Ah, spring: the time for preseason barbeques while the sun casts long shadows into the cool evenings, those first chimes of the ice cream man’s truck echo throughout the neighborhood, and the flowers begin to dance and unfold, courtesy of those hectic April showers. Philadelphia celebrates the most vibrant season of the year by sponsoring a series of outdoor and garden events that provide yet another excuse to revel in the refreshing weather. Longwood Garden’s “Spring Blooms” Events are April 1 through May 22, and are listed below.
- Allison Cohn
Longwood Garden’s “Spring Blooms” Events
- Kite Flying @ Longwood Gardens
- Date & Time:April 18 - 19, 10am - 4pm
- Description:The Pocono Kite Symphony sponsors this daytime activity for children and families where hundreds of kites adorn the skies of suburban Philadelphia, drowning out the sun with spectacular colors and shapes, while littering the ground with unraveling spools of thread. Kids can unleash their creativity by building their own kites, too, for a small fee of $3.50.
- Wine & Jazz Festival
- Date & Time:May 2: 12pm - 5pm, Concert @ 7:30pm
- Description:Both Philadelphia locals and its suburban neighbors always look forward to this annual event with much anticipation. Set against the intriguing backdrop of Longwood Garden’s marvelous landscapes -- including the latest budding marigolds, snapdragons, and azaleas -- a full day of live jazz from noon until dusk is complemented by a huge selection of regional wines and refreshments. Musicians this year range from soulful and sophisticated to brassy fusion tunes. Over twenty vineyards participate in the tasting and distribution of their products. Meanwhile, the Wine School of Philadelphia presents educational material on the harvesting and fermentation processes of wine for those who are interested. The 7:30 pm closing ceremonies will take place at the Open Air Theater, where Grammy award winning jazz pianist McCoy Tyner will perform with a full band, including a bassist, drummer, and saxophonist.
- Daytime Festival Admission:Ages 21 & over: $40/Garden Passholder: $35, Designated Driver: $25, Student (ages 5–20): $15/Garden Passholder: $10. (Garden Admission is included, as well as a souvenir glass for adult wine-tasters.)
- Evening Concert Admission:Individual: $60/Garden Passholder $55
- Daytime Festival and Evening Concert Admission:Attend the Daytime Festival and Evening Concert for one discounted price: Ages 21 & over: $90/Garden Passholder: $80, Designated Driver: $75, Student (ages 5–20): $65/Garden Passholder $55
- Festival of Fountains
- Date:May 23 - September 6
- Description:Water lilies, floating lotus plants, and thistly reeds emanate a certain fairytale like essence throughout the expansive acreage that is Longwood Gardens. Aquatic plants provide more than a comfortable lounge for amphibious creatures and center pieces of small ponds and lakes -- they are also the object of celebration at Longwood Gardens throughout the summer. Guests are invited to come and observe with awe the hundreds of types of marine vegetation that flourish in Rose and Topiary Gardens. World musical and dance events as well as theater performances are held throughout this ongoing festival in the gardens, while the Flower Garden Walk is also open for strolls to admire the seasonal foliage, including petunias, dahlias, hibiscus, and assorted water platters. So refresh your memory of the Little Mermaid’s scene “Kiss da Girl” and check out Longwood Garden’s fascinating floral fountain displays this summer -- singing frogs and crickets not guaranteed.
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