Celebrate fall at these Lancaster festivals
Lancaster fall festivals are a favorite activity for lots of county residents, mainly because of fun fall traditions, like picking apples and taking hay rides. In celebration of Lancaster fall festivals, here's a round-up of annual activities and places to visit.
Long's Park Art Festival
Held every year during Labor Day weekend, the Long's Park Art Festival is the unofficial kick-off to fall in Lancaster. The Art Festival celebrates artists from the United States and Canada, who work in a variety of mediums. Visit stalls that feature artwork and items made of canvas, paint, metal, glass, fiber, wood, clay and stone.
In addition to the artists' stalls, several restaurants will have tables set up in the Susquehanna Style Bistro. Rachel's Creperie, The Brasserie and Prince Street Cafe are a few of the restaurants that will be selling food during the festival.
Patrons can enjoy live music while visiting the stalls. Different jazz and blues bands will be on stage all weekend, in addition to Two of a Kind, a band for children and families, which plays on Saturday.
All proceeds go toward the free summer concert series at Long's Park.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2 and Saturday, Sept. 3 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4,
Where: Long's Park, off Harrisburg Ave. in Lancaster
Visit longspark.org for tickets and costs.
Oregon Dairy
Oregon Dairy is so much more than a grocery store, especially in the fall. Like its Family Farm Days in June, the store's Farmstead Corn Maze focuses on family-friendly fun. The corn maze is open from mid-September through the end of October. While you're waiting your turn to head through the maze, you can drink warm apple cider and munch on hot food or Whoopie Pies at the food truck. Kids can pretend to milk a cow or crawl through the straw tunnel. For a slightly older crowd, bring a flashlight along for a night-time adventure through the maze, too!
When: Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from September 15 through October 30. Open on Columbus Day. Check their website for hours.
Where: Oregon Dairy Farm off Oregon Pike, north of Lancaster.
Visit oregondairy.com/corn-maze for hours, tickets and pricing.
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
The Cherry Crest Adventure Farm is famous for their Amazing Maize Maze. Although the maze has been open since July 2, beginning September 21, the whole farm will look more like fall, with autumn decorations displayed everywhere. You can pick your own pumpkin, or pick your own ear of popcorn, right off the stalk. On Saturdays, Cherry Crest will have their Fall Harvest Festivals, with face painting, pumpkin painting and more activities.
Then, on November 5, Cherry Crest will host the annual Pumpkin Madness Festival. Dine on a variety of pumpkin treats, like pumpkin fudge, pumpkin Whoopie Pies and pumpkin pie. Play pumpkin bowling or pin-the-face-on-the-pumpkin. You can even smash pumpkins with a sledge hammer! Stick around for the giant pumpkin drop at the end of the day. The giant pumpkin has been known weigh up to 1,700 pounds!
When: Check their website for days and times. Pumpkin Madness is from noon to 5 p.m Saturday, Nov. 5.
Where: 150 Cherry Hill Road, Ronks
Visit cherrycrestfarm.org for more details.
18th Annual Artisan’s Porchwalk
One of the reasons Lititz is considered one of the country's coolest small towns, is the support local artists receive. The Artisan's Porchwalk is one of the festivals that celebrates local artists.
Now in its 18th year, the Lititz Porchwalk features juried artists and craftsmen. The arts and crafts are available for purchase. Tour stops, designated by signs displaying rocking chairs, are private porches and lawns around Lititz.
The artists also donate items for the fundraising auction held in the lobby of the Moravian Manor. Brochures listing this year's artists, as well as a map of the walk, are available in the Lititz Visitor's Center, near Lititz Springs Park.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30
Where: Downtown Lititz
Visit moravianmanor.org for more details.
Bridge Bust
The Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce will host the 28th annual Bridge Bust on Oct. 1. The Bridge Bust is a huge event, which celebrates the history of the Veterans Memorial Bridge that runs between Columbia and Wrightsville. Over 300 vendors selling antiques, arts and crafts, will take over the bridge, which will be closed to traffic. Free parking and a free shuttle service will be available on both sides of the bridge.
When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. Rain date is Oct. 15.
Where: Rt. 462 Veterans Memorial Bridge
Visit parivertowns.org for tickets and prices.
Landis Valley Harvest Days
The Landis Valley Harvest Days isn't a typical fall festival. Harvest Days gives visitors a chance to step back in time, with old-fashioned games and treats. See demonstrations by costumed reenactors, take a wagon ride around the village, pick a pumpkin, or enjoy live music and children's activities.
In addition to the events, food will be available for purchase within the Landis Valley Museum village.
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 and 9
Where: Landis Valley Museum, 2451 Kissel Hill Road off Oregon Pike.
See landisvalleymuseum.org for tickets and prices.
Lancaster Fall ArtWalk
The Lancaster Fall ArtWalk is a free event that celebrates local artists of all kinds. The event highlights not only visual arts, but also performing arts and culinary arts.
Serious art lovers can browse art galleries, studios and museums, as well as attend workshops and meet the artists at various receptions. Visitors can see demonstrations of bronze pouring, ice carving, glass blowing, jewelry making and more. Or you can be entertained by musicians, dancers and storytellers. Enjoy special culinary creations and menus that were created specifically for the Fall ArtWalk.
There are also lots of hands-on activities, including kid-friendly projects to make.
You could win a prize by taking part in the Arts Crawl Challenge. Grab a map and explore artistic treasures around the city, like the sculpture in Musser Park. Then, after you've collected enough stamps, return to the main kiosk to claim your prize.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9
Where: Downtown Lancaster
See their Visit lancasterartwalk.org for a map and more details.