MARY ELLEN WRIGHT | Staff Writer
Ah, summer. Lazy days by the pool. Evening strolls through the neighborhood while the fireflies blink.
And then there’s the food and drink, from farm-fresh produce like peaches, corn and watermelon to carnival and fair food to a cold brew at a summer beer festival. Some nonprofits center their summer fundraisers around food and beverages, but there are also tasting events scheduled just for fun.
Here are some of the food and beverage tasting events happening around Lancaster County through the rest of the summer.
July events
FIRST SATURDAY IN EPHRATA
• When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 6.
• Where: Whistle Stop Plaza, 16 E. Main St., Ephrata.
• Details: The monthly event starts with “Chalk the Walk,” where those attending sign up for a piece of sidewalk on which to create chalk drawings. Then, at 4:30 p.m., there’s a party at Whistle Stop Plaza, featuring food trucks, adult beverages, vendors and, from 5-8 p.m., live music from Beatles tribute band Crossing Abbey Road. This is a family-friendly event; you must be 21, with ID, to be served adult beverages.
• Admission: Free.
• Info.: mainspringofephrata.org.
FOOD TRUCK LUNCH EVENT
• When: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 10.
• Where: Calvin G. High Pavilion, 1828 William Penn Way, at Greenfield, Lancaster.
• Details: Local food trucks — including those serving barbecue and tacos — will sell lunch-hour food. There will also be live music and yard games. There’s picnic-table seating at the pavilion, or you can bring lawn chairs to sit in the surrounding park.
• Admission: Free.
• Info.: Check the events calendar at greenfieldlancaster.com for details and a list of food vendors.
Events like the Washington Boro Tomato Festival, shown here in a 2019 file photo, draw crowds to tasting events for food, beverages, live music and fun.
TASTE THE WORLD WALKING TOUR
• When: 5-8 p.m. Friday, July 12.
• Where: Eateries around downtown Lancaster.
• Details: Buy your tasting passport and meet at the Neighbors Community Center, 450 N. Prince St., Lancaster, between 4:45 and 6:15 p.m. to start the 90-minute tour. At various stops as you stroll through Lancaster, you’ll receive food sample representing varied multicultural cuisines. Featured restaurants and caterers for this tour include Afrin Market, Diyo Fusion, GEMs Catering, Jon & Maria’s, Lancaster Sweet Shoppe, Neighbors Cafe, Salamat Po and Vine Bar.
• Admission: Passports cost $25 each.
• Benefit: Neighbors Community Center.
• Info. and tickets: neighborslancaster.com.
WASHINGTON BORO TOMATO FESTIVAL
• When: 5-9 p.m. Saturday, July 13, and Saturday, July 20.
• Where: Washington Boro Community Park, 2010 River Road, Washington Boro.
• Details: The spotlight is on Washington Boro tomatoes, including the flavorful, low-acid Jet Star variety that grows in the nutrient-rich soil near the Susquehanna River. Tomatoes will be for sale, along with food including the popular tomato sandwiches — with or without bacon. There will be games and live music by Border Line on July 13 and 3 Hour Tour on July 20.
• Admission: Free.
• Benefits: Blue Rock Fire Rescue.
• Info.: facebook.com/Kathyfry2017.
BLUES & BREWS
• When: Saturday, July 13, rain or shine, with two sessions, noon to 3 p.m. or 5-8 p.m.
n Where: Mount Hope Estate, 2775 Lebanon Road, off Route 72, north of Manheim.
n Details: This food-and-beer festival will serve up hard-shell crabs, steamed shrimp, barbecue pork, hush puppies, beer, cider, potato salad, coleslaw, pasta salad, fruit and more. The Hex Highway will provide the live music.
• Admission: General admission, which includes all food and unlimited drinks, is $64.95; $22.95 for children 5-11. Ticket sales end at 4 p.m. Friday, July 12.
• Info. and tickets: parenfaire.com/bluesbrews.
TASTE OF MOUNT JOY CRUISIN’ CUISINE CAR SHOW
• When: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27.
• Where: Main Street from Barbara Street to Manheim Street, Mount Joy.
• Details: All cars are welcome at the event that combines a food festival with a car show. A variety of local restaurants will sell food to those who are strolling through car displays such categories as antique vehicles, classic cars and trucks, muscle cars, street rods and motorcycles. More than 50 trophies will be awarded to winning cars.
