Special Events

Philadelphia

*FREE* Bastille Day Celebration London Grill, 2301 Fairmount Ave.; 215-978-4545. www.londongrill.com. 7/11 2:30 pm.

*FREE* Cheesesteak Bicycle Tour Join author Carolyn Wyman for a bicycle tour of steak shops mentioned in her book. Sonny's Famous Steaks, 228 Market St.; 215-545-8007 x4. www.greatphillycheesesteakbook.com. 7/11 noon-6 pm.

*FREE* Chestnut Hill Book Festival Over 50 authors will be on hand to sign their books. Other activities include workshops, readings, costume parade & more. Chestnut Hill, Historic Germantown Ave.; 215-247-6696. www.chestnuthillpa.com. 7/10 7 pm. 7/11-7/12 11 am.

*FREE* Hispanic Fiesta Part of the PECO Multicultural Series. Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Blvd. at Chestnut St.; www.elconcilio.net. 7/12 10 am-4 pm.

*FREE* Mother Bethel Cares Free heart disease & hypertension health fair. Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, 419 Richard Allen Ave.; 215-925-0616. www.motherbethel.org. 7/11 11 am-2 pm.

Preservation Alliance Architectural Walking Tours Guided exploration of some of the city's architectural gems. Rain or shine. Closes 10/31. For full schedule & specific locations, see www.preservationalliance.com. 215-546-1146 x3. $10; $8 students; free for children 10 & under.

Summer Festival Cooking demonstrations, live music, recipes, food for purchase, tours & more. Wyck, 6026 Germantown Ave.; 215-848-1690. www.wyck.org. 7/10 5-7 pm.

*FREE* Sweet Union Baptist Church Summer Fest Carroll Park, 58th St.; 215-477-8770. www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org. 7/11 noon-5 pm.

Pennsylvania suburbs

*FREE* Bastille Day Celebration Live music & theatre, crafts, reenactment of the storming of the Bastille & more. Downtown Media, State St., Media; 610-566-6020. 7/11 5:30-10:30 pm.

*FREE* Blueberry Festival Hayrides, blueberry treats, music, games, pie-eating contest & more. Linvilla Orchards, 137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media; 610-874-4678. www.linvilla.com. 7/11 9 am-6 pm.

Deutsche Classic Annual German vintage automotive event, featuring late model Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche & Volkswagens. Fleetwood Community Park, W. Main St., Fleetwood; 610-944-8220. $15; free for children 12 & under. 7/11 8 am-4 pm.

Great American Guitar Show Valley Forge Convention Center, 1160 1st Ave., King of Prussia; 610-354-8212. www.bee3vintage.com. $10; free for children 12 & under w/paid adult. 7/11 10 am-6 pm. 7/12 10 am-4 pm.

*FREE* Star-Spangled Sellersville Special exhibit celebrating all things patriotic, including military uniforms, flags, photos, posters & more. Closes 7/12. Sellersville Museum, 120 E. Church St., Sellersville; 215-257-5253. www.sellersvillemuseum.org. 7/11-7/12 noon-4 pm.

New Jersey

*FREE* Circus Days Enjoy traditional circus thrills, skills & stunts featuring magic, juggling, face painting & more. The FunPlex, 3320-24 Route 38, Mount Laurel; 856-273-9666. www.thefunplex.com/mt_laurel. 7/11 3-7 pm.

*FREE* Duke of Fluke Fishing Tournament This annual event is South Jersey's largest fluke tournament. Sterling Harbor Marina, 1020 West Rio Grande Ave, Wildwood; 609-729-1425. www.sterlingharbor.com. 7/10-7/11 7:30 am-5 pm.

Fabulous '50s Day Classic car display & hula hoop activity for kids. Storybook Land, 6415 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township; 609-641-7847. www.storybookland.com. Included in admission. 7/12 11 am-4 pm.

