Blueberry Festival photo by Scott Piccotti
Blueberry Festival Returns to Burnside Plantation July 19-20 for 38th Fun-Filled Year
New activities and more family fun than ever highlight event presented by Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites
BETHLEHEM, PA–The beloved Blueberry Festival presented by the nonprofit Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS) returns for its 38th year next month with new attractions, hands-on family activities and the most blueberry sweets and treats in the event’s history. The festival, which takes place at Burnside Plantation in Bethlehem, is set for Saturday-Sunday, July 19-20, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Discounted early-bird tickets are on sale now at historicbethlehem.org and 610-691-6055.
Fun for all ages, the Blueberry Festival features live music, delicious food, colonial cooking and candle making demonstrations, blueberry pie-eating contests, colonial games and more. During the event, children can embark on the History Quest Scavenger Hunt; take part in the “Artifact Challenge,” a fun matching game identifying 18th-century objects; enjoy pony rides; visit the petting zoo and more. Plus, families can explore the new display of 18th and 19th-century farming equipment in the Johnson Barn, go inside the Burnside home and visit the Burnside Gardens to chat with the volunteers and see what’s growing. In addition, The Story Doctor will bring books to life through engaging, interactive presentations on the festival’s Community Stage Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
Food vendors confirmed for Blueberry Festival so far include Taste Budz, featuring a sweet and savory blueberry grilled cheese; returning festival favorite Taco Town; DonutNV, which specializes in warm doughnuts; Thirst Trap Lemonade; and Rolling Brew, which offers handcrafted coffees and specialty drinks. Artisans and vendors include returning festival favorites Soaps on Linden, Rebel Hive Meadery, Moravian Star Maker Cheryl Baker and Dierdre Rose Designs, as well as new faces such as Deep Roots Hard Cider, Mod Metal Works, BG Silversmiths, RanaeArt, Marcy’s Treasures and others.
Market to Go
One of the highlights of the Blueberry Festival is the popular Market to Go, where visitors can purchase delicious blueberry-themed desserts and treats to enjoy at home. The2025 lineup is the largest yet, featuring favorites like pies, coffee cake, strudel, sugar cookies and blueberry swirl ice cream. New additions this year include crullers and gluten-free blueberry lemon mini-cakes — offering something for every sweet tooth. Anyone who wants to ensure their favorites are still available when they arrive at the event can preorder their desserts athistoricbethlehem.org. Preordered desserts can be picked up on Friday, July 18, from 3-7 p.m., or any time during festival operating hours (festival admission required).
Great Bethlehem Blueberry Baking Contest
Individuals who want to showcase their baking skills are invited to enter the Great Bethlehem Blueberry Baking Contest. The contest, which is open to both children and adults, is judged by culinary professionals, with the winners taking home great prizes courtesy of King Arthur Flour. Kids’ Division (ages 15 and under) winners will be announced July 19 at 2:30 p.m., while Adult Division winners will be revealed July 20 at 2:30 p.m.
The Tavern Tent
Summertime is the perfect time for a cool beverage and there’s no better location to enjoy one than the Tavern Tent where patrons can sample beers and spirits from Banko Beverage and local breweries and distilleries. Tickets, which include festival admission, are $25 and on sale now.
Proceeds from Blueberry Festival support Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, the nonprofit that maintains and interprets 20 historic buildings in Bethlehem, including the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, one of only 15 decorative arts museums in the country; and the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, housed in the 1741 Gemeinhaus, the oldest building in the city. Tickets for the Blueberry Festival are $10 in advance for adults and $5 in advance for ages 17 and under, and $12 for adults and $6 for ages 17 and under at the gates. Kids 3 and under are free.
Anyone interested in volunteering, sponsoring or vending at the festival should contact HBMS Events Manager Beth Beatty atbbeatty@historicbehlehem.org or apply online at historicbethlehem.org.
ABOUT HISTORIC BETHLEHEM MUSEUMS & SITES
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS) is a nonprofit institution that brings to life three centuries of American history. HBMS tells the story of a small town of great influence, home to some of our nation’s earliest settlers, America’s first municipal water pumping system and one of the world’s greatest industrial companies. HBMS is located in eastern Pennsylvania, only a one-hour drive north of Philadelphia and two hours west of New York City. The nonprofit is a partner in Moravian Church Settlements-Bethlehem, the United States’ 26th World Heritage site; an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution; and part of Historic Moravian Bethlehem, which is a National Historic Landmark District. For more information, visit historicbethlehem.org.
Information provided to TVL by:
Mark Demko
