Weekend driving destinations

by Brian Bingaman

The Tsar of Muscovy, a land some call Russia, has traveled to England to pluck a lady from Queen Elizabeth’s court to be his bride. This being the age of chivalry, knights step up to fight “Ivan the Awesome.”

The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire crowns its 28th season with this storyline from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day Monday for 12 weekends through Oct. 25-26 at Mount Hope Estate and Winery, Route 72 off turnpike exit 266, Cornwall.


Also stroll through a re-creation of a 16th century Tudor village with guildsmen, chefs, pirates, jesters, gypsies, wenches, minstrels, jugglers, musical performances, magic acts, fire-breathing stunts, Shakespearean plays and comical mud beggars.Admission is $28.95, $9.95 for children 5-11. Family Four Packs are $59.95 and a Child Ride Pass, featuring one child ticket and single admission to the Amazing Maze and two man-powered rides, are $14.95. A $2 discount applies to adults attending in period costume. Games, foods, beverages and crafts are additional. Parking is free. Get show details, advance click-to-print tickets and other helpful tips at www.parenfaire.com or call (717) 665-7021.

Corvette convention

“The Big Corvette Roundup” gets under way at 10 a.m. Saturday at Becky’s Drive-In, 4548 Lehigh Drive, Walnutport. The day concludes with outdoor movies at 8:30 p.m. Registration is $15, $20 the day of the show, $15 for the rally and $7 for the movies. Visit www.corvetteroundup.com.

Weekend to explore

- The Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor encompasses 25 galleries, museums and art studios in Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon and Monroe counties. Find out more by visiting www.delawareandlehigh.org. Click on “Things to Do,” then “Artisan Trail.” If you prefer to have the 2008 brochure mailed to you, call (610) 923-3548.

Blues, bluegrass

- Koko Taylor, Elvin Bishop and The Mannish Boys headline the Riverfront Blues Festival from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and 12:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, Water and South French streets, Wilmington, Del. The festival features a Kids’ Area, guitar workshops and a second stage of local and regional acts. Tickets are $15 in advance for Friday, $20 at the gate. For Saturday or Sunday, tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. A weekend pass is $50. Children 12 and under get in free. Visit www.riverfrontbluesfest.com.

- The Bucks County Bluegrass Festival starts at 2 p.m. (the main gate opens at noon) Saturday at Snipes Farm, 890 W. Bridge St., Morrisville. The lineup includes The Plucking Grassholes, North Branch, Reverse Curve, Mason Porter, Lyle Rickad & the Toad Lickers, Free Grass Union and Cabinet. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the gate and $5 for camping, free for children under 12. For camping details, visit www.myspace.com/musicatsnipes.

A.C. destination

Atlantic City, N.J.’s Puerto Rican Parade starts at noon Sunday on the Boardwalk. A Latin Music Festival follows the parade and runs till 10:30 p.m. Featured performers include Johnny Ray, Jose Santiago y Su Grupo, Jorge Omar, Danny Carmelo, Enko, Alex “La Manga,” Bailarines Esencia Latina and more. Music festival admission is $5, $3 for children under 10. Call (609) 226-8183 or visit www.atlanticcityparade.com.