Food, family activities, ice cream, history and more are on the program at 36e Annual ChambersFest July 9-16 in the greater Chambersburg area.
The week-long family festival will include Restaurant Week, Scoop-a-Palooza & Ice Cream Trail, Tim & Susan Cook Memorial Race, Old Market Day, “1864: The Burning”, historical exhibits and musicals. Activities are coordinated by various organizations, with the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce promoting the festival throughout the region.
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ChambersFest began in 1986 when local organizations came together to create a festival commemorating the city’s rebirth after its fire on July 30, 1864. On that day, Chambersburg became the only city north of the Mason-Dixon line to being burnt down by the Confederates during the Civil War. War. More than 500 structures were destroyed and 2,000 people were left homeless. However, the townspeople showed resilience and rebuilt the town, which allowed Chambersburg to grow and prosper. Today, ChambersFest celebrates their spirit.
“This community-wide event is a highlight of the year and we are thrilled to see so many local organizations contributing to the festival,” said Steve Christian, President of the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce. “Local nonprofits, restaurants, retail businesses and more are participating, and we encourage everyone to take the time to enjoy the upcoming festivities.”
Events for Saturday July 9 include the 18e Annual Tim & Susan Cook Memorial 1-Mile Run/Walk starting at 7 a.m. at Chambersburg Area High School Upper Concession Stand. Proceeds provide scholarships to CASHS students.
Scoop-a-Palooza, the Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation’s all-you-can-eat ice cream festival, will also be at CASHS that day from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. ‘a month. Trail until July 31. There’s a trail map of local ice cream parlors and chances to win $1,200 in prizes with photos of their treats.
The sixth annual Restaurant Week runs from Saturday, July 9 through Saturday, July 16. More than 30 restaurants will offer special cuisine, meal deals and daily prizes.
Other ChambersFest activities throughout the week include North Square Farmers Market, Totem Pole Playhouse: ‘Beehive’, Scoop-a-Palooza Ice Cream Trail, ‘The Patriots of WWII’ exhibit from the Franklin County Historical Society, train rides in Norlo Park, and the Council for the Arts’ Architecturally Designed Exposition.
The festival will culminate on Saturday, July 16 in downtown Chambersburg with the biggest events including Old Market Day and the “1864: The Burning” military reenactment light show.
Old Market Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. will fill the streets with music, food, arts and crafts. The day includes over 150 craft and food vendors, stage entertainment and other activities.
At 7 p.m., the final of the “A Capella & Unplugged” music competition will take place on the steps of the 11/30 Visitors Center. Spectators can vote for their favorites.
As darkness approaches, the city will travel back in time and the story of its ransom, fire and rebirth will come to life with light and atmospheric effects with “1864: The Burning” from 9 p.m. 10 p.m.
For more information about ChambersFest, visit Chambersburg.org/ChambersFest or call the chamber at 717-264-7101.
ChambersFest Calendar of Events
Saturday July 9
18th Annual Tim & Susan Cook Memorial 1-Mile Run
7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
CASHS Superior Concession Stand
Chambersburg.org/Events
Scoop-a-Palooza
10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Chambersburg Area High School Cafeteria
ScoopAPalooza.org
Saturday July 9 – Saturday July 16
Restaurant week
Chambersburg.org/ChambersFestRW
Saturdays July 9 and 16
Saturday July 9 – Saturday July 16
North Square Farmer’s Market
8 a.m. to noon
Chambers Fort Park
NorthSquareFarmersMarket.com
July 9, 10, 12, 13, 16
“Hive”
Totem Pole Playhouse:
9555 Golf Course Road, Fayetteville
TotemPolePlayhouse.org
Sunday July 10
Summer Concert Series
Reunited quartet
7 p.m.
Chambersburg Memorial Park
1 Washabaugh Road
From Tuesday July 12 to Saturday July 16
Exhibition “The Patriots of the Second World War”
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Franklin County Historical Society
175 King Street E.
717-264-1667
FranklinHistorical.org
From Wednesday 13 July to Saturday 16 July
Exhibition “Architecturally designed”
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
arts council
103 Main Street North, Chambersburg
717-264-6883
Thursday July 14
Summer Concert Series
JCM band
7 p.m.
Chambersburg Memorial Park
Saturday July 16
Old Market Day
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Downtown Chambersburg
Facebook.com/OldMarketDay
book signing
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Franklin County Historical Society
175 King Street E.
Chambersburg
Virginia Stakes, reprint of “John Brown in Chambersburg 1859” with additional chapters
Ann Hull and Carlton Bigler, “The Way We Were Continues…” FranklinHistorical.org
Train rides in Norlo Park
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
3050 Lincoln Way East
Fayetteville
“A Cappella & Unplugged Finals”
7 p.m.
11/30 Visitor Center
DiscoverFranklinCountyPa.com
“1864: The fire“
9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Downtown Chambersburg.
DiscoverFranklinCountyPa.com
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