Delaware

Things to do around Philly: Pet Fest, Graham Nash, Delaware River Festival, Story Fest

Published

3 months ago

September 27, 2024

Things to do around Philly: Pet Fest, Graham Nash, Delaware River Festival, Story Fest

It’s fall festival season, with several on the calendar this weekend in Philadelphia and its suburbs. The Midtown Village Fall Festival, The Fishtown Fall Feastivale and the Philly Beer Festival are all on the schedule, as well as the Mural Arts 40th anniversary celebration and the Mt. Airy Arts Festival. Upper Darby will also host its annual International Festival. And there’s more!

Graham Nash is heading to South Jersey with Judy Collins. The Hindu celebration of Ratha Yatra and the Puerto Rican Day Parade are happening on the Ben Franklin Parkway while the Philadelphia Orchestra hosts three concerts at Marian Anderson Hall for its season-opening weekend. Plus, fans of hard alternative R&B and soul will likely be drawn to Brittany Howard and Michael Kiwanuka, who are playing at the Met to close out the weekend.

New Jersey

Graham Nash w/Judy Collins: Songs and Stories

Graham Nash in conversation at the 92nd Street Y on Thursday, June 1, 2023, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Crosby, Stills and Nash made music that forms core memories. They certainly did for singer/songwriter Graham Nash, who penned those iconic tunes. He’s bringing Judy Collins (“Send in the Clowns”), who just celebrated her 85th birthday, to his show in South Jersey. With their combined time in the music industry, we’re sure they both have some great stories to tell.

Delaware

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram

The young bluesman from Clarksdale, Mississippi absorbed the examples of his many predecessors from the area. By his teenage years, he was considered a prodigy who had already drawn the attention of Bootsy Collins and B.B. King’s drummer, Tony Coleman. Now 25 with two studio albums and a live album under his belt, Kingfish is in Delaware playing selections from all of them and more.

Special Events

Festival Round-Up

Where: Multiple locations
When: All weekend long
How much: Mostly free

It’s the height of the fall festival season with themes that include art, food and even the Delaware waterfront. Here are some of the top fests this weekend, all happening Saturday:

Black Cannabis Week

a person speaks to two people — Black Cannabis Week has been an annual event since the medical cannabis industry began to blossom in Pennsylvania in 2018. (James Robinson courtesy of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus)

Where: Multiple venues
When: Through Sunday, Sept. 28
How much: Free and up

People of color have been disproportionately victimized by incarceration for minor drug crimes but locked out of the billion-dollar cannabis industry. Now that marijuana has been legalized in several states, there are entrepreneurial opportunities in all aspects of the business. Black Cannabis Week aims to provide more information to those seeking it, and through its Rooted In Justice Film Festival highlight the past and present challenges.

Dinos After Dark: Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

Hispanic Heritage Month continues through Oct. 15. This week, the celebration at the scientific venue will include Hispanic-owned food and drink purveyors, short films selected by the Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival, a conversation with researchers from The Latin Academy and a meet-and-greet with bugs from Latin America.

WHYY 70th Anniversary All Creatures Pet Fest

Where: Peddler’s Village, 100 Peddlers Village, Lahaska, Pa.
When: 12 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28
How much: $10; free for children with one adult paid ticket

“Morning Edition” host Jennifer Lynn is headed to Peddler’s Village to celebrate WHYY’s 70th anniversary and the long-running PBS show “All Creatures Great and Small,” which was rebooted in 2020. At Pet Fest, you can adopt a new pet and find vendors, grooming and veterinary services for one you already have. And if your pet can be leashed or corraled and plays well with others, bring them along — but make sure they have a costume for the pet costume contest!

Delco Horror Haven Invasion Weekend

Where: Media Community Center, 301 N. Jackson St., Media, Pa., Towne House, 117 Veterans Square, Media, Pa.
When: 12 – 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28; 12 – 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29
How much: $7, day one, $15 – $40

Delco Horror Haven was formed by a group of horror fans in the Philly suburbs who wanted the genre to be celebrated locally. Now they’re hosting a two-day event that includes a marketplace with a food truck, guest celebrities and a casual film festival screening 33 short films from seven countries. Organizers say cosplaying as your favorite horror character is not just accepted, it’s encouraged!

Philly AIDS Thrift 19th Anniversary Block Party

Where: Philly AIDS Thrift, 710 S. 5th St.
When: 12 – 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28
How much: Free, pay as you go

Philly AIDS Thrift has been around since 2005, turning discarded clothing, furniture and “junk” into funds that help AIDS organizations. Its annual Block Party turns its storefront and street into a celebration that includes the ever-popular celebrity dunk tank, a pie-eating contest, a dog-kissing booth, Double Dutch Meetup, circus acts and other live performances. The party kicks off the store’s busy Halloween season when thrifters seek vintage decorations, clothing and accessories to create unique costumes.

Ratha Yatra Parade & Street Festival

The Hindu celebration of Ratha Yatra, which draws millions to events around the world, is heading to the Ben Franklin Parkway. The procession, also called the Chariot Festival, honors three Indian deities: Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and their sister Subhadra. Once the procession gets to Eakins Oval, it turns into a celebration that includes a bazaar, yoga sessions, music and vegan food.

