Getting out and seeing your community and the area you call home is both fun and rewarding. Exploring your surrounding towns and meeting your neighbors can foster a sense of community and belonging, whether you are new to the area or a lifelong resident. Summer is here, and with it comes sunshine, cookouts, festivals, arts, music, and fun events for everyone. South Central Pennsylvania, with its beautiful rolling hills, provides the perfect backdrop for a variety of activities. Here is a guide to exciting summer events in South Central PA that highlights some of the best things to do this season:
All Summer! | Carlisle Car Shows
Location: Carlisle Fairgrounds, Carlisle
Details: Carlisle Car Shows Website
Are you an avid car lover? Carlisle hosts car and truck shows from spring to fall, marking 50 years of Automotive Excitement. Events are held rain or shine at the Carlisle Fairgrounds.
June 21st & 22nd | Hanover Lavender Festival
Location: Lavender Fields at Swan Hollow, Hanover
Details: Hanover Lavender Festival Website
This delightful gathering in the Lavender Fields at Swan Hollow features vendors, crafts, food trucks, live music, a bounce house, Lavender Sash making, U-Pick Lavender bundles, and is BYOB.
June 29th | Shippensburg Mac n’ Cheese Festival
Location: Shippensburg Fairgrounds, Shippensburg
Details: Shippensburg Mac n’ Cheese Festival Website
This festival at the Shippensburg Fairgrounds offers live music, games, food trucks, vendors, a Mac n’ Cheese Competition, and more. It’s the cheesiest way to end June!
July 13th & 14th | Biglerville 69th Annual Blueberry Festival
Location: Hollabaugh Bros Market, Biglerville
Details: Blueberry Festival Website
This annual Blueberry Festival features live music, wagon rides, and fresh blueberry ice cream. Enjoy blueberry sundaes and pie a la mode at the ice cream tent. Don’t forget to pick your own blueberries!
August 10th | Biglerville 34th Annual Peach Festival
Location: Hollabaugh Bros Market, Biglerville
Details: Peach Festival Website
The Peac#h Festival is the highlight of August! It features peach sundaes, pie a-la-mode, peach ice cream, and milkshakes. You can also enjoy live music, wagon rides, face painting, and more.
August 17th | Fort Loudon Peach Festival
Location: Fort Loudon Community Center Grounds, Fort Loudon
Details: Fort Loudon Peach Festival Website
Held at the Fort Loudon Community Center Grounds, the annual Fort Lodon Peach Festival is one of the most renowned in the state. Enjoy peach pies, cobblers, sundaes, ice cream, arts & crafts, vendors, family entertainment, free admission, and parking.
August 31st | Shippensburg 43rd Annual Corn Festival
Location: Downtown King Street, Shippensburg
Details: Shippensburg Corn Festival Website
Wrap up your summer with the Annual Corn Festival in Shippensburg. Enjoy local corn, crafts, over 250 vendors, food trucks, a Corn Eating Contest, and live entertainment.
June 21st – 23rd | Fort Loudon Market Fair
Location: Fort Loudon, PA
Details: Fort Loudon Market Fair Website
Experience the 18th Century at the Fort Loudoun Market Fair, which features artisans, crafts, educational booths, interpretative livestock, historical firearms demonstrations, and more. It’s a must-visit for history lovers!
July 11th – 14th | Gettysburg Bike Week
Location: Allstar Family Fun & Events Complex, Greenmount, PA
Details: Gettysburg Bike Week Website
Gettysburg Bike Week promises thrilling motorcycle events, live music, and vendors. Join fellow riders for scenic rides, stunt shows, and a vibrant community experience. Don’t miss this exciting event in historic Gettysburg!
July 13th – 20th | Chambersburg 38th Annual Chambersfest
Location: Chambersburg, PA
Details: Chambersburg Chambersfest Website
Join the Chambersburg community for ChambersFest 2024. Enjoy events like Restaurant Week, Old Market Day, Burning of Chambersburg, A Capella & Unplugged, Scoop-a-Palooza, and more. The event culminates with the Burning of Chambersburg Reenactment.
With so many summer events and activities happening throughout the summer, South Central PA is the place to be. Mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, and get ready to make some unforgettable memories!
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