Franklin County Visitors Bureau is getting ready for Festival of Trees 2022, the fourth annual event held at the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center. Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance is again the benefactor of the funds raised from the event. New in 2022, FCVB is joining forces with Homeless Matters and Grocery Outlet to bring another community connection to Festival of Trees by adding a 12-days of Christmas event called Sharing the Heart of the Holiday. Sharing the Heart of the Holiday is a giving and receiving event that features a collection of twelve items to support Franklin County residents that need a little help this holiday season.
Each of the twelve days has a featured item to correspond with each day of Festival of Trees. Franklin County Visitors Bureau, Homeless Matters, and Grocery Outlet hope to make this an annual part of Festival of Trees. The twelve days and the highlighted collection for each day are:
November 19 – Coats for Kids
November 20 Books of All Kinds
November 21 – Grocery Gift Cards
November 22 – Mittens/Gloves, Scarves, Hats
November 23 – Laundry & Hygiene Items (Collections pause on November 24 and 25.)
November 26 – Gas Gift Cards
November 27 – Coats for Entire Family ALL Sizes
November 28 – Games & Snacks for Family Fun Night
November 29 – Art & School Supplies
November 30 – Baby Clothes, Formula & Baby Items
December 1 – Blankets & Linens
December 2 – Toys
“Homeless Matters strives to ease the burdens that face families and assist in providing an opportunity to be successful, even in the face of such personal hardships. Through this wonderful collaboration we can lessen the burden this holiday season and share the heart of the holidays,” said Jacqui Wolfe, the driving force behind Homeless Matters.
Rachel Fulton, co-owner of Grocery Outlet, added, “Grocery Outlet is honored to work with such amazing organizations. We are excited to be a donation location!”
More donation locations include: Franklin County Visitors Bureau, Greater Waynesboro Chamber of Commerce, Greencastle Chamber of Commerce, Shippensburg Chamber of Commerce, Franklin County Area Development, Waynesboro YMCA, Chambersburg YMCA, Coyle Free Library, Grove Family Library, Elks Lodge of Chambersburg, Penn National Golf Course Community, Sweet Dandelion and One North Main & Bakery Shop in Mercersburg and Cornerstone Financial.
“Bring any of the twelve donation items on any day and add to the collection containers at locations throughout Franklin County. Your gift to Sharing the Heart of the Holiday makes a difference in Franklin County,” said Janet Pollard of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau.
The Franklin County Visitors Bureau, Homeless Matters, and Grocery Outlet invite the public to join the cause by visiting one of the drop-off locations, beginning November 17. Items will be collected through December 5, 2022.
View the Lights of Love scrolls in the windows of local businesses from November 18th, 2022 to January 1st, 2023
Heritage Christmas Tree Lighting
Formal tree lighting ceremony will be held in the Square on November 18 beginning at 7 pm.
Light It Up Contest
Application November 18th to December 1st * Voting December 1st to December 19th * Winner Announced on December 20th
Small Business Saturday
November 26th, 2022
Heritage Christmas in the Square
Fridays, December 2nd & 9th, 2022
Continue a family tradition, or start a new one by joining in Heritage Christmas in the Square!
Stroll through downtown Greencastle and enjoy the tree in Center Square, entertainment, giveaways and tasty treats from local community groups, food vendors and more!
Held 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM each night, click the date below for details on each event:
Franklin County Visitors Bureau is excited to bring holiday cheer after such a challenging year Join in the holiday spirit at the 2020 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 on November 20. Come see beautifully decorated trees and wreaths. Enjoy a holiday train display, courtesy of Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club, Santa’s Workshop and a Victorian village scene.
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.
Specific hours of the display are:
Friday, November 20, 4 PM to 7 PM
Saturday, November 21, 10 AM-7 PM
Monday, November 23 thru November 25 – 8 AM – 4:30 PM
Small Business Saturday, November 28 – Open 8 AM to 6 PM
Monday, November 30, 8 AM – 4:30 PM & later by appointment
Tuesday, December 1, 8 AM – 4:30 PM & later by appointment
Wednesday, December 2, 8 AM – 4:30 PM & later by appointment
Thursday, December 3, 8 AM – 4:30 PM & later by appointment
Friday, December 4, 8 AM – 8 PM; voting closes at 7:30 PM; winner announced by 8 PM
Trees and wreaths are being decorated by local businesses and organizations.
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 7:30 PM on December 4 with winners being announced at 8 PM.
The Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites all to explore 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. Plan a visit at ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com, contacting 866.646.8060, or stopping by the new Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center on the square in Chambersburg.
Franklin County communities are gearing up for Small Business Saturday, an event held the day after Black Friday that celebrates locally-owned businesses and supports communities.
On Saturday, November 28, the communities of Chambersburg, Mercersburg, Waynesboro and Greencastle will be holding different events and specials in coordination with the event.
Downtown Chambersburg Inc. will give more than $2,000 away in downtown dollars to shoppers who present a receipt for $25 or more dated November 28, 2015 from a Downtown Chambersburg business. Visitors can shop downtown all day during this time and many businesses will have one-day specials.
Listed below are some of the specials from Franklin County businesses on November 28:
SALE/SPECIAL: Vera Bradley throw blankets for buy one, get 1/2 off; retired Vera Bradley styles are 50% off and select items will be on sale in the store for $11.28.
SALE/SPECIAL: A special $19 Cranberry-Muscato holiday release special, limited quantities and while supplies last. This wine is semi-sweet, tart and pairs wonderfully with turkey, chicken or duck.
SALE/SPECIAL: Joyful Arts will be offering a Make-it, Take-it ornament painting project during the day. One ornament will be $8 and two for $15. No registration is required and beginners are welcome.
SALE/SPECIAL: Limited edition collection priced at $37.50 with $50 purchase. The collection is loaded with anti-aging skin care, eye makeup and lip colors.
SALE/SPECIAL: Complimentary Madagascar Vanilla Marshmallows on all hot cocoas, caramel lattes, vanilla lattes and chai lattes, plus special chocolate samples of Good Food Award Finalist, The Gingerbread Bar.
SALE/SPECIAL: 20% off all their holiday items on this day and on Saturday, December 5.
For updated coupons, holiday happenings and specials, make sure to download the Franklin County Visitors Bureau mobile application in the Google Play Store and on iTunes.
