6 Things To Do During Memorial Day Weekend In Bucks County

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — The unofficial start of summer arrives in Bucks County this weekend with lots to see and do. From a free outdoor jazz concert on the river to a vintage baseball game, there are plenty of ways to experience Bucks County.

This weekend also brings one of the most solemn observances of the year as the nation remembers its fallen heroes with parades and observances. Check your local Patch site for complete details.

Meanwhile, here are some events to consider as you plan your long Memorial Day weekend.

Free Jazz Concert On The Banks Of The Delaware

The Friends of Washington Crossing Park (PA) and the historic Newtown Theatre are again teaming up to present a free outdoor jazz concert on Saturday, May 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. The concert will be held on the banks of the Delaware River near the park’s visitor center. The featured jazz artist will be Calli Graver. Graver’s love for jazz, classical and pop helped shape the genre-bending sound heard in her original music today. Her newest album, “The Sun’s In My Eyes,” produced by Ben O’Neil (John Legend, Jill Scott), was released in September 2022 to critical acclaim. Attendees are welcome to bring their own picnic dinner, chairs, and blankets. Alcohol is not permitted in the state park. Four-legged friends are welcome but must be leashed and under control at all times. No registration is required. Rain date is Monday, May 27 at the same time. Washington Crossing Historic Park is located at 1112 River Road in Washington Crossing.

Jazz on the river at Washington Crossing Historic Park. (Courtesy of Washington Crossing Park)

Doylestown 5K To Hit The Ground Running

The Doylestown 5K Race and One Mile Fun Run will hit the ground running on Saturday for its 31st year. This year's 5K race will step off at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 25 on Maple Avenue at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. The USATF-certified course will then wind its way down Linden, through the Forest Drive neighborhood, back down Linden before finishing on State Street. The One Mile Fun Run steps off at 9 a.m. on Maple. Drawing more than 700 runners and a huge crowd of supporters, the event is the largest race in the Bucks 5K Series. “It’s a great way to start your Memorial Day celebrations,” race director and Discover Doylestown President Kris Boger, who encourages people of all ages to join in the fun or to come out and cheer the participants. Click here for more details.

Near the finish line, participants in the Doylestown 5K Race pass below a giant American flag.

Poland Living History Faire Re-enacts Siege of Jasna Gora

Polish Living History, Inc., presents "Poland Through the Ages - A Living History Faire" on Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26 from 12 to 8 p.m. on the grounds of the Stout Christmas Tree Farm, 1570 Swamp Road in Fountainville 18923. The main event will feature the re-enactment of the Siege of Jasna Gora. Visitors can watch the battle to protect the monastery from the invading Swedes. The Living History Faire will feature 10th-12th century re-enactors; Polish, American and World Living History groups; military and civilian exhibits; Winged Husaria; period clothing and weapons; battles, skirmishes and demos; storytelling; a Royal Scavenger Hunt; Tea with the Queen; Polish food and a beer garden; music, entertainment and more. Free admission and parking. For more information, click here.

(Courtesy of Polish Living History)

Memorial Day Observance at Washington Crossing Park

Washington Crossing Historic Park (PA) will hold its annual Memorial Day observance on Sunday, May 26 beginning at 1 p.m. at the Continental soldiers grave site near the Thompson Neely Farmstead in Solebury Township. The observation will include a colonial color guard, a fife
and drum corps, Revolutionary War reenactors, veterans, and other honored guests. During the ceremony, American flags will be placed on all of the graves. The gravesite marks the resting place of soldiers who died during the Continental army’s December 1776 encampment in Bucks County.
Although no Americans were killed during the Delaware River crossing and the First Battle of Trenton, some soldiers succumbed to exposure, disease or previous injuries. Captain-Lieutenant Moore is the only veteran buried in this plot whose identity is known.

(Photo by Jeff Werner)

Memorial Main Street Mile To Race Through Yardley

Here's a great way to start your Memorial Day celebration. The Memorial Main Street Mile steps off at 8 a.m. on Memorial Day morning, Monday, May 27 from 225 South Main Street (Wells Fargo Bank) in Yardley Borough. The race then heads north on Main Street to the Yardley Friends Meetinghouse at 25 North Main Street. The chip-timed 1-mile race through historic Yardley Borough will benefit American Legion Post 317. After the race, participants can grab some breakfast and then enjoy the Yardley-Makefield Memorial Day Parade which steps off at 11 a.m. and marches south on Main Street to the American Legion. The race is organized by the Yardley Borough Recreation Board. For information or to register, click here.

(Courtesy of the Yardley Borough Recreation Board)

Vintage Baseball Steps To The Plate In Newtown

Vintage baseball returns to Pickering Field at Jefferson and North Chancellor streets in Newtown Borough on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27. The step back in time begins at 12 p.m. with the posting of the colors by the American Legion Post 440 Color Guard and the singing of the National
Anthem and God Bless America. Mayor John Burke will then throw out the first pitch in a game
that will see the Newtown Strake take on the visiting Neshanock Base Ball Club of Flemington, N.J. in a vintage ball game played by 1864 rules. The teams will play by 19th century rules - pitching is underhand; players are not allowed to overrun first base; three balls are a walk; and catching the ball on one bounce is onsidered an out, although not a “manly” out. During the seventh
inning, the poem “Casey at the Bat” will be read and everyone will have a chance to stretch. The game will also include the traditional singing of the baseball anthem, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” The event is free and open to the public.

(Photo by Jeff Werner)