Fireworks, fair foods and fun — it's all in the cards for Lancaster County this weekend.
Events to consider adding to your calendar include a carnival, a festival dedicated to tomatoes, an author talk, a rare book auction, a holistic expo, a southern end celebration and a benefit picnic.
Here are seven events to check out in Lancaster County this weekend.
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Millersville VFW Carnival
In celebration of summer, the Millersville VFW will host its first carnival and fireworks event, which starts today and runs until Saturday. The event will feature rides for kids and adults, carnival foods, live entertainment, raffles and more. Fireworks will shoot off at 9 p.m. Friday.
Wristbands that allow attendees to ride unlimited rides cost $30 per person, per day. Prior to the event, the carnival offered discounted wristbands and a "mega band" option. Attendees can also purchase tickets individually on site.
More information: Wednesday through Saturday, 6-10 p.m. | Millersville VFW, 219 Walnut Hill Road, Millersville | Cost: Free admission | More info
Rare, used book auction
Mennonite Life, previously known as the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, will host a rare and used book auction this Friday, featuring religious texts, locally owned Bibles, song books and more.
Some options up for auction include a 1681 Dutch copy of "Opera Omnia Theologica" by Menno Simons, a 1599 Geneva Bible and more. Registration is not required, and those interested can also bid on things online and by mail before the auction.
More information: Friday at 6:30 p.m. | Mennonite Life, 2215 Millstream Road, Lancaster | Cost: Free admission | More info
Midsummer Holistic Expo
Whether you're intimately familiar with the metaphysical world, or you're a newbie who wants to learn more, the Midsummer Holistic Expo will feature plenty of vendors, talks and demonstrations. Wares for sale will include crystals and gems, jewelry, candles, tarot-related items, herbal products and more.
The expo is featuring a deal on its Eventbrite page featuring 2-for-1 admission, where attendees can pay $5 a ticket instead.
More information: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Farm & Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster | Cost: $10 general admission, $5 for keynote speaker, free for military, law enforcement and first responders, with ID | More info
Washington Boro Tomato Festival
Get ready to bite into a delicious tomato sandwich, or a BLT if you're feeling adventurous. The Washington Boro Tomato Festival kicks off this Saturday, featuring a performance from country band BorderLine, as well as games and food.
The festival continues next Saturday, July 20. Proceeds benefit Blue Rock Fire Rescue.
More information: Saturday from 5-9 p.m.; food starts at 3 p.m. | Washington Boro Community Park, 2010 River Road, Washington Boro | Cost: Free admission | More info
SECAFest
Celebrate Lancaster County's southern end with SECAFest, an event that will transform Memorial Park into a place for good food, entertainment, inflatables and more. There will be a DJ set from DJ Warren Jones, as well as a concert from classic rock group The 3 Amigos. The event will conclude with a fireworks show at 10 p.m.
The rain date for this event is Sunday from 4-10 p.m.
More information: Saturday from 4-10 p.m. | Memorial Park, 297 Park Ave., Quarryville | Cost: Free admission | More info
'An Evening with Christie Purifoy'
Writer and avid gardener Christie Purifoy will share ways to make a home beautiful during her talk at Nooks. Attendees will be able to take home one of Purifoy's books, either "A Home in Bloom" or "Seedtime and Harvest," as part of the event.
More information: Saturday from 7:30-9 p.m. | Nooks, 112 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Cost: $20 | More info
Picnic in the Park
The Ephrata Performing Arts Center will host its first Picnic in the Park event this Sunday, which doubles as a fun day for the family, as well as a fundraiser for the theater's youth programming. There will be live entertainment from Benit and Miller, as well as raffles, a beer garden and food. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs.
More information: Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. | Thomas P. Grater Community Park, Cloister Ave., Ephrata | Cost: $25 for adults, $5 for children; price of admission includes food and non-alcoholic drinks | More info
MARY ELLEN WRIGHT | Staff Writer