Autumn’s Harvest

Bucks and Montgomery County’s best picks for fall festivities.
Compiled by Shannon McLaughlin

Fall is the perfect time to enjoy the warmth of local communities and spend time with neighbors, family members and friends. Bucks and Montgomery County’s events are the ideal way to get out, take in the crisp, fresh beauty of autumn and, of course, kick-start holiday shopping. We’ve done the research, now it’s time for you to harvest the fun.

A Creative use of Straw

Peddler’s Village Annual Scarecrow Competition and Display | September 7th through October 25th
You’ll see them smiling at you from the side of the road, in front of shops, and even in the parking lots—but don’t be afraid, they’re just entries in this year’s Peddler’s Village Scarecrow Competition. These pieces of Americana will be submitted for display and compete for more than $4,900 in cash prizes, and you could be the winning vote…or, if you’re brave, the winner. This year’s categories include the Keystone Krow, Traditional/Whirligig, Extraordinary, KidsOnly, Quite the Character and Group Crow. To participate or for more information, visit www.peddlersvillage.com or call the Peddler’s Village Hospitality Desk at (215) 794-4000.

Need for Speed

The 2009 Univest Grand Prix | September 11th through 13th

Professional cyclists from around the world will be competing in this year’s Grand Prix, which will take place Saturday, September 12th in Souderton and Sunday, September 13th in Doylestown. Racing teams from Mexico, Canada, the U.S., Germany, Italy, Sweden and Denmark will compete for over a hundred miles through 16 Bucks County and Montgomery County municipalities for a chance to win one of the top Union Cycliste Internationale ranked events in the United States. The Saturday event features a community festival in Souderton from 10 am to 3 pm, including a kid’s rodeo and activities area, community displays, regional foods, giveaways, a high school race and children’s races. Sunday’s expanded competition will feature a fast-paced circuit race in Doylestown, the start/finish line marked at Main and Court streets. Children’s races will be hosted at 10 am, followed by the start of the professional race at 11 am. The Univest Grand Prix was developed to offer advancement opportunities for young athletes. For more information, visit www.univestgrandprix.com.

Arts and Some Good Eats

The 2007 Doylestown Arts Festival | September 12th and 13th from 10 am to 5 pm.

Doylestown will be bursting at the seams, with more than 20,000 visitors expected on the weekend of September 12th and 13th when the Univest Grand Prix comes to town during the city’s largest festival of the year, the 2009 Arts Festival. This event—sponsored by the Doylestown Business and Community Alliance and the Thompson Organization—will take place in the center of town on State and Main streets, as well as west Oakland and Hamilton streets. Artisans from all over the region will peddle their wares, including crafts, photography, furniture and jewelry, and live entertainment will also be featured. Sunday’s Scarecrow-making tent at the Pine Street parking lot is sure to be a hit with children of all ages. For more information, visit www.doylestownartsfestival.com or call (215) 340-9988.

A Harvest of Fun in Yardley

40th Annual Yardley Harvest Day | September 26th from 10am to 5pm
Celebrate the 40th annual Yardley Harvest Day in Historic Yardley Borough where fine artists and one-of-a-kind crafters will be displaying their work. Harvest Day is a free, authentic arts and crafts festival, with an outstanding variety of family entertainment throughout the day, delicious food vendors and community-sponsored booths. Sponsored by Makefield Women’s Association (MWA) and Yardley Business Association (YBA), one hundred percent of MWA’s profit at Harvest Day will be donated to local charities. The festivities will take place at West Afton Avenue, from Main Street to Breece Drive, along Penn Valley Drive into Buttonwood Park. For more information, visit www.makefieldwomensassociation.org or call (215) 321-7648.

A Little bit Country, a Little bit Crafty

New Hope’s 16th Annual Outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival | September 26th and 27th
The beauty of fall is simply priceless. Combine it with food, history and the arts, and you’ll get New Hope’s 16th Annual Outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival. More than 130 artists will contribute works, including oil painting, pastels, watercolors, drawings and photographs, leather goods, handbags, handspun clothing and jewelry. Booths will line North Main Street from Bridge Street to Parry Street. Vendors will also be set up in the PNC Bank parking lot and East and West Parry Street. The New Hope Trolley will be available as a shuttle for visitors. Many popular local artists participate in the festival in addition to visiting talents from all over PA, NJ, NY and the rest of the country. The event includes musical entertainment in various locations throughout New Hope, plus local food vendors. A children’s activity booth offers the youngsters the opportunity to experience the festival’s creative atmosphere. The two-day event is rain or shine and admission is free to the public. For more information, visit www.newhopechamber.com or call (215) 862-9990.

A Festival of Frights

All Hallow’s Eve Fall Festival at Pennypacker Mills | October 17th from 1 to 4pm
The options are endless at this year’s All Hallow’s Eve Fall Festival at Pennypacker Mills. Bring the family to experience a tractor-pulled hayride through the meadow, paint a pumpkin ($1.00 per pumpkin), make gravestone rubbings, embark in kid crafts, jump in hay piles, shuck corn the way farmers did one-hundred years ago and try your hand at crushing apples to make apple cider using their cider press. The festival is all-ages, with a suggested donation of $2.00 per person. For more information, visit www.historicsites.montcopa.org or call (610) 287-9349.
Other Upcoming Events
Time to Polka
The 44th Annual Polish American Festival
September 5th through 7th and September 12th and 13th 12 to 8pm
More than 40,000 visitors are expected to visit the Shrine of Czestochowa in Doylestown for this two-weekend event. Enjoy live entertainment, rides, Polish and American food, exhibits, games and much more. Visit www.czestochowa.us for more information.

Take a Bite out of Fall
Peddler’s Village 2009 Apple Festival
November 7th and 8th from 10 am to 6 pm
This traditional celebration will feature craftspeople, live entertainment and, of course, pie eating contests. If you’d like to take a bite out of the season, this is the best time to do it. Visit www.peddlersvillage.com for more information.

Shannon McLaughlin is Bucks & Montgomery Living Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief.