Since 2020, the Conococheague Institute (a 30 acre historic site located near Mercersburg, PA) has been offering free 18th Century Living History programs every Saturday year round. This consistent community resource has seen the organization grow in popularity with increased visitation. As such, the organizatio was named the 2022 Non-Profit of the Year with its Executive Director being named the 2022 Educator of the Year through the Cumberland Valley Business Alliance.
Now as part of the organization’s growth, the Conococheague Institute (CI) will be offering additional changing-themed programs every month, to make each visit a new experience. From 10am to 5pm, the museum offers exhibits and life demonstrations (living history) of 18th Century frontier life such as gardening, hearth cooking and crafts. Visitors can draw water from a well, play period games in the tavern, try on colonial fashions or help out in the kitchen garden.
The new monthly themed programs are in addition to this ongoing living history. The organization’s website and social media will be updated with what’s going on including spinning wheel workshops, butter making, archery, nature crafts, tree plantings and weapons demonstrations. The new monthly themed programs will have varying times from all day workshops, to timed hikes, or scheduled hour demonstrations.
CI’s Executive Director Matthew Wedd explained “People have been loving our views into frontier life with our living history, and that will continue: Our garden and cabins need regular attention after all. But these new themed months will allow us to explore more diverse topics, and utilize all of our cultural and natural resources. We tested it last November for Native American Heritage Month. We had a special program on Indigenous uses of medical plants, and another on Arrowheads and Archery. Both were very popular and the latter created great connections between our more traditional museum exhibits that include 100’s of Indigenous lithics, and our-hands on history with archery sessions. We also noticed that adults wanted to try a new skill as much as the kids.
Combining our living history, exhibits, these new themed programs and our nature trails and dog walks makes it even more appealing to spend an entire day here with your family”. The new themed programs will also allow for more guest educators such as birding groups, craftspeople and lecturers.
In January, programs on calligraphy, spinning and distaffs, winter bird feeders and a cloak making workshop have all been scheduled. Programs planned for February will explore the lives of enslaved people on the frontier during Black History Month. Some programs may require an RSVP to organize program supplies, but the Conococheague Institute looks forward to exploring even more subjects with its community. For more information on CI and the new programs, contact info@cimlg.org.
Kick off June with the 7th Annual Race Against Poverty on June 2 at First Friday in downtown Chambersburg. The race, literally run through downtown Chambersburg, begins at 7 PM and is a highlight of June’s Health & Wellness First Friday. The annual race is a chance for runners, walkers, and children plus teams and duos to support elimination of poverty in Franklin County. Race Against Poverty empowers and funds the work of Support Circles of Franklin County, which works to move people from a place where basic needs are unmet to a place of long-term stability.
Online registration for Race Against Poverty remains open until May 31. Day-of-race registrations are welcomed at check in, which opens at 5:30 PM in the parking area of King Street Church. Lots of family-fun activities are part of the race. It is more like a block party with kid’s activities, BBQ chicken on the grill, ice cream, and music.
The June First Friday, sponsored by Chambersburg Apothecary and organized by the Downtown Business Council, emphasizes healthy living and ensuring a well community. Vendors will focus on healthy lifestyles for children, families, and older citizens. Downtown Business Council offers a chance to win a gift basket of local goods and services, valued at $250.
Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites the public to experience the hospitality of Franklin County at four Franklin County Brew Festivals, featuring the artisan flavors of local and regional breweries.
Franklin County brew festivals kick off on April 16 with the Greencastle 3rd Annual Beer and Wine Festival , 1 PM to 4 PM, at the John Allison Public House, 155 South Antrim Way in Greencastle. More than 40 craft beers are available for tasting with unlimited samples. Plus, more than ten wineries will be sampling and offering wine for sale. Greencastle Beer and Wine Festival is done in conjunction with the Greencastle Pub Run 10K, 5K and Kid’s Fun Run, which starts at 9 AM from the John Allison parking lot. Participants and spectators of the race can enjoy the menu of the John Allison Public House as well as live music throughout the festival.