Puerto Rican Day Parade

A Puerto Rican flag is visible, with Philadelphia's City Hall in the background. — More than a thousand people packed the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Sep. 25, 2022 to celebrate “The Puerto Rican Dreamers” during the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

The island of Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory with its own rich culture that incorporates both American and Caribbean traditions. That will be on display at the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. Expect music, dance, poetry and a party on the parkway with over 1,500 marchers and even more attendees. You can also watch the parade live on ABC.

Arts & Culture

FirstGlance Film Festival

The four-day film festival brings a slate of independently produced movies to Philadelphia that will be judged during Sunday night’s closing awards ceremony. Before then, there will be 45 films screened by local, national and international filmmakers and an opening night red-carpet event.

The 39 Steps

Where: Town & Country Players, 4158 York Road, Buckingham, Pa.
When: Friday, Sept. 27 – Saturday, Oct. 12
How much: $22.38

In his heyday, Alfred Hitchcock was viewed as one of the greatest directors of psychological thrillers in film history. One of his films, “The 39 Steps” was adapted into a stage play that puts a comic spin on the film, which was itself adapted from the 1915 book of the same title by John Buchan.

Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour Visits Philadelphia, PA

Where: Multiple venues
When: Friday, Sept. 27 – Sunday, Sept. 29
How much: $15 – $250

The Marquis de Lafayette makes a triumphant return to Philadelphia with a weekend of events commemorating the 200th anniversary of his return to the States, 40 years after leading troops in the American Revolution. OK, that was a mouthful, but the idea is he’s back, via his contemporary stand-in, Mark Schneider of Colonial Williamsburg. He’ll travel through the same 24 states established in 1824 and 1825, in the same order the Marquis did back then. There’s a concert, walking tours and a big party — the Fête Lafayette — at Independence Mall. You can’t say the man wasn’t a big deal! Some ticketed events have sold out already, but others are free and open to the public.

Mural Arts Fest: Roots & Reimagination

Philadelphia’s vaunted Mural Arts program, responsible for more than 4,000 pieces of public art in the city, celebrates its 40th anniversary with, appropriately, a public art festival. There will be DJs, food trucks and of course, art, including mini-murals from the “To the Polls” project.

Food/Drink

Fishtown Fall Feastivale

Fishtown’s biggest annual festival brings 125 bars and restaurants together for a day-long block party that spans several streets. The family-friendly event includes carnival games, a celebrity dunk tank and specially brewed seasonal beers, with local and regional vendors and community groups on the scene. Leashed dogs are welcome.

Philly Beer Fest

If your ideal autumn day includes sampling various beers from around the city and the region, the Philly Beer Fest is the place for you. Two sessions are general admission with an option to come earlier at each via an early admission ticket. But, be warned, choose your preferred time wisely, as organizers are adamant that you can’t attend both sessions. Once inside, food is available on a pay-as-you-go basis. FYI, while there are kid-friendly fests that serve beer, this is not one of them; it’s strictly 21 and up.

Pennsylvania Chocolate & Coffee Festival

Where: The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave., Oaks, Pa.
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29
How much: $4 – $30

Chocolate and coffee together are like peanut butter and jelly — an unbeatable combination. This foodie fest brings you the best of both, with over 100 vendors and (hopefully) unlimited sampling. Scheduled speakers will extol the health benefits of chocolate and coffee, something that should come as a relief to those who regularly indulge in both.

Music

Opening Weekend Philadelphia Orchestra

Where: Kimmel Center, Marian Anderson Hall, 300 S Broad St.
When: 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27; 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28; 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29
How much: $25 – $195

The Philadelphia Orchestra opens this weekend with two matinees and an evening performance, highlighting the combined talents of Philadelphia Orchestra’s Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nezét Séguin, pianist Seong-Jin Cho and composers Beethoven and Bruckner.

Mat Kearney: Headlights Home Tour

Singer/songwriter Mat Kearney has accomplished a rare feat with over 2.5 billion streams of his eight studio albums. The Oregon-born artist’s most recent album came out in May, and he’s on the road in support of it, stopping through suburban Philly this weekend

Michael Kiwanuka & Brittany Howard

Former Alabama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard’s new project “What Now” reflects the eclectic musical choices that have taken her to solo stardom. British singer/songwriter Michael Kiwanuka has received international acclaim after just four albums. His latest, “Small Changes” is coming out Nov. 15, and he’s just earned his first #1 single on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart with “Floating Parade.” They’re supporting both of their projects at the Met stage this weekend.

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Delaware

A Delaware Water Gap park visit may cost more in ‘25: How you can weigh in

Published

2 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

A Delaware Water Gap park visit may cost more in ‘25: How you can weigh in

A fee increase and expansion are proposed for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and federal park officials want to hear what people think about it.

The National Park Service on Monday opened a 30-day public comment period to solicit public input on several proposed changes to the park’s fee system.

