Top 10 To-Dos for September 2022

Compiled by Kaylee Rex

September 2022

1 Long’s Park Art Festival | September 2-4

Long’s Park

Stroll around Long’s Park during their 44th-annual art festival. There is something for everyone, including clothing, jewelry, pottery, furniture, sculpture, functional art and fine art. The festival welcomes thousands of visitors each year and hosts 200 exhibitors who are chosen through a competitive jury process. In addition to perusing art, enjoy a variety of food trucks. The festival will also offer three pubs, featuring wines and Lancaster Brewing Company’s craft beers. Proceeds from the show benefit the Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation and fund its cultural initiatives, such as the Summer Music Series. Hours are Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Purchase tickets here. 1441 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster. Information: 717-735-8883 or longspark.org/art-festival.

 

2 Hospice & Community Care Labor Day Auction | September 3 & 5

Solanco Fairgrounds

From original art and handmade quilts to plants and sports memorabilia, you never know what treasures you’ll find at the Hospice & Community Care Labor Day Auction. The event also includes a drive-thru food sale, used items auction and a 2022 Ford Mustang raffle. Because of the support of auction-goers through the years, the Labor Day Auction has raised millions of dollars to help patients and families receive care and comfort while facing a terminal illness. Parking and admission are free. The event kicks off both days with breakfast starting at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. 101 Park Ave., Quarryville. Information: 717-295-3900 or labordayauction.org.

 

3 Heart of Lancaster Fall Arts & Craft Show | September 3-4

Root’s Country Market

Celebrating its 34th anniversary, this show will feature 130 juried artists and craftspeople from Pennsylvania and surrounding states. The two-day event has been voted one of the 50 best shows in the country. Also enjoy a variety of foods and live entertainment by the jazz group, Over Easy. Free admission and parking. Rain or shine. The show will be open on Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 705 Graystone Rd., Manheim. Information: 717-898-6297 or hlcshow.com.

 

4 African American Cultural Fair | September 6-10

Reservoir Park

At the ninth-annual African American Cultural Fair, enjoy carnival rides, fireworks, food, crafts, live music and special events such as an open mic poetry night (September 6), the Black & Latino Excellence Awards (September 7), performances by Trina Rockstarr (September 9) and Kierra Sheard (September 10) and a parade (September 10). Taste international cuisines including Southern soul food, African Diaspora, Caribbean, West African, Spanish and more. Admission to the fair is free. The fair opens Tuesday-Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. 832 E. Orange St., Lancaster. Information: 717-456-7890, aacal.org or on Facebook.

 

5 Lancaster MusicFest | September 10

Buchanan Park

Lancaster MusicFest brings together live music, local food, craft beer, street performers, local artisans and plenty of space to relax with friends. The festival, hosted by SmartHub Foundation, will feature artists such as Benjamin Vo Blues Band, Mark DeRose, Screamin Daisys, Adam & The Weight, Dimestore Dolls and Alexis Cunningham. Proceeds from the festival benefit Children’s Miracle Network and the Music Therapy Program at Penn State Children’s Hospital. Tickets are $25 in advance and $40 on the day of the show. Admission for kids 12 and under is free. 12-8 p.m. 901 Buchanan Ave., Lancaster. Information: 717-208-4980 or lancastermusicfest.com.

 

6 Rubber Duckie Race & Festival | September 11

Lancaster County Central Park

Support Schreiber Pediatric through this unique 34th-annual fundraiser. Watch as thousands of rubber ducks are dropped from the Strawberry Street bridge into the Conestoga River in an exciting race for prizes, including $10,000 cash, Visa gift cards and Stauffers of Kissel Hill gift cards. In addition to the race, enjoy food, pony rides, face painting, games and more. All proceeds benefit Schreiber Pediatric’s mission to provide outpatient therapy to local children with special needs. To participate in the race, you can buy rubber duckies here. The festival starts at 2 p.m. and the ducks drop at 5 p.m. 1050 Rockford Rd., Lancaster. Information: 717-393-0425 or schreiberpediatric.org/events/duckies.

 

7 One World Festival | September 11

Franklin & Marshall College – Alumni Sports & Fitness Center

Travel the globe without leaving Lancaster County. The One World Festival allows Lancaster residents to experience and learn about the cultures of local Asian Indian, Greek, Latin/Hispanic, African, Irish, German, Italian and Jewish communities. Experience international cuisine, music, performing arts, activities and more. Also, meet a variety of cultural and community organizations and learn about the role they play in the Lancaster community. All proceeds will go into the One World Fund established with the Lancaster County Community Foundation. The festival will run from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Rain or shine. Registration is free but is required for entry. Register here. 929 Harrisburg Ave., Lancaster. Information: oneworldfestivallancaster.org or on Facebook.

 

8 Lancaster Hot Air Balloon Festival & Country Fair | September 16-18

Bird-in-Hand

Experience the beauty of over 40 technicolored balloons dotting the Lancaster County horizon during the Lancaster Hot Air Balloon Festival. Whether you experience the festival from the ground or way up in a hot air balloon, it is sure to be an unforgettable event. In addition to balloon rides, enjoy lawn games, hayrides, bounce houses, rock walls, fireworks, delicious food and more. Parking is free, but there is a fee for admission. To book a balloon flight, click here. Festival hours are Friday, 3-9 p.m., Saturday, 12-10 p.m., and Sunday, 12-7 p.m. 2727 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand. Information: 717-966-6323 or lancasterballoonfest.com.

 

9 Lititz Craft Beer Fest | September 24-25

TAIT

This beer fest is about more than beer. Each year, the event, which is sponsored by Lititz AMBUCS, raises tens of thousands of dollars to help people conquer challenges related to mobility and independence. With the funds raised from the fest, Lititz AMBUCS donates to local nonprofits, contributes to scholarships for aspiring physical and occupational therapists and provides speech devices, Amtrykes and more to those in need. Attendees will experience live music playing on two stages, cuisine from local food trucks and over 150 offerings to sample from more than 70 craft breweries. Make sure to also sample the top ten finalists from the Homebrew Competition and vote for your favorite. Tickets are $45 each and can be bought here. No tickets will be available at the door. Hours are 3-6 p.m. each day. 401 W. Lincoln Ave., Lititz. Information: 717-271-1098 or lititzcraftbeerfest.com.

 

10 Lancaster Heart Walk | September 24

Clipper Magazine Stadium

Support the American Heart Association by joining friends and neighbors for a three-mile walk around Clipper Magazine Stadium. Participating in the Lancaster Heart Walk is a great way to boost your physical and emotional health while making an impact in your community and saving lives. Heart disease is the number-one killer worldwide. Since 1948, the American Heart Association has provided $4.8 billion towards scientific research. By participating in the Lancaster Heart Walk, you will be helping to save the lives of kids born with congenital heart defects and adults struggling with heart disease, teach thousands CPR training, fund research and more. There is no registration fee, but participants are encouraged to make a personal donation and fundraise to support the Heart Walk. Check-in time is at 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 11 a.m. 650 N. Prince St., Lancaster. Information: 717-730-1701 or heart.org/lancasterwalk.

For more information on local events, click here!