by Lisa DeAngelis
Experience Yardley is an organization with a mission to create and facilitate community events that show off Yardley’s charm, great downtown, and natural assets.
Though Yardley is only one square mile, this non-profit organization has packed the town with opportunities for residents, workers, visitors, and businesses to enjoy authentic arts and culture made possible thanks to countless volunteers, dedicated Board members, partnerships, grants, sponsorships, and individual contributions.
They make sure that there is always something unique and exciting to do in Yardley by their year-round operation of events. The next event, to be held on April 15th at 1:00pm in the Borough’s Buttonwood Park, is the completion of the Duck Walk Project. All are welcome to attend a 20-minute dedication ceremony.
The Duck Project was initiated in 2021. Since then, local artists have donated their time and talents to give each colorful quacker statue its own unique identity.
Now all six ducks proudly perch in various locations, including Buttonwood Park along Main Street, Fitzgerald Park, and on Afton Avenue near the canal. “Thanks to the contributions of our artists and sponsors, this project has come to fruition with vibrance, color and imagination that is sure to capture the fascination and admiration of many!” says Liz Young, owner of Commonplace Reader and a leader of the Duck Walk Project. “These spectacular displays will give the public yet one more reason to visit Yardley and enjoy the numerous amenities our town has to offer.”
Borough and government officials will be on hand to officially welcome the new attractions.
Duck artists, project sponsors, and members of the Experience Yardley Board of Directors will also be among those attending.
Events scheduled for summer include Music Off Main (MOM) concerts each Saturday night from June 10th through August 26th, held at Buttonwood Plaza in the heart of downtown Yardley and offering family-friendly music to over 400 residents and visitors under the open summer sky.
This year’s line-up of bands will include:
June 10th Peter V; June 17th James Day and Fish Fry; June 24th Lewis Bros; July 1st Eco Del Sol; July 8th New Vintage Dixieland Band; July 15th Magdaliz and her Latin Ensemble Crisol; July 22nd De Tierra Caliente; July 29th Mark Margolies Band; August 5th Hillbilly Tie Dye Dance Party; August 12th Mikey Jr.; August 19th Ja-Tun; August 26th Stella Ruze.
*Currently Experience Yardley is looking for sponsors for Music Off Main, so please consider supporting local musicians.
Sunday concerts will be held also at Buttonwood Park with the following music featured:
June 11th – Philadelphia Saxophone Quartet; June 25th – Fermenters; July 9th – Brieann Wall; July 16th – Nabodach.
On Friday nights, Party On The Porch festivities will be held with the following themes:
April 14th – Hello Spring! – Porch Party ’23 Kick Off!; June 2th – Welcome to Yardley! – New Businesses in Yardley Focus; July 7th – Summer Time! – Lemonade and Cookies – Chilling Time; September 22nd – Harvest Time! – Women Business Owners.
The Second Saturday of each month will see Experience Yardley offering a host of special events and activities in various locations around town sponsored by business and other partners. Scheduled themes for 2023 include:
April 8th – Hooked On Yardley; May 13th – May Your Garden Grow; June 10th – On The River; July 8th – Paint The Town; August 12th – Dog Days of Summer; September 9th – Harvest Time; October 14th – Devilish Desire; November 11th – Giving Back; December 9th – We Are Family.
Other events will include:
Restaurant Week, August 14th through August 19th; Harvest Day on Saturday, September 23rd; Carvathon on October 29th; Stroll from October 30th through November 5th.
Check the Experience Yardley website for details and updates or call 215-420-2620.
PHOTO CAP: Peter Toft (left), of Nottingham Insurance, with Duck Walk Project artist Lucas Kelly and his “Dolly” duck.