What To Do: PA. Hunt Club on Sunday

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

The first weekend past Halloween is always a busy one, with everything from local Pirate events, celebrations of food trucks and one of Chester County’s most venerable equestrian events.

The Pennsylvania Hunt Cup (Pennsylvania Hunt Cup racecourse, Newark Road, Unionville, 484-888-6619, http://pahuntcup.org) is one of the oldest and most respected equestrian events in the Mid-Atlantic region. This year, the Hunt Cup will celebrate its 84th anniversary on November 4.

The equestrian competition will feature four open races sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association. Three of them will feature races over fences and one will be a race on the flat.

The challenging course features 22 post and rail fences and is one of just three four-mile races sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association. First run in 1921 over a course in Whitemarsh in Montgomery County, the race moved to the present location in Unionville PA in 1964, where it has been held annually since. Over the years the race meeting has grown so that the race day card now includes three sanctioned timber races, and the Pennsylvania Pony Hunt Cup for children.

Gates open at 10:30 a.m. The first event — the Pennsylvania Pony Hunt Cup – is scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m. followed by the Mrs. Ford B. Draper Side Saddle Race at 12:30 p.m.

There will be the traditional “Carriage Parade” at 1 p.m. followed by the Lewis C. Ledyard Memorial Foxhunters Chase at 1:30 p.m., the Parade of Cheshire hounds at 2 p.m., the Arthur O. Choate Jr. Memorial Trophy race at 2:15 p.m. and the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup at 3 p.m. The final race of the day will be the Athenian Idol Race at 3:30 p.m.

Traditionally, the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup has had several local conservation organizations as beneficiaries. For 2018, the beneficiary is the Chester County Food Bank. General Admission, which is $50 per car, includes parking and admission for all occupants of one vehicle.

On November 4, the Brandywine River Museum (Route 1, Chadds Ford, 610-388-2700, www.brandywinemuseum.org) will host “First Sundays for Families: Pirate Day.”

Pirate Adventure Day returns to Brandywine River Museum of Art with amazing pirate adventures for all ages. Attendees will be able to create pirate-themed crafts, have photo ops and knot-tying lessons with Fortune’s Folly Pirates, meet a Pirate and enjoy “Storytime Peter Pan” presented by Hedgerow Theatre.

All activities are included with museum admission.

The event runs from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Admission to the museum is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors (65 and older), $6 for students with ID and children (ages 6-18.)

Chaddsford Winery (Route 1, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, www.chaddsford.com) is presenting its “Fall Food Truck Throw Down” on November 3 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and November 4 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Food trucks are taking over the winery’s grounds for a weekend-long throw down and the event’s visitors are the judges.

Guests can explore a wide-variety of food truck fare, sip locally-produced wine, and enjoy live music at the “Fall Food Truck Throw Down.”

Admission is free, and all wine and food purchases are pay-as-you-go. Each visitor will receive one ticket to vote for their favorite truck with a winner will be announced at the end of each day.

The roster of food trucks includes Baby Blues BBQ, Chilin Food Cart, Haute Wheels, I Don’t Give a Fork, Mama Mia, Milk + Sugar, Natalie’s Fine Foods, The Happy Pita, The Plum Pit, The Polish Connection, and The Sweetest Rose Cupcake Co.

On November 3, Hope Lodge (553 South Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, 215-646-1595, http://www.ushistory.org/hope) will host its 37th annual “1777 Whitemarsh Encampment & Hope Lodge 270th Anniversary Celebration.”

This event commemorates the time from November 2-December 11 in 1777 when General George Washington and the Continental Army were encamped in the Whitemarsh Hills.

Saturday’s activities will begin at 10 a.m. and shift into high gear at 11:30 a.m. with a skirmish re-enactment in the back field. The battle display will be followed by another skirmish re-enactment at 2:30 p.m.

At 1:30 p.m., there will be a lecture and book signing by Mary Stockwell. author of “Unlikely General ‘Mad’ Anthony Wayne and the Battle for America.” There will be “Children’s Musters” at 10:30 a.m.  and 2 p.m.

The list of all-day activities includes Military Surgeon Presentations, sutlers, open hearth cooking demonstrations, bobbin lace demonstration by Becky Ledebohm, dulcimer entertainment by Lynn King and presentations by The Schooner Pursuit Historical Society.

As an added attraction, the Hope Lodge mansion will be open for self-guided tours all day (except during the skirmishes). Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors (age 60 and older) and youths (ages 6-17). Children ages 5 and under are free. There is a special family (one car) admission of $25.

