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CONTACT: |
RoseMary Lenz (Events Calendar) |
PA Dutch CVB |
(717) 299-8901, ext. 119 |
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| Cara O’Donnell | PA Dutch CVB | (717) 735-0311 | codonnell@padutchcountry.com |
WHAT'S IN
STORE FOR 2004
Events In Pennsylvania Dutch Country
LANCASTER, January, 2004 – Whether your passion is quilting or cuisine, live theater or learning about the Amish, antiquing or scenic drives, Pennsylvania Dutch Country offers a little something for everyone. The upcoming year promises new exhibitions, dazzling shows, or just a return to the simple life of the plain people and a gorgeous countryside in which to “get away from it all.” Here’s what’s in store for 2004:
Major Festivals, Shows and Events:
20th Annual Rhubarb Festival at Kitchen Kettle Village: Two zany days of rhubarb fun for the entire family. Festivities include entertainment and lots of rhubarb-inspired foods. May 21-22, (800) 732-3538, www.kitchenkettle.com
Thomas the Tank: Every child’s favorite train rolls into the Strasburg Railroad to greet fans of all ages. June 12-20, September 18-26, December 3-5, (717) 687-8421, www.strasburgrailroad.com
250th Intercourse Village Celebration: Celebrate traditional American heritage, where people enjoy a simpler way of life. Festival features Dutch food, a heritage parade, band concert, ice cream social, plus a spectacular fireworks display. June 17-20, www.intercoursepa250.com
Kutztown Festival: Fine folk arts, craft demonstrations and sales are the hallmarks of this annual festival on the Kutztown Fairgrounds. Visit five stages with non-stop entertainment and activities for the whole family. June 26-July 4, (888) 674-6136, www.kutztownfestival.com
Civil War Village: Discover one of the
most unique "Living History" Civil War-era re-enactments events anywhere.
During the event, visitors can meet President Lincoln, attend a tea party with
First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln and have a cigar and brandy with the generals
leading the Grand Union Army. Landis Valley Museum, July 17-18,
(717) 569-0401,
www.landisvalleymuseum.org
58th Annual State Craft Fair: The oldest and finest all-craft fair in the state takes place at Franklin and Marshall College, and features more than 275 juried exhibitors, craft demonstrations, seminars and fine art exhibitors. July 23-25, www.pacrafts.com
13th Annual Great Eastern Microbrew Fest: Enjoy 50 beers from 20 microbreweries, German buffet and music at Stoudt’s Brewing Company. August 7-13, (717) 484-4386, www.stoudtsbeer.com
Lancaster Fest 2004: Experience a celebration of cultures as more than 100 vendors and 25 musical acts converge upon downtown Lancaster for a festival featuring music, dance, food and crafts. August 14, (717) 291-4758
Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show: Shop among 280 artist exhibitors and enjoy a gourmet food court in the gorgeous wooded setting of this small Victorian resort community. August 14-15, www.mtgretnaarts.com
Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire: A rollicking recreation of a 16th-century festival day honoring Queen Elizabeth, the Faire offers hand-made period crafts, foods, games, rides and more than 60 shows. Weekends, August 14-October 24, Mount Hope Estate & Winery, (717) 665-7021, www.parenfaire.com
Bird-in-Hand Community Days and Amish Marketplace: Mingle with the local community and enjoy Pennsylvania Dutch food, events and activities. Benefits Bird-in-Hand Volunteer Fire Company. September 3-4, (717) 768-8272, www.bird-in-hand.com/events
Seven Sweets & Sours Festival at Kitchen Kettle Village: Enjoy one of the biggest celebrations of Lancaster County’s harvest with corn creatures, demonstrations, food and fun. September 17-18, (800) 732-3538, www.kitchenkettle.com
Keystone International Balloon Festival: Lancaster Central Park hosts 35 hot air balloon teams from around the world for balloon launches and rides, Hound & Hare Races and a nighttime balloon glow. September 24-26, (717) 299-2274
Annual Bridge Bust: The 16th annual celebration, held rain or shine, features antique dealers, arts and crafts vendors, entertainment and food. Columbia/Wrightsville, October 2, (717) 684-5249
Jazz, Brews, and Blues: Music, art and food combine to make a great weekend in downtown Lancaster. October 2-3, (717) 394-3497