*FREE* New Jersey State Barbecue Championship & Anglesea Blues Festival Team grilling competition, workshops & blues festival. Olde New Jersey Ave., North Wildwood; 609-523-6565. njbbq.com. 7/10 5-11 pm. 7/11 10 am-11 pm. 7/12 11 am-6 pm.

Delaware

*FREE* Voices From Dover's Past Storytelling program which brings to life some of Dover's rich history in the time of the revolution. First State Heritage Park, 152 South State St., Dover; 302-739-9194. www.destateparks.com/heritagepark. 7/10 11 am & 1:30 pm. 7/11 1:30 pm. 7/13-7/16 11 am & 1:30 pm.

Kids' Stuff

Children's performances

The Gizmo Guys Allan Jacobs & Barrett Felker present a program of comedy juggling. The Ocean City Music Pier, Moorlyn & the Boardwalk, Ocean City; 609-525-9300. www.thegizmoguys.com. $9. 7/15 10:30 am.

*FREE* Jason Deeble: Sir Ryan's Quest Reading & performance, plus games & dress-up. Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Ln.; 215-844-1870. www.bigbluemarblebooks.com. 7/12 11 am.

Milkshake Educational, funny, upbeat songs that kids can dance to. Longwood Gardens, Rte. 1, Kennett Square; 610-388-1000. www.milkshakemusic.com. Included in admission. 7/10 7 pm.

Miss Scherling Singer-songwriter, music educator & family entertainer. MilkBoy Coffee, 2 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore; 610-645-5269. www.missscherling.com. $5. 7/13 10 am.

Ocean City Pops: Children's LoliPops Family-friendly selections & sing-along w/The Cat's Pajamas. W/vocalist Diane Penning & Ocean City Children's Chorus. The Ocean City Music Pier, Moorlyn & the Boardwalk, Ocean City; 609-525-9291. www.oceancitypops.org. $5; free for children. 7/15 7:30 pm.

*FREE* Penny & the Pinecone People South Devon Park, South Devon Ave., Wayne; 610-688-5600. www.pineconepeople.com. 7/15 6:30-8:30 pm.

*FREE* Red Grammer Grammy-nominated children's performer. Chapman Park, E. State St., Doylestown; 215-345-4140. 7/15 7 pm.

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo Positive children's hip hop. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. http://tickets.worldcafelive.com. www.secretagent23skidoo.com. $10; $7 children 1-12; free for children under 1. 7/11 11:30 am.

Children's events

Children's Storytelling Lunch Carriage House Tearoom & Cafe, 1048 Washington St., Cape May; RSVP: 609-884-5111. www.capemaymac.org. $18; $10 children 3-12. 7/15 11:30 am.

Children's Trolley Ride Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts, 1048 Washington St., Cape May; 609-884-5404. www.capemaymac.org. $6. 7/10-7/31 4 pm.

Colonial Kids' Quest Search for clues to solve the mystery of a missing copy of the Declaration of Independence. Independence Living History Center, 115 S. 3rd St.; RSVP: 215-629-4026. www.onceuponanation.org. $16. 7/11 11 am.

Emlen Physick Estate Children's Tour Trained storytellers share kid-friendly tales as children get a glimpse of life more than 125 ago. Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts, 1048 Washington St., Cape May; 609-884-5404. www.capemaymac.org. $10; $5 children. 7/13 10:30 am. 7/15 10:30 am.

*FREE* Giggle Gang Twice-monthly program featuring live entertainment, crafts or nature classes. Springfield Mall, 1250 Baltimore Pike, Springfield; 610-328-1200. www.shopspringfieldmall.com. 7/16 10:30 am.

Wondergy Laser Science Show Interactive show introducing kids to the science behind laser shows. Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-1228. www.wondergy.com. $5. 7/14 10:30 am.

*FREE* Write Your Own Fairy Tale Workshop for Children Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Ln.; RSVP: 267-670-0869 or write@phillyspells.org. 215-844-1870. www.bigbluemarblebooks.com. 7/11 2-4 pm.

Children's museums & attractions

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. Sun.-Fri. 9:30 am-5:30 pm; Sat. 9:30 am-8:30 pm.

