Festival set at historic Meeting House in Dowingtown

DOWNINGTOWN » An annual tradition in the heart of Chester County, the Downingtown Friends Meeting Fall Festival is scheduled for Oct. 14 at the historic Quaker Meetinghouse, offering a full day of shopping, games, food and a look at the life of a centuriesold religious institution.

The festival includes gently used thrift items for sale, a garden sale, scrumptious baked goods and homemade cooking, a silent auction, vendors selling quality items and an authentic early 19th century Quaker wedding, all accompanied by six hours’ worth of live song and instrumentals.

Bargain shoppers will not want to miss the Friends Mercantile, an indoor sale offering thousands of new and slightly used items, as well as a library’s worth of books and antiques. To pick from the best selection, shoppers should arrive promptly at 9 a.m. at the Meeting’s schoolhouse.

Those with a sweet tooth can head over to the adjacent Friendly Café and choose from tantalizing homemade baked goodies such as pies, cupcakes and cookies, as well as a variety of breads and premium coffee and tea.

Wandering outside, you will find the Craft Village, which is home to vendors and their displayed finely crafted wares. Shoppers can also browse over 50 items in the Silent Auction, which typically features artwork, electronics, gift baskets, vacations, furniture, antiques and gift cards from local businesses.

Children can spend the day decorating pumpkins, creating spin art, and playing a variety of challenging games such as Corn Hole and Mini Golf. Children and adults re encouraged to be transformed into a scary monster, Spiderman, dragon, puppy or more, by our available artistic face painters.

History buffs will want to tour our Quaker Meeting House, which was built in the 19th century and still serves as Downingtown Friends’ place of worship, complete with an exhibit of antique Quaker clothing and memorabilia. At 2 p.m., the festival will feature a historical re-enactment of the first wedding held in the Meeting House, in 1806, featuring members of the Meeting dressed in handmade vintage costumes. Those attending can see firsthand how Quaker weddings differ from other marriage ceremonies.

Hungry visitors can enjoy hearty beef vegetable soup, homemade vegetarian chili, savory homemade mac & cheese, grilled dogs and chili dogs, sugar-coated funnel cakes and soft pretzels, paired with hot apple cider and a variety of drinks. Picnic benches are available to sit and listen to Colonialera music, live folk and rock by Jeff and the Fractions, Moondawgs, and other local bands and singers.

Admission and parking are free.

This family fun will take place rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Downingtown Friends Meeting located at 800 E. Lancaster Ave. in Downingtown.