Through March 25 | Orchid Extravaganza
Longwood Gardens
Warm up this season by visiting the “tropics,” where 4,500 rare, colorful and heat-loving orchids will be on view. Be amazed by the 12-foot towering archway made of pink Phalaenopsis orchids, giant orbs of orchids, the astonishing purple and white orchid curtain and over 200 colorful Vanda orchids hanging from above in the Silver Garden. 1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square. Open daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Information: 610-388-1000 or longwoodgardens.org.
March 2-4 | Pennsylvania Garden Show of York
York Expo Center
“Just Imagine” finding new and exciting ideas for your yard. Take a stroll down the Garden Moonlight Walk and listen as echoes of nature, waterfalls and bubbling brooks relax your mind. Let the colorful lights stimulate your senses. Enjoy a panel of guest presenters, including local floral designer Vince Butera and garden writer, designer and speaker George Weigel. And, back by popular demand, Mark Viette returns to the show; the Viette family has been hybridizing plants since the 1920s, and their farm/nursery in Fishersville, Virginia, is renowned for its daylilies. 334 Carlisle Ave., York. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Information: 717-848-2596 or pagsy.com.
March 24 | Hope @ 22
The Gallery at Garth
An auction is being held to benefit Lancaster County Field of Hope, an organization that aids individuals/families facing medical hardships. One of this year’s recipients is Steve Drake, the former chef at the Belvedere Inn, who was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dimentia last year. The auction will support the annual farm-to-table benefit dinner that is held each September. The first-time event will feature a selection of items donated by area businesses, artists, restaurants and more. Also up for bid will be specialty baskets and items donated by the Food Network’s Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa), world and U.S. boxing champion and MMA fighter, Danyelle Wolf (signed boxing gloves), and the U.S. Women’s Field Hockey team. Jason Hampton of In a Pinch catering will be overseeing the menu. Live music from Ali Murphy. Admission/donation: $20. 22 S. Second St., Columbia. 7-10 p.m. Auction donations welcome. Information: Carol Heth at 717-538-3877.
March 9-11 | BIA Spring Home Show
Spooky Nook Sports
The Building Industry Association of Lancaster County presents the area’s original home show, which will feature more than 125 exhibitors offering an array of services and products for the home and garden. Enjoy giveaways, view demonstrations and gain expert advice from professionals at Lancaster’s longest-running home show. Visitors are welcome to donate canned goods or nonperishable items to the BIA’s food drive. 75 Champ Blvd., Manheim. Friday, 1-8 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 717-569-2674 or biaspringhomeshow.com.
March 9-11 | Lancaster Roots & Blues
Various venues in Downtown Lancaster
The three-day music festival has returned for its fifth consecutive year. The event features a combination of more than 60 musical artists representing various genres, including Blues, Bluegrass, Americana, Reggae, Ska, Celtic, Rock n’ Roll, Jazz, Funk, Soul and so much more on multiple stages, all within a walking distance of each other. Lancaster Roots and Blues is a true music lover’s paradise. Information: 717-875-2772 or lancasterrootsandblues.com.
March 17-18 | 45th Annual Woodcarving & Wildlife Art Festival
S
tudent Memorial Center at Millersville University
This event will feature numerous exhibitors displaying their woodcarving and wildlife art. This year’s theme is “Go Green”. There will be door prizes, demonstrations, lectures, presentations, exhibits, carving supplies, food, a silent auction and more. The featured guest carver will be Al Jordan, a realistic bird carver from Rochester, New York. There will be a “Spit and Whittle” area for carvers and attendees to sit and share information, carve and watch demonstrations. The event will also include hands-on carving for beginners or those just wanting to try carving for the first time. Woodcarvings and wildlife art will be available for purchase. 101 Shenks Ln., Millersville. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 717-940-3311 or lancarvers.com.
March 11 | Charter Day
State-owned Museums
All state-owned museums will offer free admission today in celebration of the state’s birthday – the anniversary of the 1681 land grant to William Penn from King Charles II. At Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, enjoy wagon rides, historic crafts and trade demonstrations. In addition to Landis Valley (2451 Kissel Hill Rd. Information: 717-569-0401 or landisvalleymuseum.org), other local properties include the Historic Ephrata Cloister, where the Ephrata Cloister Chorus will perform at 2, 3, and 4 p.m. in the Meetinghouse (632 W. Main St., Ephrata. Information: 717-733-6600 or ephratacloister.org); Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (300 Gap Rd., Strasburg. Information: 717-687-8628 or rrmuseumpa.org) and Cornwall Iron Furnace (94 Rexmont Rd., Cornwall, Lebanon County. Information: 717-272-9711 or cornwallironfurnace.org).
March 3-11 | Philadelphia Flower Show
Pennsylvania Convention Center
The world’s oldest and largest indoor flower show is back with its large-scale gardens, elaborate landscapes, and over-the-top floral creations. This year’s show will focus on the Wonders of Water, which will “celebrate the beauty and life-sustaining interplay of horticulture and water.” View extraordinary plants in tropical jungles, temperate forests, native woodlands and arid landscapes. Be amazed at the creativity and talent of this region’s top horticulturists and designers, along with award-winning landscape and floral designers from other areas of the world. The show attracts 250,000 visitors annually. 12th & Arch streets, Philadelphia. March 3, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. March 4 and 10, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. March 5-9, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. March 11, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Information: 215- 988-8800 or theflowershow.com.
March 3 | Cosmic Bash 2018
Spooky Nook Sports
Experience an out-of-this-world event that supports STEM* education. This celebration of community is the North Museum’s signature fundraiser, where donations during the event help to continue its mission of “inspiring curiosity, discovery, and a lifelong appreciation of nature, science, and cultures.” ATOMIC in Lititz transforms the Spooky Nook Sports’ Champ Hall to create an interstellar atmosphere. The evening will consist of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner, silent and live auctions, scientific activities, desserts and dancing. 75 Champ Blvd., Manheim. 6-9 p.m. Information: 717-358-4712 or northmuseum.org.
March 9 | Taste of Success Culinary Showdown
Excelsior
Eat, drink and vote for your favorite dish at this year’s Taste of Success. Talented student chefs from the Lancaster County Career & Technology Center’s Culinary Arts Program will compete in a sweet and savory cooking contest. Enjoy a variety of appetizers and desserts, as well as a bar featuring local beer and wine. Doors open at 6 p.m. for cocktails and a silent auction; a live auction will begin at 7:30 p.m. Net proceeds will benefit the New Choices Career Development Program, an educational empowerment workshop that empowers individuals to continue their education and increase one’s self-awareness to assist in successful interviews to secure employment. 125 E. King St. 6 p.m. Information: 717-869-6363 or newchoiceslancaster.org.