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- Your Digizenburg Dispatch for a Jam-Packed June 6-8 Weekend!
Your Digizenburg Dispatch for a Jam-Packed June 6-8 Weekend!
Don Demcsak
June 05, 2025
Well hey there, neighbors! Feels like the whole of Central PA is buzzin' like a bee in a flower patch, and for good reason – this weekend of June 6th to June 8th, 2025, is lookin' to be a real humdinger! Your pals here at the Digizenburg Dispatch have been scoutin' around, and let me tell ya, we've got a lineup that’ll have you wishin' the weekend had a few extra days.
Whether you're hankerin' for some big-time festival fun, eager to discover local artists and makers, or just lookin' to connect with your community and maybe learn a little somethin' new, Cumberland, Dauphin, and Lancaster counties are deliverin' the goods. We're talkin' events that lift the spirit, bring us together, and shine a light on all the awesome folks and places that make our corner of PA so special.
So, dust off your favorite walkin' shoes, text your besties, and get ready to dive into a weekend packed with good times. Let's see what's happenin'!
Third Place Events
Cumberland County: Where History Meets a Good Time, Right Down the Road!
Alright, Cumberland County, you're up! This weekend, it's all about that perfect blend of kickin' back and divin' in. From world-class wheels and artisan treasures to heritage celebrations that connect us to our roots, there's a whole lotta heart and fun waitin' for ya. So, let's see where the good times are rollin'!
Here's a quick peek at what's shakin' in Cumberland County:
Date & Time: Ford Nationals: Friday, June 6 - Sunday, June 8, 2025 (Fri-Sat 7 AM - 6 PM, Sun 7 AM - 12 PM). Downtown Parade, Park & Party!: Saturday, June 7, 2025 (Parade leaves Expo Center at 6:45 PM; Downtown festivities & free Y2KIDS concert 7 PM - 9 PM).
Location: Ford Nationals: Carlisle Fairgrounds, 1000 Bryn Mawr Rd, Carlisle, PA. Parade & Party: Downtown Carlisle (cars on Hanover & High Streets, concert on the Square).
Whether you're a die-hard Ford fan or just love a good ol' fashioned community shindig, Carlisle is the place to be! The massive Carlisle Ford Nationals rumbles all weekend at the Fairgrounds, showcasing over 3,200 vehicles and attracting tens of thousands. But Saturday night, the fun spills into Downtown Carlisle for the Ford Parade, Park & Party! Picture this: hundreds of awesome Fords lining the streets, a free concert on the Square with the totally rad Y2KIDS (dust off those 90s dance moves!), and a perfect chance to support our local downtown shops and eateries. It’s a big-time event with a real hometown heart, offering a unique spectacle and a boost to local businesses.
Date & Time: Saturday, June 7, 2025, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
Location: Childrens Lake, 101 Front Street, Boiling Springs, PA.
For a delightful day of creativity and community, head to charming Boiling Springs for the Foundry Day Arts & Crafts Festival. Stroll along Childrens Lake and discover treasures from over 100 juried artisans – we're talkin' everything from stunning pottery to unique handcrafted jewelry and fine art! Best part? It's free to attend, there's live music, yummy food from local non-profits and caterers, and proceeds help support arts in our local schools and community. Now that's what we call a win-win, offering a high-quality, accessible arts experience that gives back.
Date & Time: Sunday, June 8, 2025, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM.
Location: Kings Gap Environmental Education Center, 500 Kings Gap Road, Carlisle, PA.
Take a trip up the mountain for Heritage Day at Kings Gap! This free, family-friendly fest celebrates our local history and heritage with everything from live swing music by the Shippensburg Swing Band and historical demonstrations to traditional skills crafts for all ages, mansion tours, and even ice cream making. It's a chance to learn somethin' new, enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings of the center, and connect with our shared past – good times for all ages, for sure, fostering a sense of community and appreciation for local history.
Dauphin County: From City Rhythms to Sweet Escapes, Dauphin's Got the Vibe!
Dauphin County is turnin' up the volume and layin' out the charm this weekend! Whether you're ready to rock out at a big show, explore local history with a modern twist, or just soak up some good tunes in a beautiful park, there's a beat for every Digizen heart.
Here's what Dauphin County has cued up for you:
Date & Time: Saturday, June 7, 2025, 7:00 PM.
Location: Hersheypark Stadium, 100 W Hersheypark Dr, Hershey, PA.
Get ready to shout 'Sk8er Boi' at the top of your lungs! Avril Lavigne is bringing her Greatest Hits Tour to Hersheypark Stadium, and she's got Simple Plan and We The Kings along for the ride. This is your chance to relive some serious 2000s anthems that defined a generation for many and make some new memories at one of Central PA's biggest stages. It's a night of high-energy music that offers a fantastic shared cultural experience.
Date & Time: Saturday, June 7, 2025, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM.
Location: S. Third Street (between Market & Chestnut), Harrisburg, PA. Pinball Lounge at former Bricco space (31 S 3rd St).
