We’re kicking off two months of fall family fun on September 6 with the 32nd Annual Scarecrow Competition and Display followed by the 32nd Annual Scarecrow Festival on Saturday, September 18 and Sunday, September 19. Rain or shine. Admission and parking are free for all events.

The 32nd Annual Scarecrow Competition and Display features more than 100 colorful scarecrow creations on outdoor public exhibit Monday, September 6 through Sunday, October 24. Participants compete for $5,000 in prizes. The public votes for their favorites through September 24. Winners will be announced and posted on the Peddler’s Village website by Saturday, October 2. Prizes will be mailed the week of October 25, 2010.

Discover colorful creations entered in the following six categories:
• Quite the Character Scarecrow: Open the world of possibilities as you create a scarecrow interpretation of your favorite television character—human, animal or animated!
• Traditional/Whirligig Scarecrow: Paying homage to the scarecrows that have been “scaring crows’ from the farmers’ fields and gardens for centuries. Parts move or make noise when the wind gusts to make it a true whirligig!
• The Keystone Krow: A person, place or thing—past, present or future that says “Pennsylvania.”
• An Extraordinary Contemporary Scarecrow: Not necessarily a “Scarecrow,” more like a cutting edge creation for the garden.
• Kids Only! Scarecrow: Kids 12 and under create crows and compete with their peers.
• Group Scarecrow: A group scarecrow project for a school, church, office, club, scout troop, neighborhood, etc.

The 32nd Annual Scarecrow Festival on Saturday, September 18, and Sunday, September 19, is a weekend of family fun including scarecrow-making workshops, pumpkin pie eating contests, pumpkin painting, live musical entertainment and children’s activities. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. both days. Rain or shine.

• The Scarecrow-Making Workshops will take place both days on the Street Road Green at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Peddler’s Village staff will teach you how to create a unique, life-size scarecrow to take home and display. All scarecrow building materials are included in the $25 fee, maximum four people per scarecrow. Space is limited–reserve yours in advance!
Click here for registration information on the Peddler’s Village website or call 215-794-4000.

• Pumpkin Pie Eating Contests will be held both days at 3 p.m. on the Main Green. Categories are 10 years old and under, 11 to 14 years old and 15 years old and over. Sign up at the hospitality booth each day from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Six participants per age group, names are drawn before the contest at 3 p.m.

• Pumpkin Painting will take place on the Main Green on Sunday from 11 a.m. until supplies run out. Brushes, paint and pumpkins will be provided and a nominal fee will be charged based on pumpkin weight. No reservations are needed for this first-come, first-served activity.

Calling all scarecrows to Peddler’s Village! We’re inviting scarecrow creators of all ages to enter the 32nd Annual Scarecrow Competition and Display. 

Participants may enter submissions in six scarecrow categories for more than $5,000 in cash and prizes. Please submit your entry forms to us by Friday, September 3, 2010. The colorful scarecrow creations will be on display Monday, September 6 through Sunday, October 24.

Don’t delay to register for one or more of the following categories:

• Quite the Character Scarecrow: Open the world of possibilities as you create a scarecrow interpretation of your favorite television character—human, animal or animated!
• Traditional/Whirligig Scarecrow: Pay homage to the scarecrows that have been “scaring crows’ from the farmers’ fields and gardens for centuries. You may choose to add parts that move or make noise when the wind gusts to make it a true whirligig—either way your scarecrow has its work cut out for it here in the Village!
• The Keystone Krow: Create the person, place or thing—past, present or future that says “Pennsylvania” to you! Or, perhaps you’ll choose to focus on a Bucks County themed crow! PA possibilities are endless!
• An Extraordinary Contemporary Scarecrow: Think out of the box on this one—not necessarily a “Scarecrow”—more like a cutting edge creation for the garden. You are only limited by your imagination!
• Kids Only! Scarecrow: Kids 12 and under can enter and should do the majority of creation themselves in a category that gives kids the opportunity to compete with their peers.
• Group Scarecrow: Make your scarecrow a group project—school, church, office, club, scout troop, neighborhood, etc. Put on your creative thinking caps and conjure up a winner!

