The 110-acre Playwicki Farm has become something of a community hub since its purchase from the estate of Elizabeth Snodgrass by Lower Southampton Township on May 18, 1994.
Located at 2350 Bridgetown Pike in Feasterville, the scenic and historic space boasts a wildlife habitat, paved jogging/walking path, children’s play area and refurbished barn for various events.
Currently, the farm is gearing up for the warmer months with its most jam-packed schedule to date. According to Rose McMenamin, president of the Playwicki Farm Foundation, there will be something for everyone … even paranormal investigators.
“The farm is truly a special place,” she said.
Playwicki’s Second Friday series is entering its third year, running May through October. Attendees can enjoy free, live music on May 8 (Hearts Club Band) and Oct. 9, and a DJ and food truck rally on June 12, July 10, Aug. 14 and Sept. 11. All Second Friday events are from 5 to 8:30 p.m.
“It’ll be very lively. The kids love it,” McMenamin said, adding that young guests can jump in bouncy houses and play games. “And we’re getting a lot of new food trucks that are interested in being there, which is really something because we have a number of them already. So, we’ll be adding a few new ones to it. We’re excited about that because it just brings about a change and people can taste their wonderful food.”
Additional vendors and crafters are welcome to become part of the Second Friday series, and should contact the foundation at playwicki.farm.foundation@gmail.com to sign up. American Heritage Credit Union of Feasterville is the exclusive sponsor of the entire series.
Next on the agenda is Just Like Old Times – a program of stories, songs, games and crafts for children, grandparents and parents. Now in its fourth year, the free, interactive storytime is hosted in the Playwicki barn on Thursdays, from 10 to 11 a.m., June 18 to Aug. 20, rain or shine. Feasterville Rotary president Gail Chamberlain, a retired school teacher, leads the event.
“It’s a real learning experience. Everything that they do is a learning experience,” said McMenamin.
Just Like Old Times is recommended for children up to 8 years old. Attendees listen to a story, then go outside to play with parachutes and balls, and run through the spacious fields.
“It’s perfect for small children because it keeps them very active for that one hour. That’s about as much as they can take,” McMenamin said. “It’s just old-fashioned fun. There’s no electronics. It’s just old-fashioned games for children to play.”
Color Run, a fundraiser hosted by the Lower Southampton Athletic Association, is set for May 16, followed by A Time To Remember Ceremony on Sept. 11, at 8:30 a.m.
On Sept. 26, from 5 p.m. to midnight, Playwicki will open its grounds to paranormal investigators from across the country for a bonfire and “curiosity haunt.”
“The things that happen at Playwicki, and it is paranormal activity, is very historical. So, there’s a real story to it. People that participate in this are very curious about the paranormal. I don’t want it to be a thing for Playwicki where people say, ‘Oh my God, it’s haunted,’ and are scared to death. It’s not that at all. It’s not dark or anything like that. It’s just soldiers and Indians,” McMenamin said. “These are people that, this is what they do. It’s their hobby, and they have all of this equipment.”
Local happenings continue on Oct. 24 with the highly anticipated Fun Day, which is slated to feature hayrides, a DJ, Halloween costume parade and trick-or-treating, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“This is an annual event that has taken place for many, many years at Playwicki. It’s something that the Playwicki Farm Foundation does for the township and it’s evolved into a huge event,” McMenamin said.
Additionally, a holiday market will be held on Nov. 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and a holiday open house on Dec. 5, from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. During this time, Playwicki will be fully decorated – the perfect backdrop for children to meet Santa Claus.
The Playwicki Farm Foundation can be reached at 215-357-7300, Ext. 340 or playwicki.farm.foundation@gmail.com. For more information on Playwicki Farm, visit playwickifarm.org.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
