Photo courtesy The Elegance at Hershey
1. The Elegance at Hershey
Come out for a weekend of celebrating the automobile in the gardens of The Hotel Hershey. Race cars, show-quality classic cars of pre-World War II, and immediate post-World War II period relics will be on display with additional events like The Grand Ascent, Cars & Coffee and Concours d’ Elegance (check website for schedule). Aside from being a unique celebration of a bygone era, the event benefits three charities: the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the AACA Library and Research Center, and the AACA Museum. To date, the event has raised more than $1 million.
June 8-10 / The Hotel Hershey / 100 Hotel Road, Hershey, PA / 717-500-5191 / theeleganceathershey.com
2. Lancaster Veg Fest
Back for its second year, Lancaster Veg Fest has moved to Buchanan Park after outgrowing its previous venue. With around 3,500 attendees last year, Lancaster had clearly been waiting for a plant-based event. This year the free event will feature speaker panels discussing the vegan lifestyle and its social impact, over 70 vendors, musical entertainment, children’s activities, free yoga and, of course, food. New this year are VIP tickets that allow an early entrance to the festival, an event tote bag and ten raffle tickets. A silent auction will take place to raise funds (and awareness) for Lancaster Farm Sanctuary. Whether you are a seasoned vegan or a curious omnivore, the event promises to be fun and engaging for you. And don’t forget—lots of food.
June 2 / Buchanan Park / Buchanan Avenue and Race Avenue, Lancaster, PA / pavegfest.com
3. Celebrate Lancaster
Head downtown and celebrate Lancaster at an event bringing everyone together to jam to music on two stages, one at Binns Park and the other at Penn Square. To also celebrate the culture and diversity of the city, various food trucks, concessions, and vendors will be bringing their own Lancaster flavor to attendees. For the over 21 crowd, two pub areas will be serving up suds to cool you down after walking and enjoying bands. The event will be followed by fireworks. Check the website for musical lineups, parking, and additional event details.
June 29 / Downtown Lancaster / 717-291-4758 / visitlancastercity.com/celebrate-lancaster
4. We Belong! A Community Flag Installation
Families, students, and children were asked to participate in making flags as part of the We Belong! art installation event at the Susquehanna Art Museum. Flags will be on display in the museum’s greenspace for participants and visitors to “explore the role of symbolic imagery that both represents and addresses the unique community.” The installation is an anchoring event of the Harrisburg Peace Promenade, a venture started by Lenwood Sloan to feature existing yet overlooked monuments along the Susquehanna River’s east bank.
June 14-21 / Susquehanna Art Museum / 1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, PA / 717-233-8668 / susquehannaartmuseum.org
Photo courtesy Gamut Theatre
5. Shakespeare in the Park
Now in its 25th year, Shakespeare in the Park returns with a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of his most famous comedies—featuring a wedding, lovers, a festival, a forest, and fairies—sure to entertain as it has since the late 1500s. Weather and audience permitting, attendees will bring blankets or chairs to Reservoir Park and enjoy a free show, presented by Gamut Theatre. Come see a delightful show in the park and find out “what fools these mortals be!”
June 1-16 / Reservoir Park /100 Concert Dr., Harrisburg, PA /717-238-4111 / gamuttheatre.org
6. International Children’s Festival
Bringing back an opportunity for children to celebrate various cultures, the 24th annual event at Ten Thousand Villages promises to entertain through a mélange of activities, music, and food. With an emphasis on fair trade, like the store, the event wants kids to gain an understanding of the process that artisans go through with their traditional craftwork. To break down barriers, there will be an educational opportunity around making refugee kits from donated items. Every activity will be a hands-on way for children to connect to the crafts. Music by Katari and others will round out the day, along with available food.
June 2 / Ten Thousand Villages / 240 N. Reading Road, Ephrata, PA / 717-721-8400 / tenthousandvillages.com/ephrata
7. Children’s Concert
Returning this year to introduce children to music, instruments, and the symphony is the Children’s Concert presented by the Women’s Symphony Association and Allegro Orchestra Lancaster. Kids will be able to make crafts, participate in activities, touch and learn about instruments, see the orchestra play, and leave with a keepsake photo of themselves with fun musical props. The event is a free drop-in, but arrive early so there’s enough time for the budding musician to see everything.
June 9 / The Ware Center / 42 N. Prince St., Lancaster, PA / 717-871-7018 / artsmu.com
8. Strasburg Garden Tour
Enjoy a self-guided tour of the Secret Gardens of Strasburg, a bi-annual event that will delight visitors, while also raising funds during one of Strasburg Heritage Society’s biggest fundraisers. Tickets will be available at a discounted rate at various locations beforehand or at regular price the days of the event. One ticket is good for visiting each home once each day. Sneak a peek at some of the gorgeous gardens in historical Strasburg and leave with some inspired ideas and a great lunch (diners are encouraged to try eateries in the area).
June 23-24 / Various locations in Strasburg / 717-687-6878 / strasburgheritagesociety.org
Photo courtesy Keely Childers Heany
9. Reach Out and Read in the Garden
Anyone who’s ever read a book to a young child knows the importance of early literacy. Reach Out and Read Lancaster, a nonprofit group, aims to equip pediatricians’ offices with donated books to hand out at doctor’s visits. Its biggest fundraiser brings together Lancaster’s backyard gardens with fun story readings and activities for children and adults to enjoy on a self-guided afternoon. Experience enchanting gardens, create cool crafts, and feel great knowing another child will gain some new books from the ticket cost.
June 23 / Northwest Section of Lancaster City / 945 W. Walnut St., Lancaster / 717-299-6372 / rorlancaster.org
Photo courtesy Oregon Dairy
10. Oregon Dairy Family Farm Days
They’re called Family Farm Days because everyone from babies to great-grandparents will find something fun to do at Oregon Dairy’s annual free and fun agricultural event. Start by taking a tractor ride around the farmstead, through the milking area and around to the back, where vendors and special activities await. Try some free Oregon Dairy ice cream and chocolate milk, attempt a scavenger hunt and meet some live animals all while enjoying the day. For a small fee, barrel rides and pony rides benefit the Lancaster 4-H Club. The best thing about the event, besides all the fun, is that when hunger strikes, the grocery store and restaurant are right on site. There’s also a chicken BBQ on the deck.
June 12-14 / Oregon Dairy / 2900 Oregon Pike, Lititz, PA / 717-656-2856 / oregondairy.com