BETHLEHEM, Pa. — It’s a family affair for Anne Dalvet and her son Caleb.
And Sox — their 7-year-old gray and white miniature spotted donkey.
“He loves attention,” Anne said of Sox, laughing. “And you will hear him if he doesn’t have attention.”
The Dalvets, of Sunset Boarding Stables in Schuylkill County, have provided animals for the petting zoo at the Apple Days festival in Bethlehem for the past five years.
Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites will hold its 12th showing of the festival, set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20-21.Historic Bethlehem
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites will hold its 12th showing of the festival, set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20-21, at Burnside Plantation, 1461 Schoenersville Road.
New for this year, among the different kinds of sheep, rabbits, miniature donkeys and ponies live at the Johnson Barn, there also will be 10 Nigerian Dwarf and Pygmy goats on site for snuggling.
Dalvet said they normally bring the bunch to stay at the barn the day ahead of the action so the furry friends — such as ponies Montana, Butterscotch and Roni — can get a feel for the place ahead of their big showing.
Coming off another recent success
This year’s Apple Days comes after HBMS’s Blueberry Festival in July saw its highest attendance since 2018, according to HBMS Events Manager Beth Beatty.
For 2025, festival planners leaned even more into the family-friendly programming, she said.
Some of the offerings include:
- Starting each day with Family Hour from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- The Story Doctor (Dr. Catherine Moore) and her “Narrative Medicine” works in “bringing stories to life, including audience participation and improvisation”
- Quotes and Quills will share more on “why historians like to find” primary sources (or firsthand accounts) in their research. Children have a chance to write on parchment paper using a quill pen and take home a souvenir
- Activities showcasing 18th-century lifestyle inside the 1748/1818 Farmhouse and 1825 Summer Kitchen
- Plenty of food vendors and desserts to go around, including contests for baking and donut-eating
- Each day ending with a Moravian love feast with complimentary refreshments
- As well as a demonstrating blacksmith, candle making, scavenger hunt, old-fashioned toys and games, and tours of the historic house and barn
“It’s a great way to learn about history while you’re having fun."Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites Events Manager Beth Beatty, on Apple Days
“It’s a great way to learn about history while you’re having fun,” Beatty said.
She said organizers “need an army of volunteers” to make the operation run smoothly. Those taking part get complimentary admission to the festival and a free hot dog or dessert.
Over its two days, the event will see about 100 volunteers and 1,500 or so patrons, Beatty said.
Advance tickets, dessert preorders
This year marks Beatty’s second Apple Days on the job.
Looking back, she said, the dessert sales have most assuredly been a success.
“Last year we sold out,” Beatty said. “So we’re encouraging folks to order online in advance to guarantee their first choice of goodies.”
Advance tickets are $5 for ages 17 and under, and $10 for adults. Ages 4-17 are $5, and ages 3 and under get in for free. Visit historicbethlehem.org for early-bird tickets or to pre-order desserts, or call 610-691-6055.Historicbethlehem.org
Advance tickets are $5 for ages 17 and under, and $10 for adults. Ages 4-17 are $5, and ages 3 and under get in for free.
Visit historicbethlehem.org for early-bird tickets or to pre-order desserts, or call 610-691-6055.
Pre-order the “Apple Extravaganza” — with one apple pie, one large coffee cake and one strudel — for $42. Pick-up for desserts takes place during the festival.
A $10 goat snuggling fee also includes animal feed. Pony rides are $6.
Beatty said the festival will offer a shuttle from the parking lot at the new Lehigh Valley Health Network offices at Eighth and Eaton avenues over to Burnside Plantation.
Apple Days proceeds support Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites — the local nonprofit preserving and operating beloved local landmarks of the days of old in the Christmas City, such as 1741 Gemeinhaus and the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem on site.
HBMS said those interested in volunteering, sponsoring or vending at Apple Days should contact Beatty at bbeatty@historicbehlehem.org or apply online at historicbethlehem.org.
