| Gardens / Great Outdoors / Tours / Family Fare |
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Ongoing
Hershey Theatre Spotlight Tours This one-hour walking tour explores the historic theater’s three-year renovation that restored its original glory from basement to balcony. 15 East Caracas Avenue, Hershey. Tours offered Fri. at 11 a.m. 533-6299 or hersheytheatre.com.
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Ongoing
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts Tech City, an interactive exhibition that provides a fun introduction to engineering, continues through March 7. Carnival of Health is the center’s newest permanent exhibit and presents an all-sensory exploration of the human body. 222 Market Street, Harrisburg. Tues.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 214-ARTS or whitakercenter.org.
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Through April 3
Here Comes Peter Cottontail Join Beulah the chicken for this musical celebration of Easter. Hole in the Wall Puppet Theatre, 126 North Water Street. Fri. & Sat., 10 a.m. 394-8398 or holeinthewallpuppets.com.
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Through June 20
North Museum of Natural History & Science Charlie and Kiwi’s Evolutionary Adventure is a fun, interactive exhibit that shows how birds have changed since the age of dinosaurs. 400 College Avenue. Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 12-5 p.m. 291-3941 or northmuseum.org.
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March 4 & April 1
The Janus School Open House Prospective students with learning differences (pre-K through grade 12) and their parents will have the opportunity to explore the programs of this nationally renowned school. 205 Lefever Road, Mount Joy. March 4 session held 7-9 p.m.; April 1 session held 9-11 a.m. 653-0025 or thejanusschool.org.
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March 5
First Friday in Manheim Support businesses in downtown Manheim each First Friday with a variety of specials and savings until 9 p.m. For more information, call 665-1762 or visit manheimdowntown.org.
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March 5-7
Mid-Atlantic Garden Show York Expo Center welcomes spring with the area’s only gardening exhibition, complete with landscape and antique garden displays, the Pennsylvania Flower Show, vendors, seminars, demonstrations and an appearance by P. Allen Smith on March 6, 11 a.m. & 3 p.m. Show hours: Fri., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; preview on March 4, 5-9 p.m. For more information, visit midatlanticgardenshow.com.
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March 6
The Little Engine That Could Big, colorful trains and singing, dancing toys will cast a spell in this Omaha Theater Company adaptation of the timeless tale. Strand Theatre, 50 North George Street, York. 2 p.m. 846-1111 or strandcapitol.org.
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March 7
Maple Sugaring Lancaster County Central Park wraps up its annual, free event that takes visitors on a sweet winter journey, from tapping the tree to making candy. 1-4 p.m. 295-2055 or lancastercountyparks.org.
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March 8 & April 12
Lancaster County Garden Club The club hosts a seminar on rhododendrons by Bill Hersh, president of the Susquehanna Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, March 8 at Salem United Church of Christ in Rohrerstown at 7:30 p.m. On April 12, the club hosts its Spring Banquet at Meadia Heights Golf Club at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 872-5192 or visit lancastergardenclub.org.
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March 12 & April 9
Lovin’ Lititz Every Second Enjoy art, music, dance and other special events at shops, restaurants and galleries in Downtown Lititz the second Friday of each month. 5-9 p.m. For more information, call 626-6332 or visit lititzpa.com.
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March 17
Flower & Vegetable Seed Starting Spring is just mere days away, which means it’s time to prepare for summer’s bounty of florals and fresh produce! Lancaster County Central Park’s Environmental Center. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Registration required. 295-2055 or lancastercountyparks.org.
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March 19
3rd Friday’s a Charm Downtown Ephrata’s Friday fun includes extended shop hours and special events starting at 5 p.m. For more information, call 738-5060 or visit downtownephrata.org.
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March 20
Garden Symposium Penn State Master Gardeners and the Cooperative Extension of Lancaster County present its 18th-annual event for professionals and home gardeners that includes sessions by the area’s top experts, plus lunch, vendors and door prizes. Willow Valley Resort, 2416 Willow Street Pike. 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 394-6851 or lancaster.extension.psu.edu.
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March 21
Easter Egg Hunt Lebanon Valley College’s Arnold Sports Center fields will be the place for this free event for Annville, Cleona, Palmyra and Lebanon kids, ages 5-12. 2 p.m. 867-6161 or lvc.edu/calendar.
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March 23
Native Americans First Encounter Relive the moment when the Old and New worlds first collided on the Susquehanna River Basin during this informative session, which also features Iroquois songs and a hands-on display of wildlife furs and war clubs. PPL’s Holtwood Environmental Center. 6:30-8 p.m. 284-6274 or pplpreserves.com.
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March 23-25
North Museum Science & Engineering Fair The county’s premier science fair, now in its 57th year, will feature exhibits and research projects by more than 400 top students in the area. Franklin & Marshall College, Mayser Gymnasium. For more information, call 291-3941 or visit northmuseum.org.
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March 26-28 & April 1-3
Seussical Jr. Horton the Elephant, Lazy Mazy, the Whos of Whoville and other favorite Dr. Seuss characters will come to life on the Ephrata Performing Arts Center stage. 320 Cocalico Street (Ephrata Community Park). Thurs.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. 733-7966 or ephrataperformingartscenter.com.
