Take a bow: Olympic-hopeful archers take aim at Athens in Central Park's North Meadow this weekend.   (Photo: Courtesy of 42nd World Archery Championships)

1. Central Park Birthday Bash Tour NYC Discovery’s special trip wanders through iconic patches like the Ramble and Strawberry Fields, comparing today’s park with Olmsted and Vaux’s vision. July 19 at 2pm and 4:30pm; July 21 at noon and 2:30pm. Call 212-465-3331 for reservations and meeting place.

2. Birthday Run/Walk A four-mile race and shorter kids’ runs kick off an athletic party that also includes a doggy parade, croquet, lawn bowling, storytelling, Revolutionary War reenactments, and a birthday cake. 4-miler; July 19 at 8:30am; kids races at 10am; Central Park, 72nd St., Traverse at Bethesda Terrace; $30; $20 members; $7 for kids

3. Urban Oasis An exhibit at the nearby New-York Historical Society takes a broad view of city parks in “The Greening of Early New York July 22 thru November 11; New York Historical Society, 2 W. 77th St.; 212-873-3400; $6.

4. 42nd World Archery Championship Watch world champs compete at this 2004 Olympic-qualifier, held in New York for the first time ever—perhaps boding well for our 2012 aspirations. Preliminaries: July 14 through July 18th, 9:15am to 5pm; Van Cortlandt Park Parade Grounds, Broadway at 242nd St.; Finals: July 19 and July 20, 9:15am to 5pm, Central Park's Meadow, near Central Park W. and 97th St.

5. The Moth At Summerstage The roving storytelling series hits the open air as Colin Quinn, Jessi Klein, and Rudy Rush tell tales on the general theme “You Talkin’ to Me? New Yorkers on the Edge.” July 17 at 7:30pm; Rumsey Playfield, Central Park nr. Fifth Ave. and 69th St. (summerstage.org); free

Related:

• Archive: “Top Five”
• Articles by Boris Kachka
• Table of Contents: Jul 21, 2003 issue of New York | Subscribe!