by Jim Boyle

Margaret Bork is not sure when, but some time during the last 45 years the annual Yardley Harvest Day grew a bit too big. The signature community event developed something that could be seen in Anytown, U.S.A. and lost some of its unique flavor.

“It became a festival that just happened to be held in Yardley,” said Bork. “We want to bring it back to its roots and make it a day about Yardley.”

Bork and her husband, Craig, chaired the 10-member volunteer committee from the Yardley Business Association that has worked for the past year to create a festival that truly highlighted the restaurants, businesses and community of Yardley. More than 180 vendors will populate the downtown borough, including Canal Street, East College Avenue, South Bell Avenue and in the field adjacent to Fitzgerald Sommer Funeral Home.

“We are refocusing the festival on the great shops, crafters and businesses of the borough,” said Bork. “We also want to showcase the local non-profit organizations. They give to the community every day.”

As part of the effort, the Yardley Harvest Festival will hold a charity golf ball drop that will benefit the Harvet Day Scholarship program at the Bucks County Community College. Participants can purchase a golf ball for $10 and watch as a bucket holding up to 500 balls is lifted 50 to 80 feet off the ground. The bucket is dumped, and if a ball lands in a regulation-sized hole, the winner will receive a 48-inch Samsung television. The next closest will win a 7-inch Samsung Galaxy tablet device.

“People love it,” said Bork. “They get a huge kick at seeing all those golf balls fall from the sky and bounce all over the place.”

Saturday's Harvest Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with lots of family friendly activities and entertainment scheduled for the day. Weidel Realtors will provide pumpkins for free pumpkin painting, and a Period Photo Booth sponsored by Long and Foster Real Estate. Don't forget to bring the kids to the Castle Moon Bounce and check out the Haunted Model Train at the Old Library at Lake Afton.

Dance performances and karate demonstrations will be offered throughout the day, followed by afternoon concerts by the Andy Browne Band, followed by some reggae from the 12-piece band ROTIMI.

With early favorable weather reports coming in, Bork expects anywhere between 12,000 to 15,000 visitors to descend upon the borough and enjoy local food and crafts, as well as a gorgeous walk along the Delaware Canal and River. Admission is free for the rain or shine event.

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