I Scream, You Scream…Ice Cream Festival 7/3-7/5

My family looks forward to this one all year….starting at noon today, the eleventh annual Super Scooper Ice Cream Festival will be held at Penn’s Landing.  For a mere $5, you get a spoon and access to all the ice cream and water ice you could possibly want, served up by over 20 different companies including Breyers, Good Humor, Ben & Jerry’s, Starbucks and Turkey Hill. Heck, Mr. Softee even shows up for this one!

And while you’re snacking on your summertime favorite, you’ll be helping lick leukemia. All net proceeds from the event will benefit the Children’s Hospital Oncolology Division and the Joshua Kahan Fund, which aims to raise awareness and funds for pediatric leukemia research.

The event isn’t just a fundraiser, or a cheap way to fill up on great ice cream. It’s also held to honor the spirit of Josh Kahan, a little boy who lost his five-month battle with AML leukemia in September 1997.  Joshua’s short life proved it takes more than courage or spirit to lick leukemia…it takes research to battle this disease, and research takes money. So why not get in on the sweetest way to make the dream of licking leukemia come true?

Hope to see you there….just remember, don’t toss your spoon!

It’s Our B-Day Party – And You’re All Invited

When most people think of Philadelphia, they think of history. The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, 1776 and the Fourth of July, right? Well, it’s that time of year again, and Philly is dressed up in red, white and blue for the holiday. So much to do….and all for so little money!

Most of the events come under the “Sunoco Welcome America” Banner.” The “Welcome America” festivities have gone on for a number of years now, and people keep coming back for more, because each year the party gets bigger and better. I’ll be covering some of the events in posts later on, but I want to focus on the showstopper event right now – that’s the Party on the Parkway held on the Fourth beginning at noon.

Okay, deep breath, ’cause there’s a lot to cover. On the Parkway there will be three stages – the Kids’ Stage (noon-6:45), the Multi-Cultural Stage (noon-7:15), and the Sound of Philadelphia stage (3-6). The names are pretty self-explanatory and the concert schedules can be found here. Let me just say that there will be a diversity of good music up and down the Parkway (and, of course, good food and other fun activities too!).

The evening closes with the largest free concert in the country – just fitting for the national birthday party. This year’s headliner at the “Life, Liberty and You” concert is pop-rock sensation Sheryl Crow, she of “All I Wanna Do” and “If It Makes You Happy” fame. And to top off the celebration, the Philly skyline will be set ablaze in sparkles, thanks to one of the best fireworks displays in the country.

Lincoln 200 Birthday Festival – free this weekend!

Okay, so as all good state workers know, Lincoln’s birthday is really in February (February 12, to be exact). But heck, we’re heavy duty celebrating in Philly this weekend, so why not some applause for honest Abe – particularly since he would have been 200 this year?

Lincoln200, Abraham Lincoln’s 200 birthday bash will be held from July 2 through the 5 on Independence Mall. Tomorrow night’s festivities, which include a grand opening party and ribbon cutting, get started at 4 and continue through 9 pm. Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s activities will run from 9 am to 6 pm, and will highlight President Lincoln’s close ties to Philadelphia, including our state’s pivotal role in preserving the union during the Civil War.

But it’s a party, not just a history lesson, so look for some really cool interactive features, including Lincoln for Kids, Green-Linc, Lincoln Logs and iLincoln, as well as an arts and crafts marketplace. Proceeds of the festival will be donated to veterans and military families – and admission is free! – so come on down and take part in this celebration!

Fast Five for Free Friday

Hey you guys!

Since we’re now headed into the summer and good weather, I know you’ll want to be out and about more. How can you do that and keep a reign on your cash flow?

Well, let me present the OnTheCheap solution for this common dilemma – the Fast Five For Free Friday. (See, Mrs. Ackerman, I wasn’t sleeping through that lesson on alliteration!) Every Friday I’ll shoot off a quick list of things you can do that weekend for free…so just check back when you have some time on your hands, m’kay?

Without further ado, here’s the first list of Five For Free.  And according to the Weather Channel, all signals point to a beautiful weekend. Go enjoy – without busting the budget.

*Speaking of Peace: A Festival of the Arts – What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding? Find out through the photo essays, storytelling and music at this festival, presented by the Frazer Mennonite Church
in Frazer, PA. Tomorrow, 1-7 pm. Call 610-644-3397 or check the web site for details.

* Ruby’s Walk Across America – Reality star Ruby Gettinger’s anti-obesity walk kicks off in Philly (just in time for swimsuit season, eh?).  Meet Ruby and the other walkers at Lloyd Hall, One Boathouse Row, from 8 am to 2 pm.

* Lincoln High School Glory Days – Ah, nostalgia! Apparently Lincoln High School is scheduled for demolition – but not before one last blow-out celebration. Flea markets, music, tours, games and memorabilia will mark the goodbyes from 8 am to 2 pm tomorrow. 3201 Ryan Avenue; 215-335-5653.

* ARTspiration! – Billed as a free community arts festival for the whole family, this event will be held at the Fleisher Art Memorial from 10-4 on Sunday. Check out the arts and crafts, book sale, bake sale and free performances at the nation’s oldest tuition-free art school. Tip: don’t miss the “Play With Your Food” booth.

* And, for those headed to the shore – the Boardwalk Spring Family Fun Fest will be going on all weekend in Ocean City. Face painters, bands, pony rides and a juried art show are some of the featured attractions on the boards from 9-6. Call 609-457-1151 for info.

Mother’s Day Gift Guide: Day 11 – Philadelphia City Pass

Give mom the city – without having to gift wrap – with the City Pass.

