THE THIRD SEASON OF FRIDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS

15 WEEKS OF LIGHTS OVER THE RIVER!

New Hope, PA (April 23, 2012) – Back by popular demand, the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce and Lambertville Chamber of Commerce are announcing the return of Friday Night Fireworks, a spectacle of lights over the Delaware River.  The 15-week summer long promotion kicks-off on Friday, May 25 every Friday night at 9:30 pm until August 31, 2012.  Orchestrated by Garden State Fireworks, a glittering ten-minute firework show will illuminate the sky over the Delaware River for the summer season.  In addition, most retail businesses on both sides of the river will stay open late.  Visit www.NewHopeLambertvilleFireworks.com for more information

Bill Scandone, co-chair and Borough Council member said, “Friday Night Fireworks have more than revitalized our communities, they are bringing us together.  Our residents are waiting in anticipation for Fireworks 2012, and we aim to please.  All ages come out to watch the display.  Our goal is to dazzle while enforcing our safety first policy.  We thank all of the protection groups, fire, Police, river protection and Bridge Commission.  We could not do this without their support.”

“It takes a village and then some to pull off Friday Night Fireworks,” commented Nick Gialias, co-chair and owner of the Logan Inn.  “We are working endlessly to raise enough funds so everyone can enjoy the spectacular show as well as the many shops, restaurants and activities our river towns have to offer.  But we need financial contributions to make it all happen.”

This year, we will have street teams collecting donations.  Friday Night Fireworks are made possible by 100% charitable contributions from local/corporate business owners, residents and tourists.  To make a donation, mail a check to:

The Bank of Princeton, 10 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ  08530.  All checks should be made out to New Hope on the Delaware Fireworks.  Questions about donations should be emailed to Wilson Weed at Wweed@thebankofprinceton.com or by calling 609-423-8906.

For more information, visit the website www.NewHopeLambertvilleFireworks.com.  Donations will also be collected during Lambertville’s Shad Fest on April 28 and 29, 2012 at the Lambertville Chamber of Commerce booth.  Limited edition photographs, prints and note cards will be sold with 100% of profits raised going to directly to the Friday Night Fireworks.

Also in the works are special celebrity guests to conduct the countdown, live music and other promotions.  In the case of inclement weather, please check the website on Friday’s for possible cancellations.  Follow us on Facebook at Lambertville-New Hope Fireworks and Twitter at EnjoyNewHope.

Visit the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce at www.VisitNewHope.com or call 215.862.9990.

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Officers

President:  Caleb Lentchner, Marsha Brown

Vice President:  Connie Gering, Kostandina Designs

Secretary:  Sharon Flanagan, Fred Eisen Leather

Treasurer:  Ryan Fuller, Signature Services Group

Past President:  Louis Licitra, Rainbow Assurance, Inc

Board Members (includes new and previously elected)

Dawn Ellery, Sweet Escape

Nick Gialias, Logan Inn

Roger Green, RGA Associates

Revi Haviv, Savioni Boutique

Elliot Mercer, The Landing

Tony Robinson, MyFitnessIsFun.com

Linda Rowe, Eagle Fire Company

Bill Scandone, Strategic Rewards Group

Dan Weintraub, Triumph Brewing Company

Brandon Wind, Esq., Penglase and Benson, Inc.

Stephanie Nagy remains as the Chamber’s administrator and Carol Ann Della Penna of Della Penna Media Group coordinates public relations.

The Chamber is proud to acknowledge two successful sponsored events since ringing in 2012.  January’s Fire & Ice Ball kicked-off the Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival and this past month, the Third Annual New Hope & Lambertville Restaurant Week was a huge success with 28 restaurants participating during the week of March 18.  Looking ahead the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce will be presenting the following events:

New Hope Fantasy Renaissance Fantasy Faire (April 21 and 22)

Family Health & Wellness Fair (April 22)

New Hope Celebrates PRIDE (May 14 – 20)

Friday Night Fireworks (May 25 – August 31, 15 weeks)

New Hope Summer Wine Faire (July 21)

New Hope Juried Arts & Crafts Show (September 29 and 30)

Halloween festivities throughout October

Holiday Kickoff & Tree Lighting – November 25

FREE ADMISSION RAIN OR SHINE

Saturday, April 21 & Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 11:00 am

New Hope, PA — Step back in time as New Hope, PA is transformed into a medieval fantasy for one celebrated weekend for the third annual New Hope Fantasy Renaissance Faire.  The two-day event takes place on Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22, 2012 on Mechanic Street in the heart of New Hope starting at 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.  Sponsored by the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce, the free event takes place rain or shine!  Visit www.NewHopeRenFaire.com for more information.

