Bucks County’s “Top 10” Spring Events in 2009

Spring is finally here and it is the perfect season to enjoy Bucks County!
By Maryanna S. Phinn

Many festivals and celebrations happen locally from March through June for all ages to enjoy. So come out of winter hibernation and save the dates for these “Top 10” Spring Events in Bucks County for 2009 (in chronological order):

1.    St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Crossing Vineyards and Winery, Washington
Crossing, March 14-15 and March 17
If it’s March, it must be St. Patrick’s Day, the perfect time to celebrate the rebirth of spring with music, wine and Irish cheese.

“We set the tone St. Patrick’s Day weekend (March 14-15) with two afternoons of live music featuring The Boys of County Bucks,” notes Christine Carroll, marketing director for the winery, “and on March 17 we’re offering, for the first time, an evening of Irish music featuring Shades of Green with Kate and Dennis Varley and friends.” On St. Patrick’s Day, concertgoers can enjoy complimentary Irish cheese with a purchase of a bottle of wine.

For information or to purchase tickets, call 215-493-6500 ext. 19 or visit www.crossingvineyards.com.

2.    The 18th Annual Bucks Beautiful Garden & Home Show, Doylestown, March 20-22
“Beauty at Home” is this year’s theme for the show held at Delaware Valley College and sponsored by Bucks Beautiful, a non-profit program of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce.

“We offer the latest products and services for the garden and home at the biggest show in Bucks County,” notes David Fermier, Jr., the event chairperson. The show includes over 60 exhibitors, free mini-workshops, a “Gardening with Kids Workshop,” and many beautiful room, window and landscape displays. Flowers and plants are for sale for early spring planting.

All proceeds benefit the Bucks Beautiful Garden Grant and Scholarship Programs. For information, call 215-348-3913 or visit www.bucksbeautiful.com.

3. Delaware Valley College A-Day, Main Campus, Doylestown, April 24-26
For over 60 years, students at Delaware Valley College have run this free campus event that is open to the public and features fun and informative activities about farming and agriculture.

“It is remarkable to see the campus coordinate this event for the community. It is very rewarding to be a part of A-Day,” notes Steven Barr, event chairperson and senior agri-business major. Over 35,000 visitors enjoy live entertainment, farm animal displays, agricultural exhibits, a talent show, a performance horse show, programs for urban and rural students and lots of local food vendors.

All proceeds benefit Delaware Valley College student scholarships. For information, call 215-489-2329 ext. 114 or visit www.delval.edu/aday.

4. Peddler’s Village 40th Annual Strawberry Festival, Lahaska, May 2-3 (rain or shine)
Peddler’s Village is entering its 47th year as a family-owned and operated shopping, dining, lodging and family destination. Its annual Strawberry Festival kicks off the year of eleven traditional festivals and seasonal events at the village. Thousands of visitors enjoy live music, handcrafted works by local artists, children’s crafts and an ever-popular daily strawberry pie-eating contest.

“Imagine an old-fashioned country fair featuring freshly-dipped chocolate strawberries, cream topped strawberry shortcakes and freshly baked pastries, warm strawberry fritters, strawberry preserves and pies overflowing with luscious fruit. Add to that live music, family entertainment and strawberry pie eating contests,” notes Eve Gelman, public relations manager for Peddler’s Village, “and you have the perfect way to celebrate the strawberry and the best of Bucks County Heritage!”

Admission and parking are free. For information, call 215-794-4000 or visit www.peddlersvillage.com.

5. Mercer Museum’s 36th Annual Folk Fest, Doylestown, May 9-10 (rain or shine)
If you’re looking for a fun-filled family event to celebrate Mother’s Day weekend, bring your mom and grandmom with the kids to the Mercer Museum’s Folk Fest held on the museum’s grounds.

“Over the years, more and more families have enjoyed all that Folk Fest has to offer. This year we’re adding a hay bale maze for kids and new entertainment,” notes Molly Lowell, executive vice president, operations and communication for Mercer and Fonthill Museums.

In 2009, several new musical acts will entertain visitors including Toad Creek Duo, a duo playing Pennsylvania Dutch, folk and country songs, Celtic Crossroads, a trio playing traditional music of Ireland, Scotland and England and Old Time Music, a duo playing the fiddle, guitar, and other instruments who invite kids in the audience to “join the band.”