Contestants must register to enter the competition no later than Friday, September 3 and plan to install their scarecrows for outdoor public display in the Village on Sunday, September 5, noon to 2 p.m.  Entry forms with the official competition rules and regulations are available at the Peddler’s Village Hospitality Center in the lobby of the Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant, by phone at 215-794-4000, or click here  to print the form from the Peddler’s Village website.

Vote for your favorites through September 24. Ballots are available in all shops and ballot boxes will be located in Giggleberry Fair and the Cock ’n Bull Restaurant. Winners will be announced and posted on the Peddler’s Village website by Saturday, October 2. Prizes will be mailed the week of October 25, 2010.

Peddler’s Village dedicated the weekend of August 7 & 8 to celebrate our region’s nonprofits at the Second Annual Community Days. The event is a wonderful opportunity for local nonprofits to exhibit information and spread awareness to educate the community about their organizations.

Each day, Peddler’s Village held the “Peddler’s Village Celebrates Nonprofits Drawing” to show our appreciation to the participating nonprofit groups for their important work on behalf of our community. 

Peddler’s Village donated two gifts of $250 each in Peddler’s Village Notes, which may be used as cash in any of the shops or restaurants, the Golden Plough Inn, Giggleberry Fair or for Peddler’s Village workshops.

This year some additional prizes were donated by two Peddler’s Village shops for a second drawing. Thanks to Chaddsford Winery who donated Six Chaddsford “Your Choice” Gift Cards that may be redeemed for a free vineyard tour and wine tasting at the winery in Chaddsford or a free wine flight tasting at the Chaddsford Reserve Tasting Room in Peddler’s Village. And, thanks to Lace Silhouettes Lingerie for five “Girls’ Night Out Private Pajama Party” Gift Certificates and Five $20 Lace Silhouettes Gift Cards. The “Girls’ Night Out” includes a private pajama party at Lace Silhouettes for up to 15 guests with games, refreshments, personalized shopping, discounts, and a $10 gift card for each guest.

Peddler’s Village Event Coordinator Jane Hood, who created the Community Days event two years ago, announced the winners at the end of each event day:

$250 Peddler’s Village Note Winners

1) Wrapping Presence

2) The Crossings Animal Sanctuary

Chaddsford Winery Gift Card Winners

1) Northeast Animal Rescue (NAR)

2) Johnsville Centrifuge & Science Museum

3) Heritage Conservancy

4) American Cancer Society Relay for Life

5) Bucks County Autism Support Coalition

Lace Silhouettes Girls’ Night Out Pajama Party Gift Certificate Winners

1) Bucks County Habitat for Humanity

2) Bucks County Animal Response Team

3) Single Volunteers of Bucks County

4) Kisses for Kyle

5) Hope for the Animals

Lace Silhouettes Lingerie $20 Gift Card Winners

1) The Bucks County Herald

2) PA K9 Assistance Foundation

3) Kids with Food Allergies

4) The Crossings Animal Sanctuary

5) Delaware Valley Second Chance for Animals

Peddler’s Village would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of the nonprofit exhibitors and their volunteers who participated this weekend. We hope you will join us next year for the Third Annual Peddler’s Village Community Days!

Here is the complete list of exhibitors and their websites for more information about each organization:

American Cancer Society Relay for Life (Bensalem)  Click here for more information.

Bucks County Animal Response Team  Click here for more information.

Bucks County Autism Support Coalition Click here for more information.

Bucks County Habitat for Humanity  Click here for more information.

The Bucks County Herald & Area Guide Monthly  Click here for more information.

The Crossings Animal Sanctuary  Click here for more information.

Delaware Valley Second Chance for Animals  Click here for more information.

Heritage Conservancy  Click here for more information.

Hope for the Animals  Click here for more information.

Johnsville Centrifuge & Science Museum  Click here for more information.

Kids with Food Allergies  Click here for more information.

Kisses for Kyle  Click here for more information.

Northeast Animal Rescue (NAR)  Click here for more information.

PA K9 Assistance Foundation  Click here for more information.

Single Volunteers of Bucks County  Click here for more information.

