37th Annual Chambersfest

37th Annual Chambersfest

by | Jul 11, 2023 | Blog

Delicious food, family activities, ice cream, history and so much more is planned for the 37th Annual ChambersFest from July 8 to 15 in the greater Chambersburg area.

The weeklong family-friendly festival will include a variety of fun community events including Restaurant Week, Scoop-a-Palooza, Tim & Susan Cook Memorial Race, Old Market Day, 1864: The Burning, history exhibits, live music and more.

“ChambersFest is one of the most enjoyable community celebrations in Chambersburg, and we are grateful for all the organizations that have shown their support this year,” said Steve Christian, president of the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce. “Many local restaurants, retail businesses and nonprofits will participate, and we hope to see thousands of people enjoy the festivities happening all over our town.”

ChambersFest will start on Saturday, July 8 with the 7th Annual Restaurant Week sponsored by Signature Sponsor Penn National Insurance, Platinum Sponsors Ventura Foods, LLC and The Franklin Shopper and Supporting Sponsor R. Perry Fence Co., LLC. More than 25 restaurants will participate with special cuisines, meal deals and daily prizes through Saturday, July 15. Restaurants involved include Big Oak Cafe, Brussel’s Café, Fiesta Maya, Fox’s Pizza Den, GearHouse Brewing Co., Hickory Ridge Restaurant, Kenny’s Grill & Ice Cream, Ledo Pizza, Meadows Frozen Custard of Chambersburg, Veroni Café and others. For a full list of restaurants and contest information, visit Chambersburg.org/ChambersFestRW.

Saturday’s events will also include the 19th Annual Tim & Susan Cook Memorial 1-Mile Race/Walk beginning at 7 a.m. at Chambersburg Area Senior High School (CASHS) Upper Concession Stand. Scoop-a-Palooza, the popular all-you-can-eat ice cream festival, will also be at CASHS that day from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Other ChambersFest activities throughout the week include North Square Farmers Market, Totem Pole Playhouse presents: Annie: The Musical, Franklin County Historical Society’s “Stanley Company” exhibit, tours of WellSpan Health’s Mobile Mammography Coach and more.

 

Finally, the festival will culminate Saturday, July 15, with the largest events of the week: Old Market Day and 1864: The Burning.

Old Market Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. will fill the streets of downtown with music, food, arts and crafts. The day features more than 150 craft and food vendors, on-stage entertainment and other activities. Later that evening will be the final round of the A Cappella & Unplugged music competition as well as the popular military re-enactment light show: 1864: The Burning.

ChambersFest began in 1986 when local organizations came together to create a festival commemorating the town’s rebirth after its burning on July 30, 1864. On that fateful day, Chambersburg became the only town north of the Mason-Dixon line to be burned by Confederates during the Civil War. More than 500 structures were destroyed and 2,000 people left homeless. The townspeople were resilient, however, and rebuilt the town, which enabled Chambersburg to grow and prosper.

Today, ChambersFest celebrates the spirit of the townspeople with fun, family-friendly events. View the entire schedule of events at Chambersburg.org/ChambersFest. For questions about ChambersFest, please call the Chamber at 717-264-7101.

ChambersFest events are coordinated by a variety of organizations, including the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Council, Franklin County Visitors Bureau, North Square Farmers Market, Chambersburg Chamber Foundation and others.

Special thanks to the ChambersFest Corporate Sponsors: Everence Financial, The Franklin Shopper, VerStandig Media and WellSpan Health.

We would also like to thank our Premier Sponsors: Chambersburg Area Development Corp., Salzmann Hughes, P.C. Law Firm, SunnyHill Properties, Inc., Valley Agency Insurance and Penn National Insurance as well as Benefactor Sponsor Community State Bank and Contributor Sponsors Mercy House of Chambersburg and R. Perry Fence Co., LLC.

CHAMBERSFEST 2023 – Schedule of Events

Saturday, July 8 – Saturday, July 15

Restaurant Week

Back by popular demand, the 7th Annual ChambersFest Restaurant Week will feature unique cuisines and specials to showcase the best in dining. More than 25 restaurants are expected to participate with special meals, deals and prizes for patrons.

Details: Chambersburg.org/ChambersFestRW. Presented by Penn National Insurance

Coordinated by the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce

Saturday, July 9

19th Annual Tim & Susan Cook Memorial 1-Mile Race

7 – 10 a.m. – Chambersburg Area Senior High School (CASHS).

