The sun should be shining this weekend, just in time for two festivals that celebrate the arts! But that’s not all. This week includes a buy one, get one offer from the Academy of Natural Sciences in honor of their bicentennial, hundreds of ruby duckies floating down a creek, dancing Klownz and even more activities to get your family out and loving everything Philly has to offer. Enjoy!

Weekend Spotlight:

Art in the Park! Friends of Mario Lanza Park present the 12th annual Art in the Park Festival in Queen Village featuring artwork ranging from paintings, DIY crafts, jewelry and more. Art in the Park features activities for visitors of all ages and interests provided by Queen Village Art Center and the Art of Wellness. Philadelphia on Parade! Featuring more than 800 performing artists on 5 electrifying stages highlighting the diversity of world music with a line-up that includes classical, gospel and more with dance workshops, and a crafts marketplace. CIGNA Children's Pavilion will include storytellers, jugglers, face painters, mini-circus, arts & craft stations, sing-a-longs, as well as interactive demonstrations to get the little ones dancing and exercising.

Saturday, May 19^th:

Join the Philadelphia Zoo for their Reader’s Club. Read as your favorite animal stories come to life! Meet some of the real-life animals from your favorite tales or some of their animal friends, make critter crafts, and receive a storybook that is yours to take home. Geared for children 2 – 6 with an accompanying caregiver. Cost is $30 for members, $43 for non-member, times dependent on age of children.

Learn how to use a pottery wheel at The Clay Studio’s Family Workshop. Families will discover how to make shapes out of clay using a pottery wheel. Make sure to leave your Sunday best at home, clothes will get dirty. Cost is $17.50, workshop begins at 10 am.

It’s a Schindig at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. Activities at this spring carnival include a talent showcase, Burger Brawl with 4-star chefs, moon bounces, a giant inflatable slide, photo booth, and family-friendly entertainment. Schindig is free and open to the public. Event runs 11 am – 3 pm.

Children are invited to meet the ballerinas at the Piazza at Schmidt’s. Little ones will have “front-row” access as the Junior and Senior ensemble (8-15 year olds) perform in costume ballet and high energy theater dance pieces. After the performance, kids will be able to meet the ballerinas, get their pictures taken and learn some moves. Don’t forget to bring your camera. Event is free and runs 12 - 1 pm.

It’s a Live Reptile Show at Morris Arboretum. Come meet a variety of reptiles and learn about these often misunderstood but beneficial animals. The cast of characters will include two lizards from Australia, a bearded dragon and blue-tongued skink, a variety of native and non-native snakes, and a local turtle that is now a species of special concern and federally protected. Cost is $20 for non-members, $15 for members; show runs 1 – 3 pm.

The Trinity Center for Urban Life at 22^nd and Spruce invites families to their Ice Cream Social and Rainbow of Music Concert. Discover classical music with performances by Astral Artists musicians Julietta Curenton, Andrea Lam, and Clancy Newman. Ice cream social follows musical entertainment. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children, under 2 are free. Event begins at 1:30 pm.

It’s a night of drawings, songs and silliness with Mr. David at The Creative Living Room in Swarthmore. Mr. David's concoction of music, art, puppets, playful props, curious critters and an extra helping of laughs are guaranteed to appeal to the young and young-at-heart. Performance begins at 4:30 pm, cost is $7 per person. Pre-registration is required.  
     
Sunday, May 20th: 

Spend Sunday at the Circus in Plymouth Meeting. In its 71^styear, LuLu’s Circus includes a big top with accommodations for 4,000. In addition, the famous Klownz, a group of 50 members who perform at various hospitals for children, will be in attendance. Show times on Sunday run 2 pm and 7 pm. Performances are also available Friday and Saturday. Cost is $12 - $22 or receive a buy one/get one free offer as one of the first 200 to order tickets online.

The Doodlebops come to Sesame Place for a special performance. Get movin’ and groovin’ with The Doodlebops Musical Playdate. Join rock stars DeeDee, Rooney, and Moe as they sing their favorite songs, tell their wackiest jokes and show off their funkiest dance moves. Show times vary, reservations are required. Tickets for performance are $30 for adults, $25 for children.

It’s an Antique Car Show and Flea Market at Linvilla Orchards. Start your engines for this car show that’s sure to be jam packed with Tin Lizzies to Impalas and Stanley Steamers. If cars aren’t your thing, breeze over to the flea market to browse jewelry, antique furniture, crafts and more. There will also be pony rides, hay and train rides, and face painting. Event is free and runs 9 am – 5 pm.

Seger Park Playground on Lombard hosts a Spring Festival. This fundraiser for the park features a moon bounce, free tennis lessons for kids, face painting, karate, crafts, live music and dance performances, food and drink, giveaways and Seger T-shirts for sale. All proceeds support park renovation. Festival runs 11 am – 3 pm.

It’s a Rubber Ducky Regatta in Warminster. Warminster Parks & Recreation presents this hilarious family event, now in its 17th consecutive year. Hundreds of rubber duckies float down Neshaminy Creek to compete in a race to the finish line. Cash prizes totaling $500 if your ducks win! Day also includes family games and activities after the race. Event begins at 12:30 pm, official duck numbers may be purchased at the WREC Center.

The Garden State Discovery Museum invites families affected by Autism to their Open Arms Spring Spectacular. Evening includes themed games, face painting and crafts. Then, stop by the garden to decorate your own pot and plant your very own vegetable seedling to take home. Event runs 6 – 8 pm and is free.

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