The annual Philadelphia Shell Show and Festival, the largest show of its kind in the Northeast, returns to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 20 and 21, with a special bicentennial theme.

“Treasures Revealed: Shells of the Americas” is a fitting theme as the oldest natural history museum in the Americas continues its yearlong bicentennial celebration. Sponsored by the Philadelphia Shell Club and the Academy, the show features displays in judged categories that reflect various aspects of shell collecting, from the scientific to the purely artistic.

Free behind-the-scenes tours at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. of the Academy’s shell collection, the world’s third largest; an international market of jewelry, exotic shells and artwork; and hands-on activities for the whole family make this a special occasion. On Saturday, visitors may run into one of the shell display judges— Hannah Milman, holiday and craft editor for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia—who will be on the scene throughout the day.

The Philadelphia Shell Show and Festival is free with museum admission and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Look for these highlights:

• Master craftsman Bill Jordan as he creates a beautifully intricate sailor’s valentine
• Academy educators who will guide visitors through a squid or clam dissection to find the similarities and differences between these mollusks
• A fun auditorium show by Under the Sea at 11:30 a.m. both days
• A touch tank brimming with live crabs, sea snails, clams, sea urchins and starfish will be open from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. both days
• Crafts, games, tattoos and free shells for the kids!

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