From Pottsgrove Manor…
About the FairSaturday, May 4, 2013
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Bring the whole family out to welcome spring at this annual event! Held each year on the first Saturday in May, Pottsgrove Manor’s Annual Colonial May Fair is a local tradition. Visitors can come back year after year and see something new and different at each year’s fair. Guests can enjoy a variety of 18th century entertainments, including magic shows, music, puppet theater, and the traditional dance around the colorful Maypole. There are games, contests, and activities for young visitors. Early American crafters give demonstrations of historic trades and sell their wares, and food vendors offer tasty treats. Scroll down for more details on this year’s fair!
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Bring the whole family out to welcome spring at this annual event! Held each year on the first Saturday in May, Pottsgrove Manor’s Annual Colonial May Fair is a local tradition. Visitors can come back year after year and see something new and different at each year’s fair. Guests can enjoy a variety of 18th century entertainments, including magic shows, music, puppet theater, and the traditional dance around the colorful Maypole. There are games, contests, and activities for young visitors. Early American crafters give demonstrations of historic trades and sell their wares, and food vendors offer tasty treats. Scroll down for more details on this year’s fair!
Suggested Donation: $2 per person.
Parking
Free parking is available at the Carousel at Pottstown building, 30 West King Street. Visitors can then either walk up the street or get a free ride on the restored Pottstown trolley from the parking area to the Manor. During the fair, Pottsgrove Manor’s parking lot is reserved for handicapped parking only.
Once you arrive on-site, be sure to stop by the Information Tent to get information about the fair, Pottsgrove Manor, and other upcoming events!
Scheduled Activities & Performances
- “Grinning for Cheese” worst smile contest at 11:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
- Hoop Rolling Races for children of all ages at 2:15 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- Levram the Great performs magic at 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:15 p.m. He’ll also perform strolling magic tricks throughout the day.
- May Pole Dancing at 11:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.
- Signora Bella performs acrobatic feats at 1:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
- Tapestry Historic Dance Ensemble performs at 11:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.
- Tuckers’ Tales Puppet Theater performs St. George and the Dragon at 12:00 p.m. and Cinderella at 3:00 p.m. They will give strolling musical performances throughout the day and provide music for the May Pole dances.
- Prize Drawing at 4:45 p.m. (must be present to win)
Ongoing Activities
Self-Guided Tours of the Mansion—first-floor only
Hands-On Activities:
- Butter churning
- Colonial toys and games
- Dress-up booth
- Fortune-telling
- Games of chance
- Period ball games
Living History Demonstrations:
- Animal husbandry—meet sheep, a goat, and chickens
- Blacksmithing
- Bobbin lacemaking
- Butter churning & cheese-making
- Gunsmithing
- Open-hearth cooking by Deborah Peterson
- Spinning, weaving, and fiber arts
- Tailoring
- Tape weaving by Eleanor Bittle, aka “The Tape Lady”
Crafters & Vendors
Food:
- MMG Concessions—burgers, cheesesteaks, hot dogs, sausage sandwiches, fries, hand-rolled pretzels, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and more
Early American Crafts:
- Angel’s Wool Farm—handspun, handknitted Angora and Shetland wool goods
- Appalachia Brooms—handmade primitive brooms
- Floral hair wreaths & nosegays—all proceeds benefit Pottsgrove Manor’s programs
- Frantastic Fashions—colonial ladies’ accessories by Fran Wilcox
- Lee’s Bees—learn about beekeeping and buy local honey products
- Musser’s Chair Caning—rush and cane chairs
- Pottsgrove Manor Museum Shop—books, toys & games, 18th-century reproduction items, and more!
- Red Rope Farm—local wool yarns and knitted goods, handmade soap
- Scherenschnitte—Pennsylvania German paper cutting by Brenda Miller
- Shoemaker Pottery—redware from Lancaster, PA
- Zina Borys—hand-spun yarns
Positively Pottstown blog 