DV Journal

Valentine’s Day—a day where even hard-charging politicos take a breather from the campaign trail to enjoy some time with their significant other.

The Delaware Valley Journal asked some local candidates to share their favorite romantic spots in this area.

“Hiking in the Pennypack Preserve near our home in Bryn Athyn,” said Dr. Mehmet Oz, a Republican running for the U.S. Senate. “We talk about family, food, faith and fun (and yes, politics) while watching the theatrics of nature all around us.”

Philadelphia lawyer George Bochetto, who is also running for the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate, said his idea of a romantic date with his wife, Christy, is “a boat cruise up and down the Delaware River.”

Longwood Gardens

The Spirit of Philadelphia offers scenic dinner cruises along the river.

“I have had many enjoyable strolls at the impressive outdoor gardens at Longwood Gardens,” said James Jones, a Hatboro resident who is running for lieutenant governor.  “Let your love bloom at Longwood Gardens. Spend a few hours strolling the impressive outdoor gardens as well as four acres of conservatories, historic Peirce-du Pont House, Webb Farmhouse & Galleries, the Terrace, and the visitor center. Inside the glass-enclosed conservatories, you’ll find tranquility among the plants and waterfalls.”

Main Street Clock in New Hope

Horsham’s Clarice Schillinger, who is also running for lieutenant governor, said, “For a statewide candidate, the most romantic place to be is at home! In all seriousness, my husband and I love visiting New Hope where we go to watch plays, ride the train, visit the shops, and have a fantastic meal at the many restaurants to choose from.”

“Josh’s favorite romantic spot in the Delaware Valley is the Pennypack Trail, where he and his wife Lori like to go on walks, said Will Simon, a spokesman for Democrat Josh Shapiro.  Shapiro, now serving as attorney general, is running for governor.

Another Republican candidate, Guy Ciarrocchi, who has taken a leave from the Chester County Chamber of Business to run for governor, said, “This year, the most romantic spot is anywhere that Chris & I can go to be alone and away from the campaign—so that we can just be ‘Chris and Guy.’ We enjoy going to places that we’ve been to before to relive memories of then and now—but our favorite restaurant in Lancaster and our favorite restaurant in South Philly both closed. So, time for a new memory place. Any suggestions?”

Amy Bohr, with Visit Delco PA, suggests Chanticleer in Wayne as “one of the most romantic places in Delco.”

Bridgeton House Deck

“Admittedly, it will not be open for Valentine’s Day,” she said. “This intimate, romantic ‘pleasure garden’ is truly a feast for the senses. Orchards, wildflower meadows, and verdant woodlands surround the historic Rosengarten family estate.”

Not to be outdone, Alexa Johnson with Visit Bucks County said, “I would say it’d have to be one of our quaint B&B’s – the Bridgeton House on the Delaware, Inn at Bowman’s Hill or Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm.”

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Thanksgiving and the holiday season in the Delaware Valley region will look and feel a little closer to normal this year.

Along with giant balloons and floats, many residents will be making their way to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Thursday as the 6ABC Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade is set for 9 am. Considered the country’s oldest Thanksgiving parade, it was canceled last year and went online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bernie Prazencia, general manager and president of 6ABC, told The Philadelphia Inquirer, “We’re here to say it’s back, and it’s live, and it couldn’t be more important for us to be back given all that we’ve gone through and all that our community has suffered.”

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney also told The Inquirer the parade “means a lot to the kids because it’s fun for them and it means a lot to the parents and grandparents because they can remember when they were kids. It just keeps families together.”

The event had only been canceled once before, in 1971, due to inclement weather.

Courtesy of 6ABC

For the rest of the Delaware Valley region, the Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular will open Friday at the Fairgrounds at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks. The outdoor venue has various displays of lights, shopping outlets, dining opportunities, a skating rink, and other holiday experiences. Tickets for kids under 13 start at $13.99 with $19.99 for adults.

It will also host weekly special events such as ‘Waggin Wednesdays’ when visitors can bring their dog along for giveaways and photos with Santa. Another notable event is ‘Gritty Thursdays’ where the Philadelphia Flyers mascot will appear and visitors can take pictures.

In Chester County, Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square is preparing for its annual Longwood Christmas light show. Around 300 employees have been working on the display that contains 500,000 LED bulbs and 40 miles of wires.

This year’s theme for the Christmas light show is fire and ice, including a light assortment to compliment those colors. Adult ticket prices are $30, as many members and nonmembers visit one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the region.

In Bucks County, the Holiday Light Show at Shady Brook Farm in Yardley is underway. Guests can drive through after-dark to see the lights display. It includes illuminated tunnels and almost every imaginable Christmas icon rendered in small bulbs. After finishing the drive, visitors can also see Santa and warm up around a campfire.

And in Delaware County, residents trying to cut their own Christmas Trees can do so at Linvilla Orchards in Media, Pa. The venue holds over 40,000 Christmas trees and has employees that will provide a saw to cut down the tree and assist in getting the tree to your car.

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