What To Do: Shake off those winter blues, the Easter Bunny is coming

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

Easter is just over a week away and this weekend offers a wide array of holiday events to enjoy.

The Easter Bunny is known for hopping around but not always. There are times when he (or she) opts for a different form of locomotion – with real locomotives.

Sometimes, instead of bouncing along the ground, the big happy rabbit rides a train. This weekend, the holiday bunny will be riding trains all around the area.

The West Chester Railroad (610-430-2233, www.westchesterrr.net) is running its Easter Bunny Express on March 24 and 25 with trains at noon and 2 p.m. each day.

On the 90-minute round trip along the beautiful Chester Creek from West Chester to the historic Glen Mills village, the Easter Bunny will be on board handing out treats to all passengers.

During the 20-minute stop at the historic Glen Mills station there will be plenty of opportunities for riders to take photos with the Easter Bunny. Additionally, Greg Wright and Friends will be playing live music and singing favorite Easter songs.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $18 for children (ages 2-12) and $8 for toddlers.

The Easter Bunny will also be down in Delaware for trips on the Wilmington and Western Railroad (Greenbank Station, 2201 Newport-Gap Pike, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-998-1930,www.wwrr.com) on March 24, 25, 30 and 31.

On the special trains, the big bunny with the big ears will visit with all passengers and pose for pictures. Departure times are 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. and fares are $19 for adults, $18 for seniors (ages 60 and older) and $17 for children (ages 2-12).

As an added attraction, every child on the excursion trains will receive a special treat from the Easter Bunny.

At the Strasburg Rail Road (Rt. 741 East, Strasburg, 717-687-7522, www.strasburgrailroad.com), the special Easter Bunny Train will be chugging down the tracks on March 30 and 31 and April 1 with departures starting at 11 a.m. each day.

The New Hope and Ivyland Railroad (32 West Bridge Street, New Hope, 215-862-2332, www.newhoperailroad.com) is running its annual Easter Bunny Express now through April 1 with departures at 11 a.m., noon, 1,2,3 and 4 p.m. each day.

The Easter Bunny is going to ride onboard the train where he will visit with each child, hand out special treats and pose for pictures. Coach tickets are $33.99 for adults, $31.99 for children (ages 12-plus) and $9.99 for toddlers (under 2).

The train ride departs from and returns to the New Hope Train Station. Riders can take in the sights of early spring as the Easter Bunny visits with all of the children handing out special candy treats and posing for photos taken by the railroad staff.

On March 25, the Delaware Museum of Natural History (4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-9111, www.delmnh.org) is hosting its annual “EGGstravaganza Breakfast & Egg Hunt.”

The museum offers this invitation — Enjoy a morning at the Museum and we’ll fix a pancake breakfast for the whole family. After a wonderful meal, watch your children delight as they hunt for treat-filled eggs in our egg hunt through our gardens.

Visitors to the museum are advised to dress accordingly for an outdoor egg hunt. In the event of inclement weather, the egg hunt will be moved inside.

Tickets are $14 and pre-registration is required.

On March 25, the Historic Odessa Foundation’s “Annual Easter Egg Hunt” will take place in Odessa’s historic district (Main Street, Odessa, Delaware, 302-378-4119, www.historicodessa.org) from 2-4 p.m.

Kids will have plenty of opportunities to find the hidden eggs based on sheer volume at this egg-stravaganza.

More than 7,000 candy-filled Easter eggs will be hidden on the grounds of the Corbit-Sharp House, a National Historic Landmark and Underground Network to Freedom site.

This free annual Easter Egg Hunt is hosted by the Historic Odessa Foundation, which owns and operates the Historic Houses of Odessa.

Designated areas will be set aside for two age groups: Pre-K through second grade and third through fifth grades. Following the hunt, age-appropriate crafts will be held in the Wilson-Warner Barn.

On March 24 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., there will be a “Spring Scavenger Hunt” at Upper Schuylkill Valley Park (1600 Blackrock Road, Royersford, 610-948-5170).

The park guides have issued an invitation for people to come to the park and help them welcome spring.

Visitors can wander along the pathways of the site while learning fun and interesting facts about springtime from the park’s resident creatures that they encounter along the way.

Because most of the activities are outdoors, the event, which has a “suggested donation” of $2 per person, will be held “weather permitting.”

Other activities at Montgomery County parks this weekend are “Easter Workshop for Kids” on March 24 at 1 p.m. at Pennypacker Mills (610-287-9349); Saturday, March 24th at 1:00 pm “Color Your Eggs – Naturally” on March 24 at 1 p.m. at Green Lane Park (215-234-4528); and “Eco-Egg Hunt: on March 25 at 2 p.m. at Norristown Farm Park (610-270-0215).