This weekend, the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks (100 Station Avenue, Oaks, 631-940-7290, www.phillyexpocenter.com)

will be bustling with activity with a trio of special events dealing with geeks, colorful gems and top-quality crafts.

Thy Geekdom Con (www.thygeekdomcon.com) will run from November 2-4 from 5-10 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m.-11:59 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.

Thy Geekdom Con is a convention of all things geek in pop culture.

Brought to you by the people behind the YouTube sensation Game Infirmary, it is billed as “an epic weekend of fun and frivolity.”

You can expect to see Acts, Anime, Artists, Board Games, Comics, Cosplay, Crafters, Panels, Table Top games, TV/Movies, and Video Game Tournaments.

Visitors can show off their skills in the Cosplay Costume Contest and Masquerade or simply participate as part of an enthusiastic audience.

Thy Geekdom Con embraces fandoms from all cartoons, comics, video games, anime, TV/Film.

Weekend 3 Day Admission is $35 ($40 at the door). Friday Admission is $15 ($20 at the door) while Saturday is 25 ($30 at the door) and Sunday is $20 ($25 at the door).

You can get a jump on your holiday shopping with a visit to the 2018 edition of Gemarama which is scheduled for November 3 and 4 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.

Visitors to the 49th Annual Gemarama will find an amazing variety of gems on display and available for purchase. Gem specialists and dealers from all over the country will be displaying and selling their specialties at this popular gem and mineral show.

Show attendees will be able to look at gems and rare stones from all around the world — many of which are for sale and not just exhibition pieces. Visitors will be able to examine and select purchases from a huge number of collectible items ranging from fossils to precious gems.

As an added attraction, members of the Tuscarora Lapidary Society will be presenting demonstrations of various lapidary and jewelry making skills including faceting, intrasia, faceting, channel jewelry, metal craft, silversmithing, bead stringing, chain making and wirewrap jewelry.

At the “Children’s Table”, youngsters will be able to make bracelet and key chains, use informative children’s coloring books on gems and minerals and toss a bean bag to win a prize.

Also featured will be a variety of competitive exhibits with awards in the following categories — Best in Show, Best Theme Exhibit, Most Educational Exhibit, Best Non-Member Exhibit, Best Mini-Case Exhibit and Director’s Award.

Gemarama will run from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on November 3 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on November 4. Tickets for adults are $6 with two-day tickets available for $9 while tickets for children (under 12) are $1.

The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival (http://sugarloafcrafts.com/festivals/fall-tour/oaks), which is being held November 2-4 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, presents the work of over 250 top-flight crafters, many of whom are in the upper echelon of American artisans.

The festival will feature a large variety of crafts categories, including blown glass, tapestry, rugs, leather, sculpture, woodturnings, forged iron, baskets, photography, woodwork, weaving, pottery, mixed media, hats, painted silk, musical instruments, jewelry, fused glass, fine arts, brass items, boxes, wind chimes, specialty foods, accessories, bells, quilts, glass, copperware, chair caning, enamels, furniture, pillows and clothing.

The event will also feature a variety of craft demonstrations and a full schedule of live entertainment. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 and are good for all three days. Children under 12 are admitted free.

Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org) celebrates the popular autumnal flower with its annual Chrysanthemum Festival every year in October. This year’s Mum Fest, which is running through November 18, is a top-flight exhibit featuring more than 20,000 colorful, blooming chrysanthemums in Longwood’s huge conservatory.

Longwood’s horticulturalists have grown and developed the mums into a variety of unusual forms. They have groomed chrysanthemums to resemble clouds, torches, spirals, fans, 13-foot arches and more. The stars of the show are Longwood Gardens’ “Thousand Bloom” mums.

The Thousand Bloom (known in Japan as Ozukuri) is the most exacting and difficult of all the Chrysanthemum training styles. It derives its name for the ambitious goal of a single chrysanthemum plant producing 1,000 perfect blooms.

The method for growing the Thousand Bloom originated in China and Japan more than 200 years ago. It is a dying art form with only a few growers in the entire world skilled in the techniques needed to grow this special plant.

This year, Longwood has the largest chrysanthemum outside of Asia on display. Grown at Longwood, the plant is expected to produce over 1,500 perfectly placed, uniform blooms on one plant.

During Chrysanthemum Festival, visitors can also check out the colorful foliage of Longwood’s Outdoor Gardens, wander around Meadow Garden and observe the action at the venue’s Garden Railway.

Video link for Longwood gardens’ Chrysanthemum Festival — https://youtu.be/ZyVNUleJ_iE?list=UUHMP1vVm6vrp4PVDb7fZ_Jw.

Regular admission to Longwood Gardens is $23 for adults, $20 for seniors (62+) and $12 for students (ages 5-18).

With a forecast of mild, sunny weather, this weekend should be a good time to travel through central Bucks County to enjoy autumn’s colorful foliage. This weekend offers an even better time because it’s the weekend of Peddler’s Village’s Apple Festival (Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, 215-794-4000, www.peddlersvillage.com).

The 45th annual staging of the popular annual event will be held November 3 and 4 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each day at the Peddler’s Village complex. It will feature a variety of artisans who will be demonstrating and selling their crafts. There will also be live music and the curiously entertaining pie-eating contests.

As expected, the free festival will be a showcase for apples served in all sorts of tasty ways — apple cider, caramel-covered apples, apple fritters, apple sundaes, apple pie and apple strudel.

Visitors will even be able to sample country apple butter cooked over an open fire. Many of the apple treats will be available for take-home as well as for eating at the festival. Additionally, visitors will be able to purchase a variety of fresh apples in bushels from the site’s orchard.

The roster of live entertainers includes The Big Chill, The Overtones, Toby Mochel, Bellevue, Ray Owen, Lolly & YoYo, Galena Brass Band, Give and Take Jugglers, Acoustic Road, Nassau Brass, Jersey Harmony Chorus, Audiopilot and Borderline.

A leisurely way to take in autumn’s annual color display is to ride a special excursion on an area tourist railroad.

The West Chester Railroad (Market Street Station, West Chester, 610-430-2233, www.westchesterrr.net) is running its special “Fall Foliage Express” trains on November 5 and 12 with departures at noon and 2 p.m.

The round-trip train ride travels to the village of Glen Mills and back and lasts for 90 minutes. During the brief layover in Glen Mills, riders can explore the historic Pennsylvania Railroad station and have a snack in the railroad’s picnic grove along the Chester Creek.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for children ages 2-12 and free for kids under two.

The Wilmington & Western Railroad (2201 Newport Gap Pike, Wilmington, DE, 302-998-1930, www.wwrr.com) is running its “Autumn Leaf Special” with trains on November 3 and 4.

Trips are either a one-and-one-half hour roundtrips to the Mt. Cuba Picnic Grove or two-and-one-half hour roundtrips to Hockessin.

The W&WRR also is running its “Hayride Express” on November 2 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. each night. Visitors can experience a one-hour evening ride through the Red Clay Valley on an original railroad flatcar converted especially for hayrides.

On November 3 and 4, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (300 Gap Road, Strasburg, 717-687-8628, www.rrmuseumpa.org) is presenting a special event that is sure to appeal to the patriotic spirit in everyone — an event called “Trains & Troops.”

It is a Veterans Day celebration a few days early.

“Trains & Troops” is the museum’s annual tribute to the U. S. Armed Forces — to all those who served or are serving in defense of our nation. At the annual autumn event, visitors will be able to greet our men and women in uniform — including veterans, civilians, railroaders and re-enactors from the Civil War forward. Also featured will be a large array of military and military railroad service-related posters, uniforms, equipment, field gear, maps, books and photographs on display.

The annual event is also a tribute to American railroads and their role in supporting the U. S. Armed Forces. Railroads built our nation and came to the country’s defense during times of war — both on the home front and overseas. The American Civil War marked the first major military application of railroads. The Military Railway Service was created in 1916 for World War I. In World War II, U. S. freight and passenger railroad service, both military and civilian, was huge.

There will be a salute to veterans and active duty service personnel with the Lancaster Red Rose Honor Guard on November 3 at 11 a.m. and November 4 at 1 p.m. The Lampeter-Strasburg Community Band will present a concert on November 3 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and the Lancaster Brasse Band will perform from 1-2:30 p.m. on November 4.

The museum’s vast Rolling Stock Hall will come alive to the music of the Moonlighters Band at the “Taking the Swing Train ’40s Dance” scheduled for November 3 from 7-10 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for the dance only or $35 for a combination with “Trains & Troops” admission. Tickets for “Trains and Troops” only are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $8 for youth (ages 3-11).

The Fourth Annual Philadelphia Veterans Parade (www.phillyveteransparade.org) will take place on November 4 in Center City Philadelphia.

