March 20 is the first day of Spring, but if the weather forecasters are correct, it's not going to look very vernal this year. No matter: Whatever white stuff accumulates will melt quickly, as temperatures rise well above the 32° mark on Saturday and Sunday.
This Make it Montco weekend is blooming with things to do and see. Get out, spring forth and enjoy:
Local flower beds are still rather sparse, but for a dose of seasonal sparkle, grab a seat for DCP Theater's production of the comedy Cactus Flower. The plot involves a dentist who juggles his many affairs by "inventing" a wife and children - and then having to make good on the ruse. The play opens March 20 and runs until April 4.
A visit to Skippack Village is a local pleasure at any time of the year, but in the spring, it is especially appealing. The Village kicks off the spring season with an open house all weekend long (March 20, 21 and 22). Merchants have prepped special promotions; chefs have crafted some seasonal refreshments and the outdoor cafes are decked out for al fresco dining.
Springtime meals just beg for fresh herbs and seasonings. Learn how to grow them - even in tiny spaces - at the March 21 program at Lower Perkiomen Valley Park. Local experts will explain the ins and outs of Herb Container Gardening. The session includes instructions on designing and building an herb garden to take home - plus all supplies: soil, herbs, tools and small containers.
Rising temperatures and more hours of sunlight trigger mating season for most of our fine feathered friends. Green Lane Park gives nature lovers a front-row seat on March 21 for an interesting display of attraction and romance: the whirling flight of the male American Woodcock, also known as the Timberdoodle. The program is at 7 p.m. at the Walt Road Day Use area.
Spring has its own pulse, a beat that is more pronounced and livelier than the wintertime tempo. Celebrate our evolving vibe at Montgomery County Community College as it hosts saxophonist Miguel Zenon in concert at the Science Center Theater. A Grammy nominee, composer and Guggenheim and MacArthur fellow, Zenon blends Latin American folklore music and jazz. The concert is March 21 at 8 p.m.
Two more ways to celebrate the oncoming season. Spring into a local hotel room or B&B suite to turn your weekend plans into a true escape. The VFTCB website is your go-to resource on the best places to stay. And sample one of the vegetable spring rolls (or other menu specialties) at P.F. Chang's in Collegeville. The talented chefs strive to make dining an experience that delight all the senses.
