Events for the family

*FREE* ACANA African Festival Part of PECO Multicultural Series. Performances by African music stars Kaakyire Kwame Fosu, Malawala Balawala & others. Penn's Landing, Columbus Blvd.; 215-922-2386. www.pennslandingcorp.com. 8/1 2-8 pm.

Bank of America's Museums on Us Bank of America cardholders receive free admission to various cultural institutions for the weekend, incl. National Constitution Center, Philadelphia Museum of Art, PAFA, Delaware Museum of Natural History & more. http://promotions.bankofamerica.com/museums. 8/1-8/2.

Eagles Flight Night Pre-season practice session, fireworks, appearances by Eagles alumni, giveaways & more. Lincoln Financial Field, 3501 S. Broad St.; 215-336-2000. www.philadelphiaeagles.com. $20-$45; $10-$45 children 12 & under. 8/2 7 pm.

*FREE* People's Festival Live music, crafts, exhibits & more. Vernon Park, 5818 Germantown Ave.; 215-683-3600. 8/1-8/2 1-8 pm.

Preservation Alliance Architectural Walking Tours Guided exploration of some of the city's architectural gems. Rain or shine. Closes 10/31. For full schedule & specific locations, see www.preservationalliance.com. 215-546-1146 x3. $10; $8 students; free for children 10 & under.

Making Great Strides Hadassah Walk Benefit mini-walk. Contact Judy Ron: 215-732-7100 or judy.ron@hadassah.org. South Ardmore Park, 1498 Sussex Rd., Wynnewood; 610-649-4000. www.philly.hadassah.org. $18; $36 per family. 8/2 9-11 am.

Musikfest Hundreds of musical performances at venues throughout town, food vendors, crafts, children's activities & more. Historic Bethlehem, Main St., Bethlehem; 610-332-3378. www.fest.org. 7/31 5-11 pm. 8/1-8/9 noon-11 pm.

Parade of Ponds: Pond Tour & Country Barbeque Self-guided tour features 50 ponds in the Chester County area. Turpin Pond Source, 287 Martins Corner Rd., Coatesville; RSVP: 610-380-1119. www.turpinpondsource.com. $15. BBQ at 6 pm on 8/1. 8/1 9 am-5 pm. 8/2 10 am-5 pm.

*FREE* Quakertown Borough's National Night Out Youth crime & drug prevention event. Carnival rides, food & UBACE student bands will perform. Corner of 4th & Mills St. Quakertown. 8/4 6 pm.

*FREE* Wednesday Nights at the Park Wed. 5-7 pm. Pre-carillon concert event featuring scavenger hunt, tours, family photos & more. Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge National Historical Park, Rte. 23, Valley Forge; 610-783-0581. www.washingtonmemorialchapel.org. Closes 8/26.

*FREE* National Night Out Police & fire department demonstrations, displays, performance by Steve Pullara & more. Croft Farm Arts Center, 100 Borton's Mill Rd., Cherry Hill; 856-488-7813. 8/4 7-9 pm.

*FREE* Peach Party NJ Secretary Doug Fisher & Schober Peach farmer/owner John Hurff join SJ chefs for the "Just Peachy" kickoff. Downtown Collingswood, Haddon Ave., Collingswood; 856-854-0720. www.sjculinaryevents.com. 8/1 10 am.

Pirate Sail Passengers are encouraged to dress as a pirate or seaworthy character. Enjoy pirate tales while you sail. Bayshore Discovery Project, 2800 High St., Port Norris; RSVP: 856-785-2060. www.ajmeerwald.org. $30; $25 seniors; $15 children 3-12. 8/2 1:30-4 pm.

Summer Family MusicFest Enjoy Mediterranean & Klezmer music at this special family event. Katz Jewish Community Center, 1301 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill; 856-424-4444 ext. 292. www.katzjcc.org. $5. 8/3 5 pm.

*FREE* Wildwood Crest Sundown Celebration Live music, family entertainment & children's activities. Sunset Lake, New Jersey Ave. between Rambler & Miami Rds., Wildwood Crest; 609-523-0202. www.wildwoodsnj.com. 7/31 7 pm.