The parade route originates at the intersection of JFK Boulevard and North 16th Street. The parade concludes at Fifth and Market streets, where the Veterans Festival will be set up.

Master of Ceremonies, Parade Announcer, Grand Marshall, Singers and Trumpet player include Montford Point Marine Albert Willis, Bob McMahon, Judge Dugan, Bill Meade, Kevin Pierce and Aidan Peterson.

This year’s notable attendees include The United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, David Shulkin; Colonel Joe Marm, the only living Medal of Honor recipient from Pennsylvania, and last year’s Grand Marshal, Tuskegee Airman Gene Richardson.

With more than 150 organizations involving over 3,000 participants including 34 Veteran Service Organizations, the Fourth Annual Philadelphia Veteran Parade will be a celebration to remember. The Veterans Festival will feature live entertainment from Modzilla, TC Riot Band and Savior Soul, and Midnight to Minutes.

The family-friendly festival will feature live music, food trucks, a beer garden, a rock-climbing wall, and fun activities for children such as face painting and balloon artists.

The 2018 Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival will run from noon-4 p.m.

This weekend, you can get a glimpse at how holidays are celebrated in Eastern Europe and Russia by visiting the Church Bazaar at Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church (1406 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, Delaware, 302-798-4455, www.sspeterandpauluoc.org) on November 3.

The menu of food items which can be eaten onsite or purchased to go includes Holubtsi (Ukrainian stuffed cabbage rolls), Kovassa (Ukrainian-style kielbasa), Halushki (cabbage and noodle), Pyrohy (Ukrainian pierogies), Borscht (beet soup), Mushroom Soup and authentic handmade Ukrainian bakery items such as nut rolls, Pascha and poppy rolls.

There will also be church tours, pysanka for sale and a variety of other vendors with cultural and religious items for sale. The free event runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

A popular event in Delaware this weekend is “Steamin’ Days” at Auburn Heights Preserve (3000 Creek Road, Yorklyn, Delaware, 302-239-2385, http://auburnheights.org) on November 4.

“Steamin’ Days,” which is held on the first Sunday of the month through November, focuses on steam power.

During “Steamin’ Days at Auburn Heights,” the site is bustling with activity. Visitors are encouraged to climb into an antique automobile or board one of the trains and experience what it was like to travel at the turn of the 20th century. They can also tour the magnificent 1897 mansion that was home to three generations of the Marshall family.

Also included is entry to the Marshall Steam Museum, which features the world’s largest operating collection of Stanley steam cars along with a 1930s working Lionel electric train display, a hands-on engine display, kids’ activities and exhibits and the Museum Gift Shop.

Activities run from 12:30-4:30 p.m. each time. Combo Tickets, which cover all rides and building tours, are $19 (13 and older) and $12 (age 12 and under).

While some people are still in Halloween mode, others can’t wait until the Christmas season starts.

Guess what — it has started this weekend.

Anyone wanting to get into a Christmas mood early can visit Koziar’s Christmas Village (782 Christmas Village Road, Bernville, 610-488-1110, www.koziarschristmasvillage.com) which begins its 71st season on November 3.

Koziar’s Christmas Village is truly a holiday wonderland — a wintertime spectacle that delights young and old alike with a huge amount of holiday displays and special attractions. It will remain open every night through January 1 — including Christmas Eve, Christmas Night, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Night.

The tours of “Christmas Village” feature visits to a variety of displays and exhibits, including “Santa’s Post Office,” “Christmas in the Jungle,” “Manger Scene,” “Christmas Beneath the Sea,” “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “Olde Fashioned Bakery Shop,” “Toy Maker and his Toy Shop,” “Christmas in Other Lands” and “The Olde Church”.

Other attractions at Koziar’s Christmas Village include a huge model train display, a toy shop, a country kitchen, indoor and outdoor Christmas displays and a place to visit with Santa and even get pictures taken with the old guy in the red suit. Admission to Christmas Village is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors (65 and older) and $10 for children (ages 4-10).

The American Music Theatre (2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, 800-648-4102, www.AMTshows.com) has its holiday show running now through December 30.

The AMT’s 2018 show “The First Noel” is an all-new presentation of favorite sacred and secular holiday songs performed by professional artists from across the country. The show will feature spectacular vocal harmonies, lively musical arrangements, impressive dancing and the music of the AMT Orchestra.

Also featured will be elaborate scenery, elegant costumes and a theater decked out with holiday decorations.

