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Summer Fun

It’s Summer. It’s hot. It’s time to head outdoors. We picked out some of the many events going on throughout the area that we’d thought you’d enjoy with the kids, and find other area attractions and discounts to them by requesting a FREE Kids Fun Pass from us!

Central Jersey

2007 Summer Theatre
Multiple Dates Throughout Summer
Thompson Park
805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, N.J.
732.842.4000 or www.MonmouthCountyParks.com
Admission: $8-$15.

Monmouth County Parks will be hosting a series of summer performances, featuring both famous and well-loved Broadway plays as well as retellings of fairy tales. The first performance of the summer will be Kiss Me, Kate, which runs June 22-July 1, Fridays-Sundays and will be followed by another Broadway favorite, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which runs July 27-August 5, Fridays-Sundays. Friday and Saturday shows will begin at 8p.m. while Sunday shows will begin at 7p.m. Shows geared towards the younger members of your family will run Mondays-Wednesdays at 7p.m., utilizing their favorite fairy tales. Peter and the Wolf runs June 25-27 while Red Riding Hood & Other Stories runs July 30-August 1.

Blueberry Bash
June 23 & 24, 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, N.J
609.924.2310 or www.TerhuneOrchards.com
Admission: Free.

Enjoy the outdoors at Terhune Orchards for one whole weekend of blueberry picking, wagon and pony rides, music and much more as they celebrate “everything blueberry.” Help yourself to the orchards’ delightful spread of blueberry muffins, cobbler, tea and even blueberry salsa! Contests for the juried Blueberry Bash Bake-off could be your chance to win a gift certificate to the Terhune Orchards gift shop.

 

Delaware Valley

Pops On Independence!
July 3
Independence Hall at Independence Mall
6th & Chestnut Sts., Philadelphia, Pa.
www.AmericasBirthday.com
Admission: Free.

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops will be presenting a free concert in our own historic Independence Hall to celebrate Independence Day. This annual concert celebrates the birth of our country and is an anticipated part of the celebration. Peter Nero and the Philly Pops will present “great American music featuring stirring anthems, rousing marches, and holiday favorites set against the majestic backdrop of Independence Hall.” Seating is first come, first served. As long as it stays sunny, it should be a great day to bring the children to Philadelphia to learn about our nation’s founding.

Independence Day Celebration
July 4, 11a.m.-5p.m.
McKonkey Ferry Inn Section of Washing’s Crossing Historic Park
Washington Crossing, Pa.
215.493.4076 or www.USHistory.org/WashingtonCrossing

What better way to celebrate the fourth of July than by going back in time and seeing how history was forged? In celebration of the anniversary of our freedom, Washington’s Crossing Historic Park will be hosting various reenactments and activities that hark back over 200 years ago. There will also be a noon-time reading of the Declaration of Independence. Also witness the forming of the militia and artillery drills, or take part in activities geared towards your children.

Celebration of Freedom
June 30, 4-10p.m.
Peddler’s Village
Routes 202 & Street Road Lahaska, Pa.
215.794.4000 or www.PeddlersVillage.com

What better way to celebrate the coming of the fourth of July than by attending Peddler’s Village “Celebration of Freedom”? Boasting live entertainment, a variety of picnic-style foods and crafts and activities for the children, the event closes with a wonderful fireworks display (at 9:15p.m.) by the renowned Pyrotecnico, famous for the fireworks displays assembled for both the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. The fireworks will be clearly viewable from any location within the village, so feel free to spread out a blanket with your family wherever the night leads you and gaze up at the dazzling fireworks display, set to the patriotic themes of John Philip Sousa. With 70 quality shops and six restaurants located directly within Peddler’s Village, you can plan the perfect day with your family!

Lehigh Valley

Tunes at Twilight
Thursdays in June, 6-8p.m.
Main St. Downtown Bethlehem
610.841.5831
Admission: Free.

Grab your comfiest blankets, chairs and head on over to the Historic District in Downtown Bethlehem on Thursday nights in June, where you’ll be able to catch live musical performances in the historic Sun Inn’s Courtyard. Sponsored by the Downtown Bethlehem Association and Lafayette Ambassador Bank, parents can enjoy a glass of wine or a beer and settle back with their children to take in the evening’s performance. The musical performances range from Classical to Rock or even to Fusion and Funk. Each Thursday until June 28 from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m., Tunes at Twilight, will feature free live music in the historic Sun Inn’s Courtyard. Downtown restaurants will be participating these Thursday evenings by offering happy hour specials as well as dinners and desserts to go. Tunes at Twilight is a rain or shine event (with the rain location at Wired Gallery, 520 Main St.) The Eric Mintel Jazz Quartet will perform on June 7, the Dan DeChellis Jazz Trio on June 14, the popular Stardust Cabaret with Bob Cohen and Richard Groman on June 21 and Godfrey Daniels on June 28.

Patch Town Days Anthracite Heritage Festival
June 23 & 24, 10a.m.-5p.m.
Eckley Miners’ Village
2 Eckley Main St. Weatherly, Pa.
570.636.2070 or www.EckleyMiners.org/Events1 

Celebrate the customs and traditions of the anthracite coal region through music, dancing, food, living history presentations, crafts, and more at Eckley’s Village, which is just one of the last-surviving company mining towns or “patches” built in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania. Eckley’s Village was built during the nineteenth century and it remains open today, educating visitors on a way of life long forgotten. This festival, presented by PHC Speaker Keith Brintzenhoff, will capture your imaginations as you travel back in time almost 140 years! Please call for admission information.

South Jersey

July Jubilee
June 25-29
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier
6th St. & Boardwalk Ocean City, N.J.
609.525.9300 or www.Gillians.com

Pick a day—or the whole week!—and head on down to the Ocean City boardwalk for a festival of contests leading up to July 4th! There will be many different contests and celebrations that the whole family can take part in. Gillian’s will also have taffy sculpting, treasure hunts and more. And while there, be sure to take part in all the other amusements they have to offer, like their multitude of indoor and outdoor rides. This is one festival down the shore you won’t want to miss!

StrawBEARy Surprise & Nature in Art Day
June 9, 11a.m.-4p.m
Camden Children’s Garden
3 Riverside Drive Camden, N.J.
856.365.8733 or www.CamdenChildrensGarden.org

Taste some delicious strawberries. Let your kids search throughout the garden on a treasure hunt. And learn all about creating nature in art. And who could forget it’s also the Camden Children’s Garden’s mascot, Mum Bear’s, birthday. She’s going to be three and even if your children are a little older everyone loves a friendly bear. There will also be crafts, entertainment, and a Strawberry Concession Stand.

Hot Summer Saturdays & Battle of the Bands
June 30, 4-10p.m.
Mt. Holly Center
1 High St. Mt. Holly, N.J.
609.894.9311, ext. 1382 or www.BCC.edu
Admission: Donations of $3-$10.

Bring the family and come on out to celebrate the summer with Main Street Mount Holly’s Hot Summer Saturdays! You’ll be able to enjoy rock, folk, jazz and R&B performances by local and regional talent. The Mount Holly Center remains in the thick of an assortment of restaurants, perfect to grab a nice family meal preceding or following the performances. You’ll also be able to take in some of the local students’ works of art in the Student Gallery & Art Store, housed directly within the Mount Holly Center. Admission to these performances is free, but donations are requested, and as always, encouraged and benefit BCC student scholarships.

 

 

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