*FREE* Wildwoods Baby Parade Parade followed by presentation of winners & awards with ceremony to celebrate 100th anniversary of the baby parade. Wildwoods Convention Center, 5401 Boardwalk, Wildwood; 800-992-9732, 609-729-4000. www.wildwoodsnj.com/cc. Registration 5 pm. 8/6 6 pm.

Candlelight Ghost Tour A candlelit tour through the spookiest parts of the Civil war Fortress on Pea Patch Island. All ages. Fort Delaware State Park, 45 Clinton St., Delaware City; RSVP: 302-834-7941. www.destateparks.com. $20. 7/31 6 & 8 pm. 8/1 6 & 8 pm.

*FREE* First Saturdays in the First State Features guided tours of Legislative Hall & special programs at various park sites. First State Heritage Park, 152 South State St., Dover; 302-739-9194. www.destateparks.com/heritagepark. 8/1 9 am-4:30 pm.

Ernie & Neal Kid-friendly interactive song & dance show exploring many genres. Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, 100 E. Northwestern Ave.; RSVP: 215-247-5777. www.morrisarboretum.org. $30. 8/6 6:30-7:30 pm.

*FREE* Ken Northridge Family-friendly magic & comedy show w/audience participation. Hopkins House, 250 S. Park Dr., Haddon Township; RSVP required. arts.camden.lib.nj.us. 8/5 10:30 & 11:30 am.

Ralph Covert The Ocean City Music Pier, Moorlyn & the Boardwalk, Ocean City; 609-525-9291. www.njoceancity.com. $15; $12 children. 8/5 4 pm.

Tuckers Tales Puppet Theatre Friendly puppet troupe presents, 'It's the Wolf!' Star of the Sea Parish, Lafayette St. at Washington Street Mall, Cape May; http://tuckerstales.dot5hosting.com. $5; $3 children. 8/3 7 pm.

Battle of the Bands Event for teenage musicians with a grand prize package that includes professional demo recording, CDs, photography & free concert. All ages. Rock & Roll After School, 400 Franklin Ave., Phoenixville; www.rockandrollafterschool.com. 7/31 7 pm.

*FREE* Black Women's Arts Festival: Kids Storytime Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Ln.; 215-844-1870. www.bwafphilly.org. 8/1 11 am-1 pm.

Colonial Kids' Quest Search for clues to solve the mystery of a missing copy of the Declaration of Independence. Independence Living History Center, 115 S. 3rd St.; RSVP required: 215-629-4026. www.onceuponanation.org. $16. 8/1 11 am.

Girls Rock Philly Week-long summer camp for teen & pre-teen girls where they learn to play instruments, write music & perform. Ages 9-17. Girard College, 2101 S. College Ave.; www.girlsrockphilly.org. Sold out. 8/3-8/8.

Nottingham Junior Rangers: Operation Conservation Program where children learn & practice conservation & outdoor skills. Ages 9-13. Nottingham County Park, 150 Park Rd., Nottingham; RSVP: www.chesco.org/ccparks. $60 includes 4-day program & award ceremony cookout. 8/3-8/6 9 am-noon.

Stories With the Animals: Fabulous Foxes Storytime & theme-related craft. Ages 3-7. Upper Schuylkill Valley Park, 1600 Black Rock Rd., Royersford; RSVP: 610-948-5170. www.montcopa.org. $4. 8/6 2 pm.

*FREE* Youth Rally Day Youth-oriented concert, speakers, cookout & magic show. Brandywine Summit Camp Meeting, 119 Beaver Valley Rd., Chadds Ford; 610-459-4804. www.bscmai.org. 8/1 7 pm.

Camden Children's Garden 3 Riverside Dr., Camden; 856-365-8733. www.camdenchildrensgarden.org. Butterfly house, maze, treehouse & more. $6; $4 ages 3-11; free for children 2 & under. Tue.-Sun. 10 am-5 pm.

Insectarium 8046 Frankford Ave.; 215-335-9500. www.insectarium.com. Thousands of mounted & live specimens, interactive exhibits, movie room, children's activities & more. $7; free for children under 2. Mon.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm.

Kix & Giggles Children's Playground 9356 Old Bustleton Ave.; 215-677-4140. www.kixandgiggles.com. Attractions include a wrap-around gym, a rock wall, soft-play section for babies & toddlers, an outside seating area & more. Mondays 10 am-3 pm are reserved for children with special needs & their families. See website for more info. $6.95. Tue.-Thu. 10 am-8 pm; Fri.-Sat. 10 am-9 pm; Sun. 10 am-8 pm.

