Community Corner
Get Ready for a Bang-up Fourth of July
Parades, old-time activities, music and, of course, fireworks will help celebrate the summer holiday.
Ready for the Big Weekend?
Get your grills fired up, bring out your sparklers and get set to celebrate the birth of the United States.
We’ve found lots going on in the Doylestown area over the four-day weekend. So chill on your patio or venture out to see some of the patriotic spectacles that are in store, including some great fireworks displays. If you’re REAL lucky, you may even get to see them from your own backyard.
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Here’s what’s going on:
It’s a bit out of the area, but, hey, when it’s fireworks, we’ll go the extra mile. Every Friday night until Labor Day weekend (weather permitting), New Hope and Lambertville sponsor Friday Night Fireworks over the Delaware River. The festivities begin at 9:30 p.m., and a special guest each week initiates the countdown of the blast-off. This week, the duties go to Marty Moss Coane, NPR host of “Radio Times.”
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Information: www.newhopechamber.com or www.lambertville.org.
Don’t feel like bucking the traffic? Then park at the Buckingham Valley train station of The New Hope and Ivyland Railroad to catch a leisurely train ride (complete with beverage service) into New Hope. Riders can depart at either 6:15 or 8:15 p.m. to catch the fireworks. The return trip leaves at 10:15 p.m. Parking is free at the station, but there is a ticket fare for the train ride. Buckingham Valley station is at Upper Mountain Road and Route 413, Buckingham.
Information: (215) 862-2332 or www.newhoperailroad.com.
From 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, visit Peddler’s Village in Lahaska for its eighth annual “Celebration of Freedom” event.
Live entertainment, delicious picnic-style favorites, and children’s crafts and activities will round out this fun-filled family event.
The highlight will be a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. by the renowned Pyrotecnico, creator of dazzling pyrotechnic displays for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Phillies, with musical accompaniment by Signature DJ’s.
The event is rain or shine, and there’s no admission charge and free parking.
Peddler’s Village is at routes 202 and 263.
Information: (215) 794-4000 or www.peddlersvillage.com.
It’s not an official Fourth of July celebration, but it includes fireworks, so we’re all over it. As part of its summer concert series, Central Park in Doylestown Township plays host to the Philly Horn Band at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. A definite crowd-pleaser, the Philadelphia-based band plays some funky music and describes themselves at the “ultimate party band.” What better way to end the party than with fireworks, which follow the concert?
A July 10 rain date is scheduled, and you’ll be charged $5 per vehicle to park. Central Park is at 452 Wells Road. With the Route 202 Parkway construction going on, don’t forget to enter from Turk Road.
The New Britain area will host its annual Tri-municipal 4th of July Parade starting at 9:30 a.m. Monday.
Kick off Independence Day with marching bands, scout troops, antique cars, decorated floats, fire trucks and more. This year is the 13th Annual Float Contest, with great prizes are awarded for most original, most humorous, and most patriotic floats. No experience required – only creativity is encouraged.
The parade will begin at Town Center (Route 202 by Giant supermarket), travels Route 202 South to Route 152 North and ends at North Branch Park on Park Avenue. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and celebrate the holiday with your community!
Information: (215) 822-1391 or Angela Benner at abenner@newbritaintownship.org.
Experience “the good, old days,” as Henry Mercer’s home is the setting for the Fonthill Old-fashioned Fourth of July Celebration from noon to 5 p.m. Monday. Festivities include a decorated bike parade for children at 12:30, town ball (19th-century baseball), watermelon-eating contests, free old-time games, picnic foods and live music. Antique bicycles will also be on display and ridden by the Pennsylvania Wheelman at 1:30 and 2:45 p.m.
Performing patriotic and old-time music throughout the day will be the Sellersville Merry Makers, the Galena Brass and autoharp virtuoso Marti Rogers. In addition, barbershop quartets from the Bucks County Country Gentleman will stroll the grounds to serenade people. And award-winning storyteller and writer Robin Moore will perform in front of his teepee at 1:30 and 3 p.m.
Admission: $4 for adults; $2 for members; $1 for children (ages 5 to 17) and free for children 4 and under. Castle tours for an additional fee will be available. No dogs are allowed on the grounds. Heavy rain will cancel the event. Parking on the grounds is free.
Information: (215) 348-9461 or www. fonthillmuseum.org.
