Only in Bucks County: Delaware Canal Festival

 The first Festival I ever attended in Bristol Borough was the Delaware Canal Festival, held each June. The Canal Festival takes place at picturesque Lagoon Park, with rolling green grass and a rotunda in one direction, views of the Delaware Canal of course, and the majestic Grundy Clock Tower in the background.

The first year I went, I couldn't believe how many people attended, Bristol residents and non-residents alike. The next year even people more attended! We sat on the lawn and watched families and local businesses paddle around the lagoon in their uniquely decorated boats. A few of the participants stood on paddle boards. Some were joined by a canine companion.

School's out, and this free event is always a great way to kick off the summer season!

If you'd like to see a Decorated Boat Parade, a Cardboard Boat Float Contest, judge a Rubber Duck Contest or even decorate one, come on down to Canal Festival this Friday night!

Bristol's Canal Festival will be held Friday, June 17th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm in Lagoon Park behind the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Prospect Street in historic Bristol Borough. 

Did I mention there will be a free concert and Food Trucks? 

Pat Mulhern, co-owner of Driftwood Water Adventures at Falls Township Park graciously loans kayaks and tandem kayaks each year to area residents who would like to decorate them and participate in the event. 

The 1911 Grundy Clock Tower at sunset after the festival.

This annual event that kicks off the summer season is sponsored by Friends of The Delaware Canal, The Borough of Bristol, and Historic Bristol Borough: Raising The Bar.

"Be like a duck. Calm on the surface, but always paddling like the dickens underneath."

~Michael Caine

Only in Bucks County: Radcliffe Street

Hello everybody!

So... my downstairs neighbor accidentally set our house on fire. Everybody and everything is fine, but I'm staying with my fiance in Bristol Borough for the next six or seven weeks until the smoke damage is remediated and the structural damage is repaired. My blogging goal for the summer is to post about life here in Bristol as much as possible for two reasons... one is for me to learn more about the town and the special things it has to offer; and the other to bring attention to what an amazing little town it is.

Let's start with Radcliffe Street, as that's where we are living.

Radcliffe Street runs parallel to the Delaware River, with rows of brownstone buildings and magnificent mansions with beautifully landscaped lawns and hydrangea-filled gardens behind wrought iron fences.

Bristol was a hub for shipping and industry in the late 1800's and that's when many of the grand Greek Revival style homes were built along Radcliffe Street by the wealthy owners of mills and factories. More homes were built along Radcliffe Street over the next 20-30 years in the Colonial Revival style; with their columned porches, classical details like swags and urns, and gabled roofs. Each one is different and there's a tremendous amount of pride in the upkeep and care of these large homes. If you like old houses, you've got to come take a long walk up and down this tree lined street!