We've made it. Last weekend in February. Although we have had our share of snowy Marches, for the most part, winter's grip begins to loosen, and warmer days seem very near. As you cross off the days waiting for spring (March 20), don't forget that there are plenty of great things to do in Valley Forge and Montgomery County in the meantime.

Laugh away the last of winter's chill with tickets to Unnecessary Farce at Act II Playhouse through March 22. This evening of slapstick involves side-by-side motel rooms and an ever-present confusion as to who is where and why. The Syracuse Post-Standard theater critic calls it "The funniest two hours of theater I have seen in several years."

 

 

 

The 6th Annual Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Sports Show runs all weekend long (February 26 to March 1) at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. The event is a blend of marketplace and demonstration areas, so you can not only check out the latest in fishing, hunting and boating equipment, you can also learn from the experts. The event stresses hands-on engagement, with a climbing wall, a kayak demo tank, a fly fishing casting pond, archery range and paintball.

The Bryn Mawr College Performing Arts Series welcomes the Jasper String Quartet to Thomas Great Hall on February 27 at 8 p.m. The program features Gyorgy Ligeti's Quartet No. 1, Beethoven's Quartet in G Major Opus 18 and Dvorak's Quartet No. 13 in G Major. The pieces combine for an emotionally resonant experience of vibrant melodies and lush composition.

Elmwood Park Zoo is the site of a February 28 celebration of Read Across America. The program is packed, including a book fair, an appearance by the Berenstain Bears and a rotation of stories reflecting local interests:

  • Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman reading her book The Mouse Who Went Surfing Alone
  • Nancy Kennedy reading the true story of Pat the Great Cat, A Jaguar's Journey. Pat is father to the Elmwood Park Zoo's new male Jaguar, Zean
  • Andrea Rose reading her book A Home for Abby, the story of a dog that wins the hearts of a married couple. Rose is a Pennsylvania author

The event is scheduled to coincide with the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss.

Maybe your Saturday would be enlivened by a brisk walk. Why not take one in a beautiful setting, while learning something along the way? The Morris Arboretum's series of Winter Wellness Walks continues February 28 at 10:30 a.m. After gathering in the Widener Visitor Center, the group will take to the paved paths, breathe in lungsful of fresh air and enjoy foliage that is just on the cusp of awakening for spring.

 

 

 

As the snow melts (hopefully at an increasingly rapid rate), know that our winter hotel packages are also disappearing. Visitors have until March 15 to benefit from free appetizers or breakfast from one of our finely appointed hotels, plus a box of chocolates and a voucher for a future rental of a Zipcar. Our website has all the details.