Events/Festivals :: Philadelphia City Paper. 25 Years of Independent Journalism.

41ST ANNUAL POLISH AMERICAN FESTIVAL Eat pierogies and admire exhibits in honor of Polish culture. The festival also includes live entertainment, rides, games and prizes. Sat-Sun, Sept. 9-10, noon-8pm, $7, National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Ferry Rd. Doylestown, 215-345-0600.

50TH ANNIVERSARY ROTARY CLUB EVENT Help the King of Prussia Rotary Charitable Foundation celebrate its 50th anniversary with a dinner buffet and auction. Black tie optional. Proceeds go to local charities. Sun, Sept. 10, 5-9pm, $125, Morton's, The Steakhouse, 511 Mall Blvd., 610-578-0998.

ART NIGHTS IN THE BARRIO Enjoy Latino art exhibitions, live performances, poetry, and much more, Fri, Sept. 8, 6-8:30pm, FREE, Latino Arts Corridor, 5th St. between Huntingdon St. and Indiana Ave.

BEAST FESTIVAL Celebrate Farm Aid in Philadelphia. Sample seasonal produce right along with the animals. Hey, bears might be great dinner dates, don't judge prematurely. Every weekend in Sept., 11am-3pm, $13.95-$16.95, Philadelphia Zoo, 34th St. & Girard Ave., 215-243-1100.

CHABAD CENTER'S GRAND OPENING The General Wayne Inn has officially become the Chabad Center for Jewish Life. Help celebrate its grand opening with BBQ, face painting, a moon bounce and more. Sun, Sept. 10, 4-7pm, FREE, Chabad Center for Jewish Life at the General Wayne Inn, 625 Montgomery Ave., Merion Station, 610-660-9192, www.chabadmainline.org.

CHADDS FORD DAY Commemorate the Battle of Brandywine with the culinary artistry of both Carrabba's Italian Grill and Cold Stone Creamery, as well as beer and wine from Victory Brewing Company and Chaddsford Winery. Also on tap: old-timey music, country rides and colonial crafts. Look out for a visit from the Second PA Regiment soldiers and two well-known patriots, Mr. George Washington and Mr. Ben Franklin. Sat-Sun, Sept. 9-10, 10am-5pm, FREE, Chadds Ford Historical Society, 1736 Creek Rd., Chadds Ford, 610-388-7480.

COLE BROS. CIRCUS OF THE STARS This show is called "the world's largest circus under the big top," and features everything from a human cannonball to superheroic guests! Mon-Wed, Sept. 11-13, 4:30 & 7:30pm, $10-$15, Crestmont Park, Old Welsh Rd. and Resevoir Ave., Willow Grove, 888-332-5200, www.colebroscircus.com.

CRUISE FOR THE KIDS Help Friends of the Children's Crisis Treatment Center raise money by joining them for a cruise-themed event, including food and live music from Latin jazz band Cintron, Thu, Sept. 14, 7pm-mid., $60-$100, World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400.

DANCE OF THE RIPE TOMATOES BLOCK PARTY Celebrate sustainable and humane farming while benefiting the Philadelphia Fair Food Project and enjoying an organic farm buffet dinner outdoors. Dinner will be followed by dancing with Jim Fogarty and the ToneBenders, starting at 8pm. Admission to dancing only is free. Dinner reservations requested, Fri, Sept. 8, 6:30pm-mid., $35, White Dog Cafe, 3426 Sansom St., 215-386-9224.

FERIA DEL BARRIO This community-wide cultural extravaganza will include local and guest musicians, dancers and artwork. Help welcome Latin Grammy nominee Plena Libre from Puerto Rico and celebrate the work of Philadelphia's Raices Borinquen, Mariachi Flores and more, Sun, Sept. 10, 12:30-6pm, FREE, Taller Puertorriqueno, 2721 N. 5th St., 215-426-3311.

FIREWORKS & FOUNTAINS If you didn't get enough on July 4, get some more crazy explosive action at this fireworks show commemorating 100 years of Longwood Gardens fun, fun, fun. Sat, Sept. 9, 8:45pm, free with garden admission, Longwood Gardens, US Rt. 1, Kennett Sq., 610-388-1000.

