By John Chambless

Staff Writer

The Chadds Ford area is steeped in colonial history, but that doesn't mean that the annual Chadds Ford Days celebration is stuck in the 1700s.

The two-day celebration of the area's ties to the Revolutionary War has its share of traditional crafters, old-fashioned games for kids, and noisy battle reenactments, but families will also find more recent history reflected in the display of antique cars, and a few brand-new touches.

But at its heart, Chadds Ford Days is an annual marker of the end of summer. The event will be held Sept. 6 and 7 in the meadow behind the Chadds Ford Historical Society in the heart of Chadds Ford. For thousands of people every year, fall arrives when the tents go up and cars fill the meadow.

The gates open on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 10 a.m. Things start of with a bang at 11 a.m., when the Second Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line will demonstrate military drills that were used during the Revolutionary War. The group will also set up a camp where re-enactors will meet visitors and explain aspects of being a soldier in the 1700s. Demonstrations will be held throughout the day.

All day, visitors can tour the Barn Visitors Center and see exhibits about the mines and minerals of Chester County, and take a look back at 300 years of the nearby Barns-Brinton House. There will also be ongoing tours of the circa 1725 John Chads House, a display of vintage cars, and demonstrations of crafts and home skills by 18th-century reenactors. At 2 p.m. on Saturday, visitors can meet a George Washington impersonator in the Barn Visitors Center.
On stage, the performance schedule features the Hake and Jarema Duo (noon), “A Son of Liberty” puppet show (12:30 p.m.), the Next Wednesday Trio (1:30 p.m.), “A Son of Liberty” puppet show (2:30 p.m.); the Sermon (3 p.m.), and the Steve Liberace Band (4:30 p.m.).

The event closes at 5 p.m. on Saturday, but reopens on Sunday at 10 a.m. with Revolutionary War re-enactments, the exhibits inside the Barn Visitors Center, the antique cars and the colonial crafters, along with live performances by: McGraw and McLaughlin Duo (noon), “A Son of Liberty” puppet show (12:30 p.m.), the Sermon (1:30 p.m.), “A Son of Liberty” puppet show (2:30 p.m.), Steppin' Razor (3 p.m.), and the Steve Liberace Band (4:30 p.m.).

Visitors can meet General Washington at 2 p.m. in the Barn Visitors Center. The fair closes at 5 p.m.

For anyone with an appetite, there will be plenty of food and drink choices at Chadds Ford Days, ranging from snacks to full lunches served by Brandywine Catering, Jimmy John's, the Mushroom Cafe, Maggie Moo's Ice Cream, MomPops, Baily's Dairy of Pocopson Meadow Farm, and the Meat House. Wine and beer will be served by Chaddsford Winery, Paradocx Vineyards, and Victory Brewing.

Adult admission is $5 (free for Chadds Ford Historical Society members and children). Dogs are welcome on a leash, and parking is free in the meadow. For more information, visit www.chaddsfordhistory.org.