The proposal includes an increase in fee amounts, a two-week extension of the fee season, changes to the annual pass purchases, and the addition of two new fee sites. If approved, the changes would go into effect in April 2025.

The last fee increase was implemented in 2015, and the park service says revenues aren’t stretching as far as they once did. For starters, visitation to the park has increased 26% since 2019, the park service says. And due to inflation and rising costs, the $10 amenity fee currently charged at the park now purchases nearly 33% less than it did in 2015 when the fee was increased from $7 — it now takes over $13 to buy the same goods and services.

“Over the past several years, the park’s budget has remained relatively flat while costs and visitation have both increased, facilities and equipment have aged, and the need for routine maintenance has grown,” Superintendent Doyle Sapp said in a news release on the proposal.

“It is essential that we seek additional revenue sources to help us fill the funding gap so that we can continue to offer outstanding recreational opportunities and visitor experiences while protecting the park’s natural and cultural resources in perpetuity,” he continued.

The park service is authorized to collect and retain revenue under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, provided the money is used to enhance visitor experiences. More information on the act can be found at nps.gov.

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area does not charge entrance fees to visit the park. Amenity fees are charged for specific areas used for swimming, picnicking and launching boats.

Over the past three years, revenue from Delaware Water Gap’s amenity fees has been used for restroom repairs and upgrades throughout the park, river campsite improvements, multiple trail projects including rehabilitation, stabilization and resurfacing of the McDade Recreational Trail, and work at George W. Childs Park. Revenue also has been used to pay for seasonal maintenance, fee collection and public safety staff.

“What you pay here, stays here, in this park, where it is used for repair, maintenance, and facility enhancements directly related to visitor enjoyment, access, health, and safety and for seasonal staff that serve park visitors and improve their experiences,” Elizabeth Winslow, the park’s fee program manager, states in the release.

The National Park Service is seeking public comment on the proposed changes that include:

Increasing amenity fees from $10 per vehicle per day to $20 per vehicle per day at the sites that charge amenity fees and extending the fee season by approximately two weeks to Nov. 1.
Increasing the cost of an annual pass from $45 to $60 and discontinuing discounts for multiple passes issued to the same household.
Charging amenity fees at two new sites, Kittatinny Point in New Jersey, and Hialeah Picnic Area in Pennsylvania. Day passes for these sites would be available through recreation.gov, the NPS online reservation system, or in person by using a drop box and fee envelope like those used at other unstaffed fee sites in the park.

If approved, increased revenue from the proposed fee changes would allow the park to hire additional seasonal employees, including custodians, trail workers, interpretive park rangers and visitor center staff, and public safety staff to help meet the public’s needs and ensure outstanding visitor experiences, according to the release.

Additionally, over the next five years the park plans to invest around $800,000 of fee revenue on hiking trail improvements and vegetation management, including on popular trails such as the Toms Creek Trail, Cliff Park Trails, and Hornbecks Creek Trail in Pennsylvania, and the Van Campens Glen Trail, Military Road Trail, and Rattlesnake Swamp Trail in New Jersey. Improvements to the facilities at Milford Beach also are planned.

To comment on the proposal, go to parkplanning.nps.gov/DEWAFees25 and click on “Comment Now” or mail your written comment to Superintendent Doyle Sapp, Attention: Fee Change Proposal, 1978 River Road, Bushkill, PA 18324. The 30-day comment period is open until midnight on Jan. 14, 2025.

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is a nearly 70,000-acre unit of the national park system, located in Pike, Monroe and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Sussex counties in New Jersey.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.

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Delaware

Man injured after car slams into truck in Bear, Delaware

Published

10 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Man injured after car slams into truck in Bear, Delaware – CBS Philadelphia

Watch CBS News

We are learning new details about a crash that left a man seriously injured in Bear, Delaware.
A man was driving a car that slammed into the back of a truck on Summit Bridge Road near Brennan Boulevard Thursday night.
The investigation revealed the truck was stopped at the traffic light but for reasons still unknown the car did not stop.

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Delaware

It’s not much, but Delaware has first measurable snowfall. Dangerously cold air moves in

Published

18 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

It’s not much, but Delaware has first measurable snowfall. Dangerously cold air moves in

Saturday is the winter solstice, and parts of Delaware have already had a small, but still measurable, amount of snowfall.

For the first time since Feb. 17, 2024, measurable snowfall was reported in Delaware to the National Weather Service. Community reports of 0.1 inches of snow outside of Newark and in Smyrna are on the board after a storm brought rain and snow to the First State. That is the smallest amount of snowfall that can be recorded.

Wilmington last received measurable snowfall on that February date, but received only a trace Friday night. Parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey saw more than 5 inches from the same system.

Winter starts with cold snap

The storm ushered in dangerously cold air that will grip the Northeast for the weekend.

The temperatures are not so extreme that advisories will be issued, but it is not a good idea to stay outside for very long, said National Weather Service meteorologist Amanda Lee in Mount Holly, New Jersey.

On the night of Dec. 21, temperatures will dip, according to the weather service: