YARDLEY BOROUGH, PA — The spirit of early America, the courage of freedom seekers, and the enduring power of community will come alive during the Ye Olde Yardleyville Festival this weekend.
The free, family-friendly America 250th celebration honoring the rich and interconnected histories that have shaped Yardley Borough since its founding in 1682.
The event takes place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Yardley Friends Meeting House at 65 N. Main Street and at the Gather Place Museum on South Canal Street.
The festival is presented by the Gather Place Museum and the Yardley Friends Meeting House.
The festival invites residents and visitors to journey through centuries of local history through engaging exhibits, live storytelling, historical reenactors, music, cultural traditions, and guided experiences exploring both Quaker heritage and African American history in Bucks County.
The celebration unfolds between two iconic historic sites — connected by a free shuttle service and an easy walkable route — creating a living timeline of faith, freedom, resilience, and shared humanity.
The festival timeline is below:
1 p.m. Festival Opening Program
The festival begins with welcoming remarks from event facilitators and a special acknowledgment from Yardley Borough Mayor Caroline Thompson.
2-4 p.m. Gather Place at the Historic AME Church of Yardley
Festivalgoers continue their historical journey at the Historic AME Church of Yardley, where the legacy of African American resilience, faith, and freedom takes center stage.
Inside Gather Place — Explore early African American history in Yardley Borough through exhibits, stories of abolitionists and freedom seekers, the legacy of the AME Church of Yardley, and 1800s-inspired storytellers.
Outside Under the Big White Tent — Enjoy cultural food and beverages, inspirational music, and interactive community activities celebrating Yardley Borough’s early African American neighborhood and its people overlooked and almost forgotten.
3 p.m. Program Options
Beginning at Gather Place, guests may participate in a guided walking tour along the Delaware Canal State Park Towpath (Lock #5) exploring Yardley Borough’s hidden Underground Railroad history and the courageous stories connected to Bucks County’s path to freedom.
Option 2 – Continue the Ye Olde Quaker ExperienceGuests may return to the Yardley Friends Meeting House to enjoy historical displays, 1700s-inspired storytellers, and traditional Olde English desserts.
4:15-4:45 p.m. Closing Historical ProgramYardley Friends Meeting House
Don’t miss the festival’s inspiring closing reenactment honoring the abolitionist spirit of the 1850s, with live portrayals inspired by Lucretia Mott and Frederick Douglass—reflecting on courage, justice, equality, and the ongoing pursuit of freedom, justice, and equality.
4:45 p.m.-5 p.m. Community Farewell
The day concludes with door prize drawings and a final community farewell celebrating the shared history.
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