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Hey Neighbor! Where to Find the Freshest Fun (and Food!) This Weekend
Your Central PA Happenings Cheat Sheet
Don Demcsak
April 24, 2025
Hey there, fellow digizens! Can you believe we're already staring down the barrel of the weekend, April 25th through the 27th? Feels like just yesterday we were talking about… well, doesn’t matter! What does matter is finding those cool spots, those "third places" where we can connect, share ideas, and just, you know, be. That's what being a digizen is all about – taking our online savvy and making some real-world magic happen right here in Central PA. We're talking Cumberland, Lancaster, and Dauphin counties, where the community spirit is as strong as a Lancaster County hex sign. So, let's ditch the screen for a bit and see what adventures await!
And speaking of adventures, nothin' beats fresh goodies straight from the source! Yep, we're talking about hitting up some of our awesome local farmers markets this weekend. These aren't just places to grab some strawberries or a shoo-fly pie (though, let's be honest, that's a major perk!). Farmers markets are prime examples of those vital third places – vibrant hubs where folks gather, chat, support local growers and makers, and just soak in the good vibes. 1 It's a perfect way for us digizens to further integrate into the community, maybe strike up a conversation about that cool new app with someone over a basket of tomatoes, or just enjoy the simple pleasure of a sunny Saturday surrounded by friendly faces. Get ready to explore, connect, and fill your bags with some seriously fresh finds!
Third Place Events
Cumberland County
Cumberland County's offerin' up a real mix this weekend, from horsepower heavens to down-to-earth celebrations. It shows the variety you find here – big commercial draws sitting right alongside grassroots community fun.
Date: Wednesday, April 23 - Sunday, April 27, 2025 (7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Wed-Sat; 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM Sun)
Location: Carlisle Fairgrounds, 1000 Bryn Mawr Rd, Carlisle, PA 17013
Digizen Angle: Gearheads, start yer engines! Spring Carlisle is rollin' back into town all weekend long. It's one of the biggest automotive flea markets in the world, right here in our backyard!. You can wander through 8,100 vendor spaces lookin' for that perfect part, collectible, or even a whole new ride in the car corral. Deal directly with owners, check out the Manufacturers Midway, or maybe even catch the collector car auction over at the Expo Center (Thurs/Fri). It's a massive event, so wear comfy shoes and bring cash for deals. A true Carlisle tradition!
Date/Time: Saturday, April 26, 2025 (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Earth Artisan & Outfitter, 37 West Chapel Avenue, Carlisle, PA 17013
Digizen Angle: Let's show Mother Earth some love! Head down to historic downtown Carlisle for the 5th Annual Earth Day Celebration. It's a free, family-friendly party for the planet, happening rain or shine. Connect with over 30 environmental educators and eco-organizations, shop from earth-based artists and makers, enjoy live music, games, raffles, and activities that help us all learn how to live a little greener. It's a great way to support local makers and learn somethin' new about taking care of our beautiful corner of PA. Bring a bag for goodies and info!
Date/Time: Sunday, April 27, 2025 (10:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Location: New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland, PA 17070
Digizen Angle: Get ready for an "arty party for the planet"! The third annual New Cumberland Earth & Arts Festival is happening Sunday. It's a fantastic mix of celebrating nature and creativity. Expect 40+ local green organizations and nature-inspired artists, live animal programs (see critters up close!), music, sustainability workshops (learn about composting or rain barrels!), food trucks with plant-based options, hands-on art, and a sustainable fashion fair. It's all about learning, growing, creating, and community vibes – totally free and family-friendly, rain or shine!.
Dauphin County
Harrisburg and its surroundings are hoppin' this weekend, with lots centered around the big venues like the Farm Show Complex, Whitaker Center, and City Island. Seems like Saturday's the big day, but there's fun spread across Friday and Sunday too.
Date/Time: Saturday, April 26, 2025 (VIP: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM; General Admission: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: PA Farm Show Complex & Expo Center (Main Hall), 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, PA 17110
Digizen Angle: Foodies and craft beer lovers, this one's for yinz! PA Flavor brings together the best of Pennsylvania's breweries, restaurants, and food producers under one roof. Sample unique pairings, discover new favorites, and maybe even buy some goodies to take home. VIP gets you in early with extra perks like butler-passed hors d'oeuvres and specialty beers. It's a tasty way to support PA businesses! Must be 21+.
