Bethlehem 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.

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

Blueberry pie, 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 will be the opportunity to “wake up with blueberries” by taking home locally made muffins, bagels and ground coffee to enjoy for days after the festival ends.

Also for the first time, of Lower Saucon Township will be at the festival with fresh produce from their family farm.

Another first for this year will be 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 will be attended by more than 30 crafters--makers of everything from mosaic tiles to jewelry to home goods.

Items purchased at the Blueberry Festival support local vendors and the Historic Bethlehem Partnership’s mission to preserve 20 historic structures and more than 300 years of history. Demonstrations will 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.

Visitors will also be able to 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 from the 1800s. This year’s demonstration will honor the memory of longtime 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 . The Bethlehem Police Department’s Mounted Unit will also run two programs with its horses.

Festival hours are 11am to 7pm on July 21 and 22, 2012.

Burnside Plantation is located at 1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem. Parking is available in the shadow of Martin Tower, with entry to the parking area off Eighth Avenue.

2012 festival pricing is 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 with card $1.00 off