• Admission: Free to the public. Registration to show your car is $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the show.
• Info.: voyagemountjoy.com/tasteofmountjoy.
READ: Tickets now on sale for Lititz Craft Beer Fest with over 80 breweries participating
August events
LANCASTER REC BEER GARDENS
• Where and when: 4-10 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 1-10 p.m. Saturdays from Aug. 1-31.
• Where: From Aug. 1-10, in Buchanan Park, 901 Buchanan Ave., Lancaster, and from Aug. 22-31, in Musser Park, 135 N. Lime St., Lancaster.
• Details: Fenced-in areas of Lancaster parks become community spaces for evenings of enjoying beer from local breweries, food from local food trucks, lawn games and socializing. Brews are for those 21 and up only.
• Benefit: At the end of the season, proceeds are donated to Lancaster Rec to benefit its recreation programs.
• Admission: Free; buy food and brews as you go.
• Info.: For a schedule of themed nights and food trucks, visit lancasterrec.org/beergardens.
Those visiting the Brecknock Orchard Peach Festival in August 2023 could learn how to can their own peaches. This year's festival is scheduled for Aug. 3, 10 and 17.
LANCASTER’S BEST FOOD TRUCK COMPETITION II
• When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3 (rain date is Sunday, Aug. 4).
• Where: Root’s Old Mill Flea Market, 720 Graystone Road, south of Manheim.
• Details: Dozens of food trucks will be competing in various categories, with a panel of judges deciding the winner of the title of Lancaster’s Best. Those attending the festival can vote for the community choice award. Categories include Italian, barbecue, dessert, drinks, Mexican, Italian, burgers, drinks and sandwiches. Music will be provided by DJ Eddie Ed from E&C Entertainment.
• Hosted by: Joyful Doberman Rescue of PA.
• Admission: Free.
• Info.: lanc.news/BestFoodTruck24.
PEACH FESTIVAL
• When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Aug. 3, 10 and 17.
• Where: Brecknock Orchard, 390 Orchard Road, Mohnton.
• Details: The orchard celebrates peach season with wagon rides and orchard tours, kids crafts, free samples of peach coffee cake and food for sale including peach pies, jam, whoopie pies, slushies and more. There will also be lunch vendors on site. You can create your own peach parfait, get a free sample of peach coffee cake and can a pint of peaches. The farm market is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and you can pick your own fruit during those hours, as well.
• Admission: Free, but there are fees for canning peaches ($18 each or two for $30), doing kids crafts (two for $7) and the peach parfaits ($6 each or two for $10).
• Info.: brecknockorchard.com/festivals.
Celebrate Lancaster! brought food, fun and live entertainment to North Queen Street in August 2023. This year's festival will be Friday, Aug. 16.
CELEBRATE LANCASTER!
• When: Afternoon and evening of Friday, Aug. 16.
• Where: North Queen Street, Lancaster.
• Details: A couple of blocks of North Queen Street will be closed for this annual festival of food, music and culture. Plenty of food vendors will be serving up any kind of cuisine you’re hungry for, and bands will provide live music throughout the day.
• Admission: Free; buy food as you go.
• Info.: More information will be announced closer to the date, at visitlancastercity.com.
LANCASTER CRAFT BEERFEST
• When: Saturday, Aug. 24, with two sessions to choose from — noon to 3 p.m. or 4-7 p.m.
• Where: The 100 block of North Queen Street, Lancaster.
• Details: This popular event returns to downtown Lancaster for the first time since 2020. There will be samples from a curated list of local and regional breweries, a beer garden, a food court and music on the festival stage.
• Benefit: Part of the proceeds go to the programs supported by The Rotary Club of Lancaster Penn Square.
• Admission: For either session, tickets are $50 plus fees, or $12 plus fees for designated drivers.
• Info. and tickets: lancastercraftbeerfest.com.
NOOK BREW FEST
• When: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, with a VIP hour from noon to 1 p.m.
• Where: Spooky Nook Sports, 75 Champ Blvd., near Salunga.
• Details: This indoor event will include tastings from more than 20 breweries, distilleries and wineries. There will be food, music and yard games. This is a 21-and-up event. Entertainment is by Mixed Up Productions.
• Admission: $50 for general admission, $70 for VIP and $20 for designated driver.
• Info. and tickets: lanc.news/NookBrewFest.
