“Ben\u2019s Birthday Bash” takes place Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Franklin Institute, celebrating the 320th birthday of Benjamin Franklin with a mix of hands-on science, live demonstrations and interactive activities.<\/p>\n
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with programming spread throughout the museum and inside the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial. Visitors can take photos beneath the 20-foot-tall Franklin statue before moving through games, experiments and performances inspired by Franklin\u2019s work.<\/p>\n
A new immersive multimedia show called Franklin\u2019s Spark will debut during the celebration and play hourly inside the memorial. Highlights also include a live performance of \u201cHappy Birthday\u201d on the glass armonica, an instrument invented by Franklin, followed by a ball-pit ball explosion finale at 11:15 a.m.<\/p>\n
Throughout the day, visitors can catch live electricity demonstrations tied to Franklin\u2019s famous experiments, play Franklin-themed party games, and design their own birthday hats. Poor Richard\u2019s Pursuit, a scavenger hunt, challenges participants to solve puzzles for a chance to win a copy of Franklin\u2019s Fortune, a deck-building game. The Hamilton Collections Gallery will be open with several of Franklin\u2019s inventions on display, and the National Park Service will host a pop-up focused on 18th-century printing.<\/p>\n
Visitors are encouraged to dress in Franklin-inspired outfits, with creative interpretations welcome.<\/p>\n