For the second consecutive year, Peddler’s Village, a countryside shopping, dining, lodging, and family entertainment destination in the heart of historic Bucks County, PA, will host a major summer-long event featuring large sand sculptures. Free and open to the public from June 1 through August 31, Stories in Sand will showcase six exceptionally tall sculptures created by three world-renowned master sand sculptors. The spectacular sculptures, all of which are due to be completed by June 1 (weather depending), will pay homage to stories and characters revered for generations: Brothers Grimm fairy tales, Peter Pan, The Jungle Book, Winnie-the-Pooh, Mother Goose stories, and Alice in Wonderland. Sandboxes designed for family play will also be placed throughout the property.
In connection with the Village-wide Stories in Sand display, Peddler’s Village will be hosting a series of events, starting with Sand Sculpture Workshops on May 27 and 28 (ticket purchase is required) led by Team Sandtastic. The following weekend, on June 3 and 4 from 11:00 am to 5:00 p.m., Peddler’s Village will present a Stories in Sand Kickoff Weekend with free admission that will include live musical performances, including by The Big Chill, Barefoot Bobby and the Breakers, and Plenty of Pepper Trio, outdoor food and drinks, pony rides and a petting zoo, and family activities.
Starting on May 15 (weather permitting), Peddler’s Village guests will have the opportunity to watch sand sculpting teams in turn as they create magnificent sand sculptures on the property. The creation phase will span a total of three weeks, with staggered schedules for the sculptors. The three sculptor teams involved in the project will be: the Sand Sculpture Company, led by Ted Seibert; Team Sandtastic; and John Gowdy and Laura Gowdy. All of these teams participated also in last year’s summer sand display at Peddler’s Village, Bucks County Beach Days: Sand Sculptures in the Village, which drew more than half a million people. As for the display last year, financial support for Stories in Sand has been provided by Visit Bucks County.*
“By popular demand, we are bringing back some of the world’s best sand artists to create another spectacular sand display,” said Bob McGowan, chief operating officer of Peddler’s Village. “We hope that during their visit to Peddler’s Village this summer, our guests will enjoy not only these mesmerizing depictions of famous stories, but will also create their own personal stories to remember for a lifetime.”
Peddler’s Village will be open every day this summer. Details about Stories in Sand will be shared on PeddlersVillage.com and on Peddler’s Village Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.
In addition to the sand-themed activities, Peddler’s Village will also present this summer many free, family-friendly events including:
- Food Truck Thursdays from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on June 15, July 13, and August 17. Bring your friends and family for an evening of great food and fun on the Street Road Green. Free admission.
- Murder Mystery Dinner Theater: Houdini’s WhoDunit at 7:00 p.m. on June 17. With its outrageous humor and twisty plot, this unique mystery presented by the Riddlesbrood Touring Theater Company will keep you entertained while you enjoy a delicious three-course dinner. Ticketed event; reservations are required.
- Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream at 2:00 p.m. on June 17. As part of its inaugural “Play On!” community touring program, the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival (PSF) presents Shakespeare’s hilarious mash-up of mistaken lovers, mischievous fairies, and amateur thespians. Free admission.
- Photography Competition & Exhibit from June 12 through July 30 (deadline to enter is May 12.) New for 2023, the Photography Competition & Exhibit will feature more than one hundred professional and amateur pet photographs submitted by Philadelphia-area residents. This is a juried competition and display, however, all members of the public are invited to participate.
- Comedy Under the Stars at 8:00 p.m. on June 23, July 21, and August 25. Three hilarious comedians take the stage for each Comedy in the Village. This is a ticketed event and reservations are required. Mature humor, for adults 18+ only.
- Free Outdoor Movie Nights at dusk on June 24, July 29, and August 26. Bring your friends and family and meet us under the stars on the Street Road Green for a screening of favorite family-friendly movies! Free admission.
- Red, White, and Blue BBQ Bash from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on July 4. Celebrate the Fourth of July at Peddler’s Village! Our Red, White, and Blue BBQ Bash takes place on Tuesday, July 4th and will feature live entertainment, family activities, a watermelon-eating contest, and all-American barbeque favorites. Free admission (with pay-as-you-go food) and parking.
- Bluegrass & Blueberries Kickoff Weekend from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on July 8 and 9. The “berry” fun kickoff weekend will feature live bluegrass music, including by Martin & Kelly Duo, Cheddar Boys, and Spinning Straw, family activities, outdoor food and drinks, local blueberries and blueberry treats, and more. Free admission and parking. Plus, all month long, guests can enjoy blueberry-inspired specials at Peddler’s Village restaurants, eateries, and tasting rooms.
- Peach Month Kickoff Weekend from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on August 5 and 6. Peddler’s Village turns into a peachy paradise this August for National Peach Month! Peach Month Kickoff Weekend will feature live entertainment, family activities, outdoor food and drinks, peach-themed specials and treats, a sidewalk sale, and more. All month long, Village guests can enjoy peach-inspired food and drink specials at restaurants, eateries, and tasting rooms. Free admission and parking.
*Stories in Sand is funded in part by Visit Bucks County, the official tourism promotion agency for Bucks County, PA, through its Bucks County Tourism Grant Program in partnership with the County of Bucks.
For more information, visit PeddlersVillage.com or call 215-794-4000.
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