The Great Pumpkin Carve

Falling temperatures and leaves can mean only one thing – it’s time to mark your calendars for The Great Pumpkin Carve held on the grounds of the Chadds Ford Historical Society!

At 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 23rd, the artists will begin carving huge pumpkins, which are grown at S.I.W. Vegetables in Chadds Ford by H. G. Haskell and friends. At nightfall the pumpkins are lit and a team of three judges are ready to tackle the difficult job of choosing winners among 70 hauntingly carved masterpieces. Thursday, October 23rd, 5 to 9 p.m. - Local artists carve huge pumpkins on the grounds of the Chadds Ford Historical Society. Winners announced sometime after 8:30.

Friday, October 24th 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, October 25th, 5 to 9 p.m.- Candle-lit carved pumpkins, with winners identified, cover the Historical Society grounds.

All three nights - family fun, good food live music, and hay rides! Admission is $5 per adult 18 and up, children 7 to 17 are $3 each, and those 6 and under are free; CFHS members free with membership card. Hay rides $1. Parking in the meadow beyond the CFHS Barn Visitors Center headquarters building.

Suggestions:
* Please wear sturdy walking shoes and plenty of layers.
* Bring a flashlight.
* Please leave your dogs at home.

Pennsylvania Dutch Folklife & Fun

The 60th Annual Kutztown Festival

June 27 - July 5, 2009

9am - 6pm

Kutztown Fairgrounds, Kutztown, PA
Route 222 between Allentown and Reading, PA

Win A Free Overnight Trip For Your Family To The Kutztown Folk Festival!

Check out the Entertainment Schedule!

Click here for a $2 off admission coupon

Bring your family to enjoy the finest in traditional crafts, food, music and folklife. Fun for all ages! 200 of Americas finest traditional craftsmen. Fascinating demonstrations and treasures you can take home ....

Visit America's largest Quilt Sale. Over 2,500 traditional quilts, handmade by local quilters. Experience the exciting quilt auction of the top 24 prize winners on the second Saturday.

A wonderful experience for children! Delightful baby farm animals, puppets, make-and- take crafts, hay stacks and mazes, story time, singalongs, and hands on fun.

History unfolds before your eyes. Folklife, farming and gardening, churches and weddings, PA-Dutch dialect and folklore, spinning and weaving, country cooks, blacksmiths, furniture, candles, and more...

Mouthwatering PA-Dutch Food! Tantalizing family style feasts, ox roasts, sausage sandwiches, pies, pastries and lots more! Non-stop entertainment. Live music and dancing, comedy, country auctions, parades and bands. Fiddling, storytelling and historical seminars and traditions.Witness a 19th century hanging or take part in an old-fashioned cake walk.

The best examples of Pennsylvania Dutch and early American folk art and crafts are found in the outstanding works of 200 of the nation’s most skilled artisans.

Included in this year's festival will be fine furniture, miniatures, pottery,clothing, musical instruments, hand-painted art, iron ornaments, weavings, brooms, baskets, florals, hex painting, jewelry, leather, cut paper art known as “scherenschnitte,” Pennsylvania German calligraphic writing called "fraktur", beeswax candles and more.


Click here to visit the festival blog.

2009 DARC Discount Ticket Prices

Purchase discount tickets at Downingtown Area Recreation Consortium
114 Bell Tavern Rd. Downingtown, PA 19335
Hours of operation are: M-F 8:30AM-4:30PM

CASH ONLY!
For more information call (610) 269-9260 or visit www.darcinfo.com

Adventure Aquarium
Adult (13 and over) - $15.00 - DARC Savings $ 6.35
Child (2-12) -$11.00 -DARC Savings $ 6.07

Baltimore Aquarium
Adult (12 – 59) -$20.00 DARC Savings $ 4.95
Senior (60 & over) -$19.00 - DARC Savings $ 4.95
Child (3 – 11) -$12.50 -DARC Savings $ 2.45

Dorney Park
Adult (48” or taller) (valid 5/23-9/7) -$31.00 - DARC Savings-$ 8.99
Child (under 48” age 3+), Senior (62+) -$19.00 -DARC Savings -$ .99

Dutch Wonderland
General (3-59) Sr. ticket available at park -$27.00 DARC Savings -$ 3.95

