Doylestown Arts Festival Delivers Record Weekend Of Art, Music, and Community

DOYLESTOWN, PA — There’s a reason why they call it the biggest weekend in Bucks County.

On Saturday and Sunday, thousands flocked to the Bucks County seat for the two-day Doylestown Arts Festival and the annual Bucks County Classic on Sunday.

Thanks to the weather, both days brought record crowds to the streets of the historic borough as shoppers and browsers checked out each booth along the way and, on Sunday, watched professional cyclists whip through the streets of town.

From handmade jewelry to vinyl art, more than 160 artists brought their unique creations to show and share with the public. Still images of Doylestown landmarks, handcrafted wooden bowls, drawings, sculpture, repurposed wood, and mixed media filled the booths, which lined the streets of town.

"This past weekend proved to be one of our most successful events to date, featuring one of our most attended Saturday’s in recent memory, with dozens of artists reporting record-breaking sales. While Sunday started with some rain, locals still came out with umbrellas to support our artists and enjoy live music on the streets. The weather cleared, and the crowds steadily streamed into the festival throughout the late morning and afternoon."

The Central Bucks West Cheerleaders were on hand to cheer on their program and the Doylestown Arts Festival. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

A saxophonist with Zydeco a Go Go jams at the Beer Garden. (Photo by Jeff Werner/Patch)

The Zydeco A Go Go Band had them dancing in the beer garden. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The Bonehead Factory in Quakertown brought its handmade, one-of-a-kind pumpkins, monsters, and scary decor to the festival. (Photo by Jeff Werner/Patch)

Leaders of the Oscar Hammerstein Museum in Doylestown were on hand to promote the museum and their plans for the future. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The event again spanned across downtown Doylestown, lining State Street, Main Street, Oakland Avenue, Hamilton Street, and adjacent parking lots with art, music, and activities.

In addition, the festival featured a range of local cultural destinations and arts organizations, including the TileWorks, the Michener’s Museum and Fonthill Castle and Mercer Museum, and the Oscar Hammerstein Museum, helping to raise awareness and strengthen their positions in the region.

While visitors browsed through the arts and crafts, music filled the streets, and the smell of delicious food hung in the air from Doylestown's many restaurants and eateries.

Drawing over 25,000 visitors across the two days, the festival created an experience that is cherished by residents and introduces the town to visitors from across the country.

The all-volunteer organizers and committee responsible for the festival worked for more than 10 months to carefully plan and execute the annual tradition, which is free to the public and held in partnership with Discover Doylestown, The Borough of Doylestown, and dozens of local businesses, organizations, and residents.

Behind the scenes, more than 130 volunteers worked from before dawn until well after the crowds had gone home to make sure the event ran smoothly.

"We'd like to congratulate the Bucks County Classic on their successful races, which were held alongside the Doylestown Arts Festival on Sunday," posted Discover Doylestown. "The unique combination of these two events is a testament to the strong sense of community here in Bucks County and the Borough of Doylestown."

Bucks County Classic Races Through Town

Sunday also brought the Bucks County Classic to town as professional cyclists whipped around the perimeter of the arts festival grounds, churning up excitement with every ring of the cowbell and blow of the whistle.

(Photo by Jeff Werner)

(Photo by Jeff Werner)

(Photo by Jeff Werner)

The excitement reached a fever pitch up on Court Street where the cyclists began and ended each race.

"Today was absolutely incredible," posted the Bucks County Classic on Facebook. "Thank you to our host, Doylestown Borough, our sponsors, the racers, the volunteers, the folks who lined the course the entire way around. We love putting on this race and couldn't do it without you."