Fonthill to Host Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration

Looking for something fun to do with the family this July 4?

Fonthill Castle’s annual Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration will be held in Doylestown on Independence Day.

The festivities will be held Saturday, July 4 from noon to 4 p.m. The event features a bike parade contest, old-fashioned games, patriotic music, crafts, food and activities.

The Children’s Decorated Bike Parade Contest kicks off the celebration at 12:30 p.m. Prizes are awarded for the following categories: most patriotic, most original and most dynamic. The age groups for the contest are 2-4, 5-8 and 9-12. “Henry Mercer” himself will hand out the awards at the conclusion of the Bike Parade.

After the parade, there will be a variety of old-fashioned games like tug-o-war, watermelon eating, an obstacle course, the cakewalk (musical chairs with the winner receiving a cake), sack races, stilt walking, bucket brigade relays and wheelbarrow races.

Other activities include Kruisin’ Kanines Dog Agility demonstrations, storyteller Robin Moore, face painting, crafts and a hands-on music and historic toys tent.

Entertainers will be performing patriotic music and old-time classics. Musical acts include: the Del Val Saxophone Quartet, Galena Brass and autoharp virtuoso, Marti Rogers. Barbershop quartets from the Bucks County Country Gentleman will stroll the grounds during the event.

Visitors can picnic on the grounds or purchase food from vendors, which include Happy Snacks and Sweet Pea Ice Cream.

Admission is $4 for adults, $1 for youth (ages 5 to 17) and free for children 4 and under. The event is cancelled in the event of heavy rain.

Fonthill Castle will also be open for self-guided tours starting at 1 p.m. There is a separate admission fee to tour the castle: $3 for adults, $2 for seniors (65+), and $1 for youth (5-17).

Fonthill is located at East Court Street & Route 313. For more information about the event, call 215-348-9461 or visit fonthillmuseum.org.

(Photo: Allure West Studios)