Hershey Park
Adult (9-54) -$41.00 - DARC Savings-$ 10.95
2 & under free
Child (3-8) Senior (55-69) -$29.00 - DARC Savings -$ 1 .95
Early Season: (5/3- 6/30; Sun-Fri) -$31.00 - DARC Savings -$20.95
Groups of 20 or more only (6/30-8/20):$31.00 DARC Savings-$20.95

Knoebels
Weekday, Regular (48” or taller) -$26.00 DARC Savings -$ 3.50
Weekday, Child (under 48”) -$16.00 -DARC Savings -$ 3.50

Philadelphia Zoo
General Admission (2 and over) -$14.00 -DARC Savings $ 4.00

Sesame Place
24 months & over Free upgrade for 2nd day during season -$43.00- DARC Savings $11.72

Six Flags Great Adventure
Regular (3+) (Theme Park and Safari) -$29.00 -DARC Savings $35.19
Hurricane Harbor Water Park -$18.00 - DARC Savings $16.99

Click here to visit the DARC website for additional savings and community day trips.

Day of Fun at Dutch Wonderland

DUKE's (surprise) Birthday Party

Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park
June 24th
1:30pm at Duke's Lagoon

SHHHH! It's a surprise! Everyone's favorite dragon is having a birthday party at Dutch Wonderland, but he doesn't know it! Join the Princess and Knight of Dutch Wonderland and all their friends as they give DUKE a party to remember. Expect treats, games, music and lots of fun, but don't let the secret slip! DUKE will be so surprised to see you!

Click here for more information or call 1-866-FUNatDW for more details.

Family Fun at The Delaware Beaches

Headed to the Delaware Beaches this summer? Check out our complete guide to fun, family events at the Delaware Beaches.


Rehoboth
Click here for a complete guide to events in Rehoboth.

Click here for info on Downtown Rehoboth

Tanger Outlets Complete Store Guide - click here for info on AAA discounts, store promotions & coupons.

FYI- the parking meters have increased to $1.25/hour.

Dewey Beach

Click here for a complete guide to Dewey Beach events

Historic Lewes

Click here for a complete guide to Historic Lewes

Bethany Beach

Click here for a complete guide to Bethany Beach.

Fenwick Island

Click here for a complete guide to Fenwick Island

Slaughter Beach

Click here for a complete guide to Slaughter Beach.

Ocean City, Maryland

Click here for a complete guide to events in OCMD.

June 21 - August 23 Ice Skating ShowsCarousel Resort Hotel, 118th St. Exciting ice skating shows nightly by professional group, Next Ice Age. Free & open to the public. 6:30 p.m. Anna Wagner, 800-641-0011. www.carouselhotel.com.

June 29-Movies on the Beach & More-27th St. Beach Every Monday and Friday evening enjoy games and movie on the beach with our new 16-foot projector. Each week a general audience movie is presented free of charge. Bring a blanket and enjoy the night beside the ocean. Games and activities begin at 7:30 p.m. Movie starts around 8:30 p.m. www.ococean.com.

June 30th -Family Beach Olympics-27th St. Beach Each Tuesday evening features a variety of contests for all ages. Events may include sand castle contests, tug-of-war, relays and more. All activities are free and are offered from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. www.ococean.com.

Assateague Island - Visit the Wild Horses, Camp, Hike, Bike...just wear bug spray!

“Fee Free” Weekends this Summer at Assateague Island

For the following weekends, entrance fees will be waived:

June 20-21 (Father’s Day weekend)

July 18-19

August 15-16

Junior Ranger Program for kids over age 6

Family Activities at the Jersey Shore

Headed "down the shore" this summer? Check out our complete guide to all things Jersey Shore.


