Special Events

Philadelphia

14th Annual Tracey Birnhak 5k Hero Run & Walk Benefits The Hero Thrill Show, Inc., which raises funds to provide college scholarships to children of Philly policemen & firefighters killed or disabled in the line of duty. Memorial Hall, 42nd St. & Parkside Ave.; www.herothrillshow.org. $15-$20. 5/18 10 am.

The Centennia Vendors, entertainment, presentations, music & more to celebrate the 1876 U.S. Centennial Exhibition. Fairmount Park, 4231 N. Concourse Dr.; 215-877-4327. www.thecentennia.com. $6; free for children under 12 with adult. 5/17 10 am-6 pm. 5/18 10 am-5 pm.

Keystone N-Trak Model Railroad Club Model railroad club open house. Burholme Baptist Church, 905 Cottman Ave.; 215-745-3483. www.keystonentrak.us. Donations accepted. 5/17 noon-4 pm. 5/18 1-5 pm.

*FREE* Old City Stroll & Sidewalk Sale Bargains, food & more. Rain date 5/18. Old City, Between Front & 5th; 215-440-7000. www.oldcity.org. 5/17 11 am-6 pm.

*FREE* Philadelphia Book Festival Appearances by 60 prominent authors (including Barbara Walters), book talks, live music, children's entertainment, exhibitors & more. Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St.; 215-686-5372. www.library.phila.gov. 5/17 11 am. 5/18 11:30 am.

*FREE* Philadelphia Cares About Fairmount Park Day Help plant flowers, remove vines & clean up winter debris. Fairmount Park, 4231 N. Concourse Dr.; 215-564-4544. www.gpcares.com. 5/17 9 am-noon.

Pennsylvania suburbs

Antique Car Show & Flea Market Over 250 antique cars & family-friendly activities. Linvilla Orchards, 137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media; 610-874-4678. www.spokenwheel.com. 5/18 9 am-4 pm.

Bucks County Irish Festival Irish music & dancing, with craft & food vendors. Polanka Park, 3258 Knights Rd., Bensalem; 215-331-4636. $10; free for children under 12. 5/18 12:30-6 pm.

*FREE* Chester County Hospital May Festival Rides, carnival games, entertainment, fair food & more. Goshen Country Fairgrounds, 1320 Park Avenue, West Chester; 610-738-2832. www.cchosp.com/mayfest. 5/16 5-11 pm. 5/17 10 am-11 pm. 5/18 10 am-7 pm.

*FREE* The EDSites.net Pride Parade Featuring appearance by Gov. Edward Rendell. New Hope Celebrates Pride event. New Hope-Solebury High School, 180 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 215-862-2028. www.newhopecelebrates.com. 5/17 11 am.

*FREE* Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Families Learn how to make over your kitchen to improve your health & the health of those you love. Center for Family Health, 1260 East Woodland Ave., Springfield; 610-690-4489 to register. www.crozer.org. 5/20 6 pm.

*FREE* St. Francis of Assisi Carnival Rides, carnival games & fair foods. St. Francis of Assisi Church, 600 Hamilton St., Norristown; 610-272-0402. www.jtmonline.com/goodtime. 5/16 6-10 pm. 5/17 1-10 pm.

New Jersey

Arthritis Walk Challenge Grove Park, Borton's Mill Rd., Cherry Hill; 856-616-8000; www.arthritiswalk.org. 5/17 10 am.

Batsto Quilt Festival: Unlacing The Victorian Woman Quilting demonstrations, live quilting bee, interactive children's program, quilt turning, verbal quilt appraisals & more. Batsto Village, 4110 Nesco Rd., Hammonton; 856-768-2222. www.batstovillage.org. $5 verbal quilt appraisals. 5/18 10 am-4 pm.

*FREE* Cape May Spring Weekend Open House Explore the classrooms & experience the fantastic views from the observation tower. Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Ave., Cape May; 609-898-8848. www.njaudubon.org/Calendar/calnccm.html. 5/16-5/18 10 am-3 pm.

*FREE* Heritage Sunday: Focus on the Garden Gardening demonstrations with landscape architect Alan Koch. Whitall House Museum at Red Bank Battlefield Park, 100 Hessian Ave., National Park; 856-853-5120. gloucestercountynj.gov. 5/18 noon-4 pm.

