Guide to Yorkfest weekend in downtown York
Looking for something to do this weekend?
Downtown York is the place to be.
Artwork, live music, food trucks, spoken word artists, boat parades and children's activities are all coming downtown Saturday and Sunday as Yorkfest and the Cigar Box Guitar Festival take over the city.
Yorkfest – an annual fine arts festival that features works from just under 100 artists from across the country – will set up on Market Street and the first block of North Pershing Avenue near the Colonial Court House Complex and the Rail Trail from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
And, the Cigar Box Guitar Festival will bring live music vendors and food to the York Book Emporium – just two blocks away – from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
Here's a guide to entertainment, food and parking downtown this weekend.
THINGS TO DO
Art vendors
Pershing Avenue between Market and Philadelphia streets and along the Rail Trail from Market to Princess streets
Browse the works of nearly 100 fine artists from across the country, ranging from photography to jewelry and more. You’ll definitely want to check out the paintings of York’s cityscape and landmarks by this year’s featured artist Brenda Wintermyer. She’ll be set up inside the Colonial Courthouse Courtyard.
Art Cars
Parking lot at 200 W. Market St.
Help The Parliament Arts Organization transform four junkyard cars into works of art at this new Yorkfest attraction. The cars – each covered in chalkboard paint – will arrive as blank canvases so guests can draw on them with chalk and decorate them any way they wish.
ChalkWalk
Market Street between Pershing Avenue and Beaver Street
You’ll be amazed by the colorful canvas of chalk murals created before your eyes on the sidewalk, starting at 10 a.m. Saturday. Don’t forget to stop by and vote for your favorite.
Creative York Family Pavilion
Gates & Plough Tavern Courtyard
With family-friendly activities like storytelling, balloon twisting, face painting, a musical petting zoo and interactive art projects, Yorkfest’s new family pavilion is a must-make stop for children.
Codorus Boat Parade
Bantz Park, 800 W. College Ave.
Viking ships, sea monsters, mermaids, pirates and dragons have all been spotted on the Codorus Creek during the Codorus Boat Parade by the Stewards of the Lower Susquehanna over the last 14 years. Don’t miss it Saturday at 1 p.m.
Colonial activities
Colonial Courthouse Complex
The York County History Center will organize demonstrations, talks and walking tours of the Murals of York from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. New this year, Marquis de Lafayette will also visit the Colonial Courthouse from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday along with displays showcasing the 40th anniversary of the building of the courthouse.
“We Can Build This City” Cardboard Build
First block of North Pershing Avenue
Take part in a community build of a six-foot-tall York cityscape, made out of corrugated cardboard and recycled supplies. The finished project will be displayed inside the Agricultural and Industrial Museum in October.
Live music
Various locations throughout Yorkfest
Performers include Celtic Trio, Cello Quartet, Dearest Home, Don Carn and Mark Huber, Anthony Pieruccini Trio, Sharon Knowles with Matthew Ward and Muzette.
Poetry Out Loud
Intersection of Pershing Avenue and Market Street
Performance poetry, dramatic poetry, page poetry and spoken word can once again be found in 15-minute segments Saturday and Sunday at the Poetry Out Loud tent. Yorkfest attendees are welcome to perform.
Cigar Box Guitar Festival
The York Emporium, 343 W. Market St.
Take a walk across the Codorus Creek Bridge Saturday to check out another festival, happening two blocks away. The Cigar Box Guitar Festival will feature continuous live music from 14 bands, food trucks and more than a dozen guitar, jewelry and music vendors.
Creekfire
Foundry Park, 200 block of West Philadelphia Street
After Yorkfest, stick around downtown for live music, children’s activities and floating fire pits on the Codorus Creek from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday.
WHERE TO EAT
Cajun, waffles and nuts
Intersection of Pershing and Clarke avenues
Fill up on New Orleans-style po boy sandwiches and shrimp and crab mac and cheese from Agin’ Cajun’s Back Porch or a waffled grilled cheese from Wayward Waffle. Karen and the Nut will also have a stand on Pershing between Clarke and Market.
Crab cakes, fries and pretzels
Parking lot at 200 W. Market St.
You’ll find food from Bountiful Feast, Bricker’s Famous French Fries, PA Dutch Twist and Sherri’s Crab Cakes in this parking lot.
Grilled cheese, shaved ice and kettle corn
King Street near the Rail Trail
A Mad Dash food truck with artisan grilled cheese and a Kona Ice stand will be set up near the Rail Trail. You can also find Papa’s Kettle Korn nearby on Princess Street.
WHERE TO PARK
Free parking
Free parking for Yorkfest and a shuttle bus will be offered at the HACC York Campus, 2010 Pennsylvania Ave. The first shuttle leaves HACC at 9:30 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday and will drop guests off on King Street at the Codorus Creek Bridge. The last shuttle will leave downtown at 5 p.m. on Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Free parking for the Cigar Box Guitar Festival will also be available at the Commerce Center Garage on Philadelphia Street.
Street closures
Pershing Avenue will close at 11:15 a.m. Friday and remain closed throughout the weekend.
Market Street will close from Penn to Beaver streets at 8 a.m. Saturday and from Newberry to Beaver streets at 9 a.m. Sunday and will reopen after the festival ends both days.