Doylestown: County Seat of Bucks County for 200 years

It is hard to believe that Doylestown has been the County Seat of Bucks County for 200 years. And to celebrate, Doylestown is having a weeklong celebration starting on Memorial Day and continuing on until June 2nd!

Here is a just a preview of events you can expect in Doylestown during these festivities:

Art Exhibition

Wednesday, May 23rd through Friday, June 1st

The Doylestown Bicentennial Juried Art Exhibition ”History in the Making” will feature paintings from top artists and their interpretation of the impact on our landscape and community over the past 200 years by having Doylestown as the county seat. Our judges are accomplished painters Kerry Dunn and Karen Titus Smith and Manhattan art consultant Tarah Murphy. Come in to the gallery between May 23 and June 1 to vote for your favorite painting for the People’s Choice Award! This award, along with other awards and prizes totaling $2500, will be announced on June 1st during First Friday.

Antique Car Show

Monday, May 28th, 10:00am – 4:00pm

Kick off celebration with the Antique Car show! You can see cars from 1910's to the 1960's, take a picture with Henry and Rollo, listen to a Barber Shop Quartet, and enter raffles that benefit the Doylestown Historical Society. There will also be food vendors, face painting, and more!

Veterans Appreciation Day

Wednesday, May 30th, 12:00pm – 1:30pm

Returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan will be honored. Enlistment oath to be taken by those entering military service. Sea Cadet color guard. Proclamation to be presented by Representative Marquerite Quinn by County Commissioner Chairman Robert Loughery and Lt. Governor Jim Cawley.

Time Capsule Display

Wednesday, May 30th, 1:30

Come see what everyday items of today may be the treasures of tomorrow. Over fifty organizations and institutions throughout the area will be providing items that will allow future generations to see what life was like in Doylestown in 2012. The Time Capsule will be on display in the Courthouse park area following the Veterans Appreciation Ceremony, and will be on display in the rotunda until its burial at the new Justice Center in 2012. This is an “Antiques Road Show” event circa Doylestown 2012 in the making.

Old Fashioned Pet Pageant & Carnival

Friday, June 1st, 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Dress up your favorite pet and join our Pet Pageant. There will be great prizes for Best Costume, Best Pet and Owner Look-Alike, and the most Unusual Pet! We encourage people to come early, enjoy the carnival foods, performers, and live music. You can also support the SPCA and other pet causes. Shop at the Sidewalk Sale event. Click here to register early and e-mail jackie@spaessentials.net for more information.

Community Picnic and Fireworks

Saturday, June 2nd, 3:00pm – 8:30pm, Fireworks at 9:15pm

Children's games and music will be available throughout the day. There will also be about 4-5 varying bands performing. There will be a scavenger hunt, the Taste of Doylestown Food Challenge, a dance event, and a skate park event. You can also expect to hear the results of the Moustache Contest, which we mentioned a little while back in this post. The winner with the best moustache will be getting 4 tickets to an upcoming Phillies game! You can also expect a spectacular fireworks show starting at 9:15pm.

For more information on the entire celebration, you can check out the official Doylestown County Seat Bicentennial Celebration website. If you are looking for specific events and times, check out their calendar with a complete list of events.