Get your game on at SoMa PinFest in Harrisburg this Saturday! This awesome downtown block party features a fleet of food trucks like 717 Tacos and The Pizza Truck, local PA craft beverages, and a pop-up arcade with 12 pinball machines and other retro games in the Capital Vending Gaming Lounge. Groove to vinyl DJs His & Hers, try your hand at mobile mini-golf, and just soak up the cool SoMa vibes – it's free to hang on the street, with an option to buy a wristband for all-you-can-play pinball action. This event offers a unique, multi-sensory experience perfect for sharing and supporting local vendors.
Date & Time: Friday, June 6 & Saturday, June 7, 2025, 7:30 PM (No Sunday show for this weekend).
Location: Reservoir Park Bandshell (The Levitt Pavilion), Reservoir Dr, Harrisburg, PA.
Hark, what light through yonder park breaks? It's Gamut Theatre Group's 32nd Annual Free Shakespeare in the Park at the Reservoir Park Bandshell! Catch the witty comedy Love's Labour's Lost under the stars this Friday or Saturday. Bring a blanket, some pals, and maybe a canned good for Bethesda Mission to make it an evening of accessible culture that gives back to the community. This wonderful tradition makes classical theatre available to all and highlights local talent while supporting a vital local charity.
Lancaster County: Art, Eats, and Amish Country Beats – Lancaster's Got It All!
Lancaster County is buzzin' this weekend, y'all, with a little somethin' for every taste! From the vibrant First Friday art scene and festivals celebrating everything from veggies to local pride, to unique workshops and down-on-the-farm fun, get ready to explore the heart of PA Dutch Country and beyond.
Here's a taste of what Lancaster County is serving up:
Date & Time: Friday, June 6, 2025 (various times, generally 5 PM - 9 PM for most activities).
Location: Various locations throughout Downtown Lancaster City.
Lancaster City is absolutely electric for First Friday! This monthly arts and culture extravaganza sees downtown come alive with creativity. Stroll through galleries like Curio for the "Echoes of the Lens" Echo Valley Art Group exhibition , discover local talent at Art in the Garden at First Reformed Church (4-8 PM) , groove to live jazz from Parlour Noir and learn some moves at the Swing Dance Pop Up in Penn Square (6-9 PM) , or snag unique finds from local makers at the First Friday Makers Market in Ewell Plaza (5-9 PM). Don't miss the free "Sounds of Summer" organ concert at First Reformed Church at 8 PM or catch some laughs with the Lancaster Improv Players' Free For All at The Candy Factory (8-9 PM). It's a fantastic, mostly free, celebration of our city's creative spirit – don't miss it! The sheer volume and variety make it a perfect Digizen event, encouraging exploration and support for local arts.
Date & Time: Saturday, June 7 & Sunday, June 8, 2025, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM (VIP entry at 11:00 AM).
Location: Buchanan Park, 901 Buchanan Ave, Lancaster, PA.
Explore the vibrant world of plant-based living at the 9th annual Lancaster VegFest in Buchanan Park! This awesome two-day festival is packed with over 100 vendors offering delicious vegan eats and sustainable goods, a beer garden, live music, inspiring "Veg-Talks" by speakers, chef demonstrations, and fun for the kiddos. It's free to get in (though a $5 suggested donation to Lancaster Farm Sanctuary is mighty appreciated!), so come hungry for delicious vegan eats and good vibes. This event strongly aligns with values of social awareness, community building, and supporting local and niche vendors focused on ethical lifestyles.
Date & Time: Sunday, June 8, 2025, 7:30 PM.
Location: Long's Park Amphitheater, 1441 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA.
Wind down your weekend with some amazing tunes under the stars at the Long's Park Summer Music Series. This Sunday, the incredible Grammy-nominated, all-women string band Della Mae takes the amphitheater stage, bringing their acclaimed musicianship to this beloved Lancaster tradition. All concerts in this 63-year-old series are totally free, making for a perfect, accessible way to enjoy a summer evening with high-quality live music and good company in a beautiful park setting.
Whew! What a weekend, right? From the roar of engines in Cumberland to the rockin' anthems in Dauphin and the artistic buzz in Lancaster, Central PA was absolutely hoppin'! It was a weekend to fill your camera roll and your spirit, with something for every kind of Digizen. Whether you were discovering handcrafted treasures, singing along to your favorite tunes under the stars, celebrating pride and community, or simply soaking up the good vibes with friends and neighbors, it's clear our little corner of the world knows how to deliver a good time.
The real magic, though, wasn't just in the events themselves, but in the connections made and the local love shared. Every festival attended, every local artist supported, every new experience embraced – that's what fuels our community and makes these weekends so memorable. So, here's to carrying that energy forward, Digizens! Keep exploring, keep connecting, and keep making Central PA the awesome place it is. We'll be here, scoutin' out the next round of fun for ya!
