Fall Festival Features Rock 'N' Roll Racing, More

Bensalem's biggest community-wide party of the year will get underway Saturday morning. 

Featuring live music, motorcycle stunts performed by the Bensalem Police Department, children's entertainment including a magician, food, a comedy dog show and a presence from all six of the township's fire departments, the day-long extravaganza is the "be all, end all" of festivals, according to Dawn Davis, Bensalem's community affairs manager. 

"Everbody comes together and works as a team," Davis said during a recent B-Town Talk video on the township's Web site. "It's really a wonderful day here in Bensalem."

The "best of Bucks" event, which began in 1992 in conjunction with the township's tri-centennial celebration is always held the first Saturday in October.

It has "morphed" from a small undertaking into a huge all-day event that concludes around 9 p.m. with a fireworks show choreographed to music, according to Davis. 

Unlike years past, Davis said the evening concert time has been moved up an hour and is set to begin at 6 p.m., with fireworks starting "right as it gets dark."

The earlier time was a learning lesson from previous years, she said. 

"There's too much of a lull between that 5 p.m. when vendors are starting to break down," she said. "Too much time is going by and we just want to keep things flowing."

Also new will be the judging for participants in the car show. 

"The people are going to vote for what car ... they feel deserves the accolade," Davis said. 

And all Bensalem residents can try for a chance to win a 42-inch high definition TV which will be raffled solely for township residents. 

Another new feature is rock 'n' roll racing, according to Davis, which she describes as "sort of Nascar reduced into remote control."

"It's a hoot," she said. "It's competitive, but its' fun."

If you go
Bensalem's Fall Festival will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the township's municipal complex, 2400 Byberry Road. Free parking is available at Bensalem High School, 4319 Hulmeville Road, or at Bensalem Senior Center, 1850 Byberry Road for those who are handicapped. Buses will transport guests to and from the event. 

Click here to see a list of scheduled performances.