It's a day of lederhosen and wienerschnitzel. A day of music and dancing, and crafts and carnivals.
For the last 29 years, it's been a day that has drawn about 10,000 visitors to downtown Hanover. It's time once again to celebrate the 29th Annual Hanover Dutch Festival.
Melissa Speal, marketing director of the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce, said the event is fun for the whole family, and is something many locals and out-of-towners look forward to each year.
"It started 29 years ago when a bunch of volunteers got together to celebrate the town's German history," Speal said.
It used to be a multi-day event, but has since been scaled back, she said. But it's only been scaled back in days - not in size.
There will be about 330 vendors at the festival this year, selling arts and crafts, lots of food and everything in between, spanning for several blocks all around the Center Square.
"There's a little something for everyone," she said.
It features authentic German music and dancers in lederhosen throughout the day. The festival celebrates Hanover's German heritage, but it is also a way to get people to come downtown to have a good time with their friends and neighbors, she said.
There are lots of folks from the area who live here, but don't get much of a chance to stop by downtown Hanover throughout the year, she said, adding an event like the Dutch Festival shows them not just the special features of the day, but also the shops they
Lots of people remember coming to the Dutch Festival when they were young, and they keep coming back to keep the fun tradition going each year, she said. It brings people back to the area, and also draws them in to enjoy the downtown.
The festival will also feature a Kids Carnival through the Hanover Area Family YWCA, which will be held at Wirt Park, featuring kid-friendly food, games and activities.
The Gettysburg Region AACA Antique and Classic Car Show will be held on North Franklin Street from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
And the day before the festival on Friday, some local businesses will be holding open houses. They include the Guthrie Memorial Library, the YWCA, the Hanover Borough Fire Department, the Hanover Hospital Medical Fitness Center and the Snyder's of Hanover factory store.
Rabitttransit will provide a shuttle service to and from the festival from the Tractor Supply Company, 1150 Carlisle St., and the Ollie's Parking Lot at 1019 Baltimore St.
Pets, skateboards, bikes and roller blades are not permitted.
For more information, visit hanoverchamber.com.
IF YOU GO
LOCATION: Downtown Hanover
HOURS: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
DETAILS: For more information, visit www.hanoverchamber.com
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