Nine Hours of Live Local Music at Its Best on May 18

From jazz to rock, funk to blues and reggae, acoustic and electric, the live music scheduled for this year’s Perkasie SpringFest 2013 is guaranteed to please just every taste. Presented by Secant Medical, American Heritage Federal Credit Union, and The Perk, the entertainers represent a cross-section of the many talented musicians that call the Pennridge area home.

“We are fortunate to have such amazing performers in one area,” said Jen Leighton, Manager of the Perk and a local music promoter who put together this year’s SpringFest lineup. “In fact, every single performer playing at SpringFest is from Perkasie and they’re all anxious to play in their hometown’s annual celebration.”

Perkasie SpringFest 2013 is scheduled for May 18, from noon until 9 p.m. in the borough’s downtown area. In addition to live music, the day will feature a 5K Race/Fun Run in the morning, a ribs grilling competition and sampling, a pie baking competition and eating contest, the A&T Chevrolet-Subaru Big Wheel Downhill Derby, a Food Court, local merchants and vendors, and the Free Will Brewing Co. Beer Sampling Tent. Other major sponsors include First Savings Bank and Weber, Kracht & Chellew.

The music kicks off at noon when the Pennridge High School Jazz Bands take to the Main Stage. Fresh off their award-winning performance at Disney, the students will perform until 1:30 under the direction of Greg Benson.

At 2 p.m., Mike Greer will perform a mix of original music and classic/modern rock covers with an acoustic core. Greer has been performing in the area with great energy and style for more than 25 years.

Singer-songwriter Kenny Ferrier will take the Main Stage at 3 p.m. A John Mayer-type performer, his folk and pop-based sound is defined by strong melodies and unique chord voicings.

At 4:40 p.m., The Derelict Franchise, a rock band for all ages, will cleverly mold the sound of American folk and bluegrass.

Neptune Bloom, a New Age rock and jam band that successfully blends elements of Funk, Blues, Reggae, & Rock, will perform starting at 6:05 p.m.

Finally, Kind of Blue will bring its classic rock and blues fusion to the Main Stage from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. to wrap up the entertainment on the Main Stage.

But music won’t be limited to just the Main Stage. From noon until 4 p.m., Hexwork and Justin Wagner will perform in the area of 7th and Arch streets.

Meanwhile, Andrew and Nick Acoustic, a two-piece band formed by current Pennridge High School students, will perform their traveling street corner rock at several locations, including the C & C Cafe patio from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m., 7th and Market from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., the municipal parking lot at 7th and Walnut streets from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., and outside of Perkasie Borough Hall from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Check out how one of our sponsor/partners is promoting the Downhill Derby! It's part of a full-page newspaper ad they are running.

There's still time for you to join the fun. See below for details.

Thanks to A&T Chevrolet-Subaru for your support.

Registration is now open for the Backyard Ribs Grilling competitions at Perkasie SpringFest on Saturday, May 18.

There’s room for just 25 teams in the competition. To inspire the camaraderie (or amp up the competition), SpringFest is offering a special pricing package for returning teams who recruit new competitors. Registration is $40 if postmarked by May 4; $45 after May 4. If your team competed last year and you register a new team, the total is only $60 ($30/team).

Registration deadline is May 10.

Teams will compete for bragging rights and cash prizes ranging from $50 to a first place prize of $300. Winners of the People’s Choice Award will walk away with a loaded gift basket. Special thanks to Hatfield Quality Meats for donating the ribs and First Savings Bank of Perkasie for sponsoring the cash prizes.

Each team will receive approximately 10 pounds (two racks) of ribs provided.. Set up starts at 7 a.m. on the day of the event. Judging starts at noon, with public sampling at 1 p.m.

Sponsored by Perkasie Olde Towne Association and its member businesses, SpringFest promises a day fun for all – a 5K run in the morning followed by live music, the A&T Chevrolet-Subaru Big Wheel Rock & Roll, Backyard Ribs Cooking Competition, Pie Baking Competition, beer and wine tasting, demonstrations and displays from our local businesses, crafters, and activities for youngsters.

The event will be held rain or shine.

See below for application and guidelines, or to pay online.

Downtown Perkasie will come alive with the sounds of music and the aroma of ribs grilling when SpringFest 2013 gets underway at noon on Saturday, May 18.

“We’re looking forward to a memorable day,” said Cathy Weierbach, president of Perkasie Olde Towne Association, which coordinates the event with the help of several community volunteers. “A lot of hard work has gone into planning an event that has something for everyone.”

At 7 a.m., competitors will begin arriving at the Main Tent (Seventh and Market) to begin the the slow, mouth-watering process of grilling their ribs. With secret sauces and rubs, the chefs will be competing for cash prizes and bragging rights. The Ribs-Grilling Competition is sponsored by First Savings Bank. 

Tickets ($10) for sampling will go on sale at noon. They go fast so get there early. Sampling begins at 1 p.m.

At 10 am, a 5K Run/1-Mile Fun Run will provide a perfect opportunity for someone looking to try a 5K run for the first time or for an experienced runner looking for a nice level run in a beautiful setting. Sponsored by Weber, Kracht and Chellew with help from Sisters U, the race will begin at the skate park pavilion in Menlo Park and takerunners on a picturesque, mostly flat trek around the park and surrounding areas.

As soon as the ribs are cleared out, the pies will arrive for judging and sampling starting at 2:30 p.m. The popular -- and sloppy -- pie-eating contest will commence at 3 p.m. for Big Piggies and Little Piggies. BeHomeCare sponsors the Pie Competition.

At 4 p.m., the crowds will gather along 7th Street for the always exciting Big Wheel Downhill Derby. Competitors will risk life and limb as they hurtle down a steep hill on their customized Big Wheels.

At 5 p.m., it’s time to relax as the beer and wine sampling tent opens, courtesy of the Pennridge/Perkasie Rotary Club. Enjoy craft beers and local wines to finish the day.

SpringFest would not be complete without live music and plenty of food.

"We’re putting together a collection of local bands that will keep visitors entertained all day as they perform on the Main Stage," said Weierbach. "Meanwhile, a fully-stocked Food Court will keep the hunger pains away."

Feel free to stroll along Merchant Row between 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to check out the goods made and sold by POTA businesses. Crafters and other vendors will also be on hand.

A number of fun activities for kids are also planned, including free horse and carriage rides sponsored by Grim, Biehn & Thatcher/Laurel Abstract.

For more information, call 215-257-4989.

Downhill Derby Rules and Application

Download the Sponsorship Request Letter

Download the Sponsorship Form

Download the Ribs Application

Download the Ribs Rules

Download the Merchant Row Application

Download the Vendor Application

Download the Crafters Application

Download the Pie Contest Application

SpringFest 2013 Competitions

5K Run $20.00 USD Ribs Grilling $40.00 USD Downhill Derby (per team) $20.00 USD