Registration begins at 7 a.m. in the upper stadium area, with the women’s race/walk at 8 a.m. and the men’s race/walk at 8:30 a.m. Money raised from this event is contributed to the Tim & Susan Cook Memorial Scholarship Fund, which annually awards scholarships to two seniors from CASHS. Registration is $25 with a T-shirt (if available).

Details: chambersburg.org/chambersfest/ or call 717-264-7101

Coordinated by the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce

Scoop-a-Palooza

10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Chambersburg Area Senior High School (CASHS) Cafeteria.

The Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation’s yearly ice cream festival returns on July 8! Sponsored by ACNB Bank, the festivities will include ice cream tastings, activities for kids, human sundae event and more!

Details: ScoopAPalooza.org

Coordinated by the Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation

Saturdays July 8 & 15

North Square Farmers Market

8 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Downtown Chambersburg.

Enjoy Chambersburg’s only open-air farmers market offering farm fresh, seasonal and 100% locally grown produce. Products exclusively from local farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs in a fun, social atmosphere as well as kids’ activities, live music and more.

Details: NorthSquareFarmersMarket.com

Coordinated by North Square Farmers Market

July 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15

Totem Pole Playhouse presents: Annie: The Musical

Various times – 9555 Golf Course Road, Fayetteville.

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC.

Get tickets: TotemPolePlayhouse.org

Coordinated by Totem Pole Playhouse

Sunday, July 9

Summer Concert Series: Mercy Run

7 p.m. – Chambersburg Memorial Park, 1 Washabaugh Way, Chambersburg.

Gather at the Chambersburg Memorial Park Kiwanis Bandshell to enjoy this free southern gospel concert. This is a smoke-free environment; please bring lawn chairs, blankets, food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Coordinated by Chambersburg Recreation Department.

Tuesday, July 11 – Saturday, July 15

Franklin County Historical Society “Stanley Company” Exhibit

Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – The Old Franklin County Jail, 175 East King Street, Chambersburg.

The Franklin County Historical Society invites you to view the new “Stanley Company” Exhibit. For large groups or questions, call 717-264-1667 or visit franklinhistorical.org.

 

Coordinated by the Franklin County Historical Society.

Wednesday, July 12

Mobile Mammography by WellSpan Health

8 a.m. – 4 p.m., 62 South Central Avenue, Chambersburg.

WellSpan’s Mobile Mammography Coach will be available for tours all day in the parking lot beside The Shook Home. Screenings will not be offered this day, but community members are invited to tour the coach.

Details: Contact Colleen Hunt at chunt8@wellspan.org or 717-818-0807.

Coordinated by WellSpan Health.

 

 

Thursday, July 13

 

Summer Concert Series: HoBoLa

7 p.m. – Chambersburg Memorial Park, 1 Washabaugh Way, Chambersburg.

Gather at the Chambersburg Memorial Park Kiwanis Bandshell to enjoy this free classic rock-n-roll concert! This is a smoke-free environment; please bring lawn chairs, blankets, food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Coordinated by Chambersburg Recreation Department.

Saturday, July 15

Old Market Day

9 a.m. to 4 p.m – Downtown Chambersburg.

Enjoy this free, family event! Hundreds of art, artisans, craft vendors, food trucks and community organizations will line the streets of downtown. Come join the fun!

Details: www.facebook.com/events/625223169146498

Coordinated by the Downtown Business Council of Chambersburg.

Free Tours of Historical Rose Rent Church and Stained-Glass Window Presentation

Tours: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Stained Glass Window Presentation: 1 p.m. – Zion Reformed United Church of Christ, 259 South Main St., Chambersburg.

Zion was formed in 1778 and the current building dates to 1811 and has many of the original features. It is included on the National Historical register. The tour will include the Sunday School/Fellowship Hall with many memorial plaques, paintings and the cemetery map and the Sanctuary with the Minister’s Memorial Plaque as well as other memorials, the 1813 Crystal Chandelier and the 1883 Stained Glass Windows. There are many displays throughout the church and information will also be provided on the cemetery. View the stained-glass windows with a special tour guide at 1 p.m.

Details: bit.ly/3NSvzKj

Franklin County Historical Society – Book Signing

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – The Old Franklin County Jail, 175 East King Street, Chambersburg.

The Franklin County Historical Society invites you to visit the Old Jail on Old Market Day. Carlton Bigler and Ann Hull will be signing their new book: “The Way We Were…Continues”. For large groups or questions, call 717-264-1667 or visit franklinhistorical.org.

