Rides 'n' parades ... opens Wednesday

If you didn't get your fill of fireworks and fun on the Fourth of July, you're in luck. The annual Terre Hill Days carnival opens Wednesday and continues right through Sunday, July 18. And Saturday night ends with a bang, as fireworks will light up the sky beginning at 10 p.m. But there's lots going on before then. On Wednesday night the rides, food and game stands open at 5 p.m. and a fire company parade happens at 7 p.m. On Thursday, you can check out the local talent at the talent show, see a reptile and bird show and ride the rides all night for $15. Friday's highlights include a pie-eating contest and a performance by Flamin' Dick and the Hot Rods. Saturday's fun includes the famous (or is that infamous?) outhouse race at 1 p.m., a tug of war at 3 p.m., a magic show at 4 p.m. and a performance by Mixed Breed from 7 to 10 p.m. On Sunday, things calm down a bit with a church service in the park at 10:30 a.m., followed by a community picnic and music by Sounds of the Susquehanna. For details on the festival, held at Terre Hill Community Memorial Park, 210 Lancaster Ave., in Terre Hill, visit www.terrehilldays.com or call 445-4581.

Hops 'n' Clocks ... Friday

Hops 'n' Clocks, the National Watch and Clock Museum's annual beer tasting event happening Friday evening from 6 to 9, is something of a contradiction. It would seem that time would be the last thing on one's mind in a room full of regional brews, local food specialties and live music. But still, the event seems to have a large and happy following - whatever the time. This year, participating breweries include the Appalachian Brewing Company, Union Barrel Works, Lancaster Brewing Company, Pabst Blue Ribbon (Kirchner Inc.), Mr. Steve's Homebrews, Smirnoff (Lancaster Beverage), and Little's Beverage Distributor. Food will be offered by Prudhomme's Lost Cajun Kitchen, Golden Stories, Bully's, Trio Bar and Grill, Shank's Tavern, Isaac's Restaurant and Deli, and Chef Tim Foods. At right is a portion of an over 12-foot-high glass and metal sculpture, a collaboration between Through the Fire Glass Studio and Friedly Fine Art, that will be unveiled at the event. Irish duo Fire in the Glen will perform an array of, dare we say, drinking songs? In any case, tickets for tonight's revelry are $25 at the door, or $15 for the designated driver in the party. For more information, call 684-8261, ext. 237 or visit www.nawcc.org.

Idols 'n' tunes ... Thursday

Simon won't be there, but all the top 10 contestants from Season 9 of "American Idol" will be performing Thursday night at the Giant Center. That means Aaron Kelly, Crystal Bowersox, Michael Lynche, Andrew Garcia, Katie Stevens, Lee Dewyze, Siobhan Magnus, Casey James, Didi Benami and Tim Urban, shown here clockwise from bottom right, will be taking the stage at the 7:30 p.m. 2010 American Idol Live! Tour. Tickets are $41, $51, $66 and $76. Check out americanidol.com to learn about your favorite idols from the last decade and what they're doing today. You can also learn more about this year's contestants who are now on tour, including winner Lee DeWyze, and find out where auditions are being held for next season's show. For tickets, call 534-3911 or visit www.giantcenter.com.