Pumpkins & Pippins Fall Festival

Pumpkins & Pippins Fall Festival

by | Aug 25, 2022

Saturday October 15th, 2022 * 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Support The Institute by bringing your family to a fall celebration of Pumpkins & Pippins!
Our second annual Pumpkins and Pippins fall festival will be held at Pine Hill Recreation Area, Waynesboro.
12684 Mentzer Gap Rd. Waynesboro, PA 
Rain location is the Waynesboro Area Middle School.
A fundraiser for The Institute, the festival includes a full slate of activities and fun for all ages, including a ‘kid zone’ with yard games, a StoryWalk® hike & activity, a photo stand and more.
Pony rides for kids from Serendipity Horse Meadows Farm provide a fun, memorable experience during the festival.
In addition, craft vendors offer a variety of wares.
“We also have a pie walk, a pumpkin patch, and a decorated pumpkin contest,” said Jessica Watson, the Institute’s assistant director and event organizer. “We invite everyone to support The Institute by bringing your family to a fall celebration of Pumpkins & Pippins.”
A star attraction is the ever-popular trebuchet pumpkin launcher, which will run throughout the day sending pumpkins flying through the sky.
Trebuchets are giant catapult devices that originated in medieval times.
“The Institute’s trebuchet was built by volunteers who researched the devices thoroughly to create an authentic working model,” Watson said. “Our trebuchet hurls pumpkins, and it’s great fun to watch how far they fly.”
For the DECORATED PUMPKIN CONTEST (click here for details!), pumpkins may be painted or carved—or both.
Contest entry is free.
Votes from those in attendance determine the winner, who receives a $100 prize.
Live music is a festival mainstay.
The bluegrass band, Marv Ashby and High Octane, will be the featured entertainment.
Based in Berkeley Springs, W.Va., the band is known for dynamic traditional and contemporary bluegrass.
Those attending can buy lunch from Summer Creek BBQ food truck.
A bake sale offers a variety of homemade goodies for dessert.
Pumpkins, apples and cider will be available for purchase.
Admission is $10 per car, cash only.
Franklin County Visitors Bureau Celebrates Holiday Season With Festival of Trees

Franklin County Visitors Bureau Celebrates Holiday Season With Festival of Trees

by | Nov 25, 2019 | Blog

Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites all to join in the holiday spirit at the 2019 Festival of Trees, held in the 11/30 Visitors Center–the former 1865 National Bank of Chambersburg on the square. The festival opens at 4 PM in time for the November 23 Chambersburg Christmas parade and continues until Christmas on Main, December 6. Come see beautifully decorated trees and wreaths. Enjoy a holiday train display, courtesy of Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club, in the lobby of the visitors center, explore children’s activities in the Discovery Vault, and videos of history in the Video Vault.

Visitors can vote for their favorite tree or wreath as well as participate in the silent auction to take home a tree or wreath.  Funds raised will support cancer initiatives of WellSpan Health in Franklin County, including Hennessy Home and the Oncology Bridge Fund.

Specific hours of the display are:

  • November 23 from 4-8 PM coinciding with Santa’s arrival during Chambersburg’s Annual Christmas Parade at 6 PM.
  • November 25-27, 8 AM to 4L30 PM
  • Small Business Saturday, November 30, from 10 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 6:30 PM.December 6 during Visitor Center hours Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 4:30 PM.
  • December2-5, 8 AM to 6 PM
  • December 6 -Christmas on Main First Friday, 8 AM – 8 PM..
  • Also, special evening hours by appointment for groups; please contact 717-552-2977

Trees and wreaths are being decorated by local organizations such as Greater Chambersburg Chamber, Greencastle Chamber, Greater Waynesboro Area Chamber, Totem Pole Playhouse, Holiday Inn Express, Marco Technology, Chambersburg Quilt Guild, and others!

Admission to the festival is free. Visitors may voter for their favorite tree or wreath by purchasing four ballots for $1. Silent auction bids can be placed in person, via phone at 866-646-8060 or by emailing fcvbfestivaloftrees@gmail.com. Silent auction amounts will be displayed in the Visitors Center and online. Current bid amounts will be updated online daily at www.explorefranklincountypa.com.  Final votes for favorites and final bids for the silent auction will close at 7:45 PM on December 6 with winners being announced at 8 PM.