7 Things To Do During The Long Memorial Day Weekend In Bucks County

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — The unofficial start of summer arrives in Bucks County this weekend with plenty 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 seven events to consider as you plan your long Memorial Day weekend.

Free Outdoor Jazz Concert On The Banks Of The Delaware

The Friends of Washington Crossing Park (PA) and the historic Newtown Theatre are teaming up to present a free outdoor jazz concert on Saturday, May 27 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 Triple Ts, a Philadelphia jazz-fusion trio, will play a mix of original music and jazz standards. Opening for the Triple Ts will be the Council Rock South Concert Jazz Band. Attendees are welcome to bring their own picnic dinner, chairs, and blankets. Alcohol is not permitted in the park. Four-legged friends are welcome, but must be leashed and under control at all times. No registration is required for this free concert. The rain date is Monday, May 29 at the same time. Washington Crossing Historic Park is located at 1112 River Road in Washington Crossing.

Doylestown 5K To Hit The Ground Running For 30th Year

The Doylestown 5K Race and Doylestown's Mightiest Mile will hit the ground running on Saturday for the 30th year. “It’s a big deal. We will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the race on Memorial Day weekend," said race director Kris Boger, the president of Discover Doylestown. The 5K race will step off at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 27 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 Mightiest Mile Fun Run steps off at 9 a.m. on Maple. “It’s always a lot of fun,” said Boger, noting that a lot of the houses along the course decorate for the race and put sprinklers out for the runners. "The whole course tends to be a big party atmosphere.” Drawing more than 700 runners and a huge crowd of supporters, the event is the largest race in the Bucks 5K Series. “It’s going to be a great way to start your Memorial Day celebrations,” said Boger, who encourages people of all ages to join in the fun. To help celebrate the anniversary milestone, Discover Doylestown has invited a number of special guest this year including Captain America, Spider-Man, and Batman to join the fun. “They will be there to hang out with the kids,” said Boger. “We’ve also expanded the post race celebration to include a Bubble Zone. After the kids get done running they can make a tie-dye t-shirt, they can hang with the superheroes and they can have fun chasing and popping bubbles,” said Boger. Although pre-registration is over, runners and walkers can still sign up on race day. The cost of the 5K is $45 on race day. CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE DETAILS.

(Courtesy of Discover Doylestown)

Poland Living History Faire Re-enacts the Siege of Jasna Gora

Polish Living History, Inc., presents "Poland Through the Ages - A Living History Faire" on Saturday and Sunday, May 27 and 28 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days on the grounds of the Stout Christmas Tree Farm, 1570 Swamp Road in Fountainville. The main event will feature the Poles vs. Swedes on the battlefield during a re-enactment of the Siege of Jasna Gora. Visitors can watch the battle to protect the monastery from the invading Swedes. The event 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; food, music, entertainment and more. Admission is a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 5 to 14). For more information, visit www.polishlivinghistory.com

(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 28 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 courtesy off Washington Crossing Historic Park)

Main Street Mile Races Through Yardley On Memorial Day Morning

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 29 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 on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29. 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 Neshanock play about 45 games a year and this (Pickering Field) is their favorite venue by far. They tell us that every year. They love coming back,” said Bob Musto, of the Council Rock Newtown Athletic Association, which organizes the game. 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 considered an out, although not a “manly” out. “It’s an absolute blast to play,” says Musto, a member of the Strakes. “Some of the guys we play against are 75 or 80 years old. It’s truly amazing to me how good they are, how athletic and how skilled they are at the game. “And to be at Pickering Field on Memorial Day and to play before the crowds that we get, it’s really an awesome, awesome day,” said Musto. 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)

Fun In The Sand Coming To Peddler's Village

In connection with its upcoming "Stories in Sand" display, Peddler’s Village will be hosting Sand Sculpture Workshops on May 27 and 28 (ticket purchase is required) led by Team Sandtastic. Participants will be provided with tips, tricks, tools, and techniques to make creations from sand in this hands-on workshop. The sand sculpting workshop sessions run about 1 to 1.5 hours long and are suitable for children 4 years and up. The cost is $12 per person. Workshops take place at 10 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. on May 27 and 28. Call 215-794-4051 to reserve. The following weekend, on June 3 and 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Peddler’s Village will present a Stories in Sand Kickoff Weekend with free admission that will include live musical performances, including by The Big Chill, Barefoot Bobby and the Breakers, and Plenty of Pepper Trio, outdoor food and drinks, pony rides and a petting zoo, and family activities.

(Courtesy of Peddler's Village)