Burnside's Blueberry Festival Returns July 21, 22

The Blueberry Festival makes its annual return to Bethlehem’s farm in the city, on July 21 and 22.

Get a taste of what life was like on an 18^th Century Colonial farm, with tours of the home and barns, crafters and artisans, games, performers and of course, lots and lots of blueberries.

Blueberry pies, strudel, ice cream and more will be for sale in the popular Dessert Tent, a staple of the annual festival. New to this year’s festival, one can “wake up with blueberries,” by taking home locally made muffins, bagels, and ground coffee and enjoy the festival for days after it ends.

Also, for the first time, Bechdolts Orchard will be at the festival with fresh produce from their family farm. Another first for this year: festival t-shirts, which will feature two designs: “Sweetest Festival” and “Turning Tongues Blue.”

The Blueberry Pie Eating Contest is a festival tradition, with competitions held both days of the festival for all age groups; prizes will be awarded to the guests who eat their pies the fastest.

The festival includes more than 30 crafters, including mosaic tiles, jewelry, and home goods. Items purchased at the festival support local vendors and the Historic Bethlehem Partnership’s mission to preserve 20 historic structures and more than 300 years of history. Demonstrations include wood turning, painting and blacksmiths forging over the fire.

Children can experience life on a farm through colonial crafts and games, a petting zoo, and pony rides. There will strolling performers, including The Banjo Man and Wahoo Medicine Show. Sand art, face painting, and other traditional festival activities will also be offered, and all young participants will receive a complimentary member card for the "Back to Your Roots" program.

Guides in period dress will be available for tours of the James Burnside colonial house, barns and garden. The tours share the stories behind colonial farming and James Burnside, a Moravian missionary and county representative.

Watch colonial cooking in action at the Summer Kitchen. The Foodways team will be cooking “Goodness from the Garden” in period dress and discussing farm-to-table practices in the 1800s. This year’s demonstration honors the memory of long-time Burnside Plantation volunteer Janice Anderson.

Live performances will feature more than 20 artists, including the Bill Baur Duo, vocalist Maggie Spike, and Twin Rivers Ensemble, a Lehigh Valley favorite. Enjoy the fancy footwork of the O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance, which recently sent dancers to the world championships in Ireland. ’s Mounted Unit will also run two programs with the horses.

Festival hours are 11am to 7pm on July 21 & 22, 2012. Burnside Plantation is located at 1461 Schoenersville Road in Bethlehem. Parking is available in the shadow of Martin Tower, entrance off Eighth Avenue.

2012 Festival pricing as follows:

• Adult $8.00 (1 day), $10.00 (2 days)
• Senior $7.00 (1 day), $9.00 (2 days)
• Youth, 6-16 $4.00 (1 day), $5.00 (2 days)
• Children ages 5 and under Free
• Active military / reserves $3.00 off
• HBP member w/ card $1.00 off