Morning Call: Blueberry To Go Market at Bethlehem’s Burnside Plantation: What you need to know

The folks at Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites have cooked up something different this summer.

Unable to hold its annual rite-of-summer Blueberry Festival in its usual form thanks to COVID-19 restrictions, this year Burnside Plantation will host a Blueberry Market To Go, a nine-day celebration that balances the need for safety and the desire for tasty blueberry treats.

We gave you a sneak peek of plans for this reimagined event last month but we’d like to share a few more updates and details.

WHEN IS IT?

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 18 – Sunday, July 26

WHERE IS IT?

Burnside Plantation, an 18th-century farm located at 1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem

HOW WILL IT WORK?

There will be two different ways to get your fill of blueberry treats. You can shop in advance and pick up or pre-purchase and schedule a time slot to visit in person. (Keep reading for more details on that)

PRE-ORDER DETAILS

Pre-order & Safe Pickup runs July 20 to July 24. You can pre-order a host of blueberry treats online, choose a pick up day and time and then pick up at a special drive-thru area.

Order at: store.historicbethlehem.org/blueberry-festival-to-go-market

OK, SO WHAT’S ON THE MENU?

If you’re looking to pre-order and pickup, here’s a sample of what you’ll be able to buy:

Blueberry desserts including pie from Tombler’s Bakery, coffee cake and strudel from The Bakery Nook, and blueberry cookies from Backdoor Bakeshop.

Pre-packaged Blueberry Boxes, including one of each: pie, strudel, and coffee cake, a box of fresh fruits and produce from Bechdolt’s Orchard, a set of colonial kids games and crafts, and a box of treats and toys for your pup.

Also available for pre-order are blueberry bushes to take home and plant in your own

Other treats include …

Blueberry jelly, $8.50; blueberry vinaigrette, $8; blueberry soda, $3 from The Blueberry Store

Blueberry-themed personal-care items and gifts from Bare Beauty Apothecary

Jewelry from BG Silversmiths

Pre-orders will be able to be picked up weekdays at Burnside, July 20-24.

HERE’S HOW TO VISIT IN PERSON

Visit Burnside Plantation on July 18, 19, 25, 26 — Pre-purchase your 90-minute time slot at $3 per for adults and children. (This is to control the number of people who will be there.)

You can also reserve a picnic spot at either the apple orchard or the lower meadow for a group of up to 5 people to enjoy during your 90-minute time slot. Cost: $10 to reserve.

Here’s the menu of what treats you’ll find there: sandwiches and wraps from Voracious Deli; BrewWorks will have 16 oz. cans of Blueberry Belch, Squishy Kitty and Knuckleball; Black River Farms will have its Rett, Saki 17 and Naked Chambourcin; and Xplorer Spirits will have vodka blueberry lemonade

You can also enjoy live acoustic musicians, shop from local crafters, pick up blueberry desserts and products and tour the Colonial and pollinator gardens. There will also be demonstrations from Neverland K9 Institute and outdoor games.

Plus, you’ll also get to take home a free craft bag for kids, including Moravian Paper Dolls, Burnside Butterflies, pine-cone birdfeeders, a word search and an eye-spy activity.

WHAT ABOUT THE CONTESTS?

Even though things are different this year, there will still be blueberry contests.

Best Blueberry Dessert Contest: Adult and youth categories for this contest will be limited to 12 entries each. If you use flour, you need to use King Arthur brand and provide a receipt for proof of purchase. Recipes must also include at least one cup of blueberries. Adult contest: July 18 and 25; youth contest, July 19 and 26. You must pre-purchase your $3 admission for the 4 to 5:30 pm time slot on the day you wish to participate.

Info, entry form: https://historicbethlehem.org/blueberry-festival/market-activities/#BBMCulinary

ALSO …

Pet parade: (Lower meadow) Deck out your pets in their best blueberry-themed costumes and the best dressed pet will win a prize. 2:30 p.m. July 18 and 25. You must pre-purchase your $3 admission for the 2 to 3:30 pm time slot on the day you wish to participate.

Best Blueberry Bonnet Contest: (Lower meadow) Deck yourself out in your best blueberry-decorated hat for a chance to win a blueberry pie.

WHAT ABOUT THE PIE-EATING CONTESTS?

You just cannot have this event without a pie-eating contest. But how do you do that during a pandemic?

Virtually of course.

Here’s how it work: The contest will be via Zoom and filmed by Service Electric Cable TV: 5:30 p.m. July 14 for the kids’ category and 6 p,m, July 14 for the adults. If you are one of the first 12 people to sign up in each category, you will receive your confirmation and the Zoom meeting log in information prior to July 13. (First come, first served and it’s limited to 12 in each category).

You’ll also need to pick up your pie at Burnside Plantation on: 4 to 6 p.m. July 13; or 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 14.

Info, entry form: historicbethlehem.org/blueberry-festival/virtual-pie-eating-contest