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City Suburban News: 31st Annual Blueberry Festival July 21 & 22
July 13th, 2018 | In The News
City Suburban News, Year 33, No. 43, July 11 – July 24, 2018 Special 2-Week Issue. Free weekly community newspaper covering the Philadelphia/Main Line area.
When you think of summer in Bethlehem, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites [HBMS] hopes that you think of the Blueberry Festival. Returning for the 31st year, join Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites on Saturday, July 21 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 22 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Burnside Planation for two days packed with sunshine, delicious food, family fun, and – of course – everything blueberry.
Looking to showcase your musical talent? There’s the NEW Blueberry Jam Open Mic on Saturday night from 6-7 p.m. hosted by Lehigh Valley Underground. Each performer will have the chance to perform two songs and sign-ups will take place on a first-come, first-serve basis. Advance Registration is now open with LVU.
New musical performers this year include Erin Davis on the Irish Fiddle, El Sistema, Temple Avenue Jazz Quintet, Porter and Sayles, January Noon, Cubbage, Me & Paul Bluegrass, and Copper Sky Band. Returning this year are the Little Brass Band, Cracked Walnuts, 99 Stringz, Magnolia Sadies, BarrelHouse Brothers, Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, Project 32, Pennsylvania Youth Theater, Jack Murray & the Blue Tarp Wranglers, and the Dina Hall Trio.
Get your drink on in the Blueberry Brewery Tasting Tent and sample blueberry beer, wine, mead, and Blueberry mules from Shangy’s, Cardinal Hollow Winery, 8 Oaks Distillery, and NEW for 2018, 14th Fret Brewing Company. In the Upper and Lower Brewery Tents, attendees will find full servings of wine from Cardinal Hollow Winery, beer from Two Rivers Brewing, and the popular Burnside Blueberry Mules by 8 Oaks Distillery. Purchase your festival tickets online for two FREE additional Blueberry Brewery Tastings (that’s 6 tastings total). Tasting passes or single glass pours are available for purchase at the festival.
Don’t miss delicious new festival foods from: Crepe Soleil – serving up sweet and savory crepes; Brittany’s Natural Foods – their organic mac & cheese is simply divine; and for the health-conscious festival-goer get a refreshing drink of blueberry kombucha from Lehigh Valley Kombucha. Be sure to stop by the Dessert Tent to get yourself a slice of blueberry pie! Fresh blueberries, ice cream, coffee cake, strudel, and pierogis are on the menu as well, with options you can pre-order to take home with you at the end of the day.
Stuff your face with the winner-takes-it-all Pie-eating Contest for kids and adults! This contest will be held on Saturday and Sunday at 2:15 p.m. at the Community Stage. Sign up for this delicious contest at the Info Tent. The festival is looking for amateur bakers to bring their blueberry best in the Culinary Contest! Wow the judges with your most tantalizing dessert recipe featuring one cup of fresh blueberries. Does your child enjoy baking? Children ages 15 and under can enter the Kids’ Culinary Contest too. The Adult Culinary Contest will be held on Saturday, July 21 at noon and the Kids’ Culinary Contest will be held on Sunday, July 22 at noon. Registration is free and due by July 13 at 3 p.m.
The Read to Dogs program is back by popular demand in the Lower Haas Barn where children can read to friendly Therapy Dogs in a quiet setting. Kids can bring their favorite book to read or choose from a selection provided in the barn. Children will also love family activities like pony rides, a petting zoo, making their own pet bandana, dressing in colonial garb, creating sand art, hex signs, Moravian paper dolls, and playing colonial games.
Discover something unique with local artisans, crafters, and vendors. From handmade crafts like jewelry and pottery to gourmet treats and unique fashion, take a walk through the Crafter’s Village to find creative gifts and items from over 30 different vendors!
Bethlehem’s past is brought to life with historic colonial demonstrations. Visit the Summer Kitchen for Colonial Cooking with HBMS’s Foodways volunteers; you’ll be surprised to see all the spices, herbs, and ingredients used! Over by the Brewery Tents renowned Beer Historian Chris Bowen showcases the traditional method of brewing in the days before technology. Professional Blacksmiths will demonstrate the skills required to create not only works of art, but important metal tools and items that were used in everyday colonial life. Watch the art of chair caning, pottery throwing, mosaic crafting, and chainsaw carving presented by the artisans. Demonstrations take place throughout the day Saturday and Sunday during the festival.
Friendly dogs are welcome on leash to find a tasty treat or a fabulous accessory from Alice’s Natural Nibbles for Pets. Me and My Pet Bakery, No Bones About It Pet Bakery, and Sassy Dog Fashions. Catch the amazing Dog Agility Demo presented by Lehigh Valley Dream Weavers Agility Club, Saturday at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., and Sunday at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. in the Lower Meadow.
Does you pet have what it takes to win the Pet Parade costume contest? Strut you stuff with your best blueberry-themed pet costume for a chance to win a prize on Sunday, July 22 at 3 p.m. Register online to participate.
Registration for the Pet Parade and Culinary Contest is free and does not include festival admission. Festival admission is $5 for kids, $10 for adults, and $10 add-on for (4) Blueberry Brewery tastings. Online-only admission specials include: $25 for a Family-Four Pack and $20 for Blueberry Brewery Combo that includes (6) Brewery tastings. For information, call 1-800-360 TOUR or visit www.HistoricBethlehem.org.
