Enjoy the Last Bit of Summer in Montco

Relax, cool off, dine, party and relax in Montgomery County, because summer isn’t over yet!

The VFTCB’s #MakeItMontco Summer Hotel Package does the planning for you by providing incredible deals on the best restaurants, entertainment, and attractions! Dine at Founding Farmers and Mission BBQ, see the area sights, enjoy time away with your family- and best of all- you’ll save money on these great escapes!

Running through Labor Day, the bundle welcomes visitors to Montco, featuring a wide range of 19 offers, with over 10 hotels to choose from, plus a deal on rides with Lyft!

x

For me, as a foodie, the best part of this package was the food! With dinner at Mission BBQ, we enjoyed amazing Texas barbeque with delicious sides like cornbread and mac n cheese, plus a variety of delicious sauces to go over flavorful smoked meats. 

After a great night’s sleep at the Valley Forge Radisson, we enjoyed coffee then headed over to Founding farmers. I love staying in KoP because everything is conveniently located with a few minutes of each other.

Founding Farmers has an incredible brunch (and the decor and art is nothing to sneeze at, either), with healthy farm-to-fork staples, plus their iconic doughnuts, bacon lollies, Eggs Benedict, bread pudding with Bananas Foster sauce, egg souffles, Parmesan grits, chicken apple sausage, French Toast, and one of my favorites, a lox spread and pimento cheese spreads on tasty sourdough bread. 

We enjoyed sliced meats from the carving station, the maple black pepper bacon was fabulous, plus the picnic ham, brisket, and turkey. 

There’s also incredible drinks from the ‘farmacy’- scratch soda in lemon-lime, ginger or vanilla, the Manhattan soda with coffee, agave and jerk soda, or a try a New York egg cream. And a pierogi cart- you must see the pierogi cart! We enjoyed that brunch wholeheartedly, and cannot wait to go back.

Besides hotel promotions and iconic Montco staples that new audiences outside the area can discover – such as the popular Keswick Theatre and the Elmwood Park Zoo – the you can also enjoy also VIP discounts at newer attractions, events, and restaurants in Montco like 5 Wits in Plymouth Meeting Mall.

Summer is still here and there’s plenty to do in Montco, especially if you only have a weekend to enjoy it- see Valley Forge Park, stay at the area hotels, enjoy the attractions right in our own backyard, and try restaurants you’ve never been too! Shop the the locals malls (3!), try iFly, and take a ride on the railroad (for just one day!).

“We’ve got a record number of members coming together to help encourage people to visit Montgomery County this season, so this is going to be Montco’s best summer yet!” said Edward Harris, VFTCB Chief Marketing Officer. “There’s always so much to do and see here, but summertime is definitely a favorite for folks to #MakeItMontco. This package just takes it up a notch, and makes for a perfect weekend filled with family fun, or even a romantic getaway. Whether you like attractions, shopping, entertainment, or dining, we’ve got the perfect escape!”  I am a fan of. 

Experience family fun, shopping, entertainment, dining, and transportation all while they stay in Valley Forge and Montgomery County.

Participating hotels and partners include:

Hotels:

·                Courtyard by Marriott Lansdale

·                Courtyard by Marriott Plymouth Meeting

·                Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fort Washington

·                Hilton Garden Inn Valley Forge/Oaks

·                Homewood Suites Lansdale

·                Springhill Suites Plymouth Meeting

·                Crowne Plaza Valley Forge

·                Fairfield Inn Valley Forge

·                Sheraton Valley Forge

·                Homewood Suites by Hilton Philadelphia/Plymouth Meeting

·                Extended Stay America Philadelphia/King of Prussia

·                Embassy Suites by Hilton Philadelphia Valley Forge

Partners: 

·                King of Prussia Mall

·                Willow Grove Park Mall

·                Philadelphia Premium Outlets

·                LEGOLAND Discovery Center

·                Elmwood Park Zoo

·                5 Wits in Plymouth Meeting

·                American Treasure Tour

·                Arnold’s Family Fun Center

·                Valley Forge Casino Resort

·                Colebrookedale Railroad

·                Steel River Playhouse  

·                Keswick Theatre  

·                Montgomery County Studio Tour

·                The Mann Center for the Performing Arts

·                The Valley Forge Encampment Store

·                Founding Farmers

·                Mission BBQ

·                Lyft

All you need to do is present the coupon booklet you receive when they book their Montgomery County hotel to redeem the offers. Restrictions may apply, and all discounts are subject to availability.

