York plans new 275th anniversary events
York is continuing its 275th anniversary celebration with some new events this spring and summer.
The city began its year-long celebration of more than 30 events with First Friday on Jan. 1. Since then, York has held 11 events, including FestivIce family ice festival, A Taste of York City dinner, Restaurant Week York and the York Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.
More than 20 events are still planned through October, according to Mayor Kim Bracey, and now, the city is adding to that list.
These new events will “celebrate York’s past, re-imagine the York City of today and preserve this moment in York for the future,” Bracey said in a news release.
Here are some new 275th anniversary events to look forward to.
We Can Build This City
This hands-on project will help Yorkers “build the city of their dreams,” according to the release. York artist David Lynch will construct a six-foot-tall York cityscape out of corrugated cardboard and recycled supplies and bring it to city festivals and events, such as Go Green in the City April 23, Big Idea Saturday June 25 and Yorkfest Fine Arts Festival Aug. 27-28. There, locals can transform the blank cardboard cityscape canvas into their own York city. The project will culminate at York’s Global Cardboard Challenge in October, where participants will be able to walk through the six-foot cityscape that York created together.
York’s 275th birthday
The WeCo neighborhood will celebrate York’s birthday July 23 with a sit-down community barbecue dinner for 500 people in the center of West Market Street. To participate, guests must find one of 275 golden tickets placed in 3,000 Wolfgang milk chocolate candy bars at retailers and community locations throughout the city, the release said.
Colonial Day
The public is invited to experience colonial life in York from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 30 at the Colonial Complex, according to the release. Participants will celebrate York’s past with 18th century music and entertainment and performances from living history actors portraying soldiers, civilians and tradespeople.
275th Anniversary Time Capsule
York is collecting items from organizations celebrating milestones this year to put in a 275th anniversary time capsule. The capsule will preserve this year in York’s evolution and highlight local organizations and businesses celebrating anniversaries, the release said.
More events in 2016:
April
April 23 – Go Green In The City (We Can Build This City hands-on build)
May
May 3-Aug. 30 – Box Lunch Revue lunch-time concerts in Cherry Lane, Tuesdays and Thursdays
May 6 – First Friday, “Moms on Main”
May 8 – Olde York Street Fair
May 12 – Downtown First Awards
May 21 – Brews and Skews Party
June
June 3 – First Friday, “Block Party”
June 11 – History Untapped
June 25 – Big Idea Saturday talks, labs and workshops (We Can Build This City hands-on build)
July
July 1 – First Friday, “Christmas in July”
July 4 – York 4th Celebration
July 7-Aug. 4 – Free Concert Series at Lincoln Park, Thursdays at 7 p.m.
July 23 – York City 275th Birthday BBQ Community Dinner
July 30 – Colonial Day at Colonial Complex
August
Aug. 5 – First Friday, “Sidewalk Sale”
Aug. 27 – PA Cigar Box Guitar Festival
Aug. 27-28 – Yorkfest Fine Arts Festival (We Can Build This City hands-on build)
September
Sept. 2 – First Friday, “Fashion Friday”
Sept. 5 – York City Labor Day Parade and Events
Sept. 23 – York Bike Night
October
Oct. 7 – First Friday, “Harvest Fest”
Oct. 9 – Farm to Table City Dinner
Oct. 16 – Oyster Festival
Oct. 29 – Masquerade Ball at Martin Library
Oct. 30 – York Halloween Parade
For more information on the 275th anniversary events, visit www.yorkcity.org.