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By Chrysa Smith
Back in August—back when most of Bucks County was summering at the shore, the elves in Central Bucks County were hard at work. Unboxing, unraveling, uncovering. Trimming, climbing and hammering. And in October, they were still at it. It was clear that it was ‘GO’ time for the workers in Peddler’s Village, as they were readying for that most magical time of the year.
In a region of the country so rich in colonial history, it’s fitting that we’re still holding onto cherished memories—memories of days gone by. When things were cozier, quainter. When towns weren’t full of chain stores and people walking through shops looking at their cell phones. When there were cobblestone or brick paths, stores privately owned, a welcoming sense of charm and community spirit. In a nutshell, that’s Peddler’s Village. It’s no wonder the ‘village’ has been a destination location since 1962. And while it is quite alive year-round with its various apple, harvest, strawberry and myriads of festivals, yet for many of us the holiday celebration beginning in mid-November tops them all. Maybe because the world seems a little gentler, happier, more festive gearing up for the holidays, or it’s the excitement of all that’s sparkly and new again. It’s an especially nice time to be in the village. And as anyone who’s been there at this time of year can attest to, it all culminates with the annual Grand Illumination—when the village will be sparkling from head to toe—this year, with over a million lights.
“The excitement is palpable,” notes Christine Triantos, Director of Marketing & Communications at the village. “It not only builds within the village, but in the offices as well.” Lights are up, trees are decorated and shops are bustling. On November 15th at 6:15 p.m., Santa will be in the town to pull the switch that ushers in that most magical season, when all colors, shapes and sizes of lights come to life, and the village is officially ready for the Christmas/winter holidays. And as Christine rightly points out, it really is one of the only free holiday light displays in the region. No admission fees; no parking fees. Just come. And the lights stay on daily, long and late enough for most to drop in, or catch a glimpse while driving past.
While the bulk of people drawn to this picturesque village are from New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia, people also come from the world over while passing through. Not to be outdone by the visitors are the handfuls of locals intimately involved in the ongoings at the village. From participating in the various contests to frequenting the shops, it’s a great place to be out of the ordinary—to get a break from the ordinary been there, done that malls and strip centers, spend some quiet time admiring the decorations or get involved in one of the many events.
One holiday event that begins in advance of the lighting is the Gingerbread Competition & Display which runs from mid-November through Mid-January. “We team with the village guests and ask them to participate in the contests,” Christine says. “We put out a call for entries in July for the competition,” A brochure is posted in the visitor’s center and on their website. Each year, competition categories change a bit. This year, the categories consist of traditional gingerbread houses, 3D creations, reproductions of movie or TV sets, a People’s Choice category which bypasses the official judges, and a catchall theme called Holly Jolly. It’s further categorized by adults, teens, youth and kids, so everyone has a fair chance to compete. Judging is serious business—no added ingredients, no previous entries. Pure gingerbread and nothing else. Last year there were 150 houses submitted, with cash prizes for the winners. This year, it will happen on the Sunday before the Grand Illumination, and there are expected to be some 100,000 visitors. If you’re a fan, be sure to arrive early—dress warm.
Just when you’ve had your fill of gingerbread, Santa kicks into overdrive with a flurry of activities geared toward children and the child in all of us. Simply wandering around the village, you might come face-to-face with the jolly, singing fellow who wears a white trimmed red suit and has a big round belly. You can snap a picture with him, or take a photo in an antique sleigh, which is intended as a photo site. Great place to snap a shot for a holiday card too. If you want to ensure a visit with him, catch him at Giggleberry Fair on Fridays through Sundays. Whether around the block or from miles away, “People feel the need to come here to celebrate,” Christine says. And here are some of the many reasons why.
Breakfast with Santa promises to be a fun morning at Giggleberry Fair—where the grand carousel, arcade games and an obstacle course are housed. Breakfast consists of a buffet, story time with Mrs. Claus, passes for the carousel and other games. It’s only a 1 ½ -hour event, so you have time to shop and tour the village too. And guess what parents? This is one of the few times your ticket actually costs less than the kids. What an inviting idea. For other breakfast options, check into FresCafe and the Buttonwood Grill.
