Events Blog—Oct. 17–23

Prepare for a fantastically festive weekend with a gravedigger’s ball, the West Chester Halloween parade, Willistown Conservation Trust’s Rum-A-Muck & Countryside Bash and more!

For more great events in Chester County and beyond, check out the Events Page on this website.

Oct. 19—Chester County Historical Society Open House

Through Oct. 27—Roald Dahl’s Matilda: The Musical

Oct. 17–20—Fair Hill International Horse Trials

Oct. 18—Annual Laurel Hill Cemetery Gravediggers’ Ball

Oct. 19—Willistown Conservation Trust—Run-A-Muck & Countryside Bash

Oct. 23—West Chester Halloween Parade

Oct. 26—Philly Fights Cancer Fundraiser

To start out, remember from last week that the Chester County Historical Society’s Open House is this Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m. Just showing up could help the CCHS win $50,000 to go towards fixing their roof!

Chester County Historical Society Open House—Oct. 19

Competing against 19 other projects for part of $2 million national preservation grant to help repair its leaking roof and crumbling chimneys, Chester County Historical Society is opening its doors to host a block party. And the best part—the open house with the biggest turnout between noon and 4 p.m. wins an additional $50,000!

Come help the historical society win the grant, but stay for the fun and festivities, including complimentary (alcoholic or non) beverage, live music, a beer garden by Saloon 151, food trucks, children’s activities, historical reenactors, free parking and more!

Free. More at ChesterCoHistorical.org.

225 N. High St., West Chester.

Roald Dahl’s Matilda: The Musical—Through Oct. 27

The Media Theatre is back for their 2019–2020 season with this imaginative and girl-powered show, Matilda: The Musical! An inspiring story about willpower and destiny, Matilda follows a little girl with psychokinetic powers. Navigating her way through a rough childhood with cruel parents, a vicious head mistress and injustice, Matilda tells the story of believing in yourself and standing up for what’s right.

Catch this uplifting musical based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 children’s book. More at MediaTheatre.org.

The Media Theatre, 104 E. State St., Media.

Fair Hill International Horse Trials—Oct. 17–20

Calling all equestrians! Get ready for a weekend road trip to Maryland for the Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International Horse Trials. Located about an hour from Philadelphia and Baltimore, Fair Hill, MD is home of this spectacular display of equestrian skill.

Festivities start on Thursday with dressage, and continue all weekend long with show jumping and cross country racing, plus vendors, dog agility demonstrations and lessons, a pony drill team, children’s activities, live music and more. Tickets $5–$40. More at FairHillInternational.org.

Fair Hill International, 378 Fair Hill Dr., Elkton, MD. From 8 a.m. on Oct. 17 to 2:45 p.m. on Oct. 20.

Annual Laurel Hill Cemetery Gravediggers’ Ball—Oct. 18

Is there a better venue for a Gravediggers’ Ball than the Mütter Museum? For a frightfully festive evening, come dressed in black tie, costume or masquerade attire to win best dressed or best costumed! Enjoy cocktails from the open bar, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and dessert, live music, raffles, and auction items.

Tickets $250. Benefits the Friends of Laurel Hill Cemetery, working to preserve, interpret and promote the site. More at GravediggersBall.org.

The Mütter Museum (of the College of Physicians Philadelphia), 19 S. 22nd St., Philadelphia.

Willistown Conservation Trust—Run-A-Muck & Countryside Bash—Oct. 19

Get ready to “Run-A-Muck!” Run a timed 5k race or walk the 1-mile “muckers” trail at your own pace. Afterwards, enjoy the Countryside Bash with family. Hungry? Grab some grub from Jimmy’s BBQ and wash it down with wine and beer. And have fun with face painting, mechanical bulls rides, stargazing, or get cozy by the bonfire and listen to live music from Philly’s Hetzel Brothers Band.

Leashed pups welcome and encouraged to participate in pet parade. Tickets $35, 18 and under, $15. Day-of tickets $45, 18 and under, $25. More at WCTrust.org.

2702 Whitehorse Rd., Berwyn. Gates open 2:30 p.m.

West Chester Halloween Parade—Oct. 23

Get ready for this spooktacular event! Bring the family to see Halloween costumes, floats and performances from marching bands, cheer squads and dance teams from local schools, including West Chester University. Kiddos can grab a bag of candy from a donation station among the parade route to satisfy their sweet tooth.

Parking is $5 at garages and lots from 6–9 p.m. Event is free. Rain date, Thursday, Oct. 24. More at DowntownWestChester.com.

Starting Point on Market Street between Church & Darlington Sts., West Chester.

Philly Fights Cancer Fundraiser—Oct. 26

Join a good cause this weekend in Philadelphia with Round 5 of this fundraiser! Prepare to be star-struck, because this round will showcase a star-studded lineup with Golden Globe and Tony Award Winner Hugh Jackman, Emmy-winning stand-up comedian John Mulaney and American singer, songwriter, and record producer Andy Grammer. Get ready for a night of foot-tapping and laughter-inducing fun.

Benefits the clinical trials and translational research at the Abramson Cancer Center. More at PhillyFightsCancer.org.

The Navy Yard, Kitty Hawk and League Island Blvd., Philadelphia. 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.