This Weekend: Hot Chocolate & Snow

When Hershey Entertainment and Resorts noticed the late-winter dead spot on the region's entertainment calendar a few years ago, they probably viewed it a probletunity. Thus Chocolate Covered February was born. This is the third time they've taken our shortest month and dipped it in a big vat of melted chocolate, and throughout 28 days there are all kinds of special events going on at all of the Hershey properties. If you want the whole schedule, just click on the link above, but for now, on to the weekend:

First off, the York Builder’s Association Home Show starts on Friday. More than 200 exhibitors filling 74,000 square feet with all manner of things for your home. One of the signature events of Chocolate Covered February is the Chocolate Dinner Extraordinaire at the Circular Dining Room, and it take place on Friday night. There are a few interesting things going on in Midtown Harrisburg on Friday with controversial activist and reformer Bill Ayers speaking on education at the Midtown Scholar and Folk Artist Sarah Blacker on stage at the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center. In Theatre, Messiah College is staging the awesome You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown and Millersville is putting on A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, A Prayer, a show dealing with violence against women. Staying in the Lancaster area Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute will be on stage at at the American Music Theatre. Also, another February of Improv Comedy at the Pub kicks off at the Mount Hope Estate and Winery.

All of Saturday’s events come with the caveat that you should check official websites in case of snow cancellation. One thing that probably won’t be cancelled is In Their Footsteps: Walking The Picket Line at the National Civil War Museum. Check back tomorrow for a post about that. The organizers for the Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge on City Island say that they will not cancel their event unless they absolutely have to. I think eight to twelve inches of snow would add some panache to an already crazy event. The Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show starts on Saturday morning, but frankly, I’d wait until later in the week to go. There’s a chance the weather could keep some exhibitors from getting in to town. An outdoor event for Chocolate Covered February, Winter Animal Wonders at ZooAmerica would be great for kids. I hope the animals like snow. If you live in downtown Lancaster and need a snow day activity, the Fulton Theatre continues its run of Driving Miss Daisy. Back in Hershey, the Circular dining room is having a Chocolate Chef’s Table and the Hershey Bears will be at home against Wilkes-Barre Scranton. The Art Association of Harrisburg’s annual rager, The Bal Masque, is Saturday night at the Appalachian Brewing Company, while the West Shore Hardware Bar is throwing a Jersey Shore Party with cast member Angelina Pivarnick. Finally, the PA Fighting Championship II is going on at the Zembo Mosque. We’re trying to get some coverage of it, but thus far have been unsuccessful.

Sunday the Sports & Outdoor Show and the York Builders Show continue. Even if it really snows, everything should be under control by Sunday, so you can take the family Ice Skating at the Ice Park at Clipper Magazine Stadium or Public Skating at Hersheypark Arena. Also, If you’re looking for a chance to see the world covered in snow, there’s a Winter Tree Walk at Wildwood Park in Harrisburg.

Have fun kids.