GARDENFEST Celebrate the life of Longwood's founder, Pierre S. du Pont, with music, gardening and kids' activities. Look for the harvest season displays of gourds, pumpkins, a miniature garden railway and antique tractors. Runs through Oct. 3, free with garden admission, Longwood Gardens, US Rt. 1, Kennett Sq., 610-388-1000.

GREATER PHILADELPHIA DAHLIA SOCIETY SHOW This competitive flower show features blooms of all shapes, sizes and colors. Sat, Sept. 9, 1-6pm; Sun, Sept. 10, 10am-6pm, free with garden admission, Longwood Gardens, US Rt. 1, Kennett Sq., 610-388-1000.

HAMSTER BALL DERBY Celebrate the cardio abilities of our little friends. Hamsters will advance toward the final race after which a champion will be named. Can your hamster handle the heat? Sat, Sept. 9, 1:30pm, FREE, Petco, 3300 Aramingo Ave., 215-423-4414, www.petco.com.

HERO THRILL SHOW You get music from the Brotherly Love All-Star Tour, a classic car show, police motorcycle drill teams and life-saving techniques from the fire department. Rocky himself (aka Cobra, aka Rambo, aka the guy from "Cliffhanger") Sylvester Stallone emcees. This fundraiser supports the education of survivors of Philadelphians killed in the line of duty. Sat, Sept. 9, noon-9pm, $10, Wachovia Spectrum, 3601 S. Broad St., 215-336-3600, www.herothrillshow.org.

HERONSWOOD/FORDHOOK FALL PLANTING OPEN For all you green thumbs, there'll be perennial plant types for sale, guided tours of the gardens, a rare plants auction and expert seminars. Fri-Sat, Sept. 8-9, 10am-5pm, $5, Burpee's Fordhook Farm, 105 New Britain Rd., 215-345-1766.

HOT GLASS An evening of slides, demonstrations, door prizes, refreshments and hot, hot glass, Fri, Sept. 8, 7pm, FREE, Wheaton Village, 1501 Glasstown Rd., Millville, NJ, 609-825-6800.

HOTROD HOEDOWN See more than 800 of the East Coast's finest classic cars! Followed by the Rock-N-Roll Rumble party, which is limited to folks 21 and up. Sat, Sept. 9, 11am-5pm, FREE, Riverfront Concert Hall at Kahunaville, 550 S. Madison S., Wilmington, DE, www.hotrodhoedown.com.

MEDIA'S SECOND SATURDAY Wander the main drag and enjoy live music, artwork and snacks. Every Second Sat, 5-9pm, FREE, State Street, Media, 610-566-6020.

THE MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY FESTIVAL Viva Mexico! Celebrate Mexican culture at this fiesta with folkloric dance, mariachi music, cumbia rhythms and Aztec Dances. The festival features Mexican music, dance, food, crafts and entertainment. Margarita, anyone? Sun, Sept. 10, noon-8pm, FREE, Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, 301 S. Columbus Blvd., 215-922-2FUN, www.pennslandingcorp.com

MT. AIRY VILLAGE FAIR Finally, an organic-themed fair! Come enjoy free barbequed organic tofu and healthy drinks. Witness the baking contest and Pet Parade and Competition. Look out for a finger puppet portraitist, henna body art and a chalkathon. Try your luck at the organic pie-eating contest at High Point Cafe at 4pm. Winner gets a pie-friendly t-shirt, Sun, Sept. 10, 11am-5pm, FREE, Corner of Greene and Carpenter Lane, West Mt. Airy.

MUSHROOM FESTIVAL Didya know Kennett Square is the mushroom capital of the world? After this two-day fungi fest, which includes a mushroom bobbing contest, mushroom soup cookoff, mushroom growing exhibit, mushroom judging contest and mushroom farm tours, you may never wanna see another mushroom again. Sat, Sept. 9, 10am-11pm; Sun, Sept. 10, 10am-5pm, Sat, Sept. 9, Kennett Square, Rt. 1, 610-925-3373.