*FREE* Lions Strawberry Fair Live entertainment nightly, attractions, games, rides, food, farm animals, antique car show, strawberry shortcake. Closes 5/25. Oceanport Lions Club, Port au Peck Ave., Oceanport; 732-222-3537.

Mercer County Arts Showcase Groups display information about their organizations, Q&A session, performances. Grounds for Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Rd., Hamilton; 609-689-1089. www.groundsforsculpture.org. Included in admission. 5/17 11 am-3 pm.

NJ State HorseXpo Vendors & help from experts. Hunterdon County 4-H & Agricultural Fair, Route 179, Ringoes; 908-735-5955. 5/17 9 am-5 pm. 5/18 9 am-4 pm.

Paws & Feet Walkathon & 5K Race The Animal Welfare Association encourages people to walk or run for the animals. Cooper River Park, North Park Dr., Pennsauken; Registration required: 856-424-2288 ext, 117; www.awanj.org. $25. 5/17 8:30 am.

West Windsor Lion's Club Renaissance Faire Period re-enactments, joust, melee, musketeers, medieval-style food, vendors & more. Mercer County Park, Hughes Dr., West Windsor; 609-989-6559. $7; $3 children 5-12; free for children under 5. 5/17 10 am-6 pm. 5/18 10 am-5 pm.

Delaware

International Migratory Bird Day: Tundra to Tropics Migration-themed games, activities, presentations & more. Brandywine Zoo, 1001 N. Park Dr., Wilmington; 302-571-7747. www.brandywinezoo.org. Included in admission. 5/17 10 am-4 pm.

Signing Time at the Zoo Simple sign language lesson. Brandywine Zoo, 1001 N. Park Dr., Wilmington; Registration required. www.brandywinezoo.org. $8. 5/18 2-3 pm.

Kids' Stuff

Children's performances

*FREE* The Cat's Pajamas Group whose dynamic vocals & madcap theatrics carry messages of self-esteem with a hefty dose of humor. Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Sts.; 215-893-1999. www.kimmelcenter.org. 5/16 6 pm. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400; www.worldcafelive.com. $10; $7 children 1-12; free for children under 1. 5/17 11:30 am.

Celebrate the Children Over 500 children from the Academy of Community Music's Crescendo Music Program perform. Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-6701. www.pennpresents.org. 5/21 10 am.

*FREE* Cubanana Cuban music & dance in an interactive performance. West Deptford Free Public Library, 420 Crown Point Rd., Thorofare; 856-845-5593. www.cubanana.com. 5/18 2 pm.

Dan Zanes Former Del Fuegos frontman turned children's entertainer. Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Sts.; 215-893-1999. www.danzanes.com. $20-$27. 5/16 7:30 pm.

Children's events

Clowning Clown acting workshop for kids. Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St.; 215-922-1122, www.ardentheatre.org. $30. 5/17 1-4 pm.

Junior Biologist Program Find out what it's like to work at the Aquarium. Go behind the scenes & help zoo staff feed the animals. Jenkinson's Aquarium, 300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach; Registration required: 732-899-1659. www.jenkinsons.com/aquarium. $40. 5/17 9 am-noon.

Tots on Tour Stories, tours & interactive art activities for preschool children & adult caregivers. Grounds for Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Rd., Hamilton; 609-586-0616. www.groundsforsculpture.org. Included in admission. 5/17 11 am.

Zoo Toddlers: Zoo Signs Children's program about sign language. Brandywine Zoo, 1001 N. Park Dr., Wilmington; 302-571-7747. www.brandywinezoo.org. $8. 5/18 1-1:45 pm.

Children's museums & attractions

Camden Children's Garden 3 Riverside Dr., Camden; 856-365-8733. www.camdenchildrensgarden.org. Butterfly house, maze, treehouse & more. Four-Seasons Containers: Year-Round Garden Pizzazz - Learn which plants will dazzle in spring & summer & then substitute plants for double duty in fall & winter. $20. 5/21 10-11:30 am. $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. Fairy Festival - Weekend of fairy-themed stories, crafts & activities. 5/17 9:30 am-8:30 pm. 5/18 9:30 am-5:30 pm. Fairy Ball - Fun filled, fairy-themed evening. Reservations required: 856-424-1233 x305. $25. 5/17 6 pm. Open Arms - Evening of open play & resource information for families with autistic children. 5/18 6-8 pm. $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 info. $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. $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. Cookie Monster Weekend - Appearances by the Cookie Monster & live performances. 5/17-5/18 10 am-5 pm. Sesame Place Classic - Annual racing event. $25. 5/18 7 am. $47.50; $42.50 seniors; free for children under 2.