Wrapping Presence  Click here for more information.

THANKS SO MUCH TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR AWESOME RESPONSE TO OUR VERY FIRST MOMMY/DADDY BLOGGER EVENT AT PEDDLER’S VILLAGE!

DUE TO THE OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF SIGN-UPS, THIS EVENT IS ALREADY FILLED! WE CAN NO LONGER ACCEPT SIGN-UPS FOR THE AUGUST 18TH EVENT.

BUT STAY TUNED TO FOR INFO VERY SOON FOR THE NEXT FREE PEDDLER’S VILLAGE BLOGGER EVENT IN SEPTEMBER! WE WILL BE OFFERING A FAMILY FUN DAY FOR EVERYONE COMBINED WITH THE 32ND ANNUAL SCARECROW COMPETITION AND DISPLAY!

Calling all mommy and daddy bloggers for an awesome day of free fun at Peddler’s Village!

Mark your calendars now and register today because this free Mommy/Daddy blogger day on August 18 hosted by Mama’s Little Helper is an event you won’t want to miss!

We’ll be getting active with a morning of play at Giggleberry Fair from 10 a.m. to noon.

Before lunch, we’ll take a “Meet the Merchants” stroll through the Village to check out all the cool shops and pick up some freebies and coupons.

Then we’ll enjoy a delicious complimentary buffet at Sweet Lorraine’s Cafe for lunch.

All mommy and daddy bloggers who attend will also receive two free passes to Giggleberry Fair for a giveaway on their websites!

Tomatoes ripening on the vine in the Earl's Bucks County garden

We’ll be feeding our locavore souls at the Heritage Conservancy’s second annual Farm to Table celebration this month. Come “dine at the source” with us at the Lindsay Farm on Almshouse Road in Warminster on Saturday, July 31.

EBC’s David Zuckerman and Jamie Hollander (Hollander Gourmet) will prepare the hors d’oeuvres and buffet-style dinner from a bounty of ingredients fresh from Bucks County farms and purveyors.

Our friends at Lime Events are working with Heritage Conservancy to plan and execute this outdoor culinary gathering in a beautiful rustic setting so it promises to be  a great community event with fantastic silent auction items and fun kids’ activities. And, it’s BYOB!

Get all the details  and sign up for the event here on the Bucks Happening website.

Wendi Skwara (left), owner of Tall Pine Farms, helps Chef Chris Tavares select strawberries.

You could say that I had an “aha” moment as I followed Earl’s Bucks County Chef Chris Tavares, GM David Zuckerman, and Courier Times Food Editor Betty Cichy around the New Hope Farmer’s Market.

The mission was to find enough locally grown and produced foods to create a meal for Betty’s annual column on local farm markets.

Frankly, although I know that Bucks county has some wonderful farms and produce, I really did not think that we would find enough at just one market for a great dinner.  But I was wrong. David and Chris have developed close relationships with many local farmers as Earl’s Bucks County has evolved into a restaurant committed to supporting the local foodshed. David did the first cooking demo on the opening day of the market using that day’s offerings.

You’ll have to read Betty’s food column next week for her round up of the local markets and photos of the preparation of the meal later at Earl’s (and the recipes), but here some observations that led to my final “aha.”

Bucks County does have a diverse array of beautiful bounty! Just at the New Hope market, we found the most luscious, sweet strawberries from Tall Pine Farms of Rushland (pictured above) and Milk House Farm Market of Newtown. Chris said they taste like “sunshine.”  He selected some salad greens from Gravity Hill Farm of Titusville, NJ to combine with the berries for a fresh spring salad.

Tastes like sunshine! Fresh spring salad of local lettuce and strawberries.

Chris and David also picked out some beautiful garlic scapes, kohlrabi and mustard greens from Gravity Hill for the main course..I was impressed, you can’t even find garlic scapes at Wegmans!

Then it was on to the Highland Gourmet booth to chat with Ben Avila about ingredients for an entree. After an interesting conversation–all the farmers and vendors were very friendly, helpful and provided a wealth of information–Chris and David picked out a lovely bone-in filet and some incredible Valley Shephard Creamery cheese for the main course dish.