National Apple Harvest Festival: This old-time festival celebrating apples in all their forms features live music, arts and crafts, antique autos, steam engines, orchard tours and food. October 2-3, 9-10, South Mountain Fairgrounds, Route 234, (717) 334-6274
Pumpkin Patch: Enjoy special activities for schools and families, including wagon rides to the Pumpkin Patch, scarecrow making, pumpkin decorating and crafts. (717) 569-0401, Landis Valley Museum, October 6-10, (717) 569-0401, www.landisvalleymuseum.org
Harvest Days: Experience a celebration of Pennsylvania German life with more than 80 demonstrators participating in activities that date back as far as the mid-1700's. Landis Valley Museum, October 9-10, (717) 569-0401, www.landisvalleymuseum.org
Museums & Tours
Gettysburg National Military Park: Explore the grounds of the largest battle waged during the Civil War. Ongoing, (717) 334-1124, http://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm
Hershey’s Chocolate World: Learn how they make chocolate at “the sweetest place on Earth” and visit the new Factory Works to see the process firsthand. Ongoing, (800) HERSHEY, www.hersheyschocolateworld.com
Lancaster Quilt & Textile Museum: Downtown Lancaster’s newest museum offers exquisite exhibits of quilting, decorative needlework, clothing and more. Ongoing, (717) 299-6440, www.quiltandtextilemuseum.com
James Buchanan’s Wheatland: The Lancaster estate of the nation’s 15th president offers informative tours and a chance to explore the grounds. Ongoing, (717) 392-8721, www.wheatland.org
Holiday Events and Activities:
Celebrate Independence Weekend in downtown Lancaster: Start the Fourth of July off with a bang – entertainment and a huge fireworks display. July 2, (717) 291-4758
Lancaster Symphony Orchestra and Fireworks: Experience this crowd-pleasing pops concert at Long’s Park Amphitheatre and then take in the community’s most popular fireworks display. July 4, (717) 295-7054, www.longspark.org
Christmas Around the World: Life-size scenes depict the holiday season at the National Christmas Center, where visitors can see Santa’s enchanted workshop and rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. November 1-December 31, (717) 442-7950, www.nationalchristmascenter.com
Christmas Candylane at HersheyPark. Christmas in Hershey promises to be bigger and brighter than ever this year. November 12-December 31, (800) HERSHEY
Trees Galore: Lancaster Museum of Art’s annual holiday exhibition features two- and three-dimensional artwork by regional artists. November 13, (717) 394-3497
Dutch Winter Wonderland at Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park: Seasonal celebration includes themed rides, games and holiday lights. November 19-December 26, (866) FUNatDW, www.DutchWonderland.com
Gettysburg Yuletide Festival: Highlights include tours of decorated historic homes, caroling, holiday dessert tastings and other events. December 4-5, 11-12, (717) 334-6274
For more information on these events, please contact RoseMary Lenz at the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau, rlenz@padutchcountry.com or (717) 299-8901, ext. 119. The Bureau is dedicated to promoting Lancaster County as an ideal vacation destination, with its Amish heritage, scenic back roads, opportunities for family fun and all that make the area a special and memorable place to stay. Journalists and the public are welcome to visit us online at www.padutchcountry.com or contact Cara O’Donnell for a personalized travel itinerary or assistance with story development, codonnel@padutchcountry.com or (717) 735-0311.
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The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC), Philadelphia's official regional tourism marketing agency, is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to building the region's economy and positive image through tourism and destination marketing. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, call the new Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676, or visit www.gophila.com. For information about arts and cultural attractions in the region, click on the CultureFiles link.
Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit the photo gallery of www.gophila.com/pressroom
