Special Events

Philadelphia

*FREE* 2nd Annual Fat Tire Group Foto Mountain Bikers gather at Belmont Plateau, West Fairmount Park, to have their pictures taken. Fairmount Park, 4231 N. Concourse Dr.; 215-685-0060. www.trophybikes.com/events.php. 5/4 1 pm.

Black Lily Film & Music Festival Three-day event highlights multi-cultural female filmmakers & musicians. International House of Philadelphia, 3701 Chestnut St.; 215-387-5125. www.blacklilyfilm.org. $0-$10. 5/2-5/3 11 am. 5/4 10 am. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. $20. 5/3 9 pm.

Philadelphia Book & Paper Fair Canceled. Pennsylvania National Guard Armory, 2700 Southampton Rd.; 215-336-2000. $5. 5/3 10 am-4:30 pm.

*FREE* Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival Fashion show, culinary demos, children's activities, live music, affordably priced samples from Rittenhouse Row's finest restaurants & more. Rittenhouse Square, 1800 Walnut Square; 215-972-0101. www.rittenhouserow.org. 5/3 5 pm.

*FREE* SundayOUT! Street Festival The area's largest GLBT street festival. Old City, Between Front & 5th; 215-732-3378. www.equalityforum.com. 5/4 11 am-6 pm.

Pennsylvania suburbs

*FREE* Bike Rodeo & Safety Forum To help increase awareness in the community about bicycle safety & healthy living. West Chester Area YMCA, One E. Chestnut St., West Chester; 610-431-YMCA x 1002. www.ymcabwv.org. 5/3 2-5 pm.

*FREE* Debella Dog Walk Outdoor dog fair. Green Lane Park, 2144 Snyder Rd., Green Lane; Registration required: 215-234-8497. www2.montcopa.org/parks. 5/4 10 am-2 pm.

International Migratory Bird Day Family Workshop Activities exploring bird migration & helping local birds. Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown; 610-277-3825. www.elmwoodparkzoo.org. $15. 5/8 6-8 pm.

Majestic Midways Carnival Carnival rides, game booths, face painting & more. Broomall Fire Company, 10 N. Malin Rd., Broomall; 610-353-5225. www.broomallfirecompany.com. 5/2 6-11 pm. 5/3 3-11 pm. 5/4 noon-6 pm.

*FREE* Polish Constitution Day Celebrate the anniversary of the 1791 Polish Constitution. 1724 Old Chester Court House, 412 Ave. of the States, Chester; 610-876-8663. 5/2 9:30 am.

Series of Spring Events Town-wide yard sale, arts & crafts show, flea market, bake sale, May fair, children's activities & more. Downtown Lansdowne, Lansdowne & Baltimore Ave., Lansdowne; 610-574-3449. www.lansdowneborough.com. 5/3 9 am-3 pm.

Walk for Paws Chester County SPCA fundraising walk. Includes vendors & family-friendly activities. Hibernia County Park, 1 Park Rd., Wagontown; Registration required: 610-692-6113 x219. www.ccspca.org. $15, $8 children 6-17 advance; $20, $10 children 6-17 day of event; free for children under 6. 5/4 9 am.

Warwick Outdoor Fest & Kid's Trout Rodeo Environmental awareness, children's activites & food vendors. Warwick County Park, 382 County Park Rd., Pottstown; 610-469-1916; www.chesco.org/ccparks. Free admission, $5 parking fee. 5/3 10 am-3 pm.

New Jersey

17th Annual Women of Power & Purpose Conference Clarion Hotel & Convention Center Atlantic City West, 6821 Black Horse Pike, Pleasantville; 609-748-3434, 609-484-7003; www.efcwomensconference.org. $55-$100; some events free. 5/2-5/4.

79th Annual Trenton Country Club All Breed Dog Show & Obedience Trial Approx. 3,500 dogs & 175 breeds & varieties, with vendors displaying & selling traditional & gourmet foods, pet supplies & more. Mercer County Park, Hughes Dr., West Windsor; 609-448-6247. www.trentonkennelclub.net. $3; free for children under 12. 5/4 8 am-6:30 pm.

*FREE* Birkenstock Trunk Show & Sale A variety of new styles & colors will be available. Jamaican Me Crazy, 139 Kings Hwy. E., Haddonfield; 856-616-1291. 5/3-5/4 11 am-4 pm.

Cape May Spring Festival Cultural activities throughout Cape May. Themed tours, murder mystery dinners, Chef's Dine-Around & more. Downtown Cape May; 609-884-5404. www.capemaymac.org. 5/2 7 pm. 5/3-5/4 10 am.

Cross Country Corvette Car Show Monthly Corvette show. Coastline, 1240 Brace Rd., Cherry Hill; 856-795-1773. www.coastlinerestaurantbar.com. 5/4 10 am-2 pm.

*FREE* Fitness Festival: Let's Get Physical Live entertainment by Ernie & Neal, health screenings, nutrition tips, chair massages, organized bike rides, Tae Bo demo & more. Pennington Park, Creek Rd., Delanco; 609-265-5068. 5/3 11 am-3 pm.