Please Touch Museum Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, 4231 Avenue of the Republic; 215-581-3181. www.pleasetouchmuseum.org. Hands-on museum featuring 6 interactive exhibit zones: Roadside Attractions, Flight Fantasy, City Capers, Wonderland, River Adventures & Centennial Exploration. The Heart Gallery Philadelphia - Compelling photos of foster children awaiting adoption in Philadelphia. Closes 7/31. Target First Wednesday - Enjoy the museum's exhibits, programs & theater shows, after hours, at a reduced price. $2. 8/5 5-7 pm. Celebrate Artist Andy Warhol's Birthday - Kids can try their hand at screen printing. 8/6 9 am-4 pm. Getting There - Prop & puppet-filled tale about the history of transportation. Closes 8/9. $15; free for children under 1. Mon.-Sat. 9 am-5 pm; Thu. 9 am-8 pm through 9/3; Sun. 11 am-5 pm.

Sesame Place 100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne; 215-752-7070. www.sesameplace.com. Share in the spirit of imagination at this theme park, which features whirling rides, water slides, colorful shows & furry, familiar friends. $50.95; $45.95 seniors; free for children under 2. Fri.-Thu. 10 am.

*FREE* Smith The Kids Play Place in the Park Above Kelly Dr. near the intersection of 33rd & Oxford Sts. in E. Fairmount Park; 215-765-4325. www.smithplayhouse.org. 6-acre playground for children 10 & under featuring one-of-a-kind equipment including the Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide. 3-story "play mansion" for children 5 & under. Children must be accompanied by adult. Tue.-Fri. 10 am-4 pm; Sat.-Sun. 10 am-7 pm (thru 8/30).

Barnes & Noble-Rittenhouse Square 1805 Walnut St.; 215-665-0716. www.barnesandnoble.com. Randall Grass: Celebrating Great Spirits. 8/6 5:30 pm.

Big Blue Marble Bookstore 551 Carpenter Ln.; 215-844-1870. www.bigbluemarblebooks.com. Jill Richardson: Recipe for America. 8/6 7 pm.

Downtown Cape May Downtown Cape May, Cape May; 609-463-6415. www.capemay.com. East Lynne Theater Company: Tales of the Victorians - Company members read tales by famous American authors of the Victorian era. Takes place at various inns & tea shops around Cape May. $10; free for children 12 & under. 8/6 4 pm.

Giovanni's Room 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960. www.giovannisroom.com. Remembering E. Lynn - Tribute event for NY Times best-selling author E. Lynn Harris. 7/31 5:30 pm. Jeffrey Escoffier: Bigger Than Life. 8/1 5:30 pm.

McGillin's Olde Ale House 1310 Drury Ln.; 215-735-5562. www.mcgillins.com. Don Russell: Joe Sixpack's Philly Beer Guide. 8/4 7 pm.

Robin's Books & Moonstone Arts Center 108 S. 13th St.; 215-735-9600. www.robinsbookstore.com. Richie Unterberger: White Light/White Heat. 8/4 7 pm.

Center for the Creative Arts 410 Upper Snuff Mill Row, Yorklyn; 302-239-2434. www.ccarts.org. The Deaf American - A unique presentation from Mr. Tom Cooney & Camie Gallo, founders of Lily the Love Frog, Inc., incl. photographs from a personal collection & stories of determination in bridging the gap between hearing & deaf communities. Suggested donation: $5. 8/6 6:30 pm.

Essene Market & Cafe 719 S. 4th St.; 215-922-1146. www.essenemarket.com. Dr. Scott Yorker: Nutrition Wellness - An overview of understanding that if food can cause disease it can also promote health. 8/5 7 pm.

Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum & Library 4278 Griscom St.; 215-289-6484. garmuslib.org. From Ft. Sumter to Appomattox: General Samuel W. Crawford - Historical program. Contact Dr. Andy Waskie: 215-204-5452. 8/2 1:30 pm.

Historic Smithville Park Smithville Rd., Eastampton; 609-265-5068. The Ingenious Agnes Gilkerson Smith - Jeannie Francis presents a program about this Smithville resident who was a doctor & herbalist. 8/2 2 pm.