The festival features about 80 traditional crafters demonstrating and selling their artistic work from basketry and hooked rugs to coopering and quilting. Families will also enjoy a horse-drawn carousel ride and hay wagon rides, farm animals, sheep shearing, Revolutionary-era militia encampments with drills, picnic foods and shopping.

All proceeds benefit the museum’s education programs. For information, call 215-345-0210 or visit www.mercermuseum.org.

6. Pearl S. Buck House – Taste of the World Gala, Perkasie, May 15
Enjoy a beautiful spring Friday evening with international foods, wine tasting and music under the Garden Tent on the grounds of the Pearl S. Buck House. Some local restaurants that will offer delicious fare include: Marsha Brown, Dish Catering, Crystal Rose Catering, The Temperance House, Triumph Brewing Company and Houlihan’s. The evening also features a silent and live auction.

Proceeds benefit the Pearl S. Buck House.  For information or tickets, call 215-249-0100 or visit www.psbi.org.

7. 10th Annual Arts Alive Festival 2009, Downtown Quakertown, May 16 (rain location: Strayer Middle School, 1200 Ronald Reagan Drive)
In 2009, Quakertown is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its annual arts festival along Broad Street between 4th Street and Hellertown Avenue. The festival features a juried exhibition of nearly 100 artists displaying fine arts and crafts, live musical entertainment and strolling street performers, dancers, a Children’s Courtyard and kid-friendly activities, glassblowing and carriage rides. Local restaurants and stores have a variety of food booths offering everything from roasted peanuts and smores to soups and decorated cupcakes.

“This family-oriented event has developed over 10 years, earning rave reviews from artisans and festival goers,” notes Lynda Ulrich, events committee chair for Quakertown Alive!

Quakertown Alive! is a non-profit community development Main Street organization formed in 1998 by the Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce to benefit Quakertown Borough.
For information, call 215-536-2273 or visit www.quakertownalive.com.

8. Second Annual Yardley Beer Festival, Yardley Borough, May 16
Buttonwood Park in Downtown Yardley Borough will be the best place to sample a cold beer on a warm spring afternoon from local and regional breweries at the Beer Festival sponsored by the Yardley Business Association.

“Last year, we had the Beer Festival for the first time as a fundraiser for the Yardley Business Association,” notes Margaret Bork, the event’s chairperson and president of the business association.  The event featured over 20 breweries and 45 different beers. “We donated a portion of the proceeds to the Yardley Flood Relief Mitigation Fund and to support the Yardley Christmas Parade. As part of our charter, we help and support local businesses and encourage visitors to come to our town. The Beer Festival is a community event that helps support and spotlight Yardley,” Bork adds.

The Yardley Beer Festival also features live entertainment and food vendors. For information or to purchase tickets, email yba@yardleybusiness.com.

9. Moravian Pottery and Tile Works 11th Annual Tile Festival 2009, Doylestown, May 16-17 (rain or shine)
Approximately 60 historic and contemporary tile artists from all over the country and Canada display and sell their work at this annual festival on the grounds of the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works.

“We originated this type of event,” explains Vance Koehler, the facility’s curator. “It is a unique craft fair on a national level. We only display historic and contemporary art tiles.”

The Moravian Pottery and Tile Works is open during the festival for tours and demonstrations.
The Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation sponsors the festival and proceeds benefit the curatorial and educational programs of the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works.
For information, call 215-345-6722 or visit www.buckscounty.org.

10. Second Annual Irish Hunger Festival, Shady Brook Farm, Yardley, June 20
Enjoy a relaxing Saturday afternoon at the Irish Hunger Festival featuring traditional and contemporary live Irish music by bands performing on the main stage including: Birmingham Six, Bogside Rogues, The Shanty’s and Jamison.  In addition to the bands, The Nicholl, Fitzpatrick, and Ryan Schools of Irish Dance, and the Lia Fail Pipe and Drum Band will perform. Vendors sell Irish apparel, gifts, food and drinks and there will be children’s activities and Irish cultural exhibits.

Proceeds benefit the Hibernian Hunger Project, which supports food pantries and shelters in Bucks County, Trenton and Philadelphia. The event is sponsored by the Ancient Order of the Hibernians. For information, visit www.irishhungerfestival.com.

Maryanna S. Phinn is a freelance writer from Washington Crossing, Bucks County.