by Matthew Vlahos
Never one to show its age, the City of York is celebrating its 275th birthday gracefully. Last weekend, a private picnic for 275 lucky guests stretched out downtown—they won admission with golden tickets hidden in special Wonka, err Wolfgang, chocolate bars. But it’s not the only gathering in town; the city is working with community organizers on a year’s worth of events.
Here a few upcoming ways for you to celebrate all that the area has to offer, with official 275th birthday events and some unofficial ones, too. Because after all, who doesn’t enjoy having a bratwurst while watching grown men flail about in lederhosen?
Pirate Feast in the Catacombs at Bube’s Brewery
July 29, 7 p.m.
Pirate anything gets an automatic listing as far as I’m concerned. Tell me it’s also a feast in an underground nineteenth-century catacombs and, well, I’m already planning to set sail for Mt. Joy. Bube’s Brewery is hosting this pirate-themed prix fixe. $50 gets you three hours of revelry and boisterous entertainment, a five-course meal and a ½ pitcher of feast beer, feast wine or, for the designated helmsmen, nonalcoholic punch. Part of the Susquehanna Ale Trail. Reservations strongly recommended. 102 N. Market St., Mount Joy, (717) 653-2056
Hanover Dutch Festival
July 30, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
On the last Saturday of every July, Hanoverians don their best lederhosen, break out the accordions and celebrate the town’s unique German heritage with some peppy polka, a waltz or two and all the traditional festival fare: beer, potatoes and of course funnel cakes. But the costumed performers, live Pennsylvania Dutch music and (mostly) fried food are only part of the attraction. Now in its 33rd year, the day-long festivities are open to all and also include dozens of craft vendors lining the streets around center square. Plus, Hanover doesn’t have any “open container laws,” which means to-go cups (dare we say “steins”) are available from Miscreation Brewing Company and Something Wicked Brewing. Rabbittransit offers complimentary shuttle service into the downtown from points north and south; check their website for more information. Free. Center Square, Hanover
York Flea
August 5, 4–9 p.m.
York Flea always assembles the best selection of local handmade and vintage goods in south-central PA—and that includes finds for culinary artisans, too. Discover a delicious variety of specialty foods alongside the more predictable mix of purveyors of soaps, candles and other unique and fun finds. Although it’s hard to choose, we highly recommend seeking out two vendors in particular. fudge-O-lutely sells sugary sin in 30 “new-fashioned flavors” made from an old-fashioned recipe. Sure there’s chocolate and peanut butter, but live a little and try teaberry, lavender honey or gingerbread—and for all you PSL fans, the pumpkin pie flavor will propel you right into fall with just one bite. Beard & Beauty Co. makes all-natural, small-batch skin care products, like a lemon and blueberry scrub that you shouldn’t eat, but will want to! But shouldn’t. 1 N. Pershing Avenue, York
Outdoor Dining Series: Tutoni’s Al Fresco
August 11 and August 25, 5–8 p.m.
York can seem like one big family, so I love this idea of a family-style dinner alfresco on Cherry Lane. Tutoni’s Restaurant is hosting two more of these pop-up dinner parties in August (the first one, during First Friday in July, was a sold-out success!). The evenings begin with a Cocktail Hour from 5–6 p.m., featuring snacks and a cash bar open to everyone—beer, wine and a signature punch that’s the perfect way to relax on a summer Thursday evening after work. Dinner is served family-style beginning at 6 p.m. $25 gets you three courses, including house-made pastas. Kids are $12, and an automatic 18% gratuity is added to every ticket. Advance reservations, in the form of pre-paid tickets, are strongly encouraged. Space-permitting, walk-ins will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis (it’s cash-only at the door). Cherry Lane Park (half a block west of the square on W. Market Street), York, (717) 855-5169
2016 Yorkfest Fine Arts Festival
August 27, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, August 28, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
The arts festival that started it all, Yorkfest is the grand dame of York County festivals. Not content to rest on their laurels, though, organizers are infusing this year’s festival with some great new programming to go along with the more than 100 fine arts dealers. (So, you’ll be able to get your culture in while trying to look cool with cotton candy stuck to your face.) Organizers are promising a “diverse” selection of food—which means we’re anticipating a curated mix of food trucks, carts, beer and wine. Cool new things for 2016: a Creative York Family Pavilion with storytelling, balloon twisting and face painting and musical petting zoo; ChalkWalk, a series of temporary murals being created before your eyes along Market Street, organized by Prime Art Supply; an upcycled Car Show with 10 junked automobiles turned into works of art and arranged along Market Street, connecting Yorkfest with the Pennsylvania Cigar Box Guitar Festival, also taking place during the same time. The Historic Codorus Creek Boat Parade will launch at 2 p.m. on Saturday from Bantz Park, and there’s again a free jazz concert that evening at The Strand-Capitol. Various locations in Downtown York, mostly around the rail trail, Gates-Plough complex and Codorus Creek