But, if getting up later is your thing, there’s an opportunity to brunch with Santa. This one takes place at the Village’s flagship restaurant, The Cock ‘N Bull. Naturally, what you might typically find on a brunch menu, are favorites for the children—like decorating your own pancakes, Santa will make the rounds to visit with your group, take a photo and even participate in a holiday sing-a-long, Christmas crafts, story time. For both morning food events, tickets are required and can be booked on the website or through their app.
And if the morning passes you by completely, there is always lunch and dinner at one of the many quick eats and fine dining establishments on the grounds. Menus at the restaurants change with the seasons, so even the dining takes on a new spirit during the Christmas season.
Truly, everything is orchestrated to complement every other experience, making it unlike most any place I know. There’s even a special treat for the adults who want their holiday experience to take on a slightly jollier vibe, at one of the several happy hours in the village, as well as a wine tasting room, distillery and brewery.
Those are the events, but the mainstay of the village is the 60 year-round, almost exclusively locally owned shops, eateries and other residents that sit on some 42 acres of prime Bucks County real estate. Christine says its location is truly one of the key things that makes this destination so unique. She’s right. Outside of New Hope and Doylestown, perhaps Newtown, the village is the place for unique finds and a place where you can support the local Bucks community business owners. Several stores have been in the village since the 1970s, with a few even being generational---one passed on from grandmother to mother to daughter.
It’s a far cry from the original property usage—a hen farm. According to Christine, Entrepreneur Earl Jamison had a grand vision. After returning from trips to California, where he saw unique towns and the world-renowned Disneyworld, he decided Bucks County also needed a spectacular oasis---a destination that evoked a different era—a different setting. Fitting the region, Peddler’s Village was born as a homage to colonial times. Early days saw the Cock ‘N Bull as the anchor restaurant, while small, town-like shops popped up continually, now selling everything from clothing to books to wine to distilled adult beverages. Being a horticulturalist, Earl’s wife Sheila was responsible for the planting of the gardens in and around the village. Through the years, the gardens gained notoriety—even awards. Especially during the warmer months, the plantings are a spectacular adornment to the grounds. In winter, they take on a festive atmosphere, as bare trees burst into life with colorful string, hanging and flashing lights. Still family-owned, it’s the village’s second generation to see Earl’s vision of a destination dining, shopping, and lodging experience come to fruition.
For out-of-town visitors or those who’d like to get the most out of the holiday events, there’s lodging at the Golden Plough Inn. Once a stagecoach stop for those traveling from New York to Philadelphia, the original inn has expanded through the years, with the rooms having been renovated to reflect the character of the inn and the village. One of the most interesting rooms to book might be on top of one of the retailers, as the hotel meanders throughout the top floors, above village shops. During the holidays, be sure to check out their packages, which can be found on https://goldenploughinn.com/packages.
While the Christmas lights stay on through the first weekend in January, there’s not a total blackout afterward. The lights will change hues for a winter festival called Fire & Frost. Fire artists and ice carvings take center stage on the green, complete with a DJ and scavenger hunts for the kids. As with all of their outdoor festivals, there is no admission fee.
If all the excitement has you in the spirit, but not sure where, how, when to go, Guest Services comes to the rescue. Christine says, “We feel that hospitality and warm welcomes are an important part of the culture here. There is always someone available to answer questions, recommend shops, provide a digital map to take you to the proper place and make reservations.”
Twenty-two social media accounts and shop owner accounts keep the visitors coming, as well as the 75,000 folks on their mail list. There’s even a mobile app on Google Play and iTunes, where you can download information on events, make reservations and score retail coupons. “We’re delighted when people have a good experience and share it on a social media platform,” Christine says. Funny how technology winds its way into a venue that’s richly steeped in the character of the past. That’s the village today—the best of the past with an eye toward the future. It’s one that’s always evolving, while continuing the mission as a beautiful, historical retail, dining and lodging destination smack within our beautiful, historical county.
Peddler’s Village is located at Routes 202 & 263, Lahaska, PA. For more event and shop information, advance ticket sales and gift cards, log onto www.peddlersvillage.com, or call Guest Services at 215-794-4051.
Chrysa Smith is a regular contributor who fondly remembers outings to Peddler’s Village as a child, long before residing in Central Bucks County.