Around Town May 11

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on May 11, 2023

Tough Mudder is coming.

• It takes a tough mudder to take part in Tough Mudder. Tough Mudder is an obstacle course race characterized by, naturally, mud. And lots of it. The event comes to Plantation Field — 347 Green Valley Road — Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21. Tickets are $15 and available here. The slipping and sliding start at 7:45 a.m. Saturday, then every 15 minutes until 2:45 p.m. It’s 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday.

• The City Theatre Company of Wilmington is accepting applications for its two Improv Camp sessions for teens and tweens. Sessions are July 17-21 for youngsters 11-14 years old, and July 31 to Aug. 4. Both sessions run from 9 a.m. to noon. Students will learn about the art of comedy improvisation (also known as making stuff up as you go along) — an art that translates to lots of real-life skills. Plus, have a lot of fun. The cost is R$250. Register here. https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/citytheatercompany/1626

Taking a ride on a beautiful balloon during the Chester County Balloon Festival in June.

• The Chester County Balloon Festival is Friday-Sunday, June 16, 17, and 18 at Willowdale Steeplechase, 101 E. State Street in Kennett Square. Admission tickets are $20 and are available here. Hot air balloon rides are also available beginning at $335.

Chadds Ford resident Jody Allen and his daughter Taegan plant a tree at the Brinton Run Preserve.

• An estimated 60 volunteers helped plant 400 trees at the Brinton Run Preserve off Oakland Road in Chadds Ford Township on Saturday. The North American Land Trust acquired the property in 2021 and opened the 71-acre parcel to the public last year and decided to plant native trees and remove invasive plants. NALT President Steven Carter said more trails would be built into the land.

• Westown Township and its Historical Commission will hold a Revolutionary War Militia Monument dedication ceremony in honor of Revolutionary War patriots who served in the Chester County Militia and were buried in Westtown Township in the private cemetery of the Taylor Family. The ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 20 at 1147 S. Concord Road. The monument specifically honors the service of Col. Thomas Taylor, commander of the Westtown Battalion of the Militia, his two sons, Captains Titus Taylor and Thomas Taylor Jr. and two neighbors, Privates Henry and John Faucett.

• Kennett Square’s Kennett Summerfest is returning from 3-7 p.m. on Sunday, June 11 bringing together wine, spirits, cheese, and live music in a sophisticated festival atmosphere. An exclusive pre-Summerfest farm-to-table lunch with wine pairings is also available. Discounted tickets are $65 each through May 29 and cover the entrance to the festival, a tasting glass, and unlimited tastings of wines and cocktails. Summerfest will be in the 100 block of S. Broad Street. Ticket prices will go up to $75 after Memorial Day. Kennett Summerfest is a fundraiser for Kennett Collaborative. Find tickets for “Farm & Vine” and regular Kennett Summerfest admission at kennettsummerfest.com.

• Nominations are now open for the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District 2023-2024 Wall of Honor. The purpose of this award is to recognize alumni for their outstanding achievements since graduating from Unionville High School and to inspire current students. Candidates must be UHS graduates who graduated at least five years prior to the nomination and model high standards of excellence in personal and/or professional life and in community and humanitarian service. The deadline for submissions is May 30. Nominations can be made at www.ucfsd.org/wallofhonor.

Racing to save the watershed is just ducky.

• Concord Township and the Newlin Grist Mill are teaming up for a 5K and a rubber duckie race on Saturday, June 17 at the grist mill. The Race for the Watershed: 5K Trail Run & Duck Race, starts at 8:30 a.m. with a 5K race on the trails, followed by duck races in the creek from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hand-forged medals will be awarded to the top three finishers, and top finishers in each age group will receive gift cards for local businesses. Prizes for Duck Race will be cash prizes of up to $100 per heat, with the top finishers of each heat being entered into the championship heat with a first-place prize of $1,000. There is a $35 per runner entry fee for the 5K (includes a race t-shirt). Racing ducks can be purchased for $20 per duck or $50 for 3 ducks. Go here to register.