West Chester Events Only Email: May 6 - May 13

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Here you go, by popular demand - a quick overview of the events ahead! Coming soon, I will be adding a permanent subsection with weekly recurring events so you’ll never miss a Quizzo or karaoke opportunity, should you want it. Scroll to the end for the complete list of everything I know. If I’m missing something or have ideas for this newsletter, let me know - [email protected]. Enjoy!

Looking Ahead: Penn Fusion Charity 5K Returns to West Chester May 30

Lace up and join 200+ runners in Downtown West Chester for the 5th Annual Penn Fusion Charity 5K Run/2K Walk on May 30! This community event supports great causes, with all net proceeds benefiting Unite for Her and the PAAL Program. Be sure to register by May 16 to guarantee your race shirt.

The race begins at 9:30 a.m. at the corner of Church and Market Streets, bringing energy and excitement to the heart of downtown. After crossing the finish line, stick around for awards honoring top finishers across age groups.

Penn Fusion is also seeking volunteers to help guide and support runners along the course—an excellent way to get involved if you’re not racing.

Whether you run, walk, or volunteer, your participation makes a difference. To learn more about the Penn Fusion 5K and explore everything happening in West Chester soccer, please visit their website!

This is a sponsored event.

Event of the Weekend: Bournelfy Camp 5K Run

Beginning at the end of June and extending into August, Bournelyf Special Camp will welcome roughly 125 campers with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ages 8 to forever young. It is the only camp in Chester County to do so. 

To keep those lights on, once a year, on a Thursday evening, the camp hosts a 5K race that starts at the corner of Church and Market Streets and ends with an after-party at the Wrong Crowd Beer Company. (Don’t worry, racers, the actual running stops on Market St.) Funds raised through the event help to keep tuition affordable, hire qualified, motivated staff, and provide activities and experiences throughout Chester County and the surrounding region.  

“The population that we serve and the experiences that we give - [these kids] probably wouldn’t get that elsewhere,” says Executive Director Courtney Zimmerman. 

May 7: Bournelyf 5K Run, Church and Market, 6:30 p.m. Registration: $40

Sunday is Mother’s Day

Just a friendly reminder for all of you who have not yet picked up some flowers, grabbed a gift, or made brunch reservations. At a loss? Some more ideas below.

A big thanks to this week’s presenting sponsor, The Dance Center. Under the direction of Donna Muzio, and the official school of the Brandywine Ballet, the Dance Center has been behind the area’s best dancers for more than 50 years. Visit their website to learn more.

Mark Your Calendars:

May 7 -Hershey’s Mill Showcase of Homes, Hershey’s Mill Homes and Golf Club, 1500 Greenhill Rd., 10 a.m.- 2:15 p.m. This is a ticketed event. Tickets can also be purchased day of with cash or check.

May 7 – Girls Dinner, Stove & Tap, 5 – 9 p.m. Every Thursday from 5:00–9:00 pm, it’s all about the classics. Martini. Salad. Fries.  $20 

May 7 – Puzzle Palooza, Oakbourne Mansion, 1014 S. Concord Rd, 6-8 p.m. Teams of 2 – 4 race to complete a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle. $15 to play. Registration required.

May 7 – Bournelyf Special Camps 5K, downtown West Chester, corner of Market and Church Sts. 6:30 p.m. $30 registration before Mar. 6, $35 after. Proceeds go to support Bournelyf Special Camp. Join the after-race party at Wrong Crowd and get a free pour.

May 7 – Dan Tyminski Solo, Uptown, 7:30 p.m. Dan Tyminski is one of today’s most celebrated bluegrass musicians. Tickets: $46 – 54

May 8 -10 – Gay Street Open Air Market – Gay St. will be closed Friday morning – Sunday evening

May 8-10 – WCU Commencement Ceremonies

This week, 2,685 West Chester University undergrad and 883 graduate students are eligible to walk that stage to the next chapter. Students graduate by department and college, starting with the Honors College tonight at 6 p.m. at the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall

Find the complete list of colleges and their specific graduation times, dates, and locations here.

May 8 – Silent Book Club, Oscar Lasko YMCA, 1 E. Chestnut St., 12:15 – 2:15 p.m. Quiet reading starts at 12:45 p.m. For this meetup, please bring a portable chair (if you don’t have one, there are limited chairs available, but this will enable us to spread out throughout the lobby area). You can bring a drink or a snack as well. Please note that you MUST bring a photo ID to be admitted into the YMCA. This is a free event but registration is requested.   

May 8 – Family Bingo Night, Penn’s Table, 6 – 8 p.m. Enjoy dinner + prizes + family fun! It’s the easiest (and most fun) Friday night plan. Reservations encouraged.