Details: FranklinHistorical.org

Coordinated by Franklin Co. Historical Society.

Council for the Arts, Foundry Art Market and Northwood Books Extended Hours

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Downtown Chambersburg.

Visit Council for the Arts, Foundry Art Market and Northwood Books during Old Market Day for extended hours!

Train Rides at Norlo Park

1 – 4 p.m. at 3050 Lincoln Way East, Fayetteville.

Ride the miniature train complete with a cattle car and caboose. Last train boards at 3:50 p.m. Open to riders of all ages; donations accepted.

Coordinated by Cumberland Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.

A Cappella & Unplugged Finals

7 p.m. – 11/30 Visitors Center.

The Final Round of A Cappella & Unplugged will be taking place before the 1864 Ransoming, Burning & Rebirth Reenactment in Downtown Chambersburg! The winner of the audience vote will receive $500 and perform 2 additional songs before the reenactment. Join us for a fun night of entertainment!

Details: ExploreFranklinCountyPa.com/acappella-unplugged

Coordinated by Franklin Co. Visitors Bureau.

1864: The Burning Reenactment

9 – 10 p.m. – Downtown Chambersburg.

As darkness approaches, the town will transform to 1864 and the story of the town’s ransoming, burning and rebirth will come to life with incredible light and atmospheric effects.

Chambersburg Remembers the History of 1864 & Celebrates Spirit of Community

Chambersburg Remembers the History of 1864 & Celebrates Spirit of Community

by | Jul 11, 2023 | Blog

A quote by Maya Angelou says, “You can’t really know where you are going until you know where you have been.”  This is certainly true of Chambersburg PA. At first glance, Chambersburg seems like an ordinary town with tree-lined streets, historic architecture, and an appealing downtown. But, the history of July 30, 1864 makes Chambersburg far from ordinary.

On July 30, 1864, Confederate General John McCausland rode into Chambersburg. McCausland and his chief officers sat down to breakfast at the Franklin Hotel. There, he ordered the arrest of leading citizens and began spreading the word of his purpose in Chambersburg—to hold the town at ransom for $100,000 in gold or $500,000 in Yankee dollars. If the ransom was not paid, Chambersburg would be burned. The town could not raise anything close to the ransom, and by noon, twelve blocks of Chambersburg blazed. More than 2000 citizens were left homeless and over 500 structures were lost in the Great Fire.

Saturday, July 15, 2023 is the annual 1864 Ransoming, Burning & Rebirth of Chambersburg Commemoration. It is a celebration of community spirit and remembers the resiliency of the citizens that  brought Chambersburg to life from the ashes of destruction.

July 15 is a day filled with activity, topped off with the historical re-enactment and light show depicting the history of the 1864 Ransoming, Burning and Rebirth of Chambersburg.

  • 9 AM – 4 PM – Old Market Day fills the streets of Chambersburg with over 100 stalls–row after row of art and craft vendors displaying one-of-a-kind wares as well as an assortment of festival food. Local merchants will hold sidewalk sales and courthouse plaza will feature a variety of entertainment.
  • 9 AM – 8:30 PM – Franklin County Visitors Bureau, 15 South Main Street, offers a children’s area with crafts, coloring wall, and ball pit. Works of local authors are offered for sale. The lobby exhibit highlights the post-Civil War period and Progressive Era, plus offers selfie stations. Giveaways include glow-in-the-dark items and chances to win the Old Market Day gift basket.
  • 5:30 PM – 7 PM – Civil War Walking Tours and dining in the street.
  • 7:15 PM –Courthouse Plaza is the stage for the Finals of A Cappella & Unplugged. One contestant will win $500, and the audience decides the winner.
  • 9 PM – Join thousands, who gather to watch, as the town is transported back to 1864 and ransomed by Confederate soldiers. 1864 Ransoming, Burning & Rebirth of Chambersburg is a re-enactment and light show done completely with atmospheric effects and actors. Courthouse Plaza is the stage. Bring a lawn or stadium chair.
1864 Ransoming, Burning & Rebirth Living History Re-enactment & Light Show

1864 Ransoming, Burning & Rebirth Living History Re-enactment & Light Show

by | Jul 6, 2022

Join us on Saturday, July 15th 2023 in Downtown Chambersburg as the town is set ablaze to commemorate the day that Chambersburg was held for ransom and then burned by the Confederate army under General McCausland.
We celebrate community, rebirth and Chambersburg’s rise from the ashes with a day full of events.
For more information about activities scheduled, Click Here
9:00 PM |1864 Ransoming, Burning & Rebirth Living History Re-enactment & Light Show
The re-enactment and light show done completely with atmospheric effects, lights, and actors!
Join the thousands that gather to watch as the town is transported back to 1864 and history comes to life.