For more information visit www.makeitmontco.com.

We can’t wait to see you #MakeItMontco, and enjoy everything this area has to offer- what's your favorite #Montco attraction?

Founding Farmers pictures by Stephen Trimble, Valley Forge house photo by wiki.

Vote ENGCHIK EATS for Best Blogger in Philly!

Hi team!

Can you all vote for me- under Arts & Entertainment for PHL 17 Top Spots! Best Blogger- Engchik Eats! 
Thank you!

https://phl17.com/phl17-top-spots/#/gallery?group=287500

LAST WEEKEND: Cirque du Soleil’s VOLTA Leaves Oaks for Next Destination

If you haven’t seen VOLTA, Cirque du Soleil’s latest Big Top creation, hurry up! 

The show is in Oaks for another 2 days and limited tickets are still available before VOLTA hits the road for Seattle. The show opened July 12^th next to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center and has literally become the talk of the town!

After 16 visits in Philadelphia since its creation, Cirque du Soleil set its iconic Big Top in Oaks for the very first time this year. VOLTA has had tremendous success since its arrival, mesmerizing the Montgomery County night after night.

During their stay in the Philadelphia area, the artists have had the honor of taking part in numerous activities with the local leading organizations. Among other events, the lead singers of VOLTA were invited to sing the National Anthem at the Phillies ball game against the Dodgers on July 25^th. 

The VOLTA crew also welcomed under the Big Top the cheerleaders of the Philadelphia Eagles for a fun workout session during which the cheerleaders learned the basics of circus skills from VOLTA artists.

The 71 trucks transporting the 2,000 tons of equipment required to set-up VOLTA’s tents and stage will soon head to Seattle. 

Forty-seven acrobats, actors, singers and musicians will be taking the stage at King County’s Marymoor Park in Seattle, WA, on September 7^th until the 4^thof November.

Good tickets are still available by visiting cirquedusoleil.com/volta or calling 1-877-9CIRQUE (1-877-924-7783). Tickets start at $49, including free parking.

VOLTA is a story of transformation. It is about being true to oneself, fulfilling one’s true potential, and recognizing one’s own power to make it possible. Ultimate freedom comes with self-acceptance, and with the liberation of the judgement of others. Using the rise of the celebrity culture and reality TV as a subtext, VOLTA teaches us that the path to fame is not necessarily the path to freedom.

“The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board was thrilled to welcome Cirque du Soleil’s VOLTA to Montgomery County and hopes to have upcoming shows in the area again in years to come,” said Mike Bowman, President & CEO of the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board. “With more than 200 arts attractions, Montgomery County is already an arts destination, but having a show of Cirque du Soleil’s caliber certainly puts Montco on the map and proves that we can hold world class events.”

Corporate Social Responsibility in Oaks

Cirque du Soleil’s commitment goes beyond the performance, as it aims to positively impact people, communities and the planet with its best assets: art and creativity. As a good neighbor, Cirque du Soleil gives back to the communities welcoming its touring shows through activities and programs that benefit youth at risk. 

During the stay of VOLTA in Oaks, more than 600 tickets were donated to various organizations to give children and teenagers at risk the opportunity to escape into the magical world of Cirque du Soleil.

VOLTA gratefully acknowledges its Official Partners, Hennessy Black and Sirius.

Cirque du Soleil

VOLTA is Cirque du Soleil’s 41^st original production since 1984, and its 18^th show presented under the Big Top. The company has brought wonder and delight to more than 190 million spectators in more than 450 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,400 performing artists from close to 50 different countries.

For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

Facebook: facebook.com/VOLTA  

Twitter: @Cirque #VOLTA

Instagram: @cirquedusoleil #VOLTA