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March 26 – December 30
Hershey Gardens The gardens re-open its 23 acres with a display of waning winter blooms and incoming daffodils and other spring bulbs. 170 Hotel Road, Hershey. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. 534-3492 or hersheygardens.org.
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March – April
Lancaster County Central Park The park offers spring activities for all ages at the Environmental Center (unless otherwise noted). March 6: Beginning Bird Watching, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.; March 10 & 24: Papier Maiche Bowls, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.; March 13: Tracks & Animal Signs, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.; March 14: Primitive Skill Series: Shelter, 1 p.m.; March 15: Build a Bluebird Box, 6:30 p.m.; March 20: Knitting Workshop for Beginners, 9 a.m.; March 21: For the Birds, 3 p.m.; March 25: History Walk at Chickies Rock, 5 p.m.; March 27: Spring Twig Identification, 10 a.m.; March 28: March Winds/Kite Flying, 1:30 p.m.; March 30: Full Moon Walk, 6 p.m.; April 1: Amphibians & Reptiles, 7 p.m.; April 5: Woodland Wildflower Walk at Kurtz Mill Covered Bridge, 10 a.m., and Spring Geocaching, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. Registration required. 295-2055 or lancastercountyparks.org.
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March – April
Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza continues through March 31. Spring Blooms starts April 1. Special events include a performance by the Curtis Institute of Music on March 13 at 8 p.m. (special tickets required); and a Jazz Club performance by Jane Monheit on March 20 at 5:30 & 8 p.m., with a Flavorful Notes buffet at 6 p.m. A special exhibit, Making Scents: The Art and Passion of Fragrance, starts April 10. Route 1, Kennett Square. Regular hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; open until 6 p.m. starting April 1. 610-388-1000 or longwoodgardens.org.
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March – May
Longwood Gardens Continuing Education Get the most from your garden with a variety of informative sessions. March 10: Garden Chemicals, 6:30 p.m.; March 11: Art Noveau in Floral Design, 9 a.m., Art Deco in Floral Design, 1 p.m., and Floral Fun – Gorgeous Green, 6:30 p.m.; March 13: Orchids for Beginners, 9 a.m.; March 16: Lost Landscapes of the Brandywine Valley, 7 p.m.; March 20: Green Roof, 9 a.m.; March 22: Vericomposting, 6 p.m. The gardens also hosts weekly series including Deciduous Flowering Shrubs II, March 25-April 29 (Thurs.), 1 & 7 p.m.; and Small Flowering Trees, March 31-May 5 (Wed.), 7 p.m. Route 1, Kennett Square. To register, call 610-388-1000 ext. 559 or visit longwoodgardens.org.
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March – April
PPL Preserves Shake off the winter chill with these PPL-sponsored activities: March 6: Bluebird Box Management at Holtwood Environmental Center, 2 p.m. (snow date: March 7); March 24: Fishing the Susquehanna at Brunner Island in York County, 7 p.m.; March 27: Garlic Mustard Pull at Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve, 1:30 p.m. For more information, call 284-6274 or visit pplpreserves.com.
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April 1 – October 30
Historic Lancaster Walking Tour Get a guided tour of the history, architecture and tales of downtown Lancaster. Tours start at the Heritage Center Museum, 5 West King Street, daily at 1 p.m.; additional tours on Tues., Fri. & Sat. at 10 a.m. For more information, call 392-1776.
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April 1 – November 21
Wyeth Studio and Kuerner Farm Tours Brandywine River Museum offers tours of the home and workspace of N.C. Wyeth, as well as the farm that inspired many of Andrew Wyeth’s paintings. Wyeth Studio tours held Tues.-Sun.; Kuerner Farm tours held Thurs.-Sun. and are not handicapped-accessible. For more information, call 610-388-2700 or visit brandywinemuseum.org.
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April 3
Lititz Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt Kids (up to age 10) can search for thousands of colored eggs during the Lions Club’s 63rd-annual event. John Bonfield Elementary School 101 North Oak Street, Lititz. 10:30 a.m. 626-6332.
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April 3
Yummie’s Giant Easter Egg Hunt Kids (ages 10 and under) will enjoy breakfast with the Easter Bunny and Kitchen Kettle mascot Yummie, then hunt for colorful eggs and enjoy other Easter activities. Route 340, Intercourse. Breakfast (reservations suggested) at 9 a.m.; egg hunt at 10:30 a.m.; other activities through 5 p.m. 768-8261 or kitchenkettle.com.
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April 10
Garden Spot Village Marathon This second-annual event is 26.2-mile, USA Track & Field-certified Boston Marathon qualifier for women and men. 433 South Kinzer Avenue, New Holland. Race packs available at 6:30 a.m.; race at 8 a.m.; pre-race pasta dinner on April 9. For more information, visit gardenspotvillagemarathon.org.
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April 23-25
Experience Virginia Ramble North Museum hosts a unique exploration of the Old Dominion State that includes an archeological tour of Historic Jamestowne, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Virginia Aquarium, a Hampton Roads Pirate Tour and more. Registration due by March 10. 291-4149 or esnitzer@northmuseum.org.
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May 23 – June 1
Historic Trains of California Ramble Friends of the Railroad Museum of PA present this 10-day, rail-centric journey throughout northern California including San Francisco, the Sierra Railroad, Yosemite, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, the Napa Valley Wine Train and more. For more information, call 687-8628 or visit rrmuseumpa.org.
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