33rd Annual ChambersFest Kicks Off on July 13
June 26, 2019
CHAMBERSBURG, PA – Street vendors, ice cream, kids’ activities, delicious food, art and history will entertain thousands of residents and visitors during the 33rd Annual ChambersFest from July 13 to 20 in the Chambersburg area.
The weeklong, family-friendly festival will host a variety of community events including Restaurant Week, Scoop-a-Palooza, Tim & Susan Cook Memorial Race, Old Market Day, 1864: The Burning and many more. Each activity is coordinated by various organizations with the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce promoting the festival throughout the region.
“ChambersFest is one of the most exciting community celebrations in Chambersburg, and we are happy to see many local businesses participating this year,” said Steve Christian, president of the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce. “The event will attract thousands to the region, and we encourage our local residents to take the time to enjoy the festival that supports our local, small businesses.”
ChambersFest will start on Saturday, July 13 with the 3rd Annual Restaurant Week sponsored by Signature Sponsor Penn National Insurance and Platinum Sponsor West Penn Power, a First Energy Company. More than 30 restaurants will participate with special cuisines, meal deals and daily prizes through Saturday, July 20. Restaurants involved include Big Oak Café, Bistro 71, Brussel’s Café, CJ’s BBQ Smokehouse, Denim Coffee Co., Falafel Shack, Fuddruckers, GearHouse Brewing Company, Johnnie’s Family Restaurant, Main Street Deli, The Meadows Frozen Custard, Molly’s Restaurant & Carry-Out, The Orchards, Relax Lounge, Roy-Pitz Beer Stube, Veroni Café, Volcano Japanese Restaurant and others. For a full list of restaurants and contest information, visit Chambersburg.org/ChambersFestRW.
Saturday events will also include the 16th Annual Tim & Susan Cook Memorial 1-Mile Race/Walk beginning at 7 a.m. at Chambersburg Area Senior High School (CASHS) Upper Concession Stand. Scoop-a-Palooza, the popular all-you-can-eat ice cream festival, will also be at CASHS that day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ice cream vendors include Hoover’s Grill & Ice Cream, The Meadows Frozen Custard, Milton Hershey School – Spartan Ice Cream, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, Trickling Springs Creamery and Windy Knoll Farm Market & Creamery.
Other ChambersFest activites throughout the week include “Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins” at Totem Pole Playhouse. The Council for the Arts will host the Franklin County Art Alliance Winner’s Gallery, the North Square Farmers Market will be set up at Chambers Fort Park, the Capitol Theatre will have two screenings of “Dirty Dancing” and the Chambersburg Quilt Guild will host the “Art of Quilting” Quilt Show at The Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring and the 11/30 Visitors Center.
Finally, the festival will culminate Saturday, July 20 with the largest events including Old Market Day and 1864: The Burning.
Old Market Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. will fill the streets of downtown with music, food, arts and crafts. The day features more than 150 craft and food vendors, on-stage entertainment and other activities throughout the day. Later that evening from 7 to 10 p.m. will be the final round of the A Capella & Unplugged music competition as well as the popular military re-enactment light show: 1864: The Burning.
ChambersFest began in 1986 when local organizations came together to create a festival commemorating the town’s rebirth after its burning on July 30, 1864. On that fateful day, Chambersburg became the only town north of the Mason-Dixon line to be burned by Confederates during the Civil War. More than 500 structures were destroyed and 2,000 people left homeless. The townspeople were resilient, however, and rebuilt the town, which enabled Chambersburg to grow and prosper.
Today, ChambersFest celebrates the spirit of the townspeople with fun, family-friendly events. View the entire ChambersFest schedule of events below, or visit Chambersburg.org/ChambersFest. For questions about ChambersFest, please call the Chamber at 717-264-7101.
ChambersFest events are coordinated by a variety of organizations, including the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Council, Franklin County Visitors Bureau, Downtown Chambersburg Inc., North Square Farmers Market, Cumberland Valley School of Music, Capitol Theatre, Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation and others.
Special thanks to the ChambersFest corporate sponsors: MyEyeDr., PDM Insurance Agency Inc., Totem Pole Playhouse, VerStandig Media, WellSpan Health – Formerly Summit Health, West Penn Power – A First Energy Company and Wilson College.
We would also like to thank our Premier Sponsors of the festival: Chambersburg Area Development Corp., F&M Trust, Menno Haven, Penn National Insurance and TB Woods – Altra Industrial Motion.
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CHAMBERSFEST 2019 - Schedule of Events
Saturday, July 13 - Saturday, July 20
Restaurant Week
More than 30 local restaurants showcasing special cuisines, meal deals and prizes for patrons.
