POTTSTOWN PA – With Valentine’s Day falling on Wednesday this year, providers of fun and entertainment for those in love were scheduled last weekend and are booked again this weekend. If you saw something on the calendar you wanted to do earlier, but couldn’t, chances are good it’s still available.
Want a family-oriented good time? Participating in the national Great Backyard Bird Count is easy and educational, and you don’t need to leave home to join in. Want to help preserve nature? Help transplant seedlings Friday in Harleysville with the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy. Check out Saturday’s book sale at the Boyertown Community Library. Or, take in a play, “The Cake,” on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday at Steel River Playhouse in Pottstown.
Some weekend events are free. Some have fees (labeled as “ticketed”). Some have limitations, registrations, or other conditions. Some may be affected by weather conditions (hint: if unsure, call before you go). Each weekend listing includes a link for more information.
Friday, Feb. 16
- The Great Backyard Bird Count (Feb. 16-19, Friday through Monday), any time, free, the annual international bird count conducted by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell University Ornithology Lab, public participation welcomed from Montgomery, Berks, and Chester counties PA
- Block and Building Playtime, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., free, “Play is a literacy skill; blocks and other building toys will be available; sign-in is required, and an adult must stay in the room and supervise their child, in the auditorium of the Perkiomen Valley Library, 192 Church St., Schwenksville PA
- WinterFest and Luminary Walk in Jim Thorpe PA, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, free but special events ticketed, paid parking required, featuring ice carvings, live entertainment, trolley tours and carriage rides (both weather permitting), food and drink specials, and Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway round-trip train rides, 56 miles north of Pottstown in Jim Thorpe PA
- Native Plant Transplanting, 1-3 p.m. (weather permitting), free, part of the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy native plant work days; help to transplant thousands of native plant plugs into 4-inch pots, dress in layers for warmth, all tools provided, no experience needed, park in the gravel lot behind the white barn with the red roof at the Jacob Reiff Park greenhouse, 775 Quarry Rd., Harleysville PA
- Chocolate and Wine Pairing, 4-7 p.m., ticketed, described as “three delicate handmade truffle chocolates from Bridge Street Chocolates, paired perfectly with three Folino Estate wines; sponsored by Vintner’s Table of Folino Estate Winery at 135 Bridge St., Phoenixville PA
- Friday Night Flights wine tasting, 5-8 p.m., ticketed (advance registration required), samples of wine, cheese and charcuterie accompanied by live music, at Maple Springs Wine, 91 Nuss Rd., Bechtelsville PA
- Babysitting Night Fund-Raiser, 5:30-8 p.m., ticketed, giving parents a night off to celebrate Valentine’s Day while members of the Grace Lutheran Youth Group baby-sit their children with dinner (at 6:30 p.m.), games, movie, and other activities; adult on-site with first aid and CPR certification, at Grace Luthran Church, at Main and 6th streets, Royersford PA
- “Play: “The Cake,” 7-9 p.m., ticketed, a one-act comedy about same-sex marriage that contains strong language and adult themes, and challenges the audience to “confront our own prejudices and biases, and potentially even reevaluate our ideas of acceptance and inclusion,” 90 minutes with no intermission, at Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High St., Pottstown PA
Saturday, Feb. 17
- The Great Backyard Bird Count (Feb. 16-19, Friday through Monday), any time, free, the annual international bird count conducted by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell University Ornithology Lab, public participation welcomed from Montgomery, Berks, and Chester counties PA
- “Love Your Mug Sale,” 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., free, sale of handmade ceramic mugs to benefit Inclusive Clay, a Pottstown-based non-profit that teaches ceramic arts to to adults with intellectual disabilities; at The Beekeeper’s Café, 939 E. Schuylkill Rd., Kenilworth PA (North Coventry Township)
- Friends’ of BCL Book Sale and Donation Acceptance, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (monthly on the third Saturday), free to attend, books to buy for all ages, or donate gently used books, proceeds benefit Boyertown Community Library, held in the lower level of the library, Boyertown Community Library, 24 N. Reading Ave., Boyertown PA
- Volunteer Orientation for Logan’s Heroes Animal Rescue, starts at 10 a.m., free, “make a difference in the life of an animal in need by becoming a volunteer,” at the animal rescue shelter, 9411 Kings Hwy., East Greenville PA
- Exhibit: Native Son: The Life & Art of David Ellinger, (Saturdays through July 28), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ticketed, his paintings reportedly “played a pivotal role in kindling widespread fascination with Pennsylvania German culture during the latter half of the 20th century;” nearly 100 works on display, at the Center for Pennsylvania German Studies in the Dewees Tavern, 301 W. Main St., Trappe PA
- WinterFest and Luminary Walk in Jim Thorpe PA, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, free but special events ticketed, paid parking required, featuring ice carvings, live entertainment, trolley tours and carriage rides (both weather permitting), food and drink specials, and Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway round-trip train rides, 56 miles north of Pottstown in Jim Thorpe PA
