I recently spent a hot, sunny afternoon at Peddler’s Village in Lahaska, Pennsylvania. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Philadelphia, and is known for being a spectacular shopping destination, but it offers so much more. This time, I went to experience the Bluegrass and Blueberry Festival.
Several bluegrass bands and square dance groups performed from 10 am to 5 pm around the property. My friend, Lorraine, and I toe-tapped to the lively sounds of Borderline, a local bluegrass band. Other listeners gathered in and around an old-fashioned gazebo where the band had set up.
There were blueberry goodies at every turn. Cock and Bull Restaurant served blueberry and white chocolate chip bread pudding; Skip’s Candy Corner created blueberry fudge; Buttonwood Grill stuffed French toast with blueberries; and even Casa Casale, which specializes in Italian foods and items, offered free tastings of blueberry balsamic vinegar over mozzarella chunks. But the treats at the Town Crier Bakery were over the top: blueberry butter cake, blueberry scones, blueberry pie, blueberry crepes, blueberry shortcake and more.
Lined up along the paths were stalls selling blueberry products. You could buy fresh blueberries, preserves, pancake mix and other things blueberries. And that, folks, is only a sampling of the blueberry mania.
It’s going to be an annual affair, but if you can’t wait until next year, then get ye to the Peach Festival on Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11. In addition to loads of peach confections, (shopper alert!) you’ll be able to scoop up bargains at the Annual Sidewalk Sale.
Unlike the festivals that are created for adult tastes, like beer and mushrooms, Peddler’s Village’s festivals are family-friendly. Autumn brings the Scarecrow Festival on September 21 and 22 and the Apple Festival on November 2 and 3. They pull out all the stops during the holiday season with the Christmas Festival on December 7 and 8. Since peaches are one of my favorite fruits, you know where I’ll be in August.
For more information on upcoming festivals and events, go to peddlersvillage.com.
