PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — This weekend in Philly: Fire the big guns, get outside for a free movie in Center City or go buck wild at Evil Genius’ drag brunch — plus, Smith Playground is celebrating its 123rd birthday and everyone is invited to the party. Find a music festival in Bucks County and a carnival in Chester County, or stay cool in the theater and take in a performance of “To Kill a Mockingbird” at the Academy of Music. There are plenty of fun things to do this weekend in and around Philly.
EVENT: Kidchella: A Kids Music Festival at Smith Memorial Playground
DATE/TIME: Friday 4 - 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Smith Memorial Playground, 3500 Reservoir Drive, Philadelphia
DETAILS: Smith’s Kidchella Music Festival returns with music, crafts, food and other festivities on the 6.5-acre playground. This week, guests will help celebrate Smith’s 123rd birthday with free birthday cake for the kids, party favors and a chance to make Smith a personalized birthday card. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or chairs to enjoy the live music experience. Prior to the music, ticket holders will enjoy art stations, food trucks, giveaways, pre-show performances, and fun on the playground. The main concert kicks off at 6 p.m. featuring Ants on a Log and City Love.
PRICE: $12 ($6 for members)
EVENT: Pictures in the Park: “Cruella”
DATE/TIME: Friday 8:15 - 11 p.m.
WHERE: Dilworth Park
DETAILS: Get out in Center City to relax on a warm summer night while watching free films on the big screen! Friday’s showing of “Cruella” begins at 8:15 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets to claim a space and will find free popcorn starting at 7:45 p.m., while supplies last. Popcorn, candy and other snacks, plus beer, wine and cocktails will be available for purchase at the Air Grille beer garden.
PRICE: Free
EVENT: Ludwig’s Country Carnival
DATE/TIME: Through Friday, 6 - 10 p.m.; Saturday, 4 - 10 p.m.
WHERE: Ludwig’s Corner Show Grounds, 5 Nantmeal Road, Glenmoore, Pa.
DETAILS: Carnival rides, games, food, beer garden and live music greet guests of Ludwig’s Country Carnival. Special guest Dylan Zangwell from NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” will perform Friday, 6 - 9 p.m. Princesses will be available Friday and Saturday for photos with the kids. Pets are welcomed too, but must be leashed.
PRICE: Free admission, $25 armband for unlimited rides, $5 (Cash only) Parking fee
EVENT: Great American Guitar Show
DATE/TIME: Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
WHERE: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave., Oaks, Pa.
DETAILS: Buy, sell or trade at the Great American Guitar Show Expo in Oaks. Musicians will find hundreds of dealers, collectors and manufacturers offering new, used, collectible and vintage guitars, amps and accessories. Guests can trade in used gear and find a gem they’ve been looking for.
PRICE: Saturday, $15; Sunday, $12; Two-day pass, $20. Kids 12 and under free with an adult. CASH only.
EVENT: Delaware Canal Music Festival
DATE/TIME: Saturday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. (Rain date July 30)
WHERE: Tinicum Park, 963 River Road, Erwinna, Pa.
DETAILS: The first annual Delaware Canal music festival will benefit Friends of the Delaware Canal. Ticket holders will enjoy live music, crafts, local beer, wine and much more.
The musical lineup includes:
Blue Wave Ramblers: 11 a.m.
J.B. Kline: noon
Karmic Repair: 1 p.m.
Pure Jerry: 2 p.m.
Barley Juice: 4 p.m.
Boris Garcia: 5 p.m.
Guests are encouraged to bring their own blankets and chairs.
PRICE: $25 (Kids under 12 are free)
EVENT: Fire a Salute
DATE/TIME: Saturday, noon - 2 p.m.
WHERE: Battleship New Jersey, 62 Battleship Place, Camden, N.J.
DETAILS: Pull the trigger and fire a salute from the Battleship’s saluting gun. The battleship is offering guests the opportunity to fire the saluting gun on Saturday, every 30 minutes, from noon to 2 p.m. Guests can upgrade the experience to fire the 5-inch gun.
PRICE: $50 to fire a salute. $500.00, upgrade to the 5-inch gun
EVENT: “To Kill a Mockingbird” at the Academy of Music
DATE/TIME: Through Sunday, times vary
WHERE: The Academy of Music, 240 South Broad Street, Philadelphia
DETAILS: You may have read the book or seen the movie, but it’s a whole new experience live on stage. Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “To Kill A Mockingbird” comes to the Academy of Music. Under the direction of Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher, and starring Emmy Award-winning actor Richard Thomas in the role of Atticus Finch, the live show has performances through July 24.
PRICE: Prices vary. Purchase tickets in advance. Recommended for ages 12 and older.
EVENT: Hoedown Throwdown: A Country Drag Brunch Special
DATE/TIME: Sunday, noon - 2 p.m.
WHERE: The Lab at Evil Genius Beer Company, 1727 North Front St., Philadelphia
DETAILS: Evil Genius is about to get buck wild with the cast from Summer of Troy Productions. Guests will find an exclusive lineup of Philly's hottest drag queens celebrating pop country's biggest stars, from Jolene to car keyin' Carrie and everything in between, at The Lab at Evil Genius Beer Company. This weekend’s show is the start of a full line-up of bi-weekly summer drag brunches and performances celebrating the music of Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Mariah Carey, Carrie Underwood and others. Advanced tickets required.
PRICE: $20 per person for bar seating, $25 for general seating, $50 for VIP seating (Event is 21+ only)
EVENT: Murder in the Jazz Age: A Walking Tour Murder Mystery
DATE/TIME: Friday and Saturday evenings, through Sept. 24.
WHERE: Tours begin and end at the Liberty Bell Center in Old City
DETAILS: Sleuths are invited to test their skills with a walking murder mystery experience in Old City, set in the roaring ’20s. Participants will gather at the crime scene to meet their guide, then take off along a walking journey to encounter clues, QR codes, and suspects, played by professional actors, while working to solve the murder mystery. The walk is about an hour long, so wear comfortable shoes.
PRICE: $25 per guest
EVENT: Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival
DATE/TIME: Daily, through Aug. 7, 6 -11 p.m.
WHERE: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia
DETAILS: The dragon is back! The fan favorite 200-foot-long lighted dragon is back in Franklin Square, a highlight of the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival. Find all-new lanterns this year, including a walk-through giant-panda bamboo forest, interactive installations and a whale! Guests may also enjoy a new song for the Franklin Square Fountain Show, featuring choreographed lights and fountain jets. Advance tickets are strongly recommended.
PRICE: Adults: $20, Sunday - Thursday; $23, Friday and Saturday
Senior (65+) and Youth (13-17): $18, Sunday - Thursday; $21, Friday and Saturday
Children (3-12): $12 ages 2 and under: Free