PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — This weekend in Philly: Shakespeare in the park, a community fair with rides and fireworks, and a dragon boat festival await. The Kimberton Community Fair celebrates 93 years in Chester County, and this year brings a brand new feature, a beer garden. Community and professional teams will compete in South Jersey at the Cooper River Dragon Boat Festival, and in Philly, find a Sweet 16 party at Franklin Square, an outdoor movie at Dilworth Park or Shakespeare in Clark Park. There are plenty of fun things to do this weekend in and around Philly.
EVENT: Shakespeare in Clark Park
DATE/TIME: Through Sunday 7 p.m.
WHERE: Clark Park, 43rd and Chestnut streets, West Philadelphia (In the event of rain: The show will be performed in the Prince Theater at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts: 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.)
DETAILS: Shakespeare in Clark Park returns this summer with The Taming!, a “raucous comedy” presented in two “very different” acts. The production pairs Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” with an adaptation of John Fletcher’s revenge play, “The Tamer Tamed!”
Grab your blankets and chairs and head over to Clark Park to enjoy the inventive and innovative production. Arrive early to Friday’s production to enjoy the craft fair with Philly makers, or arrive early to Saturday’s performance to check out the craft fair with Uhuru Market.
PRICE: Free (Reservations accepted for fully vaccinated groups)
EVENT: Kimberton Community Fair
DATE/TIME: Through Friday 6 - 10 p.m., Saturday 4 - 10 p.m.
WHERE: Kimberton Fairgrounds, 762 Pike Springs Road, Phoenixville, PA
DETAILS: Livestock shows, exhibits, chicken BBQ, music entertainment, carnival rides & games, fair food, beer garden, contests and raffles, fireworks and those famous donuts. There is so much to see and do at the 93rd Kimberton Community Fair. This year the fair has its first-ever outdoor beer garden, hosted by Bill and Nancy Rutter of Hares Hill Brewing Company.
Performances are scheduled nightly at 7 and 8:30 p.m. Special events include fireworks show Friday at 9:30 p.m., the return of the Kimberton Fair Chicken BBQ Fundraiser Saturday from 4-6 p.m. and donut eating contest.
PRICE: Free entry, $25 cash wristband for rides, pay as you go food, drink and beer garden; Parking by donation
EVENT: Midsummer Beer Garden
DATE/TIME: Friday 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: The Mütter Museum, 19 South 22nd St., Philadelphia
DETAILS: Enjoy beer, sangria and snacks while listening to live vinyl funk music in the Mütter Museum’s historic Benjamin Rush Medicinal Garden. Tickets include museum admission and one drink ticket. Must be 21+ to enter. IDs will be checked at the door.
PRICE: $20, includes drink ticket and Museum admission
EVENT: Pictures in the Park: “In the Heights”
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 “In the Heights” begins at 8:15 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets to claim a space. Popcorn, candy and other snacks; plus beer, wine and cocktails will be available for purchase at the Air Grille beer garden.
PRICE: Free, Food and drink pay as you go
EVENT: Cooper River Dragon Boat Festival
DATE/TIME: Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
WHERE: Cooper River Park, Park & East Cuthbert Blvd., Cherry Hill, NJ
DETAILS: Competitors and spectators are invited to the 6th Annual Cooper River Dragon Boat Festival. Novice and intermediate community teams, as well as competitive sport teams, will compete in the day-long event. Racing classes include mixed, women’s, senior, youth and all cancer divisions. Each team of 16-20 paddlers and one drummer will compete three times in the 200 meter races. More than 25 teams from the Delaware Valley and mid-Atlantic region are expected to compete for divisional medals and the grand prize, the 200-Meter Sprint Champion.
PRICE: Free for Spectators
EVENT: Philadelphia Summer Cricket Festival
DATE/TIME: Saturday starting at 9 a.m.
WHERE: Exton Park, Church Farm Lane, Exton, Pa.
DETAILS: Learn all about a new sport and enjoy a fun day in Chester County watching top international cricket stars battle it out in the Minor League Cricket Championship. Fans will have the opportunity to meet and greet with the stars and VIP guests throughout the day. Plus, enjoy food from local food trucks, giveaways, music and other fun activities including a special Cricket 101 zone, team merchandise sales and Cricket memorabilia on display.
PRICE: Free General Admission, reserve your tickets in advance
EVENT: Franklin Square's Sweet Sixteen Celebration
DATE/TIME: Sunday 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Franklin Square, 6th and Race streets, Philadelphia
DETAILS: All are invited to a very special Sweet 16 celebration at Franklin Square. Historic Philadelphia will honor the beautiful public space with free daytime family fun and activities, including goodie bag decorating, free temporary tattoos and birthday hat decorating. The first 100 guests will receive a free ride on the carousel, or you can complete a Chinese Lantern Festival scavenger hunt for a free ride on the carousel. Meet Philly legend Ben Franklin, snack on free Tastykakes and be sure to check out the brand new Franklin Square Fountain Show.
PRICE: Free
EVENT: East Passyunk Car Show and Street Festival
DATE/TIME: Sunday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
WHERE: East Passyunk Avenue between Broad and Dickinson Streets, Philadelphia
DETAILS: Start your engines and cruise on down to the 15th Annual Car Show and Street Festival in East Passyunk. Find live music, DJs, family fun, street food and local craft vendors. If you stop by, you’ll get to see 200 antique, show, custom and classic vehicles on display.
PRICE: FREE to attend for spectators. $20 registration for participating cars
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 to encounter suspects played by professional actors, clues and QR codes along a walking journey, while working to solve the murder mystery. The walk is about an hour long, so wear comfortable shoes.
PRICE: $25 per guest