Jugglers, fire breathers, sword fighting, medieval blacksmithing, pirates, wenches, storytellers, craftsmen, costumed actors, period influenced musicians and dancers, a medieval drag show along with food & wine are the many activities planned for the Fantasy Renaissance Faire.  The event is free and will take place rain or shine.

Event organizer, Michael McManus commented, “Entering our third year is very exciting as the faire continues to grow with more dynamic performances, merchants and overall activities for the entire family to enjoy. ”

Situated along the banks of the Delaware River, the quaint village of New Hope provides the perfect getaway destination for all ages and interests. This sophisticated yet relaxed country town in scenic Bucks County, Pennsylvania offers unique shopping; live music and theatre; historic barge, train and horse-drawn carriage rides; museums, art galleries and antique shops; fine restaurants and casual fare; plus romantic bed & breakfasts and family-friendly hotels – all within one square-mile. The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce is organized to promote the economic, civil, commercial, cultural, artistic, historical and educational interests of the area. Visit the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce at www.VisitNewHope.com or call 215.862.9990.

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New Hope & Lambertville Restaurant Week
March 18 – 23, 2012
Fine dining at $29.95
Casual dining at $19.95

For updated information, visit the Restaurant Week 2012 page in our area events section.

New Hope Restaurant Week would not be made possible without the following sponsors:

May 25 – August 31, 2012

Nearly 1,000 garden enthusiasts are expected to stroll the six diverse, private Bucks County gardens being featured at the 19th Annual New Hope Historical Society Garden Tour. The theme of this year’s event, which takes place on Saturday, June 2nd is “Spring Fever.” You are invited to wander this self-guided tour at your own pace from 10 in the morning until 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

End the day at a “talk and walk” at the private gardens of Ridge Goodwin, Bucks County’s rare conifer expert and grower.

A full color brochure with pictures and description of each garden, map, and easy directions are included with each ticket. Ticket price is $30 and Garden rewards bags stuffed with gifts and offers from national partners and local sponsors are available while they last and can be picked up at the garden gates.

Razzle-dazzle limited edition crystal daisy stretch rings designed by local artist Pearl Mintzer will be available at the gardens to commemorate the garden tour theme of feverfew flowers.

Visit www.newhopehs.org or call 215-862-5652 to order tickets now. Tickets will be available on tour day at the Parry Mansion Museum, 45 S. Main Street, New Hope, PA 18938 ]]> http://www.visitnewhope.com/spring-fever/feed/ 0 http://www.visitnewhope.com/new-hope-canal-crawl/ http://www.visitnewhope.com/new-hope-canal-crawl/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:40:19 +0000 visitor http://www.visitnewhope.com/?p=2323 Continue reading →]]> Join us in beautiful, downtown New Hope Borough to celebrate the 2012 Delaware Canal Festival at New Hope’s Canal Crawl!  With your purchase of a $10.00 wristband, you’ll gain entry to three of New Hope’s great restaurants- Villa Vito, Havana and the Logan Inn,  and one amazing B&B – The Stephan House.  Not only will you enjoy tasty treats at each of the restaurants and have a fantastic view of New Hope from the Stephan House rooftop deck, but you’ll be supporting a great cause too!  (Beverages and additional menu items may be purchased at each establishment.)

New Hope for Our Canal, a newly formed group of concerned citizens, is actively raising funds to support the clean-up and rewatering of the Delaware Canal in New Hope.  You can help them reach their fundraising goal of $50,000 by purchasing a wristband and/or making a tax-deductible donation.  For more information on New Hope for Our Canal, visit http://www.newhopeforourcanal.org/.

Other exciting Canal Festival events are taking place in the boroughs of Bristol, Morrisville and Yardley.  For more information on the 2012 Delaware Canal Festival, visit the Landmark Towns of Bucks County website or the Friends of the Delaware Canal website.

We are excited to invite you to join us for a bigger and more exciting New Hope Arts and Crafts Festival to be held on September 29-30, 2012. This year’s Festival will be held at the New Hope-Solebury High School on West Bridge Street, just a few minutes walk from the center of the business district. Learn more.

