Try and say it: Philadelphia sells sea shells by the Jersey shore.
It doesn't carry quite the same ring, but if the tongue twister is the most consideration you've given shells recently, it's worth paying a visit to the annual Philadelphia Shell Show this weekend.
Hosted by the Academy of Natural Sciences for the 25th consecutive year, the show boasts the largest collection of enthusiasts, experts, vendors and specimens in the Northeast.
The Academy of Natural Sciences has been bringing Philadelphians closer to the marvels of the world's flora and fauna for nearly 200 years. Admission to both the museum and the Shell Show is $8 for students.
Purchase jewelry of the sea, shell books and other crafts, or simply peruse the collections competing for prizes courtesy of the Philadelphia Shell Club, the organizers behind the event.
Hold your nose inches away from squid dissections, taste test mollusk desserts and enter a raffle for a free Sailor's Valentine - never too early to start planning - which is basically patterns and pictures made entirely of shells.
Given the wealth of scientific knowledge the show reels in, each year the event hosts notable speakers. Two years ago, University of Utah professor and Phillipines native Baldomero Olivera discussed his findings on how otherwise venomous cone snails promise chronic pain relief for humans.
This year, the Philadelphia Shell Club has arranged for Smithsonian scientist Ellen Strong to discuss her work on the "Coral Triangle" of the Western Pacific, a treasure trove of marine biodiversity. She will speak tomorrow at 5:15 p.m.
A giant Pacific Octopus named Walter, a major hit with attendees, will be prominently displayed, and Academy scientists will be offering free behind-the-scenes tours of the nation's largest mollusk collection, the fourth largest in the world.
The main shell collections are on display tomorrow and Sunday, although the event continues through Monday.
The Academy of Natural Sciences is open between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekends, and is located on the corner of 19th and Cherry streets. If you're in the city over Fall Break and looking for an afternoon adventure, it's the closest you can get to the shore without leaving Philadelphia.