The show will have both matinee and evening performances each week with the addition of 10:30 a.m. performances on Saturdays throughout December. Show length is two hours and 15 minutes with a short intermission. Tickets are $42 for adults and $21 for children.

By now, most of us have had our fill of Halloween stuff and a ready to move on.

But, there are others who can never get enough of the spooky stuff. Fortunately for them, there are number of Halloween activities continuing through this weekend.

“Pumpkinland” (Linvilla Orchards, 137 West Knowlton Road, Media, 610-876-7116, www.linvilla.com), which is open through November 6, features fairy tale characters from nursery rhymes along with a huge scarecrow and a really tall storybook.

Other activities include train rides, a straw bale maze, hayrides, pick-your-own apples and pony rides. Admission is free, and hayrides are $9 per person.

“Hurricane Hill Farm Maze” (Baldwin’s Farm, 704 East Reeceville Road, Coatesville, 610-384-6952, www.hhfmaze.com) will be open Saturdays and Sundays until November 4.

This event features miles of trails through a five-acre corn maze along with a corn slide, hayrides, a pumpkin patch and a farm animal display.

The site’s 2018 Football Maze pays tribute to the Philadelphia Eagles.   The maze will contain a Word Game with football facts, some about the Philadelphia Eagles.  There will also be nine “Picture Finds” with football information.

Tickets are $14.

Cherry Crest Adventure Farm in Ronks (150 Cherry Hill Road, Ronks, 717-687-6843, www.cherrycrestfarm.com) is presenting its popular annual “Flashlight Maze” every Friday and Saturday night through November 4. Cherry Crest Adventure Farm has reserved several weekends during the autumn months for Flashlight Maze.

This special activity allows visitors to experience the Amazing Maize Maze in total darkness. All you need are flashlights and a few friends.

The Flashlight Maze is a nice, non-scary, Halloween alternative that has appeal for people of all ages. The Flashlight Maze, which has a $12 admission fee, is open from 6:30-10 p.m. with the last entrance into the Maze at 9 p.m.

The main attraction is Cherry Crest’s “Amazing Maize Maze,” which is billed as “the world’s most dynamic and interactive corn maze.” It is a five-acre corn maze with over two-and-one-half miles of paths, scenic bridges, and clues.

Participants can walk at their own pace as they encounter the “Kernels of Knowledge” along with a variety of clues, tunnel slides, and watering stations. They can also check out a bird’s eye view from the two bridges and watch everyone’s flags waving high above the corn.

The average time to complete the “Amazing Maize Maze” course is one hour. Tickets are $17 on Thursday and Fridays and $20 on Saturdays.

“Terror Behind the Walls” (Eastern State Penitentiary, 2124 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, 888-763-NITE, www.easternstate.org) is a truly scary attraction. Running through November 10, it takes place at a penitentiary site that was once was an active prison and is now a National Historic Landmark. It is a scream-inducing event featuring laser and special-effect lighting, digital sound, sinister scents, animatronic creatures and 3-D illusions.

Popular attractions include “Blood Yard,” “Infirmary,” “Machine Shop,” “Lock Down,” “Break Out!,” and “Quarantine 4D.”

Admission prices, which vary with the date, range from $19-$45.

Pennhurst Asylum (100 Commonwealth Drive, Spring City, 484-866-8964, www.pennhurstasylum.com), which is open through November 4, is on the site of a former mental asylum which has been shuttered for over a quarter of a century.

It has been transformed into a haunted attraction with huge sets, detailed rooms and live actors. Visitors can also explore the labyrinth of underground tunnels.

Tickets are $18 for each of the attractions with a variety of combo packages available.

The “33rd Annual Jason’s Woods” (99 Stehman Road, Lancaster, 717-872-5768, www.jasonswoods.com), which is running through November 4, is a horror show complex that features a combination of live actors, impressive animation and scary special effects.

Popular attractions include “Horrifying Hayride,” “Chamber of Horrors,” “Zombie Apocalypse,” “Lost in Jason’s Woods,” and “Carnival of Fear,” Admission prices are for combo tickets are $25 for three attractions and $40 for five.

The “26th Annual Field of Screams” (109 College Avenue, Mountville, 717-285-7748, www.fieldofscreams.com), which is open now through November 9, features four world-class Haunted Experiences and an impressive Midway Area. Top attractions include “Horrifying Haunted Hayride,” two massive Haunted Houses, and Wicked Haunted Woods.

Ticket prices start at $16.