Don’t miss these great events for families in July!
Ice Cream Festivals
Satisfy your sweet tooth with fresh-served ice cream and other treats at these summer festivals.
Eat as much ice cream as you can for $5 at the Penn’s Landing 12th annual Super Scooper Festival in Phila., Sat.-Mon., July 3-5. Choose from flavors offered by more than 20 brands, including Haagen-Dazs, Ben & Jerry’s, Edy’s, Turkey Hill and Philadelphia Water Ice. All net proceeds from the event benefit the Joshua Kahan Fund to fight pediatric leukemia and the Children’s Hospital Oncology Division.
Trade the sundae for a soda at the Philly Phyzz Phest, Sat., July 3 in Phila. Presented by the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks, the free-admission event celebrates Dr. Physick, the inventor of soda pop. Learn what makes soda “pop” through science demonstrations and purchase Dr. Physick Soda to try. Historical games and re-enactments are also part of the fun.
At The Mill at Anselma in Chester Springs, PA on Sat., July 10, you can see how ice cream was made in colonial times. Demonstrations run continuously from 10am-4pm and include tastings for visitors. The $3-$5 admission fee (free for kids younger than age 6) also includes a special tour of the working grist mill.
On Sat., July 17, join Bassetts Ice Cream and other ice cream companies at the Reading Terminal Market for the Ultimate Philadelphia Ice Cream Festival. Families can sample frozen desserts, participate in contests and play games all day.
FREE Movies!
No need to shell out for the next family movie. Several movies on the big screen are completely FREE to watch.
Regal Entertainment Group’s annual Free Family Film Festival returns this year, with kid-friendly films showing on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10am through Aug. 18. Free tickets for the movies are available at the box office the morning of the show and are available first-come, first-served. The G- or PG-rated films change each day and range from The Muppets to Mall Cop. A complete schedule of movies and participating Regal locations are available online.
In South Jersey? On Friday nights this month, skip the theater and head to the park. At Lindenwold Park in Camden County, you can watch Monsters vs. Aliens on July 16 and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, July 30. Both showtimes are 8:45pm. Arrive early for entertainment from the Give & Take Jugglers, July 16, and for a sing-along with The Billy Kelly Show, July 30. www.ccparks.com
In Gloucester County, Coraline is showing at Atkinson Memorial Park in Hurffville on July 16, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is playing at Locke Ave. Park in Woolwich on July 23. 8pm start times for both films. www.co.gloucester.nj.us
The Delaware State Fair
The annual Delaware State Fair returns Thurs., July 22-Sat., July 31 with a star-studded concert line-up and other entertainment the entire family can enjoy.
Musicians of various genres, from country classics to teen pop, take the stage for this year’s concert series. Artists scheduled to appear include Paramore (July 24), Brad Paisley (July 25), Lynyrd Skynyrd (July 26), Selena Gomez (July 28) and The Beach Boys (July 29). Southern personality Paula Deen will also visit on July 23 and a Demolition Derby takes place July 22 & 30. Separate tickets are required for this series and range from $10-$59.
Daily activities at the Fair include amusement rides, carnival games, horse shows, livestock events, contests, cooking demonstrations, ice shows and parades. Also, All-Star Youths who have made differences in their communities will be honored at the Fair.
Your family can take advantage of special promotions. Attending at these times offers significant savings:
► July 22: half-price admission for all
► July 26 & 29: free admission for seniors ages 60+
► July 27: school-age kids ages 17 & younger free
► July 28: active military & veterans free
The Fair runs Thurs., July 22, 5-11pm and Fri., July 23-Sat., July 31, 8am-11pm. $6 regular gate admission, ages 9 & younger free. Free parking. 18500 S. DuPont Hwy., Harrington.
Stephanie Halinski is calendar editor of MetroKids.