*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. Craig Eisendrath: To Enter Jerusalem. 5/19 7 pm. Jerry Altman: The Art of TV Guide. 5/20 7 pm.

Cape May County Library Ocean & Hughes Aves., Cape May; 609-884-9568. www.cmclibrary.org. Stephen Nicastro: The French Niece. 5/22 6 pm.

Free Library of Philadelphia - Central Branch 1901 Vine St.; 215-686-5322. www.library.phila.gov. E.J. Dionne, Jr.: Souled Out. 5/22 7 pm.

UPenn - Penn Bookstore 3601 Walnut St.; 215-898-7595. upenn.bkstore.com. Justine Lee: It's a Dog's Life But It's Your Carpet. 5/20 12:30 pm.

Poetry & lectures

The Arts Scene 530 E. Union St., West Chester; 610-644-6555. www.theartsscene.org. Poetry Slam Hosted by the Chester County Poetic Collective - Bring 3 original pieces of poetry or prose to read to audience. Winner will be crowned with a cash prize. Donation suggested: $5. Readers must arrive by 7 pm. 5/17 8 pm.

Burlington County Library 5 Pioneer Blvd., Westampton; 609-267-9660. www.bcls.lib.nj.us. Miami to Maine: An Outrigger Journey - Multimedia presentation of Margo Pellegrino's 2000-mile outrigger canoe trip. 5/18 2 pm.

Buzzy's Bow Wow Meow 701 Montgomery Ave., Narbeth; 610-617-3300. www.buzzysbowwowmeow.com/puppymill. Puppy Mills: The True Facts - Learn more about the "true facts" involving puppy mills in this free seminar. Registration by 5/18. 5/21 6:30 pm.

Collingswood Public Library 771 Haddon Ave., Collingswood; 856-858-0649. www.collingswood.com/library_microsite.htm. Coffee & Shakespeare: The Tempest - Collingswood Shakespeare Company hosts this discussion series. 5/19 7 pm.

Grounds for Sculpture 18 Fairgrounds Rd., Hamilton; 609-586-0616. www.groundsforsculpture.org. Poetry in the Park: Cool Women - Readings by unique group of women writers who draw inspiration from their lives & each other. Included in admission. 5/18 3 pm.

Mermaid Inn 7673 Germantown Ave.; 215-247-9797. www.themermaidinn.net. Bothy Open Mic - Open mic for music, comedy & poetry. 5/19 9 pm.

The Peak Center 315 W. Main St., Lansdale; 215-362-7432. www.peakcenter.org. Bradley N. Litwin: Ragtime Jazz & Stride Blues - Learn about origins & historical context of popular blues & jazz of the 1920s & 1930s. 5/16 1:30 pm.

Philadelphia Art Alliance 251 S. 18th St.; 215-545-4302. www.philartalliance.org. Lectures in Song With Fred Miller: Rodgers & Hart. $20. 5/18 3 pm. Shakespeare in Clark Park: Any Other Name - Play reading. 5/19 7 pm.

Plays & Players Theatre 1714 Delancey St.; 215-735-0630. www.playsandplayers.org. Poets & Prophets: Poetry Series - Various poets will read from their works. Both alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase. 610-328-7639 (POET). $3. 5/20 7 pm.

Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts 22 N. High St., Millville; 856-327-4500. www.riverfrontcenter.org. Spoken Word Workshop & Teen Open Mic - Spoken word introduction for teens followed by performances by participants. All ages welcome as audience members. 5/16 6-8 pm.

Taylor's at the Olde Mill 200 W. Marshall, Norritsown; 610-272-2011. www.taylorsoldemill.com. Mad Poets Open Mike Night. 5/22 7 pm.

UPenn - Kelly Writer's House 3805 Locust Walk; 215-573-9748. www.writing.upenn.edu/wh. Christina Davis, Michael Jennings, Jay Rogoff & J. Allyn Rosser - Reading featuring 4 former students of Penn Professor Dan Hoffman. 5/17 4 pm.