Ivyland Plans 150th Anniversary Celebration

IVYLAND BOROUGH, PA —This tiny borough has some big anniversary plans.

The borough hits a major milestone on June 24 when its 1,400 residents celebrate the 150th-anniversary date of its founding.

As time ticks toward the big date, members of the borough's 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee have been working around the clock to get ready for a party for the ages, complete with all the pomp and circumstance that such a celebration deserves.

The borough has held prior bashes for its 75th, 100th, and 125th anniversaries, but this one may take the cake.

"The bar has been set high," said Geff Rapp, the anniversary committee's chairman. "These have been nicely done celebrations. We want to keep with that tradition."

Since last March, the Ivyland Heritage Association and a group of residents and local volunteers have gathered each month to plan the day-long celebration activities for residents, and neighboring communities to enjoy.

They've set up a 150th Celebration Facebook page to provide updates as the anniversary event nears and a website that has further details.

And the committee has added another two dozen volunteers, Rapp said. The borough could still use some more volunteers. Anyone interested can click here to sign up.

Warminster Township supervisors made a special mention of Ivyland's anniversary at its meeting Thursday night.

Organizers said residents and guests should expect a lineup of food, music, and special guests.

Festivities will begin at noon on June 24 with a Welcome Ceremony in which Mayor Anthony Judice will be joined by state Sen. Frank Farry, state Rep. Brian Munroe, and founding sponsor TD Bank, among others.

See the schedule of events:

Activities

• 12 p.m. Welcome Ceremony
• 11-4 p.m. Borough and Local Historical Displays
• Ivyland Fire Company – Old Pumper Demonstration
• Kids Activities including a 60ft Inflated Obstacle Course!
• 12-4 p.m. Moon on the Water Balloon Twisters and Facepainting
• 12-4 p.m. Ivyland Art Show featuring Borough and Local Artists
• 12-4 p.m. PA Wheelmen – Antique Highwheel Bike Riders
• 11-5 p.m. Antique and Classic Autos
• Borough Walking Tour – self guided
• 12-4 p.m. Better Way Belgians Horse-pulled Wagon Rides
• “Mrs. William Tennent”
• Real Philly History Real Fast Book Talk by Author Jim Murphy
• 11 a.m.-4 p.m. First Crossing Volunteers Revolutionary War Reenactors
• 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Blacksmith Iron Works Demonstration
• 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Old and new tractors at the old Hobensack Mill

Music (times are approx.)

• 12:15 p.m. Main Stage Low Totem – Rock
• 2 p.m. Main Stage Noggin Hill – Bluegrass
• 4 p.m. Main Stage Doylestown Heat – Jazz
• 12:15 p.m. Gough Ave Stage Lolly Hopwood – Kid’s Music & Entertainment
• 2 p.m. Gough Ave. Stage and walkabout Ring the Rafters – Barbershop
• 3:30 p.m. Gough Ave. Stage Joe & Krista Acoustic – Pop
• 7 p.m. Main Stage Our Finale – a sunset concert with the Warminster Symphony Orchestra

Food

• Various local food trucks including:
  • Oink Johnson’s Southern BBQ Pazzo Pizza Truck Scratch Kitchen
• Goodnoe’s Ice Cream and Rita’s Water Ice Trucks
• 12-4 p.m. Ivyland Country Store will be open with a limited menu
• 12-4 p.m. Strawberry Festival by Ivyland Presbyterian Church
• Tranquility Brewing Beer Garden (age 21+ only)