- eARTh & Climate’ Exhibit, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 2 p.m. until April 21, free, annual exhibition of artworks that feature the environment, at Studio B Fine Art Gallery, 39A E. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown PA
- Chocolate and Wine Pairing Weekend, noon to 5 p.m., ticketed, “decadent chocolate paired with award-winning local wines” at 11 participating wineries across portions of Berks County on its Wine Trail, centered in Reading PA
- “Dot & Ziggy: An Interactive Play for Young Audiences,” 2-3 p.m., ticketed, an immersive experience by Linda Hartzel and Mark Perry, with music by Christopher Walker, attempting to determine what a ladybug and a skunk possibly have in common; in the Schumo Theater of the Yocum Institute for Arts Education, 3000 Penn Ave., West Lawn PA
- “Play: “The Cake,” 2-4 p.m., ticketed, special “relaxed performance” of a one-act comedy about same-sex marriage that contains strong language and adult themes, and challenges the audience to “confront our own prejudices and biases, and potentially even reevaluate our ideas of acceptance and inclusion,” suitable for individuals who would enjoy a performance where they can freely express themselves, or with ADD, ADHD, Dementia, Autism, or sensory sensitivities; 90 minutes with no intermission, at Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High St., Pottstown PA
- Chocolate and Wine Pairing, 4-7 p.m., ticketed, described as “three delicate handmade truffle chocolates from Bridge Street Chocolates, paired perfectly with three Folino Estate wines; sponsored by Vintner’s Table of Folino Estate Winery at 135 Bridge St., Phoenixville PA
- “Play: “The Cake,” 7-9 p.m., ticketed, a one-act comedy about same-sex marriage that contains strong language and adult themes, and challenges the audience to “confront our own prejudices and biases, and potentially even reevaluate our ideas of acceptance and inclusion,” 90 minutes with no intermission, at Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High St., Pottstown PA
Sunday, Feb. 18
- The Great Backyard Bird Count (Feb. 16-19, Friday through Monday), any time, free, the annual international bird count conducted by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell University Ornithology Lab, public participation welcomed from Montgomery, Berks, and Chester counties PA
- Pokemon Go Tournament and Community Event, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (game play starts at noon), ticketed (funds benefit Boyertown area charities), includes live professional tournaments, casual play opportunities, content creators, broadcast talent, local vendors, and a variety of food offerings; conducted by Building A Better Boyertown and Team Asylum, online or in-person at the Boyertown YMCA, 301 Spring St, Boyertown PA
- WinterFest and Luminary Walk in Jim Thorpe PA, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, free but special events ticketed, paid parking required, featuring ice carvings, live entertainment, trolley tours and carriage rides (both weather permitting), food and drink specials, and Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway round-trip train rides, 56 miles north of Pottstown in Jim Thorpe PA
- eARTh & Climate’ Exhibit, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 2 p.m. until April 21, free, annual exhibition of artworks that feature the environment, at Studio B Fine Art Gallery, 39A E. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown PA
- Pay It Forward Cafe community meal, 4-6 p.m., free (donations appreciated), pick-up dinners-to-go-only for turkey or vegan ragu with italian wedding soup (reservations required; limited walk-ups available after 5:30 p.m.), from the Ann’s Heart of Phoenixville kitchen at 35 Hall St., Phoenixville PA
- Chocolate and Wine Pairing, 4-7 p.m., ticketed, described as “three delicate handmade truffle chocolates from Bridge Street Chocolates, paired perfectly with three Folino Estate wines; sponsored by Vintner’s Table of Folino Estate Winery at 135 Bridge St., Phoenixville PA
- Chocolate and Wine Pairing Weekend, noon to 5 p.m., ticketed, “decadent chocolate paired with award-winning local wines” at 11 participating wineries across portions of Berks County on its Wine Trail, centered in Reading PA
- Exhibit: Native Son: The Life & Art of David Ellinger, (Sundays through July 28) from noon to 4 p.m., ticketed, Ellinger’s paintings reportedly “played a pivotal role in kindling widespread fascination with Pennsylvania German culture during the latter half of the 20th century;” nearly 100 works on display, at the Center for Pennsylvania German Studies in the Dewees Tavern, 301 W. Main St., Trappe PA
- “Dot & Ziggy: An Interactive Play for Young Audiences,” 2-3 p.m., ticketed, an immersive experience by Linda Hartzel and Mark Perry, with music by Christopher Walker, attempting to determine what a ladybug and a skunk possibly have in common; in the Schumo Theater of the Yocum Institute for Arts Education, 3000 Penn Ave., West Lawn PA
- “Play: “The Cake,” 2-4 p.m., ticketed, a one-act comedy about same-sex marriage that contains strong language and adult themes, and challenges the audience to “confront our own prejudices and biases, and potentially even reevaluate our ideas of acceptance and inclusion,” 90 minutes with no intermission, at Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High St., Pottstown PA
Weekend events are curated from a variety of sources, including public submissions. Got a weekend (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holiday Mondays) event you’d like us to add? Send it to travelswiththepost@gmail.com.