- Watch piglets paint or enter a donut eating contest at the Burnside Plantation
- Historic Museum and Sites' Apple Days will take place Saturday, Sept. 16, and Sunday, Sept. 17
- There will also be Colonial demonstrations, live music from a dozen local musicians and brew tastings
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — With autumn right around the corner, folks can get ready to celebrate one of the season's most versatile fruits.
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites’ Apple Days will take place at the Burnside Plantation from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, and Sunday, Sept.17.
The seasonal celebration — which coincides with the plantation's 275th birthday — will feature live entertainment, Colonial cooking and historical demonstrations, pony rides, and different varieties of apples and desserts.
Sweet treats to take home
Historic Bethlehem Museum and Sites will kick off the festivities with its Market to Go dessert shop, which opens ahead of the bash.
Place an order before Thursday, Sept.14, and pick up the sweet treats between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday.
Participating vendors include Tomblers Bakery in Williams Township, Bakery Nook in Coplay, and Bethlehem Dairy Store.
The dessert stands will be at the plantation through Sunday.
What's new, painting with piglets
This year, organizers are hosting their first cornhole tournament on Saturday.
Entry is $40 per two-person team and includes admission to the festival.
To enter,click here.
For something less competitive, watch some piglets roll in art.
The "Pigcasso" paint-off will feature furry friends from the Tri-County Potbellied Pigs Club that create art on-the-spot for festival-goers.
Paintings, available on 5x7 or 8x11 canvases, will be available for purchase after the show.
Additionally, Sunset Boarding Stables will offer pony rides for $5 and access to a petting zoo ($2) with furry friends such as goats, sheep, chickens, ducks and rabbits.
Live music, Colonial demos
As part of the birthday celebration, visit Burnside's farmhouse for a Colonial celebration that hearkens to the mid-1700s.
Lend a hand in preparations such as washing clothes, cooking treats and setting the table for entertaining.
Local musicians performing Saturday on the Apple Brewery stage include Frank Porter at 10:15 a.m.; Smooth Retsina Glow at 11:45 a.m.; Tom Storm at 1:30 p.m.; and Acoustic Mayhem at 3:15 p.m.
Also on Saturday: the Community Stage's lineup will feature Valley Collective Band at 11:30 a.m.; Sadie Pepitone at 12:45 p.m.; plus a donut eating/baking contest at 2:15 p.m.
Taking the Apple Brewery Stage on Sunday: Nick Franclick at 10 a.m.; Achilles Heart at 11:45 a.m.; Jack Murray and the Blue Tarp Wranglers at 1:30 p.m.; and Beautiful Distortion at 3:15 p.m.
Also on Sunday: Mike Resiem at 10:30 a.m.; Michael Patrick at 12:15 p.m.; and a donut eating/baking contest at 2 p.m. on the Community Stage.
Brews, burgers and a bake-off
Over at the Apple Brewery Tent, purchase apple-inspired brews from Brü Daddy's, Logyard, Banko Beverage, Franklin Hills wines, Under the Bridge Cider and Xplorer Spirits.
Then feast on goodies from food trucks like Big Poppas, Heaven on a Bun, Taco Town, and Knowlton Lions Roasted Corn.
Save room for the pie: The King Arthur Baking Company's adult culinary contest will be held at 2:15 p.m. Saturday and the kids (under 15) contest takes place at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday.
The contest will be judged for prizes to be awarded for first-, second-, and third-place winners. Register online by Wednesday, Sept. 13.
Tickets to Apple Daysstart at $10 (in advance) or $12. Family packs (two adults and two children) cost $27.
Brewery passes are $25 and include one adult admission, five tastings, and a tasting glass.
The Burnside Plantation is located at 1461 Schoenersville Road.
