NW Weekender: Fall festivals, Germantown ghost tours and glass pumpkin making

Looking for something to do in Northwest Philadelphia this weekend? Here are our top picks. 

Second Saturday Festival at Wyck, 6026 Germantown Ave.This is the last Second Saturday festival for the 2012 season at Wyck Historic House. The theme of this Saturday’s event is “Expedition! Nature’s Curiosities.” The event will explore the more unusual side of nature. Participants will take a look at the varieties of fruits and vegetables that are a bit out of the ordinary. A scavenger hunt and a talk from Dr. Hewitt, a botanist from the Academy of Natural Sciences, are also planned. The local band Urban Drawl will be playing music throughout the afternoon. Local food vendors include Capogiro and Earth Elements Healing Foods. Festival runs from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Chestnut Hill Fall For the Arts Festival, Germantown Ave., between Willow Grove and Rex AvenuesFood, arts, music, crafts–the Chestnut Hill Festival for the Arts certainly has something for everyone. Germantown Avenue will be closed to vehicles from the 8000 to 8600 blocks on Sunday as the avenue is turned into a festival of arts. Art of all kinds – photographs, paintings, jewelry – will be on display and available for purchase. There will be plenty of  activities and crafts for children. Live music will be presented on two stages and dances performances from Scottish Dancing to Hip Hop. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Note: This festival was postponed last week due to weather.

Fall Family Day at Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Ave.A cemetery is not the first place you might think of as family friendly, but scenic Laurel Hill Cemetery is definitely the exception to the rule. This Sunday, the cemetery is hosting a fall family day. Bobbing for apples and painting pumpkins are all on the to-do list. Food will include hot dogs, pretzels, hot cider, and other fall treats. Children are welcome to wear their Halloween costumes. The event goes from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $5. 

Ghosts of the Great Road Tour in GermantownTake a look at the paranormal side of your favorite Germantown historical attractions. Guides dress in period pieces as they take you to some of the most haunted places in Germantown. There are two separate tours. One is the Market Square tour, which takes place this Saturday at 3 p.m. The tour looks at the area around Market Square and finishes at Grumblethrope. This tour leaves from 5501 Germantown Avenue. The other tour is the Colonial Compound taking place Saturday at 6 p.m., which leaves from the Upsala Mansion at 6430 Germantown Avenue. Explore/get a chilling look at the Chew House and Cliveden area. Tours last 90 minutes and are not recommended for children under age seven. Tickets cost $10. For more info and tickets visit http://ghostsofthegreatroad.com/

Final Day of Manayunk’s Restaurant Week, Main StreetFriday is the last day for Manayunk’s Restaurant Week. Hopefully, you’ve got your fill of food over the last two weeks. If not, tonight is the last night restaurants will be offering special dishes at fixed prices. A list of participating restaurants can be found on Manayunk’s website. 

Make a Glass Pumpkin at East Falls Glassworks, 3510 Scotts LaneGet a chance to try glassblowing with this unique fall themed activity at East Falls Glassworks. Learn how to make a glass pumpkin. It’s a chance to try out glassblowing while creating one-of-a-kind Halloween decorations at the same time. This is open to all skill levels. The workshop is Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m and costs $115. You can sign up by calling (215) 908-7924.

Gorgas Park Harvest Festival, Gorgas Park 

Celebrate the start of fall at the Gorgas Park Harvest Festival in Roxborough on Sunday.  Guests can make their own scarecrows, paint pumpkins, visit the petting zoo and much more. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.