Blockbuster
Franklin Institute: “Terracotta Warriors of the First Emperor” opens Sept. 30 and continues through March 4 at 222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia. A significant archaeological discovery made in 1974 in China, the warriors are life-sized statues, constructed more than 2,000 years ago to “guard” the tomb of China’s first emperor. The exhibit features 10 terracotta figures from the burial complex, as well as more than 160 artifacts, including weapons, jade pieces, gold ornaments, bronze bells, ceremonial vessels, coins and architectural pieces of the time. Multimedia and interactive elements complement the artifacts to further engage visitors in hands-on STEM learning aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. Exhibition hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (includes general museum admission) and additional evening hours (does not include general admission). Daytime tickets are $35, $30 for children 3-11. Evening tickets are $20, $15 for children 3-11. Discounts are available for members and groups. Go to www.fi.edu or call (215) 448-1200.
Fall festivities
Church of the Holy Spirit: Enjoy fall activities at the Pulled Pork, Apple Bake and Car Cruise-In from 3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at the church at 2871 Barndt Road, Upper Salford. There will be food to eat in or take out, classic cars and trucks, and music by Cat Elwell & Saucony Grass. For more information, call the church at (215) 234-8020 or see www.churchoftheholyspirit.us.
Historic Selma Mansion: The Norristown Preservation Society will host Candlelight Ghost Tours 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 7 at Historic Selma Mansion, 1301 W. Airy St., Norristown. Continuous guided tours of the mansion will cover both its history and infamous ghost stories. Tickets are $5, $3 for children 5-12, seniors and veterans, free to active military. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Kiwanis Club of Phoenixville Community Day: Community Day runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 7 in Reeves Park. It includes children’s games and activities, food vendors, entertainment at the bandshell, local fire company trucks and equipment on Main Street between Second and Third avenues and more. The rain date is Oct. 14.
North Wales Community Day/St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Oktoberfest: The concurrent North Wales events are scheduled for Oct. 7. Community Day is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Main Street and in Weingartner Park. Among the highlights are a pie eating contest, a talent show, a military salute, food and craft vendors, music and more. St. Peter’s Oktoberfest is held 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the grounds of the church at 211 S. Main St., North Wales. Check out food and drink, live music, a silent auction Items and a 50-50 raffle, a bounce house, a pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting, home brew tasting and more. Admission is free.
Fairmount Park: CiderFest opens up six historic houses in the park for you to sip cider samples from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 30. Enjoy live music and pay-as-you-go food trucks. Tickets include a souvenir tasting cup and free house-to-house transportation via Phlash’s CiderFest Loop, as well as abbreviated self-guided tours of each historic house. This event is for adults 21 and over. Visit https://myphillypark.org/event/ciderfest.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church: The church at 548 Old Swede Road, Douglassville, holds an Apple Festival, with food, entertainment, an Art Bus, model train displays, children’s activities and more from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 7. Get more information at http://stpaulsdouglassville.com/apple-festival.
Souderton Community Park: The Souderton Art Jam is a juried fine art and handmade craft festival with live music, food, poetry, a children’s chalk art contest and beer and wine tasting. Check it out 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 30 in the park at Reliance Road, between Main Street and Wile Avenue, Souderton. See www.stmainst.org.
School Road Park: Hatfield Township Rocktoberfest is set for Sept. 30 in the park at 1619 School Road. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. enjoy classic, antique and special interest cars and motorcycles, food, music, vendors, games and more. Parking will be at the Hatfield Aquatic Center. Go to www.hatfieldtownship.org/rocktoberfest.
Celebrating heritage
Daniel Boone Homestead: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 30, it’s a Heritage Day of colonial interpretation and demonstrations at the historic site at 400 Daniel Boone Road, Birdsboro. They will be cooking in the Boone House and baking in the Bertolet Bake Oven. American Heritage Chocolate (Mars) will be on site doing an 18th century chocolate demonstration. You will also have the opportunity to take a helicopter ride over the homestead up into Oley Township. Call (610) 582-4900.
Concert highlights
Upper Darby Performing Arts Center: An Oldies Night concert with Bobby Rydell, Lou Christie and the First Ladies of Rock & Soul, backed by a nine-piece band, starts at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at 601 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill. Tickets are $40, $35 for veterans. Call (610) 222-1189 or visit www.udpac.org.
Sly Fox Beer: The Can Jam Music Festival happens noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 30 at Sly Fox’s Brewery & Tastin’ Room, 331 Circle of Progress Drive, Pottstown. The music lineup features Tap Trio, featuring John Swana; Michael Tiernan; John Train; RFA; and The Commonheart. Another big highlight is the team KanJam tournament. Search for www.facebook.com/events/1084928018277466.
Kimmel Center: The ARW lineup of Yes, featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman, performs at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 in Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St., Philadelphia. For ticket information, call (215) 893-1999 or visit www.kimmelcenter.org.
Santander Performing Arts Center: It’s bagpipes with rock attitude as the nine-piece Red Hot Chilli Pipers perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at 136 N. Sixth St., Reading. Tickets are $29 and $39. Go to www.santander-arena.com or call (610) 898-SHOW.
Food and wine
Bellevue State Park: The 14th annual Vendemmia Da Vinci Wine & Food Festival takes place 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 8 at the park’s Figure 8 Barn. The park is off the Marsh Road exit of Route 95, Wilmington, Del. Tickets are $55 in advance, $60 at the gate. Learn more at (877) 731-5790 or www.societadavinvi.com.
Hidden gems
Lancaster County Best Kept Secrets Tour: Running from Oct. 5-21, the self-guided tour features 40 off-the-beaten-path businesses offering free events, like demos, tastings, gifts, games and more. Tickets are $9. Call (717) 721-9409 or visit www.bestkeptsecretstour.com.
Run for scholarship
Souderton Area High School: The seventh annual Souderton 5 Miler to benefit the Tracy Hottenstein Scholarship Fund is held on Oct. 1. The event includes a five-mile run at 9 a.m., a one-mile walk at 9:05 a.m. and a Kid’s Fun Run at 8:45 a.m. The school is at 625 Lower Road, Franconia Township. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. The fee is $35 and $20 for the walk. There will be awards for the top three male and female finishers ages 0-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60+.
