Families Enjoy An Old-Fashioned Fourth At Doylestown's Fonthill

DOYLESTOWN — Fonthill Castle and the Bucks County Historical Society celebrated the Fourth of July with music, food and lots of old-fashioned fun.

The grounds of the castle again came alive on the nation’s birthday with activity, including wheelbarrow and sack races, tug-of-war challenges, a town ball game, an obstacle course, cornhole and much more.

In a grove of trees near the welcome center, youngsters were making festive Fourth of July hats out of construction paper at the event’s craft table.

Nearby folklorist and musician Darcy Fair was playing the harp and sharing the story of Paul Revere and his famous ride.

While some youngsters and parents played old-fashioned field games, others were enjoying a bike demonstration by The Wheelmen, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of American cycling.

Wandering the grounds was none other than Henry Mercer who greeted visitors to his castle and answered questions about his artifact collection and his three amazing concrete structures - Fonthill Castle, Mercer Museum and the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works.

The afternoon also featured performances by the Delaware Valley Saxophone Quartet, the Doylestown Heat band and musician Rick Anderson.

Next up at the castle will be “Shakespeare at Fonthill,” which is returning after a nearly three year absence with two performances on Friday, July 8 and Saturday, July 9 from 7 to 10 p.m.

The Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle and the ActorsNET of Bucks County, based in Morrisville, will present two special performances of Shakespeare’s “King Lear.”

King Lear is ready to turn his realm over to his three daughters. His plan is simple: Give the biggest piece to the daughter who loves him most. But honeyed words and hubris blind Lear to the true motives of those around him, plunging king and kingdom into a hell of treachery, madness and unspeakable acts — with consequences that reveal the worst and best in human nature.

The cost is $30 for preferred seating, $25 for member preferred seating, $20 for lawn seating and $15 for members (lawn seating). To order tickets, visit https://www.mercermuseum.org/