Harvest Day Expands In Its 54th Year in Yardley

YARDLEY, PA —The borough will hold its 54th annual Harvest Day Saturday with a few new twists this year.

The festival will run rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fitzgerald Field and on Bell and College Avenues as well as along Canal Street. Streets will be closed to traffic and parking from early morning to 6 p.m.

The food selection is expanded this year, Co-Chairman Rich Wayne said.

New trucks coming to Harvest Day for the first time include Bake’ n Bacon, Maui Lu BBQ, Humpty Dumpty’s Dumplings, Thai It Up, Jay’s Joint, and Playa Bowls.

New this year as well are:

• Full-day participants the Critter Connections petting zoo and magician Randy Shine at the end of Short Bell Ave (the Ferry Avenue side).
• The Canal Court area, which will have crafters.
• The Bucks County Library Bookmobile in the Pure Eco Salon parking lot on Canal Street.

There will be at least 22 food vendors, 150 crafters, more than a dozen non-profit community groups, two free face painters, two free balloon twisters, two bands, two dance troupes, free pony rides, several hundred free pumpkins to decorate, a bookmobile, a blacksmith, a free bounce house, and a free blowup slide, Wayne said.

As always, the pumpkin decoration area will be at the end of College Avenue, near the intersection with River Road.

Characters including the Phillie Phanatic and Boomer from the Trenton Thunder will mingle with the crowd at the start of the day.

The main feature, Wayne said, are the crafters.

Longtime participants such as JJ's Woodcrafts, Jennifer Dash, Rita Presto, Manillo Natural Soaps, Hands of Time by Judi, J-Lee's Handmade Cards, KYM Designs, and Panache Jewelry are registered for this year.

New crafters signed up include Bracelets by Bryce, The Space Waraku, Lucky Tiki Creations, HB's Flag Workshop, Made in Morrisville, Nutty Novelties, and Jewel Leigh's Trees.

Among other highlights:

• New Jersey shore band Deardarkhead and Philadelphia indie rock band The Tisburys will provide live music on the stage this year.
• Two Pennsbury High School bands – Delusions and Red Sea – will also play. Amanda Page Dance Company and New Melody Dance Team are the dance acts.

This year’s event also honors festival veteran Katherine Cadwallader, who passed away earlier this year. She served on the committee as well as the borough recreation board for many years.

Wayne said the event helps to fund many local groups including: the Friends of Lake Afton, Experience Yardley, the Yardley-Makefield Emergency Unit, the Yardley Historical Association, the Yardley Farmers Market, the Pennsbury Scholarship Foundation, the Yardley Business Association and the Friends of the Mary Yardley Footbridge.

The Harvest Day Committee gives special thanks to returning headline and pumpkin sponsor Harris Comfort and automotive sponsor Haldeman Lexus.