Ghosts & Goodies Tour Trolley tour with narration about the paranormal findings of Craig McManus & a stop at the Mad Batter. Downtown Cape May; 609-884-5404. www.capemaymac.org. $22. 5/3 9 pm.

Rainforest Awareness Day Learn ways you can help save the ecosystem. Arts & crafts, face painting, storytime & other activities. Jenkinson's Aquarium, 300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach; 732-899-1659. www.jenkinsons.com/aquarium. Included in admission. 5/3 10 am-5 pm.

Delaware

Around the World in Five Hours Zoo tour & outdoor activities focusing on animals from around the globe. Brandywine Zoo, 1001 N. Park Dr., Wilmington; Registration required: 302-571-7747. www.brandywinezoo.org. $20. 5/3 10 am-3 pm.

Kids' Stuff

Children's performances

Allentown Symphony: Musical Treasure Chest Classical concerts for the youngest music lovers. Symphony Hall, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown; 610-432-671. www.allentownsymphony.org. $6. 5/8 9:30 & 11 am.

The Backyardigans Live!: Tale of The Mighty Knights Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden; 856-365-1300; 215-336-2000; www.nickjr.com. $20-$42.50. 5/3 11 am, 2 & 5 pm. 5/4 11 am, 2 & 5 pm.

Brady Rymer Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900; www.bradyrymer.com. $10. 5/7 noon. 5/8 noon & 7 pm.

Eric Paul Family-friendly magic act. Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-1228. www.thecolonialtheatre.com. $5. 5/3 2 pm.

Mr. Scott The Music Man Lively children's music performer. Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Rd., Media; 610-565-4211, www.hedgerowtheatre.org. $10; $8 children. 5/3 1:30 pm.

The Sippy Cups World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400; www.thesippycups.com. $15; $12 children 1-12; free for children under 1. 5/4 11:30 am.

Children's events

Animales! Animals! Program about Spanish animal names. Live animal encounters, games & a craft. Brandywine Zoo, 1001 N. Park Dr., Wilmington; 302-571-7747. www.brandywinezoo.org. $8. 5/4 1-3 pm.

*FREE* Children's Festival Music, puppet shows, sack races, face painting & more. Towne of Historic Smithville, 1 N. New York Rd., Smithville; 609-652-7777. historicsmithvillenj.com. 5/3 noon-4:30 pm.

*FREE* Family Fun Night Prize drawings & balloon entertainers. Coastline, 1240 Brace Rd., Cherry Hill; 856-795-1773. www.coastlinerestaurantbar.com. 5/8 6-8 pm.

*FREE* Flower Festival Music, flower displays, costumed characters, hay rides & more. Linvilla Orchards, 137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media; 610-874-4678. www.linvilla.com. 5/3 9 am-5 pm.

*FREE* Healthy Lunches, Happy Kids Learn how to put together healthy snacks & lunches. Easttown Library & Information Center, 720 First Ave., Berwyn; Registration suggested: 610-644-0138. www.teawithsheri.com. 5/4 2 pm.

KidZart: Squiggles to Grins Art, storytelling, poetry & sing alongs. The Arts Scene, 530 E. Union St., West Chester; Registration required: 610-806-3075. www.kidzartpade.com. Donation suggested: $5. 5/8 9:45-10:30 am.

Puppet Making Art workshop for kids. Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St.; 215-922-1122, www.ardentheatre.org. $30. 5/3 1-4 pm.

Teddy Bear Day Teddy bear-themed children's activities. Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown; 610-277-3825. www.elmwoodparkzoo.org. Included in admission. 5/3 11 am-2 pm.

Visit With the Wolves Children's program. Upper Schuylkill Valley Park, 1600 Black Rock Rd., Royersford; Registration required: 215-234-8497. $2. 5/2 1 pm.

Children's museums & attractions

Camden Children's Garden 3 Riverside Dr., Camden; 856-365-8733. www.camdenchildrensgarden.org. Butterfly house, maze, treehouse & more. $6; $4 ages 3-11; free for children 2 & under Tue.-Sun. 10 am-5 pm.

Garden State Discovery Museum 2040 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill; 856-424-1233. www.discoverymuseum.com. Hands-on children's museum featuring an activity wonderland for infants through age 10. $9.95; $8.95 seniors; free for children under 1. Daily 9:30 am-5:30 pm thru 10/1.

Insectarium 8046 Frankford Ave.; 215-335-9500. www.insectarium.com. Arachnid Alley, Cockroach Kitchen, Working Beehive & more. $7; free for children under 2. Mon.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm.

Kix & Giggles Children's Playground 9356 Old Bustleton Ave.; 215-677-4140. www.kixandgiggles.com. Attractions include a wrap-around gym, a rock wall, soft-play section for babies & toddlers, an outside seating area & more. Mondays 10 am-3 pm are reserved for children with special needs & their families. See website for more details. $6.95. Tue.-Thu. 10 am-8 pm; Fri.-Sat. 10 am-9 pm; Sun. 10 am-8 pm.

