The Franklin County Visitors Bureau started 2022 by launching the Franklin County Pour Trail to highlight beer, cider, wine, and distilled spirits in and around Franklin County PA. The trail kicked off during IceFest 2022 and featured sixteen breweries, wineries, and distilleries. To connect fans of locally crafted spirits, Franklin County Visitors Bureau is offering a Pour Trail Bus Tour on September 17, 10:45 AM to 6:30 PM.
The tour organizes at the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center, located on the southwest portion of the Chambersburg square. Participants enjoy finger foods in the Visitors Center, pick-up a goody bag, and receive a Pour Trail Passport. The Passport is a fun way to collect Pour Trail prizes, such as t-shirts, hats, and stickers. Visit the stops along the Pour Trail, make purchases, and save the receipts. Each dollar spent equals one point. For example, a purchase of $25 equals 25 points. With sixteen stops, points add up quickly. As a bonus, all participants of the Pour Trail Bus Tour receive 100 points.
Tickets for the day-long excursion are $75/person and include a German meal at Renfrew’s Oktoberfest as well as fifteen samples of Pour Trail beverages and a signature cocktail.
The tour begins in Chambersburg with tastings at Jan Zell Winery in Jim’s Country Market, GearHouse Brewing Co., and Liquid Art—formerly Roy Pitz. Next stop is Waynesboro, where participants will have a German meal at Renfrew’s Annual Oktoberfest where they will also have a chance to try Rough Edges seasonal Lederhosen Mentality-Oktoberfest beer, then a tasting at 633 Brewing. The tour heads to Mercersburg and the James Buchanan Pub for a signature cocktail in the Beer Garden. The Pub is the boyhood home of 15th American President James Buchanan. The tour wraps up at Cold Spring Hollow Distillery, also in Mercersburg, with a special tasting of distilled spirits.
Tickets for the Pour Trail Bus Tour are available online here or by contacting the Franklin County Visitors Bureau at 866.646.8060. Seating on the bus is limited to 52.
Break out the lederhosen and dirndl because Renfrew Museum & Park is celebrating Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 19. Join Renfrew Museum & Park as it celebrates German heritage with good food, good beer, and plenty of family- friendly fun at the 5th Annual OktoberFest. The celebration is moving to the beautiful grounds of Renfrew where visitors can enjoy the beauty and authenticity of the Royer family farmstead.
Renfrew is offering two four-hour events, to ensure compliance to COVID-19 guidelines for outdoor gatherings. Entry tickets are $5/person and children 12 and under are free. The first event is Noon to 4 PM, and the second is 4 PM to 8 PM. Each event will include:
Traditional German and Oktoberfest music
Hot dog or 8-oz. vegetable soup
Samples of local craft beer, wine, and cider in the Biergarten Tent
Tour of the main floor of the 1812 Royer farmhouse
Kids Activities, including 19th century farm chores–like rug-beating and washing clothing, making an Alpine hat, and playing old-fashioned games.
Historic trades and crafts
Food, art, vintage items, and artisan wares for purchase
Accession Tag Sale to benefit the care of Renfrew’s museum collection
Silent Auction
Advance registration is highly recommended; attendees are limited. Register online here. Attendees, aged 21 and over, may purchase four Biergarten tokens for $20 at the event. ID is required.
Renfrew Museum & Park is 107 acres of history and nature. The grounds offer more than 5-acres of walking trails, catch-and-release fishing, and beautiful views. As the home of German-American tanner and farmer Daniel Royer, the land sustained generations of the Royer family. The property was sold and used for tenant farming in the early 1900s. In 1943, Edgar and Emma Nicodemus married and made Renfrew home. When Emma Nicodemus passed in 1975, she bequeathed the property to the Borough of Waynesboro and stipulated it be a museum and park named Renfrew.
“A Family-Friendly Celebration of History and the Harvest!” Due to COVID-19 gathering and safety restrictions, Oktoberfest is scheduled as two (2) four-hour events.
Group A: 12:00-4:00pm Group B: 4:00-8:00pm
$5 per person / Children 12 and under are free. Due to limited attendance, advance purchase is highly recommended. Admission includes a modest “meal” to comply with current governmental requirements for alcohol service related to COVID-19. Choice of single hot dog or 8 oz. cup of vegetable soup. Beverages not included. Additional food and drink options available for purchase.
$20 for Four (4) Beirgarten Tokens (21 and over) Sold on site only. Please present ID at time of purchase. Per Pennsyvania COVID-19 gathering restrictions, guests must have a meal in hand to enter the biergarten.
Renfrew Museum and Park is set to host an outdoor beer garden for our third annual Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest will be held on October 6 in the Main Street Park, 25 East Main Street, Waynesboro. Doors open at 3 pm and the event will be held from 4 pm to 9 pm.
Oktoberfest is Renfrew’s largest fundraiser of the year and the last two years we have hosted sell out crowds. This year the Main Street Park will allow us to welcome even more guests to our fundraiser. Guest must be at least 21 years of age to enter and guests will be carded at the door. Tickets are on sale and are $40 per person until September 15 and will be September 16 the price will go up to $50 per person. The first 250 people to purchase tickets will receive a 2018 commemorative Oktoberfest beer mug.
A beautifully decorated wagon will deliver the kegs to the front of the Main Street Park at 4 pm where Mayor Richard Starliper will tap the keg, it will be carried into the venue and Oktoberfest will kick off its evening of fun and entertainment. Guests are asked to use the main street entrance where you will be greeted by staff and volunteers to check in, receive your wristbands and a commemorative mug if you are one of the first 250 people to purchase tickets
A buffet style dinner consisting of German Fare and a specially crafted beer will be offered in addition to live entertainment performed by the Die Shippensburg Blaskapelle German Band. Auctions will run throughout the evening and games of heads and tails will be played. Guests will be invited to partake in signing popular songs such as Sweet Caroline and Country Roads. Dining tables will be set up under a tent and high-top tables will be set around so that guests can walk around and stop to socialize during the evening.
Over the last two years Oktoberfest has raised over $22,000 for Renfrew Museum and Park and we are hoping the outdoor venue will encourage more people to come out and celebrate with us. Tickets may be purchased online using this link: http://www.renfrewmuseum.org/member/
Auction items have started coming in and Renfrew is in the process of seeking out additional donations for Oktoberfest. If you are interested in donating please contact the office.
For event and ticket information please call the Visitors Center 717-762-4723 or visit www.renfrewmuseum.org.