The next morning in the Earl’s kitchen, Chris created this beautiful Filet Mignon on a bed of mustard greens and garlic scapes with shaved Valley Thunder cheese. Simple, fresh ingredients with complex and intense flavors.

Bone-in Filet Mignon/Mustard Greens/Garlic Scapes/Shaved Valley Thunder cheese

Final “Aha”: You can satisy your inner locavore here in Bucks county. There are 70 locations of farmer’s markets, farm stores and CSA’s (community supported agriculture) throughout the county so you can easily find a convenient spot to stop and pick up ingredients for dinner. You just might bump into David and Chris picking out something for tonight’s special at Earl’s. They tweak the menu to take advantage of what’s fresh and in season so you’ll never be bored if  you stop by each week for some locally grown and created fare.

Check out this link for the Penn State Cooperative Extension Bucks County for listings of farms and markets plus shopping tips.

Thanks to Susan Pierson of Bucks County Foodshed Alliance, the force behind the New Hope and Doylestown Farmer’s Markets. She brings in a great selection of vendors and chefs to demo how you can use the wonderful produce and foods from the market. Click this link for the New Hope Farmer’s Market schedule and vendor list.

“Fahrten und Reisen Durch Pennsylvania”

Founders Tour Car Show 2010

September 17, 2010, 5-8 p.m., Street Road Green

Don’t miss this once in a lifetime chance to view an extremely rare collection of antique automobiles. On Friday, September 17, Peddler’s Village welcomes the Founders Tours Car Show 2010 “Fahrten und Reisen Durch Pennsylvania” produced by “FARTS”, the “FRIENDS” of Ancient Transportation. The car show will be held from 5-8 p.m. on the Street Road Green across the street from The Golden Plough Inn.

 All the vehicles are pre-World War 1 and are very valuable and rare.  It is an exceptional opportunity to see a collection like this all at one location, featuring such extraordinary vehicles as 1913 Alco from Boca Raton, FL 1914 Silver Ghost from Larchmont, NY, a 1914 Peugeot from Key Largo, FL, and a 1907 Pierce Great Arrow from Wyckoff, NJ.

While at the car show, visitors can enjoy the 32nd Annual Scarecrow Competition and Display, featuring colorful scarecrow creations on outdoor public exhibit through October. More than 120 of these larger-than-life pieces of American folk art line the winding brick paths of Peddler’s Village, delighting guests of all ages with their whimsy and imagination.

Peddler’s Village has been a popular leisure destination for more than four decades, attracting nearly 3 million visitors annually and consisting of 70 quality specialty shops, 6 restaurants, the 70-room Golden Plough Inn, Giggleberry Fair family entertainment center and year round events all set on 42 acres of landscaped gardens and winding brick pathways. Admission is free and visitors will find acres of free and convenient parking on the Peddler’s Village grounds. For more information, please call 215-794-4000.

Earl’s Bucks County was recently recognized as a leader in the local “field to table” movement by two area publications. 

Get away to the best kept secret in Peddler’s Village, the Golden Plough Inn!

Click here for an article in the Bucks County Woman’s Journal about a weekend or weekday getaway “in an easy going atmosphere that guarantees that ‘get away from it all’ feeling.”

Meet the ”desperate” Deadly Housewives of Hysteria Lane!

It’s a little slice of suburbia where backstabbing, bed-hopping and cat fighting run like lawn sprinklers. The only word to describe these women is DESPERATE! Now, the ladies are desperate to uncover the truth about the death of a neighbor, Mary Ruth Abraham, and are attempting to summon her spirit for answers.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, but exactly what measures will these housewives take to keep the blinds drawn on their secrets?

Guests should arrive in the lobby of the Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant by 7:15 p.m. The cost is $48.95 per person, which includes dinner, show, tax and gratuity. Cocktail service is available. Groups are welcome.

For mature audiences only, children under 18 are not permitted to attend.

“Deadly Housewives” runs every Friday and Saturday evening, May 7 through August 28, 2010 at 7:15 p.m in the Peddler’s Pub at the Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant. Reservations are required. Call 215-794-4051 for reservations and more information.

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