Photo courtesy Maple Lawn Farm
1. Sunflower Fest
Mix wine, food, music, and eight acres of sunflowers to get a unique event, now in its second year at Maple Lawn Farm & Maple Lawn Winery. Find 28 varieties of sunflowers planted on 10 football-sized fields for a fun day to remember taking photographs, tasting wine from the winery, stocking up on goodies from the farm market, enjoying food from the food trucks, and even popping by the orchard to see what’s growing. For the festival, an enormous white tent will be in the middle of the fields with pathways leading around the sunflowers, some as tall as 12 feet! Ticket includes a wagon ride, a cut sunflower, and access to the tent. Food and wine are also available.
August 10-12; 17-19 / Maple Lawn Farm / 2885 New Park Road, New Park, PA / 717-382-4878 / sunflowerfestivalpa.com
2. Lancaster Fiber Festival
This event, despite its name, is actually a celebration of all things paper, fabric, yarn, and thread. But even that doesn’t fully sum up the scope of creative, hands-on opportunities available. For the price of admission (available for any amount of days), attendees will have access to the vendor hall, 38 demonstrations on the main stage, author meet-and-greets, book signings, and a Saturday afternoon fashion show. More than 50 vendors will be presenting on topics like calligraphy, quilting, sewing, felting, knitting, hand embroidery, and more. In addition to the planned demonstrations, classes will be taught (for an extra charge) in two, three, and five hour slots on a variety of subjects. This event is for the novice to the experienced and anyone interested in learning different techniques or trying a new hobby.
August 16-18 / Lancaster Convention Center / 25 S. Queen St., Lancaster, PA / lancasterfiberfestival.com
3. Cultural Fest
Come on down to Downtown Harrisburg and partake in a free street festival to celebrate the cultural diversity of Dauphin County. Bring your own lawn chair, enjoy music from both national and local musicians, sample various ethnic foods, and let the children check out the Kid’s Corner. This fun and educational evening is supported by the Commissioners and the County’s Multicultural Task Force Committee.
August 3 / Downtown Harrisburg, PA / 717-599-5188 / dauphincounty.org
4. Book Blast
Calling all bibliophiles to the 18th annual book sale presented by the York County History Center. Volunteers have separated all the donated books conveniently by subject, so whether you’re looking for a “new” cookbook or an end of summer beach read, find it all at the York County Historical Society Museum. Not only will there be lots of books, but the prices cannot be beat, with hardbacks at $2 and paperbacks for $1. On Saturday the Buck-a-Bag sale happens, at which patrons can fill a bag for a buck. For the locals, or anyone looking for more information about York, there will be a section of individually-priced collectible volumes featuring topics like genealogy and York history. Sales benefit the endeavors of York County History Center. (Note: this will be the last year for Book Blast.)
August 9-11 / Agricultural and Industrial Museum / 217 W. Princess St., York, PA / 717-848-1587 / yorkhistorycenter.org
5. Mt. Gretna Outdoor Art Show
Stroll under the tree canopy of Mt. Gretna shopping for art while supporting Pennsylvania Chautauqua’s community fundraiser, the 44th annual art show, known nationally as a premier art event. Find new treasures amongst the paintings, jewelry, photographs, fabrics, and more. There’s even a Kids Art Show that has children selling their own art, while allowing visitors to make some of their own. A food tent, live music, and strolling performers are all part of the fun. Even the collectable show poster is artful (available for purchase), highlighting various aspects of Mt. Gretna’s flowers, birds, and recreation.
August 18-19 / 101 Chautauqua Dr.,Mt. Gretna, PA / 717-964-3270 / mtgretnaarts.com
6. York Fest Fine Arts Festival
Walk along the historic Codorus Creek for a day of enjoying art from 100 selected fine artists from across the country while taking in many other fun activities supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. This free, family-friendly event hosts food, a Chalk Walk, Music Around the World, a poetry tent, a boat parade down the Codorus Creek, face painting, and more. A community jazz concert takes place Saturday night. Check the website for special event times and locations during this art-filled weekend.
August 25-26 / Colonial Courthouse / 205 W. Market St., York, PA / 717-849-2217 / yorkcity.org/yorkfest
7. Long’s Park Art Show
Now celebrating its 40th year, the widely-known annual art show returns to Long’s Park. Revered as one of America’s Top 50 Fine Art Festivals, the show expects to see more than 11,000 art lovers walk around the pond in pursuit of some new high-end wares. Available for purchase will be jewelry, furniture, ceramics, and many types of art from paintings to photographs and much more. Ticket sales go towards funding the also popular Summer Music Series. Children under 12 are free, so bring the whole family to celebrate a love of art, and enjoy the new playground afterwards.
August 31-September 2 / Long’s Park / 1441 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA / 717-735-8883 / longspark.org
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8. Harrisburg Veggie Fest
Think of this veggie fest as more than just vegetables, because this festival is a celebration of food. Come to learn more about healthy living; the importance of locally-sourced food and beverages; and area vendors, breweries, and cideries. Find out what restaurants are serving vegetarian-friendly foods and embracing the “locavore” lifestyle or enjoy some samples, all while finding helpful information about gardening and more. Everyone from vegan to carnivore is encouraged to attend simply to meet new people engaged in a healthy lifestyle.
August 18 / Strawberry Square / 320 Market St., Harrisburg, PA / hbgveggiefest.com
9. Lancaster Craft Beer Fest
Come for the cool commemorative sampling glass; stay to have it filled with dozens of creative craft beers from near and far. Celebrated in Binns Park, the event will convert the block into a beer garden, entertainment venue, and food court to make for a merry day of trying old and new favorite beers. The fest is a collaboration between Federal Taphouse, City of Lancaster Office of Promotion (LOOP), and Joycat Events. Portions of all ticket sales will benefit the A Week Away Foundation and Schreiber Pediatrics Rehab Center of Lancaster County. Strictly 21 and over.
August 25 / Binns Park / 100 Block of N. Queen St., Lancaster, PA / lancastercraftbeerfest.com
10. Gettysburg Brew Fest
Get ready to sample more than 150 craft beers and ciders from the United States outdoors while enjoying beer-themed music and cuisine from six food trucks. Tickets are available as general admission, which includes a collectible sampling glass, or the popular VIP ticket, which adds an additional period for sampling along with several exclusive brews and a commemorative glass stein. Merchandise will also be sold, such as t-shirts and caps. Adding to the fun is an app, My Brewfest, which enables eager beer-sampling attendees the opportunity to rate their sampled brews for later reference. Take advantage of the Brew Fest offering discounted admission (with ticket) to tour the Seminary Ridge Museum and enjoy a view from the cupola. Event is rain or shine.
August 18 / Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg / 61 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, PA / 717-334-6286 / gettysburgbrewfest.com