In Cherry Hill, residents can also snag a deal at the Friends of the Cherry Hill Public Library’s book sale.
From gardening and landscape tours to crabs and Tastykakes, there are plenty of fun activities to do in South Jersey, Philadelphia and down the Jersey Shore this weekend. Check out what events are taking place around the area on Saturday and Sunday:
In Cherry Hill
• Saturday is the last chance for residents to snag a deal at Friends of the Cherry Hill Public Library’s summer book sale. On Saturday, Friends is having a special sale where shoppers can fill a bag full of books for just $5. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Cherry Hill Public Library. For more information, call (856) 667–0300 or visit www.chplnj.org.
• Gardeners looking to get a plant identified can check out Rutgers Master Gardeners of Camden County’s plant clinic on Saturday at the Camden County Parks Environmental Center in Cherry Hill from 9 a.m. to noon. Visitors can bring a plant or piece of a diseased plant for identification. The Master Gardeners can also identify garden insects. For more information, call (856) 216–7130 or email njgarden@camdencounty.com.
Around South Jersey
• Residents can enjoy the beauty of nature in Evesham while helping local schools at the ninth annual Laurel Oak Garden and Pond Tour. The event will be held at the Laurel Oak Garden Center, 199 Tomlinson Mill Road in Evesham Township from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. At this self-guided tour, participants travel in their vehicles to host residences and take time to view the gorgeous landscaping. At the end of the tour, there is a barbecue, basket auction, 50/50 raffle and fun activities. Tickets are $15 per person, and all proceeds are donated to the Evesham and Medford education foundations. Visit www.eventbrite.com/e/9th-annual-laurel-oak-garden-pond-tour-raising-money-for-local-education-tickets-17846509390 to purchase tickets.
At the Jersey Shore
• Crab lovers will want to be in Wildwood on Saturday for the New Jersey State Crab Festival. The event will take place in front of the Ice House Restaurant, 4415 Park Blvd., in Wildwood from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The event includes bushels of blue claw crabs, a beer garden, crabby bloody marys, vendors and tons of activities for the kids including a crab race at 6 p.m. Live entertainment will begin at noon. Admission to the festival is free. For more information, visit www.icehousewildwood.com/Ice-House-Festivals.html.
• To the south of Wildwood, guests can enjoy the traditions of the Celtic Highlands at the 12th annual Celtic Festival. The event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Historic Cold Spring Village, 720 Route 9, in Cold Spring. The event will include music, dancing, crafts, a beer pavilion and more. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under 3 are admitted for free.
• In Absecon, Historic Smithville and the Colonial Inn are hosting a pair of events. On Saturday, the Company K will present a living history encampment, where a complete military and civilian camp will be erected. There will also be marching drills and musket-firing demonstrations. On Sunday, the Smithville Fife and Drum Corp will perform beginning at 1 p.m. Both events are free. Smithville is located at 615 E. Moss Mill Road in Absecon.
In Philadelphia
• All things French will be celebrated on Saturday at Eastern State Penitentiary and Fairmount Avenue for Philadelphia’s Bastille Day Festival. There will be pre-show entertainment beginning at 2 p.m. in front of the penitentiary. There will be music, games and entertainment along Fairmount Avenue. Later in the evening, dozens of French revolutionaries will storm the walls of the penitentiary and toss thousands of Tastykakes from the prison’s towers. The penitentiary will also be open for twilight tours at a discounted price of $10 at the door. Admission to the street festival is free.
• Jazz lovers will want to travel to West Philadelphia’s Powelton Village on Saturday for the 10th annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Arts Festival. From noon to 7 p.m., there will be live performances, activities, art and food trucks. Activities will take place at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center Saunders Park Greene. The festival is free to attend. The rain date is Sunday. For more information, visit www.lancasteravejazzfest.com.