It may come as a surprise but not all Easter egg hunts are for kids.

On March 24, 25, and 31, Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, www.chaddsford.com) is holding its annual “Adult Easter Egg Hunt.”

Based on the premise that kids shouldn’t be the only ones to have fun at Easter, the winery is inviting visitors to embrace their “inner child” and partake in an exciting “Adults Only” Easter Egg Hunt.

Participants will scour the Winery grounds in search of hidden Easter eggs containing a wide array of treats such as Easter candy, bottles of wine, tickets to future Chaddsford Winery events, free wine tastings, gifts, coupons towards wine purchases, vouchers for Chaddsford gear (scarves, tee shirts), and glasses of wine.

The hunts will be held at 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m. and all participants are guaranteed to win at least one prize.

There are times that those hunting Easter eggs inadvertently find rocks instead of eggs. There is an event this weekend where participants will be specifically looking for rocks.

On March 24 and 25, the Delaware Valley Paleontological Society and the Philadelphia Mineralogical Society is presenting its “38th Annual Philadelphia Mineral Treasures and Fossil Fair” show and sale at the LuLu Shriners Temple (5140 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, 610-828-9050, http://dvps.essentrix.net/fossilfair.htm).

The event will feature exhibits of outstanding specimens from society members’ personal collections. The event will also offer a variety of learning activities including a fossil dig for children, displays of local and regional finds and a mineral identification table.

Other special attractions include a fluorescent minerals room, lapidary and jewelry displays, educational materials, door prizes and a food and beverage concession.

Additionally, there will be a sales area featuring more than 30 dealers from around the country. These dealers will be selling fossils, minerals, crystals and jewelry from all over the world, along with books, decorative items and other merchandise.

This year’s talks are “Paleo Art” by Bob Walters, “Horse-eating Crocodiles, Colossal Snakes, and more: Reptilian Predators of the Post-Dinosaur World” by Dr. Alex Hastings, “Fluorescent Minerals” by Lee McIlvaine, and “Becoming a Micromounter” by John Ferrante,

The Fair will run from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $5 for adults and $1 for children (under 12).

There are two special attractions at Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org) that are wrapping up on March 25 — “Winter Blues Festival” and “Orchid Extravaganza.”

Longwood Gardens has been honoring blue flowers – one of the rarest colors for flowers — with a special celebration.

The site’s horticulturists have researched, acquired, and grown hundreds of blue-hued blossoms and foliage to adorn the Orangery and Exhibition Hall.

Longwood Gardens is not just celebrating the blues visually. Every Saturday, visitors to Longwood can hear the sounds of the blues when the venue presents a series of blues artists performing live in the Conservatory.

A free concert will be performed by Stevie & the Bluescasters on March 24 from 2-5 p.m.

If you’re looking for a brief break from winter – and who isn’t right now — remember that it is always spring in Longwood’s conservatory. Every year, Longwood’s conservatories celebrate the one of the world’s most popular plants with its annual “Orchid Extravaganza.”

The largest family of flowering plants in the world is the orchid — a flower that is acclaimed as one of the most beautiful, delicate and graceful flowers in the world. The Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew list over 20,000 accepted species with about 800 new species added each year. Additionally, horticulturists have more than 100,000 hybrids and cultivars.

The celebration of the orchid species features thousands of orchid blooms along with a variety of displays and special exhibits throughout its four-acre conservatory. “Orchid Extravaganza” will also feature stunning displays of orchids in planting beds, containers and innovative exhibits.

Approximately 5,000 colorful orchids hang from baskets, create inspiring arrangements and adorn unique forms throughout “Orchid Extravaganza.”

Admission to Longwood Gardens is $23 for adults, $20 for seniors and $12 for students.

The Bucks & Montgomery County Home Show will be held from March 23-25 at the SMG SportsPlex (654 York Road, Warminster, 888-560-3976, www.acshomeshow.com).

The well-received annual springtime event is geared for homeowners who are interested in remodeling, landscaping and decorating their homes. It features hundreds of exhibits with merchandise, product demonstrations and sample interior and exterior vignettes.

Visitors to the show will be able to check out new products and receive expert advice from professionals. The event is a prime source of information to help people enhance the comfort, functionality, aesthetic appeal and overall value of their homes

The list of exhibitors includes contractors, landscapers, architects and interior designers. There will also be manufacturers’ representatives who will be presenting samples of products and offering ideas to spark inspiration.

Exhibitor categories include kitchens, bathrooms, windows, roofing, siding, general contractors, landscaping, gutters, solar decks, dormers, sunrooms, awnings. basement systems, countertops, doors, flooring, and pavers.