The Please Touch Museum 210 N. 21st St.; 215-963-0667. www.pleasetouchmuseum.org. Arts & crafts, stories, theater, interactive exhibits, hands-on activities & more. Target First Wednesday Night - Exhibits, theater performances, art activities, storytelling & more. $2. 5/7 5-7 pm. $10.95; free for children under 1. Daily 9 am-4:30 pm.

Sesame Place 100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne; 215-752-7070. www.sesameplace.com. Sesame Place Opening Day 2008 - Features a cavalcade of convertibles with arrival of Elmo, Big Bird & friends, a parade & the unveiling of the new Sunny Day Carousel. 5/3 9:45 am. $47.50; $42.50 seniors; free for children under 2. Fri.-Sun. thru 5/23.

*FREE* Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse Intersection of 33rd & Oxford Sts. in E. Fairmount Park; 215-765-4325. www.smithplayhouse.org. Three-story "play mansion" for children 0-5 yrs. old & huge outdoor play park for children 0-10 featuring the Giant Wooden Slide, the giant net climber, the Apollo spinner climber, the Biggo Duo swing & much more. Tue.-Sun. 10 am-4 pm. Children must be accompanied by adult.

Literary Calendar

Book signings & readings

Barnes & Noble-Rittenhouse Square 1805 Walnut St.; 215-665-0716. www.bn.com. Lisa Lillien: Hungry Girl. 5/6 7:30 pm. Claudine Wolk: It Gets Easier...& Other Lies We Tell New Mothers. 5/8 7 pm.

Barnes & Noble 200 W. Rte. 70, Marlton; 856-596-7058. www.barnesandnoble.com. Pat Benjamin: The Perot Legacy: A New Political Path. 5/6 7:30 pm.

Chester County Book & Music Company 975 Paoli Pike, West Chester; 610-696-1661. www.ccbmc.com. Santa Montefiore: Sea of Lost Love. 5/6 7:30 pm. Hope Fox: Impress for Less. 5/8 6:30 pm.

Eckley Miners' Village 2 Eckley Main St., Weatherly; 570-636-2070. www.eckleyminers.org. Clemson Page: Up Home, Book One: Stedman 1903-1909. 5/4 2 pm.

Free Library of Philadelphia 1901 Vine St.; 215-686-5322. www.library.phila.gov. Augusten Burroughs: A Wolf at the Table. 5/3 7 pm. Michael Ondaatje: Divisadero. 5/6 7 pm. Eric Lichtblau: Bush's Law: The Remaking of American Justice. 5/8 noon. Simon Winchester: The Man Who Loved China. 5/8 7 pm.

Ludington Library 5 South Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr; 610-525-1776. www.lmls.org/ludington.html. Charles Eisenstein: The Ascent of Humanity. 5/6 7 pm.

Ocean County Library 101 Washington St., Toms River; 732-349-6200. oceancountylibrary.org/Branches/TR/tr.htm. Harry Bernstein: The Dream: A Memoir. 5/3 2 pm.

Penn Bookstore 3601 Walnut St.; 215-898-7595. upenn.bkstore.com. Deborah Tomasso: She Never Uttered a Word. 5/6 6 pm. Paula Giddings: IDA: A Sword Among Lions. 5/8 12:30 pm.

Poetry & lectures

Curtis Hall Church Rd. & Greenwood Ave., Wyncote; 215-884-7675. Whitemarsh Hall: The Estate of Edward T. Stotesbury in History & Photography - Roddy Davis, local photographer & member of the Springfield Historical Society, will present this lecture. 5/8 8 pm.

Gershman Y 401 S. Broad St.; 215-446-3027. www.gershmany.org. Laura Levitt: American Jewish Loss After the Holocaust - Family stories examine private, personal loss next to public, community loss. $15 advance; $20 day of event, includes brunch. 5/4 11 am.

Mermaid Inn 7673 Germantown Ave.; 215-247-9797. www.themermaidinn.net. Bothy Open Mic. 5/5 9 pm.

Molly's Bookstore & Cafe 1010 S. Ninth St.; 215-923-3367. www.mollysbooks.com. Poets & Prophets: Peter E. Murphy - New Jersey poet will read from his work, followed by an open reading. Donations accepted. 5/3 7 pm.

Salon of John Brodsky 123 S Princeton Ave., Swarthmore; 610-543-4357. Poets & Prophets: Poetry Series - Various poets will read from their works. Refreshments will be available. 610-328-7639 (POET). Donations accepted: $2. 5/3 7 pm.

Steel City Coffeehouse 203 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-933-4043. www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com. Mad Poets Open Mike - Hosted by Eileen D'Angelo, event features poets & musicians from Philly & the five-county area. 5/6 7 pm.

UPenn - Kelly Writer's House 3805 Locust Walk; 215-573-9748. www.writing.upenn.edu/wh. Creative Writing Contest Winners Reading - Reading & reception. 5/2 2 pm.