Harvest Day Marks 55th Anniversary In Yardley

YARDLEY, PA —With this year's Harvest Day marking 55 years, organizers are adding some special attractions to ensure that the annual event is as popular as ever.

Rich Wayne, Harvest Day's co-chairman, said this year features a new food truck area, Spider-Man, Mickey Mouse, Henna tattoos, Tarot card readings, and a pet-crafter section.

Yardley Harvest Day will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23. The festival runs rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fitzgerald Field on Bell and College Avenues as well as along Canal Street.

The Yardley Borough Police Department will close streets to traffic and parking from early morning to 6 p.m. on the day of the event.

Wayne said attendees should expect at least 30 food vendors, 145 crafter spaces, more than a
dozen non-profit community groups, two free face painters, two free balloon twisters, five bands, a dance troupe, free pony rides, several hundred free pumpkins to decorate, a bookmobile, a blacksmith, and a bounce house.

Characters including Boomer from the Trenton Thunder are also expected to attend to mingle with the crowd.

New this year will be the addition of a free Henna tattoo station and free Tarot card readings, Wayne said.

Returning this year is the Critter Connections petting zoo and magician Randy Shine at the end of Short Bell Avenue (the Ferry Avenue side). The Bucks County Free Library’s bookmobile will also be in this area.

The food selection will again expand this year, Wayne said.

New food providers this year include Spuddy Buddy gourmet fries, Rooster & The Chick BBQ, the Pasta Truck, Moocheeze gourmet grilled cheese, Angie’s Vietnamese, and Awesome Little Cupcakes.

Wayne said that one big change this year is making it easier for people to purchase food after he received complaints about long lines in Fitzgerald Field.

Besides the food truck area at the field, an additional area will be on Canal Street near the Pink Barn.

Elsewhere on Canal Street, the Canal Court area will feature specialty packaged food crafters to the Pure Eco Salon parking lot.

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

Wayne said the crafters are the foundation of the annual event.

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

New crafters include Twilight Kombucha, Sports Clocks, Brown Bag Angels, Nysse Sports Design, Bonitatibus nightlights, Ravens and More Vinyl Record Décor, Frank’s Fine Swine jerky, and Akiiko anime jewelry.

Also new this year will be a pet-focused section on College Ave (near Longshore) which will include Petcassos pet illustrations, the Alpha Bravo Canine non-profit group, Sun Dog collars, and Coats for Cuties dog coats.

Funk pop band Koser, acapella outfit Philadelphia Noteworthy, local bands Heretic Creek and the Zookepers, and pop rockers The Quirks will provide live music on the stage this year. Amanda Page Dance Company will also perform.

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

The event’s earnings fund several 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, The Gather Place, and the Friends of the Mary Yardley Footbridge.

Harvest Day is also seeking volunteers for the event. Anyone interested should send an email to
yardleyharvestdayfestival@gmail.com or call 267-573-1463.