With the hustle and bustle of summer activities coming slowly to a close, relax and wind down with some wine and other activities in Franklin County. There is something for everyone, from the craft beer fanatic, wino, fair goer and family this early fall.
Pop A Cork
The 7th Annual Pop A Cork for The Capitol is being held Saturday, August 15 from 12pm to 7pm. The event, which is held rain or shine, raises money for The Capitol Theatre, and includes live music, food, unique vendors, raffles and more!
Ann Wagner, chair of the Pop a Cork committee, said the event has eight wineries this year, the most the event has ever had.
Wineries include Greenhouse Winery, Adams County Winery, Tuscarora Mountain, Naylor Wine Cellars, Benigna’s Creek Winery, Sand Castle Winery, Allegro Vineyards and High Rock Winery.
The intimate set-up of the wineries at the event allows guests to chat with winery staff members to learn more about the wine and what is new. Wine can be purchased by the glass or by the bottle and a wine check is available. Food and merchandise is also available at the event.
Wagner said the event remains a big fundraiser for the theater, which always has a “wish list” of things to be repaired and replaced.
“It does multiple things,” she said. “It raises awareness of the theater and an audience that might not necessarily come to shows. It, of course, raises money for the Capitol theatre that helps to defray the cost of the overhead. It helps a multitude of things from utility bills to upgrading the heating and cooling system.”
This year’s musical groups include Kerensa Gray, Distinctive Soul and The Hello Strangers who will be entertaining crowds all day. Kerensa Gray, a Waynesboro local, sings cool jazz and is the 20th Annual Billie Holiday Vocal Competition Winner. Distinctive Soul, a soul group from Frederick, Md., brings Motown and crowd-pleasing music to dance and enjoy. The Hello Strangers, from Mercersburg, are an award-winning indie rock group that includes sister harmonies with Southern roots.
Tickets are $15 for those drinking at the event and designated drivers and those under 21 pay $7. This admission price includes a souvenir glass while supplies last.
And don’t worry about the kids, while parents are at the event, there will be a children’s art and play class for ages 4 and up from 12pm to 3pm at Voila! on Main Street. Please call Voila! directly at 717-261-1304 to pre-pay $20 per child and register.
Tickets are available at www.thecapitoltheatre.org, by calling the theater at 717-263-0202 extension 0 or by visiting the box office the day of the event at 159 South Main Street in Chambersburg.
The Mercersburg Beer & Wine Festival
With over 10 wineries, more than 28 breweries and 50 craft beers, it’s impossible to not find something for everyone at this year’s Mercersburg Beer and Wine Festival.
Held at Mercersburg Park, this event, which runs from 12:30pm to 4pm, this festival includes a free shuttle with pre-event ticket purchases.
The admission price of $25 includes unlimited access to all beers, 3 samples from each winery and live music by Strung Tight & The Negley Brothers.
Confirmed breweries include Blood Moon, Crystal Ball, Feschutes, Dog Fish Head, Evolution, Evil Genius, Full Tilt, Goose Island, Great Lakes, Ithaca, Kona, Laquintas, Lavery, Leinenkugal, Long Trail, Magic Hat, Nashaminy Creek, Roy Pitz, Six Point, South County, Spring House, Stouts, Straub, Troegs, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Winrich, Yards and Yuengling. Wineries attending include Adams County Winery, Allegheny Cellars Wine, Happy Valley Vineyard and Winery, Jan Zell Wines, Olivero’s Vineyard, Seven Mountain Wine Cellars, Spring Gate Vineyard, Stonekeep Meadery and The Vineyard at Hershey.
To order tickets, visit http://www.mercersburgbeerandwinefestival.com or by calling 717-328-5827.
Mercersburg TownFest
If you are more into fall arts, crafts and vendors, Mercersburg TownFest might be the event for you.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, downtown Mercersburg will be home to over 120 different artisan vendors including crafters, culinary experts and entertainment from community and school bands with a children’s fun section on the grounds of the Mercersburg Elementary School.
From delicious food by Flannery’s Tavern, Thai House, Gary’s Pit Beef, Sherri’s Crab Cakes, to delectable items such as Rita’s Italian Ice, kettle corn and Dietrich’s Ice Cream, TownFest has fun for all!
For more information, visit http://mercersburgtownfest.com.
Corn Maze Weekends at Stoner’s Dairy Farm
While it’s not quite October yet, for those getting in the spirit of fall, corn mazes, scarecrows and pumpkins are available starting August 29 at Stoner’s Farm for Fall Corn Maze Weekends.
Wander through their 5 acre corn maze over 2 miles long, or pick the perfect pumpkin on the grounds. Every year their mazes changes so you are sure to have a new adventure every fall.
Have you ever shot a corn cob out of an air cannon? Try your best at shooting and firing for a chance to win free ice cream and your name on the Wall of Fame!
For more information about fabulous fall events in Franklin County, visit ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com or call the offices at 866-646-8060.