Heckler Plains Folklife Society presents Hecklerfest to re-enactment a portion of 18th and 19th century living 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 19. Visitors will have the opportunity to practice tin punching and learn what it was used for, make a quilting squares and learn about scherensnitte. The day also includes colonial cooking demonstrations, children’s games, rug hooking, flintknapping, fraktur, butter churning and hand sewing. Members of the W.S. Hancock Society be transforming the Heckler Farmhouse into an 1820s tavern. Members of the Brandywine Baseball Club will be on hand, in uniform, to show visitors how baseball was different in 1864 than it is today. Visitors may be invited to take a turn at bat or in the field during a double header. Craft vendors will offer a wide variety of hand-made items for sale. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted at the hands-on craft stations. The Heckler Farmstead is at Morris and Landis Roads, Lower Salford. For information call (215) 822-7422 in the evening.
St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish: The ninth annual festival runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Aug. 23-26 on the church grounds at Swamp Pike and Neiffer Road, Limerick Township. Highlights include live music, amusement rides by Tons of Fun, bungee jump and rock wall by Bruster’s of Limerick, children’s games, adult games of chance, pony rides, balloon art, bingo, a cash raffle with a $5,000 grand prize, a beer and wine garden and a business expo. Visit www.stfestival.org.
Morwood Sportsmen’s Club: Aug. 25-27 it’s the Nuthin’ Fancy 5 motorcycle festival at 111 Wambold Road, Salford Township. Gates open at 3 p.m. Friday and there will be free beer, live music, tent camping and vendors. Admission is $40 ($20 after 10:30 p.m. Saturday). For more information, email sccpanj@bikerlist.com or call (215) 778-6529 or (215) 527-2721.
Souderton Mennonite Homes: The annual Chicken Barbecue, Silent Auction and Gospel Music Fest runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 26 at 207 W. Summit St., Franconia Township. Events include food, a car show, a silent auction, a mommy market, a Pennsylvania Dutch bake off, an appearance by the Phillie Phanatic, games, inflatables, a petting zoo, an animal adaptations show from the Lehigh Valley Zoo and more.
Concert highlights
Valley Forge Casino: The Bacon Brothers perform at 9 p.m. Aug. 18 at 1160 First Ave., Upper Merion. Tickets range from $60-$170. Visit www.vfcasino.com.
Santander Arena: Following the success of a long-running Vegas show, Donny and Marie Osmond are hitting the road and coming to 700 Penn St., Reading at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22. Tickets range from $45.50-$99.50. Go to www.ticketmaster.com or www.santander-arena.com.
Quakertown Amphitheater: Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone and Gary Puckett and the Union Gap perform a ticketed concert at 8 p.m. Aug. 24 at the amphitheater, 501 W. Mill St., Quakertown. Tickets range from $30-$60, and are available at Quakertown.eventbrite.com. Concessions, libations and merchandise will be available for purchase.
Sellersville Theater 1894: Tony Sands presents his multimedia tribute to Frank Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey, “It was a Very Good Year,” at 1 p.m. Aug. 19 at Sellersville Theater, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville. Tickets are $25. Call (215) 257-5808.
Six Flags Great Adventure: “Mega Concierto del Verano en Six Flags” is set for Aug. 19 with Ivy Queen, Jowell y Randy, Secreto and Alex Sensation. The concert will be held in the Northern Star Arena at 7:30 p.m. Entrance to the concert is included with theme park admission. The park is off of Route 537, Jackson, NJ. Visit www.sixflags.com/greatadventure.
Artisanal activity
Brandywine River Museum of Art: “On Location: Artists at the Brandywine” is held Aug. 18-20. Signature member artists from the Philadelphia Water Color Society will create plein air works at the museum and its three historic properties. You’re invited to watch 19 artists by purchasing an On Location ticket, which is $10 in addition to regular admission. Each round trip via museum shuttle includes stops at the Kuerner Farm, N.C. Wyeth House, and Andrew Wyeth Studio. The one hour and 15 minute trip begins at 10, 10:45 and 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Works created during the event will be available for purchase at the Chadds Ford Historical Society, beginning with a reception 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 25.
Also, a Gin Dinner at the Millstone Cafe is offered 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 24 for $75 per person. The featured gin will be from Elverson’s Revivalist Spirits. A five-course small plate menu will be prepared by Blanch & Shock, with each menu offering paired with a Revivalist Gin varietal. The interactive dinner will also feature a representative from Revivalist Gin who will be on hand to highlight the types of gin served, the underlying botanical notes found in each of their varietals, and their production process. Prior to the dinner, enjoy a private viewing of “Andrew Wyeth: In Retrospect.”
The museum is off Route 1 in Chadds Ford. Admission is $18, $15 for seniors 65+, $6 for students and children 6 and up. For more information, call (610) 388-2700 or visit www.brandywinemuseum.org.