Wouldn’t you love to wrap up the best Philly has to offer for mom this Mother’s Day? Well, this year give her the National Constitution Center, The Philadelphia Zoo and Adventure Aquarium – without the hassle of wrapping. Easy to do, with the CityPass,your ticket to the best the city has to offer.

Better yet, buy one of these ticket booklets – at $58 a book – for each of you, then share the next few days together exploring six of the most popular Philadelphia attractions, including the Franklin and the Academy of Natural Sciences. You’ll both have wonderful memories of your “staycation,” – and you’ll be saving a whopping 45% off the price of these tickets sold separately.  Passes are valid for nine days, and you’ll see savings if you just check out three of the attractions – but in a city this great, why stop at three?

So make Philly the City of Motherly Love this year by sharing it with the CityPass.

PAWS/John DeBella Dog Walk April 26

Remember the good old days, when John DeBella was our favorite Zoomaster and every year we celebrated…well, anything…with the “Louie Louie” parade?  Remember Mark the Shark, Clay Heery (who?) and all those darn kazoos? Ah, good times.

But it seems the old Kingsmen tome has been replaced with “Who Let The Dogs Out?” as DeBella hosts his 7th annual John DeBella Dog Walk in Green Lane Park on Sunday, April 26 from 10 to 2. The zookeeper’s still hanging with the animals, but these are the four footed variety, so come on out and learn how to adopt cats and dogs from PAWS.

And if the parade is anything like last week’s Doo Dah extravaganza, you’re in for a good time. So grab your pup and head on down! More info here.

We’ve Got A Winner – Havertown Family is Circus-Bound

Thanks to all of you who entered our great Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus tickets giveaway, which was sponsored by our good friends at MomCentral.com.  Our handy dandy random itemizer has spoken, and Marc and Jennifer Sanders of Havertown will be taking their family to the circus on May 13.

And we hear double congrats are in order, as Marc, Jennifer and daughter Zofi just welcomed baby Toren Elliot to the clan last week. Congrats to the entire family, and thanks to everyone who shared their circus memories here. 

See ya under the big top!

Bowl Free and “Spare” Your Wallet

Ah, spring break is over, and we’re just a couple of months away from that all-too-familiar sound of summer: “Mom, I’m so bored!”

Well, this summer some local bowling alleys are coming to the rescue. Register online at KidsBowlFree.com, and your kids can bowl two games every day for free at participating bowling centers across the U.S. through the duration of the program. TWO GAMES EVERY DAY! How can you beat that?

If you want to bowl as a family, you can buy a Family Pass for just $23.95, which is good for two games per person per day for up to four adult family members all summer long.

You’ll register on your local bowling center’s website, so check the fine print for any age limits or restrictions on the time of day passes can be used. Right now there’s just one Philly alley and one South Jersey alley participating, but centers are being added all the time, so keep checking in. And don’t forget to take pics of your kids in those silly shoes….good blackmail material, doncha know?

Free Denny’s Grand Slamwich on April 8

Ah, doncha just love baseball season? And now we in the Delaware Valley have more than just the World Champion Phillies to cheer about…we also have a new Grand Slam!

On Wednesday, April 8, you can try a new take on Denny’s Grand Slam–the Grand Slamwich–for free, with purchase of a Grand Slam. The deal’s valid from 6:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. only. Click here to find a Denny’s near you.

Contest: Win Tickets to the Greatest Show on Earth

“Come to the circus,everyone loves the circus,
And that includes the merry Mouseketeers…”

Okay, so I’m dating myself. But let’s face it – everyone does love the circus. I mean, what’s not to love? The elephant parade, the dancing bears, the smell of the popcorn and the sticky sweet cotton candy….everything that adds up to making some special memories.

It’s the truth: I can still remember my mom and grandmom dressing the four of us up and taking us on the train to New York City, where we were treated to the big Kahuna of circuses – the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey three ring show at Madison Square Garden. I remember the animals, the crazy clowns squeezed into a tiny car, the beautiful ladies swinging on trapeze overhead and, most impressively, the man who was shot out of a cannon. Ah, good times.

But you don’t have to go all the way to NYC to catch the latest and greatest in circus shows. Next month, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey will bring its latest offering, Zing Zang Zoom to our very own Wachovia Spectrum. And these circus giants have teamed up with the great folks at Mom Central to bring a very special deal to you (think CircusOnTheCheap!).

You can get a family four pack of tickets for just $44 by logging onto Comcast Tickets and using the coupon code MOM. That’s good for any performance (see schedule below).

And thanks to Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey and their partnership with Mom Central, you may be able your brood to opening night for free! One lucky reader will win a Family Fourpack just by sharing a favorite circus memory in the comment section below. All comments including a memory will be entered into our handy dandy random number generator, which will select a winner. Contest opens now and will run through April 15. Winner will be announced on April 16.

But don’t forget – using the coupon code MOM, everyone is a winner. The circus opens on May 13 and runs through May 25. Shows are as follows: Wednesday, May 13 at 7; Thursday, May 14 at 7; Friday, May 15 at 10:30 am and 7 pm; Saturday, May 16 at 11 am, 3 and 7 pm; Sunday May 17 at 1 and 5; Wednesday, May 20 at 7;Thursday, May 21 at 10:30 am and 7 pm; Friday, May 22 at 10:30 am and 7 pm;Saturday, May 23 at 11 am and 3 and 7 pm; Sunday, May 24 at 1 and 5; and closing Monday, May 25 at 1.

Plenty of time to check out all the fun….so enter our giveaway now, or grab your trapeze and swing on over to Comcast Tickets. Don’t forget to use code MOM….and save me a seat under the big top!

(Oh, and just so you know, I only know that Mouseketeer song because of reruns. Honest.)