Digizen Open Roles
Howzit, tech-savvy folks and digital dynamos of Central PA! Get ready to give your career a boost because this week's lineup of open roles is lookin' pretty sharp, if I do say so myself. We've scoured the digital highways and byways, from Harrisburg to Lancaster, York to State College, and even the far reaches of the "work-from-your-couch" universe to bring you some real gems. Whether you're a code wizard, a data detective, or a cybersecurity guardian, there's a good chance your next adventure is waiting right here. So, grab a cuppa, settle in, and let's see if we can't find you a new gig to get excited about, y'know?
It's pretty neat to see big names like Raytheon (RTX), The Hershey Company, and Penn State University consistently lookin' for bright minds right here in our backyard. And hey, Capital One and Johnson Controls are in the mix too, showin' that our region's a real player in the tech game. What's really somethin' is how many of these roles are offering remote or hybrid options. That means more chances for our local talent to shine and maybe even draw some new folks to our neck of the woods. The kinds of jobs poppin' up – software engineering, data analytics, cybersecurity – that’s right in line with where PA is headin' strategically.
Here are a few that caught our eye:
Company Name: Raytheon (RTX)
Location: State College, PA
Description: How about puttin' your Java skills to work on some seriously advanced satellite ground systems? You'll be designin', developin', and testin' code in a Linux, Agile, DevOps environment, makin' a real impact on critical communication and surveillance tech. If object-oriented design and Linux are your jam, this one's worth a look!
Company Name: The Hershey Company
Location: Hershey, PA (Remote, Hershey Preferred)
Description: Got a knack for business analysis and know your way around SAP S/4HANA? The Sweetest Place on Earth needs someone to lead the charge for their Order-to-Cash processes. You'll be workin' with folks across the company to define needs and design solutions – a pretty tasty opportunity!
Company Name: Penn State University
Location: University Park, PA (Remote Eligible)
Description: Here's a chance to play a key role in protectin' important research at a top university! You'll be helpin' ensure compliance with federal regulations and workin' with faculty and staff on all things research security. If you're detail-oriented and understand the ins and outs of research compliance, Penn State wants to hear from ya.
Company Name: Capital One
Location: York, PA
Description: Ready to shape how a major company handles its data? Capital One is lookin' for a pro to develop and maintain their enterprise ontologies, workin' with teams across the board to bring semantic technology to life. This is a big role for someone passionate about data strategy and making information make sense
Spotlight on In-Demand Tech Skills in Central Pennsylvania
The technology job market in Central Pennsylvania exhibits robust demand across several key skill areas, aligning with both national trends and specific regional strategic initiatives. The curated list of open roles reflects these demands, offering opportunities for professionals with expertise in cybersecurity, data analytics, software development, and related fields.
Cybersecurity professionals are sought after, a trend highlighted by organizations like TechConnect which identifies it as a key area for job opportunities in South Central PA. The Senior Research Security Analyst position at Penn State University, focusing on compliance and risk mitigation for research programs, exemplifies this demand. Major regional employers like RTX also emphasize cybersecurity engineering within their capabilities.
Data Analytics and Data Science continue to be critical skill sets. TechConnect also underscores the need for data analysts. This is evident in roles such as the Senior Manager of Data Ontology and Modeling at Capital One in York , the Manager, Business Analysis S/4 OTC at The Hershey Company , and the Epic Business Intelligence Developer role previously seen at Mount Nittany Health. Penn State University’s academic programs in Data Sciences further indicate the institutional support for developing talent in this domain.
Software Development remains a cornerstone of the tech industry, with a consistent need for skilled developers in Central PA. The Java Software Engineer role at RTX in State College is a clear example of opportunities in this field. Local staffing firms like Abel Personnel also frequently list software development positions, such as SAGE 300 Developer and Software Specialist roles. Penn State’s emphasis on software engineering in its curriculum points to a pipeline of talent and ongoing industry need.
While not as prominent in this week's specific curated list, Cloud Computing is another area cited for its demand in the region. Companies like RTX list cloud architecture as a key capability, suggesting underlying or periodic needs for professionals with cloud skills.
Furthermore, Pennsylvania is placing a significant strategic emphasis on Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Advanced Technologies. The launch of the Robotics & Tech Cross-Sector Collaborative by Team Pennsylvania on May 30, 2025, and the Shapiro Administration's economic development strategy targeting these sectors, signal a strong commitment to growth in these innovative fields. This strategic push is anticipated to create a broader ecosystem of technology roles. As industries adopt more robotics and AI, the demand will extend beyond direct engineering positions to include data analysts for the vast datasets generated, cybersecurity experts to secure these interconnected systems, and software developers for the necessary applications and interfaces.
The evolution of these high-demand fields underscores the importance of continuous learning. The workforce in Central PA will need access to ongoing training and upskilling opportunities to meet these evolving technological requirements. Institutions like Penn State University and organizations such as the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania (TCCP) play a vital role in providing these educational and professional development resources, thereby supporting the sustained growth of the regional tech ecosystem. It is also worth noting that while strategic initiatives point towards future growth in areas like robotics, the immediate availability of highly specialized roles in a given week may fluctuate. This can be due to the long-term nature of such developments or because specialized recruitment often occurs through niche channels.
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.