Dates/Times: Friday, April 25 (7:00 PM); Saturday, April 26 (6:00 PM); Sunday, April 27 (1:00 PM)
Location: FNB Field, City Island, Harrisburg, PA
Digizen Angle: Take 'em out to the ballgame! Our Harrisburg Senators are home this weekend facing the Erie SeaWolves. Nothing beats a spring evening (or afternoon) at the ballpark on City Island. Grab a hot dog, enjoy the game, and support our local team. Perfect family fun!
Dates/Times: Saturday, April 26 & Sunday, April 27, 2025 (12:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: The Vineyard & Brewery at Hershey, 598 Schoolhouse Road, Middletown, PA 17057
Digizen Angle: Why should kids have all the fun? The Vineyard & Brewery at Hershey is hosting egg hunts just for the grown-ups this weekend! Hunt for eggs filled with prizes while enjoying the vineyard setting. Sounds like a fun twist on a spring tradition!
Lancaster County
Lancaster County is brimming with unique local flavor this weekend. From celebrating pretzels in Lititz to supporting community causes and enjoying hands-on crafts, there's a real sense of place and tradition here. Plus, activities are nicely spread out from Friday through Sunday.
Date/Time: Saturday, April 26, 2025 (11:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Starts Lititz Springs Park Entrance, Lititz, PA (multiple stops around town)
Digizen Angle: Get twisted in Lititz! It's National Pretzel Day on Saturday, and what better way to celebrate than the Lititz Pretzel Fest? Your ticket gets you samples of tasty pretzel treats made with Sturgis pretzels at 27 stops around town. Plus, live music, a chance to meet the Warwick Robotic Pretzel Team's robot, and raffles! A super fun way to explore Lititz and celebrate a local icon.
Dates/Times: Friday, April 25 (8:00 PM) & Saturday, April 26 (3:00 PM)
Location: American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Hwy East, Lancaster, PA 17604
Digizen Angle: Mamma Mia, here we go again! Catch "The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA" at AMT. Sing along to all those iconic hits like "Dancing Queen," "S.O.S," and more. Sounds like a super trouper time!
Fresh Finds: Local Farmers Markets
Nothin' beats fresh goodies straight from the source! Several of our awesome local farmers markets are open this weekend. It's a perfect way to support local growers and makers, grab some tasty treats, and just enjoy the community vibe. Here's where you can go:
Market Name | County | Town | Days Open (Apr 25-27) | Hours | Website Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
West Shore Farmers Market | Cumberland | Lemoyne | Fri, Sat | Fri: 8am-5pm; Sat: 8am-2pm | |
Broad Street Market | Dauphin | Harrisburg | Fri, Sat | Thu/Fri: 7am-5pm; Sat: 7am-4pm* | |
Lancaster Central Market | Lancaster | Lancaster | Fri, Sat | Tue/Fri/Sat: 6am-3pm | |
Root's Country Market (Flea) | Lancaster | Manheim | Sat | Sat (Flea): 8am-2pm | |
Green Dragon Farmers Market | Lancaster | Ephrata | Fri | Fri: 8am-8pm | |
Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market | Lancaster | Bird-in-Hand | Fri, Sat | Fri/Sat: 9am-5:30pm |
Get Out There!
Whew, that's a lot packed into one weekend, huh? From car shows to craft fairs, Earth Day fun to farmers markets, and plenty of live music and theatre, there's no excuse to be bored. It's awesome seeing so many ways to celebrate spring, support local artists and businesses, learn something new, and just connect with our communities across Cumberland, Dauphin, and Lancaster counties. So, pick your adventure, check the links for any last-minute details, and get out there and enjoy this beautiful Central PA weekend. Make it a good one, y'all!
Digizenburg Dispatch Community Spaces
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Our exclusive Google Calendar is the ultimate roadmap for all the can’t-miss events in Central PA! Tailored specifically for the technology and digital professionals among our subscribers, this curated calendar is your gateway to staying connected, informed, and inspired. From dynamic tech meetups and industry conferences to cutting-edge webinars and innovation workshops, our calendar ensures you never miss out on opportunities to network, learn, and grow. Join the Dispatch community and unlock your all-access pass to the digital pulse of Central PA.