Photo courtesy SAAL
1. Holi Festival
When Spring finally comes and the flowers bloom, we can barely contain our excitement to go outside and enjoy colors and warm weather again. Attending the 7th annual Holi Festival allows participants to throw colors (wearing a white shirt is suggested for maximum color viewing and coverage) while taking part in a very traditional event known as the Festival of Colors. Seen as a way to celebrate light over dark, spring over winter, and more personal sentiments like letting go of negative feelings, the Holi festival ushers in all the fun with a color run, games, food, and of course the throwing of the bright colored powders. While the holiday originated in India, this local event hosted by the South Asian Association of Lancaster invites the whole community to take part.
April 13 / Manheim Township Community Park / 209 Petersburg Road, Lancaster, PA / 717-473-0820 / saal.us/a
2. Insect Weekend
Now a few weeks into spring, the kids may have started to notice that the bugs are back. They’re also at the North Museum for Insect Weekend with an interesting, one-of-a-kind, 12-foot-long praying mantis hanging in the lobby. The 100-pound creature built from wood by Robert Fantazier will mesmerize kids (or at least garner an EEK!) as they head into the museum to learn about insects and other nature themes. Even if the adults are feeling a little squeamish, it’s all in the interest of learning, right?
April 13-14 / North Museum of Nature and Science / 400 College Ave., Lancaster, PA / 717-358-3941 / northmuseum.org
3. Artisans in the Barn
While the stunning property will surely conjure some outdoor inspiration, inside the converted barn, local artists will wow visitors with their wares. The historic, renovated barn will host 20 local artisans portraying some traditional PA arts like redware, wood carvings, tinware, and folk paper cuttings, as well as antiques, bird houses, and other unique items. The 3rd annual sale takes place in a barn built in 1809 on the property of a stunning working farm and bed and breakfast.
April 19 / Pheasant Run Farm Bed & Breakfast / 200 Marticville Road, Lancaster, PA / 717-872-0991 / pheasantrunfarmbb.com
4. PA Herb & Garden Festival
This is no garden-variety garden festival; in fact, the workshops and speakers will entertain and educate even the most expert horticulturist. Those looking to learn more about keeping a beautiful outdoor or an edible indoor herb garden will find a packed schedule of helpful advice. Workshops include herb containers, neat things to do with calendula, children’s activities and more. There will be information on pollinators, making natural cleaning products (perfect for spring cleaning!), and container gardening to name a few topics. There will be items for purchase, as well as Nonna’s Italian Catering. Featured speaker Susan Belsinger brings a wealth of information to the roster. Check the website for days and times in order not to miss any favorite events.
April 5-6 / York Expo Center / 334 Carlisle Ave., York, PA / paherbfest.com
Photo courtesy The Whitaker Center
5. Tinkertoy
Take a whimsical walk down memory lane while adults feel the fond memories and today’s children remind us why Tinkertoys were so popular in the first place. For their 95th anniversary, enjoy playing in the 1,500-square-foot exhibit “Tinkertoy: Build Your Imagination” by entering a walk-in-sized replica canister named Tinker Tank, taking part in a scavenger hunt, building old and new projects, and engaging in themed stations. In collaboration with GE, kids and adults can invent, collaborate, energize, change, develop, create, and process/connect at each of the predesigned areas.
Through June 2 / The Whitaker Center / 222 Market St., Harrisburg, PA / 717-214-2787 / whitakercenter.org
6. Wetlands Festival
Bring the binoculars and some SPF to check out this free event that offers walks through the beautiful grounds, vendors with activities, music, food, and an amazing on-site nature center. Kids and adults can venture around doing hands-on crafts, and learning about plants, animals, and birds. Inside the nature center there’s what’s called a bird blind, a really neat way to observe the feathered flyers through a tinted window, so visitors can see the birds but not the other way around. The wetlands feature easy walking paths and bridges to check on toads, red-winged blackbirds, and more. Pick up a scavenger hunt pamphlet and see the abundance of wildlife at Wildwood Park.
April 27 / Wildwood Park / 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, PA / 717-221-0292 / wildwoodlake.org
7. Native Plant Festival
Join the growing community of people seeking to turn their yards into natural habitats for pollinators and wildlife by attending the Native Plant Festival and learning more about the benefits and the how-to’s of conservation at the individual level. The festival will grow interest in even the littlest green thumbs with presentations from Zoo America! and related fun children’s activities. Stationed across from the library, the festival offers native plants for sale, speakers, local environmental groups, and art and craft vendors. See event listing for times and inclement weather location.
April 27 / Manheim Township Public Library / 595 Granite Run Dr., Lancaster, PA / habitatmt.org
8. Wildflower Hike
It’s one thing to plant a native garden, but to see wildflowers in their element, try taking a hike at Shenk’s Wildflower Preserve, home to over 100 seasonal blooms. The 85-acre nature preserve along the Susquehanna River is maintained by the Lancaster Conservancy, since the property was transferred to them in 2014. The serene area is easy for most hikers who need only bring a backpack for toting water, binoculars, a camera, and maybe a snack. A naturalist from Lancaster County Park will guide the hike and describe all the flora and fauna along the way. Feel free to bring a journal, too, because whether taking notes or drawing some Virginia Bluebells, it could come in handy.
April 15 / Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve / Green Hill Road, Conestoga, PA / 717-295-2055 / apm.activecommunities.com/LancasterCountyParks / lancasterconservancy.org
9. Monarch Butterflies
Fortunately, as Monarch butterfly numbers go down, a growing interest in preserving them seems to be trending up, with more people wondering what they can do to help. At this workshop presented by Penn State Extension, attendees will learn facts about the butterfly and its journey, as well as how to create a Monarch Waystation (that can later be certified), an outdoor habitat to help sustain the Monarch’s numbers. Not only will a Monarch-friendly yard benefit the butterfly, but homeowners will get to see the orange beauty stop, instead of just fluttering by. (Note registration date online to not miss the workshop, and check out other classes.)
April 23 / Penn State Extension Lebanon County / 2120 Cornwall Road, Lebanon, PA / 877-345-0691 / extension.psu.edu
Photo courtesy Ronald McDonald House
10. Diamonds and Denim
Sometimes a girl wants to go out for a fun, fancy night with her friends, but getting dressed up just seems like too much work after a long day. Enter Diamonds & Denim, an event made to attend in jeans (and maybe some fancy jewelry?!) but with just as much posh as an evening gown affair. Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and a silent auction in the Star Barn. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central PA, a provider of no-cost lodging, food, and support to families with patients staying at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (and others) in Central PA.
April 25 / Ironstone Ranch / 1 Hollinger Lane, Elizabethtown, PA / 717-533-4001 x156 / rmhc-centralpa.org