May brings three beer festivals throughout Franklin County. Blues Brews & Barbecue [BBB], always the first Saturday of May in the back lot of the Capitol Theatre in downtown Chambersburg, gets the fun started on May 7, 1 PM to 7 PM, with music by the Kelly Bell Band, Eric Steckel, and Randy McAllister. Gather friends and family, bring the lawn chairs, and see why Blues, Brews & Barbecue tops the list of Spring things to do in Franklin County. Sip craft specialty and domestic beer and wines and enjoy come delicious barbecue. Kelly Bell Band, out of Baltimore, has been voted the best blues band in the Mid-Atlantic region for twelve consecutive years. Grammy nominated, singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Randy McAllister is new to BBB and brings blues, honky tonk, and country together for a distinct Texas sound. Eric Steckel, from the Lehigh Valley, brings a rock and blues sound to the 6th Annual BBB event. Good beer plus good blues plus good BBQ plus plenty of energy equals a great time at Blues, Brews & Barbecue.
On Saturday, May 21, downtown Waynesboro is the site of the 2nd Annual Waynesboro Brewmaster Beer Festival, 12:30 to 4 PM, adjacent to the Waynesboro Post Office in the Grove-Bowersox Parking Lot. More than 40 craft beers from 20 microbreweries are expected to be available for tasting. A number of returning favorites in central Pennsylvania are Chambersburg’s Roy Pitz Brewing Company, Hershey’s Troeg’s Brewing Company and Gettysburg’s Battlefield Brew Works. Newcomers to the event include Carlisle’s Molly Pitcher Brewing Company, Gettysburg’s Appalachian Brewing Company and Dallastown’s Wyndrige Farm Brewing with samples of a special flavor –Cranberry Cruch. During the festival, music will be provided by Center of Gravity and Lucky Punk. The Brewmaster Beer Festival is a great opportunity to explore Destination ARTS!, a community art exhibition throughout the downtown and featuring more than 500 pieces of visual arts.
Step back in time at Conococheague Institute on Bain Road, off PA 995 in Mercersburg, with a two-day beer and wine festival on May 21-22. Smell the sweet scent of rose varieties brought to the frontier by early Welsh, English, and Scots-Irish settlers and enjoy local beers and wine. Discover America’s early history. Enjoy local bands with good food. Relax in this simple, beautiful setting at the base of the Tuscarora Mountains in Franklin County.
The Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites all to explore Franklin County PA and enjoy the trails of history, arts and architecture, recreation, natural beauty, fresh foods and the warm hospitality of communities like Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro. Franklin County PA is located just north of the Mason Dixon Line and is an easy drive to Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.
Beards to Descend on Shippensburg; Battle for Bragging Rights, Hot Sauce, and Honey
(Shippensburg, Pennsylvania) August 5, 2014 –
Bearding Man is pleased to announce the inaugural Bearding Man Music Festival & Facial Hair Competition on Sept. 6, 2014 at The Thought Lot in Shippensburg, PA. Hirsute hordes will gather to compete in eleven categories until a victor arises with one beard to rule them all, upon whom the title “The Lord of The Beards” shall be bestowed.
Bearding Man founder, Jason Stauffer, explained the motivation behind the event, “I want to create a place where people can connect with those that are choosing to pursue their passion—which is always risky. Whether it’s a band, business, or art you have to willing to sacrifice in order to make a difference. My hope is everyone comes away with a few more friends to support the work they are putting their hearts on the line for. Also, did I mention that facial hair is awesome?”
Competitors will duel it out for the best mustache, partial beard, full beard, freestyle beard, fake beard, spicy ginger beard (red beard), and honey bear beard (blond beard). In addition to trophies category winners will receive other prizes including hot sauce for the Spicy Ginger Beard champion, and a generous amount of honey for the Honey Bear winner.
Bearding Man has a lineup of notable locals, and not-so-locals ready to judge including: the epically bearded internet celebrity Incredibeard[1], The Mason-Dixon Roller Vixens, Tom Etzle (president of the Red Knight Motorcycle Club PA-15), Honey Bee Burlesque Troupe, Christian Alexandersen (president of the York Beard and Mustache Club), and Seth DeSabato (president of the Steel City Beard and Mustache Club).
Bearding Man isn’t only about the hair on your face; it’s also about the music, and as such will feature a line-up including the Carlisle, PA funk/jazz/hip-hop group Mad Men[2], the Northern Ireland experimental folk musician Joshua Burnside[3], and the Baltimore based folk trio Fungus Lucky[4].
Be sure to come hungry as Nathan Miller Chocolate[5], Mosaic Coffee Company[6], and The Falafel Shack[7] will be serving deliciousness all night. If your organization or company is interested in becoming a vendor, sponsoring the event or donating prizes you can find out more information at www.beardingman.com or on Facebook www.facebook.com/beardingman.