Insectarium 8046 Frankford Ave.; 215-335-9500. www.insectarium.com. Thousands of mounted & live specimens, interactive exhibits, movie room, children's activities & more. PA State Insect Event - Uncover interesting facts about fireflies. 7/11 1 pm. $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.

Please Touch Museum Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, 4231 Avenue of the Republic; 215-581-3181. www.pleasetouchmuseum.org. Hands-on museum featuring 6 interactive exhibit zones: Roadside Attractions, Flight Fantasy, City Capers, Wonderland, River Adventures & Centennial Exploration. The Heart Gallery Philadelphia - Compelling photos of foster children awaiting adoption in Philadelphia. Closes 7/31. Getting There - Prop & puppet-filled tale about the history of transportation. Closes 8/9. $15; free for children under 1. Mon.-Sat. 9 am-5 pm; Sun. 11 am-5 pm.

Sesame Place 100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne; 215-752-7070. www.sesameplace.com. Share in the spirit of imagination at this theme park, which features whirling rides, water slides, colorful shows & furry, familiar friends. $50.95; $45.95 seniors; free for children under 2. Fri.-Thu. 10 am.

*FREE* Smith The Kids Play Place in the Park Above Kelly Dr. near the intersection of 33rd & Oxford Sts. in E. Fairmount Park; 215-765-4325. www.smithplayhouse.org. 6-acre playground for children 10 & under featuring one-of-a-kind equipment including the Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide. 3-story "play mansion" for children 5 & under. Children must be accompanied by adult. Tue.-Fri. 10 am-4 pm; Sat.-Sun. 10 am-7 pm (thru 8/30).

Literary Calendar

Book signings & readings

Big Blue Marble Bookstore 551 Carpenter Ln.; 215-844-1870. www.bigbluemarblebooks.com. Rabbi Jill Jacobs: There Shall Be No Needy. 7/16 7 pm.

Chestnut Hill Gallery 8117 Germantown Ave.; 215-248-2549. www.chestnuthillgallery.com. Kathleen Sheeder Bonanno: Slamming Open the Door. 7/12 2 pm.

Free Library of Philadelphia 1901 Vine St.; 215-686-5322. www.library.phila.gov. Harold Varmus: The Art & Politics of Science. 7/14 7:30 pm. Jennifer Weiner: Best Friends Forever. 7/15 7:30 pm. Stephen L. Carter: Jericho's Fall. 7/16 7:30 pm.

The General Store at Historic Whitesbog Village 120-34 Whitesbog Rd., Browns Mills; 609-893-4646. www.whitesbog.org. Karen Riley: Voices in the Pines. 7/12 noon-2 pm.

Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences 120 Long Beach Blvd., Loveladies; 609-494-1241. www.lbifoundation.org. Susan Shapiro Barash: Tripping The Prom Queen. 7/14 7:45 pm.

World Cafe Live 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. www.worldcafelive.com. Randall Grass: Celebrating Great Spirits. 7/14 5:30 pm.

Poetry & lectures

Essene Market & Cafe 719 S. 4th St.; 215-922-1145. www.essenemarket.com. Preserving Your Philadelphia - A lecture on the preservation of local neighborhoods. 7/15 7 pm.

National Mechanics 22 S. Third St.; 215-701-4883. www.nationalmechanics.com. Cold Hard Science - Discussion of fossils in the Canadian Arctic. Science on Tap event. 7/13 6 pm.

Peter Wentz Farmstead 2100 Shearer Rd., Worcester; 610-584-5104. www.peterwentzfarmsteadsociety.org. The Pennsylvania German Tradition of Pies - Historian Nancy Roan will discuss some of the older traditions of pie-making in this historic locality. Donation suggested: $2. 7/11 1 pm.

Warwick County Park 382 County Park Rd., Pottstown; 610-469-1916. www.chesco.org/ccparks. Survivorman - Hands-on program run by naturalist Nick Zurga. $3. 7/12 2-4 pm.