PENNSYLVANIA RENAISSANCE FAIR Now is the time. Thou art prepare oneself for the arrival of Queen Elizabeth and the opening weekend of this year's Renaissance Faire. Mount Hope Winery will play host to a variety of themed activities including live music, dancing, craftsmen, food and ongoing shows at a miniature Globe Theatre. Test the skills and knowledge of the many characters that fill the fairgrounds. Every weekend through Oct. 29, 10am-8pm, $8-$27, Mount Hope Estate & Winery, 83 Mansion House Rd., Manheim, 717-665-7021.

PENNSYLVANIA STATE HISTORICAL MARKER DEDICATION Join the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission as they dedicate a marker in celebration of the accomplishments of Edmund N. Bacond. A light reception hosted by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission will follow, Wed, Sept. 13, 2pm, 15th St. and John F. Kennedy Blvd.

RUSSIAN MOSAIC FESTIVAL Celebrate Russian culture with music, dance and art. The festival features the talents of young performers from the Ballet School of Olga Kresina, the Dance School of Julia Yaremchuk and the Cultural Center of Children's Creativity, Sat, Sept. 9, noon-7pm, FREE, Penn's Landing, 121 Columbus Blvd. & Chestnut St., 215-922-238.

SAFARI: AN INFAMOUS SPOILED ROTTEN THEME PARTY Featuring the Spoiled Rotten Summer Foam Party in the Open Air Groove Garden, with Spoiled Rotten lifeguards and cabana crew, plus tons of safari surprises. Hosted by Shampoo's own MC Dommy B and Frost from Wired 96.5's "Bad Boy Radio Show." Ages 14-18 only. Every Thu, 6-10pm, Shampoo, Willow St., between 7th & 8th, 215-922-7500.

SEPTEMBER SKIES Learn how to spot neat stuff in the night sky with FI's chief astronomer Derrick Pitts. These astronomy-themed evenings include free planetarium shows, space activities and exhibits, Astronomy Quizzo and an "out-of-this-world" tour of the universe. Oh boy. Every Fri in Sept, 7:30-10pm, Franklin Institute, 20th St. & the Parkway, 215-448-1200.

SUMMER NIGHTS UNDER THE STARS OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES If you're looking for some cheap entertainment coupled with a good buzz, check out the Chadds Ford Winery's weekly concert series featuring live music and wine tastings. Every Fri, 6:30pm, $18, Chaddsford Winery, 632 Baltimore Pk., Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221.

TALL SHIP SAILS Looking for a cheap date idea? Check out Philadelphia City Sail for a public sail on the Delaware River. Catch a glimpse of the North Wind, a 75-foot tall ship while you picnic on the waterfront. Every Fri, 7pm, FREE, Liberty Belle Riverboat, Penn's Landing, 215-413-0451.

TASTE OF NORTHERN LIBERTIES Celebrate the vibrancy of the neighborhood with music, food, film and more. Thu, Sept. 14, 6pm, FREE, Series 1021, 1021 N. Hancock St., www.philebrity.com.

WARHOL'S WONDERLAND Drop by the recently extended Andy Warhol exhibit for an afternoon of Warhol-related programs including presentations and a book signing by Warhol's nephew, James Warhola, live pop music by Andrew Roblin, and make-and-take art projects, Sun, Sept. 10, noon-4pm, FREE, Allentown Art Museum, Fifth & Court sts., Allentown, 610-432-4333.

WINE & CHEESE SERIES Explore and enjoy various wine and cheese pairings from around the world. Every Fri, 5-8pm, $18.95, The Westin Hotel, 99 S 17th St., 215-563-1600.

YORK FAIR America's oldest fair features live music, puppet shows, sand sculptures, racing pigs and educational elephants. Yep, you heard right. Sept. 8-17, $2-$5, York Fairgrounds, 334 Carlisle Ave., York, www.yorkfair.org.

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