The expansive list also includes waterproofing, generators, HVC, outdoor lighting, plumbing, garage doors, painting, tile and marble, security systems, appliances, electrical services, energy conservation, fireplaces, insulation, and hot tubs.

The show, which features free admission and free parking, will be open from 11 a.m-8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m., on Sunday.

If you’re looking to physically challenge yourself this weekend, there’s an event in Philly waiting for your participation – the 11th Annual Philadelphia “Fight for Air Climb.”

The race is scheduled for March 24 at 7:30 a.m. at Three Logan Square (1717 Arch Street, Philadelphia, http://action.lung.org, 610-941-9595).

Standing 739 Feet, Three Logan Square is one of Philadelphia’s landmark skyscrapers. The 57-story red granite tower is located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Central Business District and boasts a significant skyline presence.

“Fight for Air Climb” participants will race up 50 of the 57 floors. When they finish the uphill run over 1,088 steps, they will experience what it is like to live with lung disease. “Century Climbers” are even bold enough to take on the stair climb twice!

Participation in the event will raise lifesaving funds to provide education, research and advocacy to our community.

Participants are required to pay a registration fee and raise a minimum of $100. If you can’t climb but want to participate, you can register as a virtual climber.

Money raised at the Climb allows the American Lung Association to fund lung research, programs for lung disease for adults and children, tobacco prevention and cessation programs, advocate for clean and healthy air (indoors and outdoors), and more.

After the climb, friends, family, participants and sponsors are invited to the City Tap House (3925 Walnut Street) for awards and celebration. Participants will receive complimentary food and drink specials.

During Spring Break from March 24-April 8, 2018, the Museum of the American Revolution (101 South Third Street, Philadelphia, 215-253-6731, www.amrevmuseum.org) will offer family-friendly activities and daily demonstrations that explore what life was like for the Continental Army and its followers during that spring of 1778.

Visitors are invited to try their hand at early American crafts, trades, and skills including shoemaking, tailoring, and fencing. Kids of all ages can try on Revolutionary-inspired clothing, design a flag, decode secret messages, and practice drilling like a Revolutionary soldier in the Museum’s Patriots Gallery from 11 a.m-5 p.m.

The list of special demonstrations includes “Women at War,” “If the Shoe Fits,” “Clothing the Army,” “Camp Followers,” “Forged in Philadelphia,” “The Art of Fencing” and “All Dressed Up.”

At an archaeological conservation station on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-3 p.m. 1 – 3 p.m. in Patriots Gallery during Spring Break, visitors can get a closer look at objects from archaeological excavation of the Museum’s site prior to construction of the building.

The nearly 85,000 artifacts uncovered during that excavation provide a rare opportunity to examine the things left behind by the people who lived and worked there.

Admission to the museum is $19 for adults and $17 for youth (ages 6-17), seniors (65 and older), students and military (with an active ID).

The 42^nd Annual Gap Fire Company Mud Sale & Auction will be held on March 23 and 24 at the Gap Fire Company (802 Pequea Avenue, Gap, 610-593-2480, http://www.gapfire.org).

The list of items that will be on the auction block includes antiques, nursery stock, lawn furniture, quilts, wall hangings, crafts, needlework, farm machinery and more.

The Gap Fire Company’s annual spring “Mud Sale” auction will be held on the fire company grounds on March 23 — starting at 4:30 p.m. followed by crafts at 5 p.m. and shrubbery and flowers at 6:30 p.m. The Saturday auctions will start at 8 a.m.
For shoppers who get hungry, there will be Chicken Bar-B-Q, homemade soft pretzels, ice cream, strawberry pie, baked goods and other homemade food items.

The 2018 edition of the “Science is Amazing Festival” is scheduled for March 24 at the Lancaster Science Factory (454 New Holland Avenue, Lancaster, 717-509-6363,http://www.lancastersciencefactory.org).

The event, which will run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., will feature free admission to all Science Factory exhibits and special science activities along with demonstrations and fun for the whole family.

Children age 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Special science demonstrations and activities will be presented by Science Factory volunteers, area schools, science clubs, universities and Lancaster youth organizations.

If you’re in the mood to spend a little time outdoors as well as time indoors on March 23, you should consider a short drive westward to the edge of Lancaster County where you can “Celebrate Fourth Friday at the River Towns.”

The fourth Friday of every month is a special community celebration in the Susquehanna “River Towns” of Columbia, Marietta, and Wrightsville (http://parivertowns.com/).

Visitors are invited to come out on Fourth Fridays from 5-9 p.m. when restaurants, shops, and attractions open their doors to special events.

Participants can take a self-guided tour each month, and visit galleries, antique shops, specialty shops, and restaurants throughout the area. They will also have the opportunity to view exhibits from local artists and enjoy special promotions in these unique towns.