1864 Chambersburg Comes To Life

by | Jul 12, 2021 | Blog

Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites the public to 1864—a living history portrayal and celebration of the Rebirth of Chambersburg—on July 17, 2021. Nearly 157 years ago, on July 30, 1864, General John McCausland and 2,800 Confederate cavalrymen ransomed Chambersburg for $100,000 in gold or $500,000 in Yankee currency. Chambersburg could not pay the ransom and the town was fired, leaving more than 500 structures in ashes and 2,000 people without homes. Yet, Chambersburg grew out of the ashes of destruction and is once again a thriving community in southcentral Pennsylvania.

“Since the first 1864 event, a common question is: why celebrate a town’s burning?” said Janet Pollard, Executive Director of Franklin County Visitors Bureau, the organization responsible for the annual event. Pollard explained, “1864 celebrates the rebirth of the town and the spirit of the people, who brought Chambersburg to life.”

1864 began as a kick-off event for Civil War 150 in 2011. Partnering with nearby Gettysburg PA, Franklin County highlighted its significant Civil War history. Over the past ten years, the event continued to grow as a celebration of the spirit of people and community.

Join in celebrating the Rebirth of Chambersburg on July 17 with a full day.

  • Old Market Day Street Festival, 9AM – 4 P M, throughout downtown Chambersburg with more than 125 craft, food, and art vendors plus music.
  • Puppet fun and fan-making for kids at 11/30 Visitors Center, 9 AM – 4 PM
  • Civil War Walking Tours, 11 AM – 5 PM, at the 11/30 Visitors Center – FREE
  • “Tourist in My Town” Exhibit at Chambersburg Council for the Arts, 103 N. Main, 9 AM-4PM
  • A Conversation with Grandmother Edna: Fabric Art & Storytelling, 1 PM at the 11/30 Visitors Center, followed by a chance to make a little fabric art – FREE.
  • Pre-Burning Activities – 6 PM – 7 PM- FREE glow-in-the-dark temporary tattoos, face painting, photos with cast of 1864 Ransoming, Burning & Rebirth, children’s activities.
  • PA Army Reserve Rock Climbing Wall, next to 11/30 Visitors Center, 5:30 PM-8 PM.
  • Jim Rada, author & historian, 11/30 Visitors Center, 5:30 PM-8PM
  • A Cappella & Unplugged Finals, 7 PM – Final round of the A Cappella & Unplugged competition with winner announced just after 8 PM
  • 1864 Ransoming, Burning & Rebirth Light Show- 8:45 PM – The re-enactment and light show done completely with atmospheric effects, lights, and actors! Join the thousands that gather to watch as the town is transported back to 1864 and history comes to life.

The Reenactment of the Burning of Chambersburg

by | Jun 4, 2021

July 17, 2021 *  6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Downtown Chambersburg as the town is set ablaze to commemorate the day that Chambersburg was held for ransom and then burned.
We celebrate community, rebirth and Chambersburg’s rise from the ashes with a day full of events:
Old Market Day street festival kicks-off at 9:00 AM! Enjoy lots of art, food, crafts, vendors and music!
Visit the 11/30 Visitors Center on the Square throughout the day for book signings, drawings, kids’ activities, giveaway and tours. 
Explore the new lobby exhibit: Let the Journey Begin…People, Places & Possibilities all day!
1:00 PM: Come experience Edna Lawrence – a quilt storyteller as she talks about her art and passion for history and people.
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM: The PA Army Nation Guard joins the 11/30 Visitors Center bringing their rock climbing wall Downtown for all those adventurous individuals to endure!
7:00 PM: A Cappella & Unplugged Final Round – the very talented finalists perform for your vote as they sing for a chance to win the big $500 prize!
Just before 9:00 PM: As the sun sets, the history of the 1864 Ransoming, Burning & Rebirth of Chambersburg
takes the night’s center stage as lights and atmospheric affects so real that bystanders will think they were transported back to 1864!
To learn more about this event and the history, Click Here