Originally published on Phillyburbs: http://www.phillyburbs.com

In a coordinated effort by the Bridge Street Foundation, Broadway producer Jed Bernstein and Bucks County Playhouse Conservancy founder Peggy McRae the beloved theater has been purchased. The sale was finalized on Friday, according to statement released Monday. “We love this area and are excited to be able to bring back the theater,” said Kevin and Sherri Daugherty, founders of the Bridge Street Foundation, in a statement. “There has been a tremendous show of support for this effort by the local community.”

Bridge Street is a nonprofit, family foundation, which was established to support the local community through the acquisition of important historic landmarks and aiding their transition into self-sustaining contributors to the community, according to the statement. It is reportedly the driving financial investor in the playhouse deal.

The nonprofit takes its name from the street that bridges Lambertville, N.J., and New Hope.

The foundation has also separately acquired the former Playhouse Inn property next to the theater. Regarding that acquisition, Kevin Daugherty said in a statement, “Our interest in the neighboring property is to provide improved waterfront access in a way that is complementary to the playhouse and is consistent with the borough’s planning goals. Renovation of the building is expected to be a longer term project. The more immediate need is to get the Bucks County Playhouse open in time for the 2012 summer season.” The group has also recently purchased the First Baptist Church of Lambertville, now renamed Lambertville Hall.

Conservancy founder McRae could not be reached for comment Monday. The future of the Bucks County Playhouse has been uncertain for much of the year. Since the final curtain fell following last Christmas season, the drama has intensified over 2011.

Bucks County Playhouse, once known as America’s most famous summer theater, was a pre-Broadway venue premiering well known plays such as “Harvey” and “Barefoot in the Park.” The property was reclaimed by the bank at sheriff’s sale, and several big investors have spent the year vying for the historic, 450-seat facility on the banks of the Delaware River; all with big dreams of a revitalized summer theater. But other potential investors backed out of their purchase plans for the playhouse, citing the millions of dollars needed to repair the old grist mill and get quality shows up and running. For months, the conservancy and another community based group, Center for the Performing Arts of Bucks County, have separately worked toward the playhouse purchase by asking for community donations and laying out artistic visions for the theater’s future.

Center for the Performing Arts of Bucks County founder Howard Perloff said Monday that he will support the conservancy, and will return the funds he had already raised as capital. “I am happy that the playhouse has been saved,” said Perloff, of Solebury. “I hope I can have some participation in the future productions of the playhouse. If my help is needed, I am there.”

After dropping the price several times this year, the landmark theater was most recently listed at $2.1 million. The theater was purchased Friday for less than $2.1 million, said Jim Gorecki, exclusive sales agent for Fidelity Commercial Real Estate, an affiliate of Stonebridge Bank. Though he would not disclose the final purchase price, Gorecki noted it was a cash transaction, and financing was not involved. Gorecki was pleased with the purchase, and said that, although it was especially challenging in such a tough economy, the bank had been committed to finding a buyer who would conserve the theater for the arts. An engineering report, compiled by the conservancy, estimates the theater needs $1 million to bring it up to building codes. The bulk of that cost includes fire detection and sprinkler systems and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. It would cost another $1 million to replace the roof, paint and repair the exterior, refurbish the seats and replace the dressing rooms.

As the artistic direction of Broadway producer Bernstein, the conservancy aims to have the playhouse packed with plays, musicals, solo artists, speaker forums, theater camps and children’s theater year-round. It also seeks to return the theater to Actors’ Equity status.

Plans for the iconic theater’s return in summer 2012 are already in the works. Announcements about future programming will be forthcoming in early January. Borough council President Sharyn Keiser lauded the Bridge Street Foundation, producer Bernstein, and conservancy founder Peggy McRae for their success in saving the playhouse. “It’s a phenomenal start for the (new) year,” said Keiser. “The playhouse was the jewel of New Hope, and it’s going to be brought back to that.” A revitalized playhouse will not only mean a renewed spirit for residents and regional theater-lovers, but also an economic boost for small businesses and restaurants, she said. “It’s a win-win,” said Keiser. “New Hope is known for the theater, and it’s back.” “It couldn’t be any better.”

Amanda Cregan: 215-538-6371; email acregan@phillyBurbs.com