Looking ahead: 

May 9 - West Chester Grower’s Market, corner of Church and Chestnut St., 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

May 9 – Spring Yard Sale, West Goshen various, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. This is a rain or shine event. You can find a map of participating locations here.

May 9 – Coffee with a Cop, Target Starbucks, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Join your neighbors and the West Goshen Township Police Department to ask questions, voice concerns, and just say hello.

May 9 – West Chester Walking Club, meet at Pine + Quill, 9:30 a.m.

May 9 – Chess Club, West Chester Public Library, 10 – 12 a.m. For ages 5 – 15. No registration required. 

May 9, 10 – Fierce Women of West Chester – Walking Tour, Chester County History Center, 225 N. High St., 11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. A fun, interactive way to learn the remarkable history of 19th-century women, while strolling through the Borough. 90-minute tour covers approximately 1.5 miles. Tickets: $16

May 10, Mother’s Day Creative Experience, LoCali Winery, 12 – 3 p.m. Celebrate mom with a creative afternoon of painting and planting. The event includes a custom spring painting project (all supplies included) and live music by touring artist Cameron Markott. Tickets: $50. Registration required.  

May 10 – Mother’s Day Express, West Chester Historic Railroad, 12 p.m. or 2 p.m. Make Mom’s day unforgettable with a relaxing 90-minute round-trip train ride from West Chester to Glen Mills and back aboard the West Chester Railroad. Tickets: $30/adults; $25/kids; $5/Mom

May 11 – Storytime in the Park, Oakbourne Park, 10:30 – 11 a.m. Open to all. Bring a blanket!

May 12 – Science on Tap – Chemistry, Barnaby’s Restaurant, 6 p.m. Each session will feature a different WCU expert sharing interesting ideas and new research. The program invites audience participation and, of course, food and drink will be available for purchase. Cheers to science!

May 13 – A Silk Memory Restitched, Chester County History Center, 225 N. High St., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Recreate an 1819 sampler. Embroiderers are invited to join internationally noted instructor Amy Mitten to learn how to recreate a reproduction of a Chester County sampler stitched in 1819 by Hannah Wilson (1802 – 1870), while attending West Marlborough School.

May 13 – Trails & Tales: The Conservation Story of Starr Farm Park, Starr Farm Park, 1079 Skelp Level Road, 5:30 p.m. Join East Bradford Township and the Brandywine Conservancy for an interactive guided hike through Starr Farm Park, exploring the conservation journey that transformed this historic Quaker farmstead into a protected public landscape. Registration required. 

May 13 – Murder Mystery Hike, Oakbourne Park, 6 -7 p.m. Follow clues, solve puzzles, and uncover secrets hidden along the trail. Tickets: $35

May 14 – Helping Hands Amazing Race, Historic Chester County Court House, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. 

May 14 – Snapology: Jedi Masters, West Chester Public Library, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Kids will use Lego bricks to design and build their very own light saber-inspired models. Ages: 5-12 Registration required. 

May 14 – Yappy Hour, Levante Brewing, 5 – 7 p.m.

May 14 – Birds and Brews, Oakbourne Park, 5:30-7:15 p.m. Hike with an avid birder. Discuss a local brewery. Limited to Westtown residents only. Registration required.

May 14 – All That’s Purple Gala, Mendenhall Inn, 6 – 10 p.m. Help the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County (DVCCC) celebrate 50 years of impact. Enjoy a two-hour open bar, live entertainment, and both silent and live auctions — all while helping shine a light on hope and healing. Tickets: $200 if purchased before May 1. 

May 14 – West Chester Unplugged Appy Hour Event, Bookmarks, 100 E. Gay St. 7 p.m. Attendees will discuss Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation and the follow-up, The Amazing Generation. No prior reading required. Snacks provided.  

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May 15 – Virtual Golf on Gay St., Gay St closure in front of the Post Office, 4 – 8 p.m.

May 15 – Trivia Night, Sunshine Rotary, Goodwill Fire Co., 6 p.m. The money raised by the event is for our 501 (C3) Foundation which supports non-profits in the community. This event is SOLD OUT

May 15 – American Patriarch: Author Talk with H. W. Brands, Philips Autograph Library, 7 – 8:15 p.m. From historian and Pulitzer Prize finalist H. W. Brands comes an inspiring portrait of George Washington that examines his unrivaled leadership in the birth of America. The event is free but registration is required. 

May 15 – WCPL Virtual Trivia Night, West Chester Public Library, 7 – 8 p.m. There are four categories of 10 questions each to challenge you. This event is free but registration is required. 

View the full event list here. 

Up next: The West Chester Weekly Roundup comes out Friday. See you then!

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