Hanover Chili Cook Off
September 4, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
The Facebook page doesn’t tell us how long this Hanover tradition has been going on, but I can’t remember a time when there wasn’t a Hanover Chili Cook Off, so let’s just say it’s as old as chili itself. (This is the 21st year, according to the website.) There are about 30 chili competitors, give-or-take, a few non-chili food vendors for good measure, three musical acts, “mucho beer and malts” and entertainers. A portion of the proceeds benefits The HART Center and Guthrie Memorial Library. Tickets are $8.50 online (or $10 admission at the gate). Good Field Complex on N. Forney Ave., Hanover (plug 47-99 N. Forney Avenue, Hanover PA 17331 into GPS)
What the Food Trucks (Formerly Food Struck York)
September 4, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
A food struck by any other name … York’s hugely popular food truck round-up gets a new name this year, “What the Food Trucks,” on the heels of a new location. More than 20,000 townsfolk and 34+ trucks are expected to converge on Penn Park for the 4th installment of the annual event. The event website describes it perfectly: “We close an entire city park, fill it with food trucks and carts, local merchants, live music and BEER. It’ll cost you nothing to get in; pay-as-you-go eats and plenty of space to kick back. Rain or shine, it’s a day of days.” A note on that beer they mentioned in all caps: there’s a beer (and wine) garden in the center coral, aptly named Treasure Island. Buy tokens on the spot (don’t forget your ID) or spring for one of the limited number of VIP Packages in advance, which includes a commemorative glass. Band line-up still being firmed up, but already includes The Plums and Devix. No admission; pay-as-go. 100 W. College Ave., York
York Fair
September 9–18
Some things never get old. This year marks the 251st York Fair, a nostalgic carnival-like celebration of all things Americana and agriculture. The fair is nine days of old-fashioned fun with attractions like chainsaw carving, prize-winning poultry, tilt-a-whirl rides and calories as far as the eye can see. But trust me, make this your cheat day (or week!) with french fries (vinegar optional), overloaded baked potatoes, funnel cakes smothered in powdered sugar, oversized batter-dipped onion rings, sausage sandwiches and whole turkey legs that look like something straight off a Game of Thrones feast table. The York Fair was featured in a recent episode of The Food Network’s “Carnival Eats” in which the host stopped by Danny’s Concessions for his famous Taste of Christmas dish, tried Uncle Paul’s Burger Bomb Pretzel—finished with a fried egg on top, because of course—and then went fork-free with a Chicken in a Waffle Cone from Savory’s Funnel Cakes. After-dinner concerts in the grandstand are another fair staple. And although quite a few of my neighbors are excited for Alabama (performing Sept. 17), I personally can’t wait for the “I Love the ‘90s” concert, a D-list studded evening of throwbacks: Salt-N-Pepa, Vanilla Ice, Coolio, Tone Loc, Young MC and Color Me Badd … all in one place, all on September 14! Admission. York Fairgrounds, 334 Carlisle Ave., York, (717) 717-848-2596 for info or (717) 848-2033 for tickets
York Bike Night Street Party
September 23, 6–10 p.m.
How’s this for a food tie-in? A finely tuned Harley-Davidson’s exhaust should sound like it’s going “potato, potato potato potato…” And you’ll hear a lot of potatoes during the annual York Bike Night. A. Lot. Downtown York plays host to a street festival at the tail end of a motorcycle parade stretching from the fairgrounds into downtown York. It’s all part of the annual Open House weekend organized by Harley, the county’s No. 1 tourist attraction. There will be live entertainment, demos, displays and, of course, plenty of food. Insider Tip: First Capital Harley-Davidson (formerly Laugerman’s) on Rt. 30 holds quite a shindig during Open House as well. Just follow the music and smell of savory pit beef—if last year was any indication, you’ll hear them rockin’ from a mile away! Free. Around Continental Square in Downtown York
- York Fair turkey leg photo: Matthew Vlahos
- Top photo, Hanover Dutch Festival photo: Hanover Area Chamber of Commercel
- York Bike Night & Bube's Brewery photos: York County CVB
- fudge-O-lutely photo: fudge-O-lutely
