Warmer weather has arrived and so has another busy week in Valley Forge and Montgomery County, Pa. Runners, if you haven't already registered, be sure to sign up for this week's Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-Mile Run® at Valley Forge National Historical Park. Proceeds of the race benefit visitors services at the park.
If you are looking to make a difference in other ways, check out our list of Earth Day events happening this week.
And don't miss two major celebrations: The Lansdale International Spring Festival on Saturday at North Penn High School and the Sacred Arts Festival this Sunday at the Glencairn Museum.
Plus we've got concerts, comedy shows, live theater, magic, dance, and more than 20 events that you have to check out this week in Montco.
FEATURED EVENT
VALLEY FORGE REVOLUTIONARY 5-MILE RUN
April 19
Valley Forge National Historical Park
The Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-Mile Run ® is a unique challenge for runners of all skill levels. Runners trek the five-mile, USATF certified course that traverses the scenic Valley Forge National Historical Park.
The event also includes a three-mile walk and the 1.776km Young Patriots Run for kids ages 6-14. All proceeds from the event benefit the Valley Forge National Historical Park.
FEATURED EVENT
LANSDALE INTERNATIONAL SPRING FESTIVAL
April 27
North Penn High School
For more than a quarter century, Montgomery County has held this eclectic, inclusive, family-friendly gathering. In celebrating the cultures of the world, the Lansdale International Spring Festival presents a day-long run of live entertainment, multi-cultural exhibits and vendors, a family health fair, hands-on activities, music and dance performances and a smorgasbord of global cuisines.
FEATURED EVENT
SACRED ARTS FESTIVAL
April 28
Glencairn Museum
Experience religious art in the making: witness demonstrators using ink, glass, paint and music to create beautiful expressions of faith. Learn about stone carving, see the creation of a sand mandala, and more.
EARTH DAY
PARTY FOR THE PLANET
April 27
Elmwood Park Zoo
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums' signature Earth Day celebration (and the largest combined celebration in North America) is back! Elmwood's annual eco-celebration features live entertainment, an Earth Expo with participating vendors (below) showcasing their eco-friendly products and services, and raffles for goodies to take home!
MUDBALL EXPRESS
April 21 - 22
Colebrookdale Railroad
Spring in the Secret Valley is a magical experience, as the deep forests come back to life. Join Colebrookdale Railroad this season as they paint the line with the brilliant colors of native wild flowers. Passengers will be encouraged to toss ecologically correct mudballs – yes, real mudballs, laden with native wildflower seeds – from the train.
The Mudball Express runs April 21 at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and April 22 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
NARBEARTH DAY
May 4
12:00pm - 4:00pm
Chet Tyson Pavilion
Narberth's 30th annual Narbearth Day celebration includes live music, great local food, and a chance to connect with area businesses and organizations working to protect our planet.
PATRIOT TRAILS
HISTORY EVENTS
HAPPY HOUR WITH THE HISTORIAN
April 19
Graeme Park
On the lovely evening grounds of Graeme Park (indoors in cooler/inclement weather), enjoy a few drinks, munchies, and 30-40 minute talk on a topic of historical interest.
SHEEP SHEARING DAY
April 21
Peter Wentz Farmstead
Part of the Peter Wentz Farmstead's Laerenswaert Series ("Worth Learning" programs). Sheep shearing is just one of the traditional farm activities that will be recreated during the annual event. Other highlights include open-hearth cooking demonstrations, farm tours, yarn spinning, and weaving.
ALUMNI REUNION
April 21
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site
Alumni of Eastern State Penitentiary - both officers and inmates - gather together for the annual reunion this Saturday for a public Q&A session where they will tell their stories of life behind the walls.
AMERICAN GIRL TEA & HISTORY: JULIE ALBRIGHT (1974)
April 22
Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
Enjoy afternoon teatime with your doll and friends. Each tea will feature a character from American Girl®, and guests will learn what life was like for the children during her era.
MONTCO WEDDINGS
BRIDAL SHOWS & EVENTS
WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT OPEN HOUSE
April 18
Sound Sensation DJs and Photo Booth
Head to Skippack on April 18 for Sound Sensation's open house! Meet the team, try their photo booths and experience a lighting demo.
ARTS MONTCO
Live Music and Comedy
MIKE VECCHIONE
April 20
The Vault at Valley Forge Casino Resort
Valley Forge Casino Resort's Comedy Club presents Mike Vecchione, this Friday night at 8 p.m. Vecchione is a veteran stand-up comic, a regular on Comedy Central, and a semi-finalist on NBC's Last Comic Standing.
DWEEZIL ZAPPA
April 21
Keswick Theatre
Son of the legendary Frank Zappa, Dweezil Zappa has carved out an exceptional career of his own since recording his first single at the age of 12. Today, he tours with a six-piece band, keeping his father's memory alive by recreating and reimagining the sounds of Frank Zappa. He takes the stage of the Keswick this Saturday night at 8 p.m.
On Sunday, the Keswick rocks with a performance of legendary singer-songwriter and guitarist Rodriguez.
QUEENS OF THE BLUES
April 20
Woodmere Art Museum
Etta James and Bessie Smith were icons of jazz. Relive those great sounds this Friday night at the Woodmere Art Museum when Sherry Butler and Suzanne Burgess pay tribute to the queens of the blues with an unforgettable performance.
KARMALATTA
April 21
The Underground
The female-fronted alt-rock band Karmalatta performs this Saturday night at the Underground in Lansdale. The band has released two albums since reforming in 2015 and has another in the works. Karmalatta's summer tour will take them to New York City, Boston, and the Ladybug Music Festival, where they will be a featured performer this July.
ARTS MONTCO
Live Theater and Performances
A post shared by Act II Playhouse (@act2playhouse) on
ZUZZ THE SPACE ALIEN NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Saturday & Sunday
Act II Playhouse
Opening Week: Zuzz the space alien has crash-landed in Ambler, and he needs your help! This interactive children's theater performance invites kids to help solve puzzles, work as a team, and learn the power of imagination.
Performances are Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Thursday - Saturday
Playcrafters of Skippack
Opening Week: Playcrafters of Skippack opens its 2018 season with You Can't Take It With You, the classic comedy from Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman. Grandpa Vanderhof presides of a family of would-be artists, dancers, writers, and firecracker makers in this side-splitting show.
Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 p.m.
ANGEL STREET
Friday - Sunday
DCP Theatre
Jack and Bella Manningham live on Angel Street in 19th century London. But their apparently tranquil and happy life is marred by the fact that Bella seems to be going slowly insane. This psychological thriller became the 1940's Hollywood classic "Gaslight" and is just as engrossing and gripping today.
Showtimes this week are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
MIKE MILLER MAGIC
April 20 & 21
Smoke & Mirrors Magic Theater
Internationallly recognized performer Mike Miller brings his magic to Montco this weekend with two performances at Smoke & Mirror's Magic Theater. Miller's show combines magical effects with Miller's imaginative sense of humor. Saturday night's performance is sold out.
ADVENTURE MONTCO
Adrenaline-Fueled Events
LENAPE CHALLENGE
April 21
Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy
Do you have what it takes to take on the Lenape Challenge? Teams of two will tackle a a two-part race that takes runners up and down the trails on Spring Mountain followed by a two-mile paddle on the Perkiomen Trail. Prizes will be awarded to the grand champion plus the top three finishers in each class.
