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ChambersFest begins July 11 with three key events


CHAMBERSBURG >> From July 11-18, Chambersburg will be bustling with activity for the annual ChambersFest celebration. A range of events will take place this year, including the annual Tim and Susan Cook Memorial 1-Mile Race, Scoop-a-Palooza, Old Market Day and "1864: The Burning."

A new spirit to the re-enactment of the burning of Chambersburg is taking place this year, as area residents focus not on the devastation but on the rebirth of the townsfolk of the 1860s and '70s.

ChambersFest began in 1986 when a festival was created to commemorate the town's rebirth after its burning on July 30, 1864, during the Civil War. More than 500 structures were destroyed and 2,000 people left homeless. The townspeople were resilient, however, and rebuilt the town, which enabled Chambersburg to grow and prosper.

Today, ChambersFest celebrates the spirit of the townspeople with fun, family-friendly events thousands of people enjoy every year.

This weekend

ChambersFest 2015 will begin July 11 with these three events:

• 12th Annual Tim & Susan Cook Memorial 1-Mile Race/Walk will be from 7 to 9:30 a.m. beginning at Chambersburg Memorial YMCA, 570 E. McKinley St. Proceeds benefit Chambersburg Area Senior High School's Tim & Susan Cook Memorial Scholarship Fund. Registration begins at 7 a.m., with the women's and girls' race at 8, followed by the men's and boys' race at 8:30. Find details at www.chambersburg.org.

• ChambersFest Bike Day offers three competitive events from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the pump track along Hood Street. Competitors may sign up for one or all: Pump track race, best trick jump contest and short track cross-country race at the Chambersburg Bike Park. Various categories include ages 6 to adults. Learn more at www.chambersburgreconline.com.

• Scoop-a-Palooza is an all-you-can-eat ice cream sampling, with area ice cream shops providing delicious flavors from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Chambersburg Area Senior High School, 511 S. Sixth St. Cost is $6 for adults, $4 for ages 12 and younger. Proceeds raise money for educational programs offered through the Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation. More information and tickets may be viewed at www.scoopapalooza.org.

BONUS POINTS

• While you're downtown, take in the last of the "Route 30" trilogy, "Route 30 Three!" by John Putch. Film screenings are at 3 and 7 p.m. in Capitol Theatre, 159 S. Main St. Putch, son of former Totem Pole Playhouse artistic director Bill Putch and actress Jean Stapleton, John Putch based the film very loosely on his experiences growing up in Franklin County. He and some of the film's cast members will lead a question-and-answer session following each screening. More information is available at www.thecapitoltheatre.org.

• Second Saturday, from 5 to 10 p.m. in Chambers Fort Park off North Main Street behind Main Street Deli, features a free outdoor concert from 5-8 followed by a free outdoor screening of the movie "Alexander and the Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," beginning at dusk. Learn more at www.chambersburg.org.

The schedule

For a full ChambersFest schedule, visit www.chambersburg.org.

On the cover

Carlisle youngster Jackson Shomper makes a run July 12, 2014, during the 2014 ChambersFest Bike Day contests at the pump track in Chambersfest.