Avalon
Click here for a complete list of events in Avalon



Stone Harbor
Click here for a complete list of events in Stone Harbor.
6/28/09 - Sunday's at The Stone Harbor Farmer's Market -95th Street - Water Tower Parking Lot
6/28/09 - Ron Jaworski Fit Festival
6/29/2009 – Eric Dasher Magic Show Stone Harbor Firehouse Parking Lot- bring a beach chair or blanket. Begins at 7pm. For more information – 609-368-6101


Sea Isle City
Monday & Wednesday Nights-Free Summer Concerts Under the Stars, sponsored by Sea Isle City and the Tourism Commission, 7:30-9:00PM, 609-263-TOUR
Click here for a complete list of Sea Isle City events

Wildwood
Click here for a complete list of Wildwood Events.
Thursday Nights- Boardwalk Family Fun Nights Parades, clowns and music on the Wildwood Boardwalk. 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.609.523.1602 or http://www.dowildwood.com/


Ocean City, NJ
Click here for a complete list of events in OCNJ
Family Nights 7:30pm to 9:30pm on the Boardwalk .
Ocean City, NJ Ocean City Chamber


NJ Links:
NJ Division of Travel & Tourism
New Jersey Shore
Official Website for State of NJ (check traffic conditions & weather)


While visiting Cape May County, check out a blog written by our friend Elizabeth Norton, AKA.. The Party Planning Professor. Elizabeth is a contributor to the New Jersey Moms Blog, NJ.com and is our favorite NJ shore " Mom in the Know". She is very excited to share her insider tips on all things Jersey shore.

We want to see your best NJ Shore pictures. Email them to us at sarah@chestercountymoms.com July 1- August 31st. We will post the photos to Chester County Moms and ask our readers to vote on the best photo. One submission per family. Stay tuned for details.

Chester County Balloon Festival

If floating above the rolling hills of Chester County sounds like your idea of heaven, head to the Embreeville Athletic Complex west of West Chester on Rt 162 to board a hot air balloon---or just to admire the sight of them. On Saturday, June 20th, starting at 3:00pm, there will be craft vendors, food vendors, a Kids Fun Zone and live music from Main Stage. And, of course, Hot Air Balloons of all shapes and sizes arriving and preparing for the 6:15pm ascension. Be sure to hang around for the fireworks at dusk.Come for the weekend and explore Chester County's many attractions. Balloon Festival Admission is Free! Parking Donation $5.00 per car .

Meet the Philly Phanatic at The Winner's Circle in Exton (FREE EVENT)

Thursday, June 18th
7-8PM

The Winner's Circle
(Routes 30 & 100 in theWhiteland Towne Center)
143 West Lincoln Highway
Exton, PA 19341
610-524-2424

Click here to check out the Winner's Circle family friendly meal deals.

Winner's Circle Sports Grille - Come for the Food and Stay for the Fun at the BEST Sports Bar & Restaurant in the 'burbs! Serving Exton, Downingtown, Chester Springs, Malvern, West Chester, Edgemont, Newtown Square, Media, the Main Line and all of the Philadelphia suburbs. Recognized as one of the best restaurants in Chester County and Delaware County PA.

Healthy Kids Day!

Please join us for the first Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Healthy Kids Day. Come and get ideas for great health from the nation’s top children’s hospital and its community partners. Ask experts about nutrition, vaccines, managing asthma, injury and prevention and much more.


When: Saturday, May 30, 2009, Noon to 5 p.m., rain or shine
Where: Mann Center for the Performing Arts

This celebratory event is free to the public, but tickets are required. Come and enjoy:

• Concert performance by The Laurie Berkner Band featuring Susie Lampert, Adam Bernstein and Laurie Berkner, with special guest Bob Golden
  
• Healthy food and drinks (while supplies last)
  
• Children’s activities

Admission to Healthy Kids Day is free of charge, but you must register for the event. Seat assignments for the concert, including lawn, will be distributed at the gate on a first come, first served basis. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

For information, please e-mail us at healthykidsday@email.chop.edu or call our hotline at 1-877-HKD-CHOP (1-877-453-2467).

Visit the Mann Center for the Performing Arts Web site for directions. Check our Timeline of Events and Sponsorship pages for more.

Family Fun Day at ACAC
Enjoy some relaxing fun-time with your family!

Saturday, May 16th from 12-4 pm

FREE and OPEN to the Community

Inflatable Obstacle Course and Bungee Run

FREE Carnival Games with Prizes.

AM 640 Radio Disney Road Crew on-site from 1:00pm-2:30pm

entertaining the kids and giving out prizes.

Bring your bathing suit and relax in our Activity Pool with Tumble Buckets, Water Slide, and zero grade entry-perfect for little ones.

For more info contact ACAC at 610-431-7000

1130 McDermott Drive, West Chester, PA 19380