Weekend event picks: Kite Festival, waterfront attractions & more

It's about that time again: The weekends get longer, the weather gets warmer and the happenings get better. And it all starts with Memorial Day Weekend. From the shore, to the city, to the 'burbs, this is where you'll be celebrating this weekend.

The oldest horse show in the country, that would be the Devon Horse Show, gets underway on Thursday, May 21. The multi-day affair features equestrian competitions of all kind, from jumping, to racing. The vendor and attraction-filled County Fair and Midway will offer a respite from the horsing around. Gates open at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 22, Saturday, May 23 and Monday, May 25 and 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 24.

It's hard to resist the musical prowess of the stage adaptation of Disney's "The Lion King." So why try? Between the costumes, dance numbers and visual spectacles, the classic story comes to life at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust Streets) for multiple performances: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 8 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 24.

The summer's ultimate hangout spot opens for the season on Friday, May 22. Both Spruce Street Harbor Park (Spruce St. and Columbus Blvd.) and Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest (Market St. and Columbus Blvd.) will kick off opening weekend with DJs and performers in addition to the waterfront ambiance. The public is welcomed starting at 11 a.m. from Friday, May 22 through Monday, May 25.

Make the hours spent in traffic worth it. Many shore towns are throwing it down for Memorial Day Weekend. Morey's Piers (3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood) is debuting their newest attraction on Saturday, May 23 and Lil Jon brings the party to the Borgata (1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City) on Sunday, May 24.

If you're planning on staying in Philly for MDW, don't you worry. The National Constitution Center (525 Arch St.) is offering patriotic programming from Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25 and the raging Making Time RAD-B-Q hits Bamboo Bar (927 N. Delaware Ave.) on Sunday, May 24.

Pig Iron Theatre Company's latest production, "I Promised Myself To Live Faster" opens this weekend at FringeArts (140 N. Columbus Blvd.). Tim, an earthling, falls through a portal to outer space and takes on an otherworldly battle to save the gay population. The show previews at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 22 and opens at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 23. Other show times include 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 24.

Keep your head up. It'll be worth it when the hundreds of colorful and detailed kites take to the beachy skies during the Wildwoods International Kite Festival. Between the illuminated kite fly (Friday, 9 p.m.) and stunt kite competition, a variety of flying objects will fill the horizon. The festival begins at noon on Friday, May 22 and stunt kite championships, exhibits and workshops will kick off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, Sunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25.

Antiques vendors from all over the East Coast come to the Brandywine River Museum (1 Hoffman's Mill Rd., Chadds Ford) for their annual antiques show. If you're lacking in 18th and 19th century furniture or medical instruments from the time, this sale will be the place for you. Show hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25.

Thrift on. The Franklin Flea returns to its new outdoor post, Headhouse Square (2nd and Lombard Streets), for its second appearance of the season on Saturday, May 23. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Look out for handmade items like jewelry and candles and upcycled furniture and home items among the dozens of vendors.

The Philly POPS tip their hat to the holiday with a patriotic program on Saturday, May 23 at Longwood Gardens (1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square). The performance among the horticulture begins at 7:30 p.m. with Broadway hits and tunes about the U-S-of-A.

For more Things to Do, check out our calendar for the most up-to-date happenings.