Chambersburg.org/ChambersFestRW
Sponsored by Penn National Insurance and West Penn Power.
Saturday, July 13
16th Annual Tim & Susan Cook Memorial 1-Mile Race
7 to 9:30 a.m. - CASHS Upper Concession Stand
Proceeds provide scholarships to students at CASHS. 7 a.m. Registration at CASHS Upper Concessions Stand; 8 a.m. Women’s/Girls’ Race/Walk; 8:30 a.m. Men’s/Boys’ Race/Walk; 9:30 a.m. Results Ceremony.
Details: Chambersburg.org/Events
Scoop-a-Palooza
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – CASHS Cafeteria
Enjoy all-you-can-eat ice cream samples from local ice cream shops and vote for your favorites! Proceeds raise money for educational programs offered through the Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation.
Tickets: ScoopaPalooza.org.
Saturdays July 13 & 20
North Square Farmers Market
8 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Downtown Chambersburg
Enjoy Chambersburg’s only open-air farmers market offering farm fresh, seasonal and 100% locally grown produce.
Details: NorthSquareFarmersMarket.com.
July 14, 16, 17, 18, 20
Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins
2 p.m. & 8 p.m. showings on various dates - Totem Pole Playhouse
Experience one of the best known and highly-regarded summer theaters in the U.S. with this hilarious show that is fun for the whole family!
Tickets: TotemPolePlayhouse.org.
Coordinated by Totem Pole Playhouse.
Tuesday, July 16 - Saturday, July 20
Franklin County Art Alliance Winner’s Gallery Art Exhibit
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tues. – Fri.; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat. - Council for the Arts, 81 N. Main St.
Featuring over 30 of the award-winning works of art from the 48th Annual Membership Exhibition of the Franklin County Art Alliance.
Call 717-264-6883 for more details.
Thursday, July 18
Dirty Dancing - Film Screening
3 & 7 p.m. - The Capitol Theatre
Join the Capitol Theatre during their Summer Movie Extravaganza for the screening of Dirty Dancing.
Tickets: TheCapitolTheatre.org
Coordinated by the Capitol Theatre Center.
Friday, July 19
Old Jail Tours
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Franklin Co. Historical Society
The Old Jail will be open for tours and a special WWII exhibit.
Details: FranklinHistorical.org
July 19 & 20
Quilt Show
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 19; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 20 - The Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring & 11/30 Visitors Center
Beautiful, handmade quilts on display at the “Art of Quilting” Quilt Show, along with demonstrations of quilting techniques.
Details: ChambersburgQuiltGuild.com
Saturday, July 20
Old Market Day
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Downtown Chambersburg
Free street festival featuring art, craft and food vendors, kids’ activities and on-stage entertainment. More than 10,000 expected to attend!
Facebook.com/OldMarketDay.
Vendor App: DiscoverChambersburg.com
Coordinated by the Downtown Business Council. Sponsored by F&M Trust.
Voice & Drama Camp Performance
9 a.m. - The Capitol Theatre
Musical showcase featuring three of Cumberland Valley School of Music’s camps: Voice & Drama, Voice & Drama Jr. and the YMCA Sam’s Music Camp.
Details: CVSMusic.org
Chambersburg Art Project
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - The Foundry
Enjoy interactive art projects at The Foundry including the Faces of Chambersburg Mural! Artists will also showcase their current works.
Details: FoundryArtsCoop.com
ChambersFest Summer Swag
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Chambersburg Heritage Center & Gift Shop, 100 Lincoln Way East
Pick up your FREE ChambersFest Summer Swag including a survival kit and beach balls while you enjoy the Old Market Day festivities! Cold bottled water will also be available free of charge thanks to our Corporate ChambersFest Sponsors: MyEyeDr., PDM Insurance Agency Inc., Totem Pole Playhouse, VerStandig Media, WellSpan Health – Formerly Summit Health, West Penn Power and Wilson College. Public restrooms also available at the Heritage Center.
Old Jail Exhibit & Book Signing
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - 175 E. King St.
The Old Jail will be open for tours and feature a WWII exhibit with reenactors. Ann Hull and Carlton Bigler will sign their new photo book: The Way We Were: The Decades of the 40’s to the 80’s.
Call 717-264-1667 for more information.
Coordinated by the Franklin Co. Historical Society
Pop-Up Beer Garden & Multicultural Cuisine
11 a.m. to 4 p.m - Capitol Theatre Greenway
Featuring craft beer, cider and wine for purchase and multiple vendors. Admission is free for those 21+ w/ ID.
Details: DowntownCburg.com
A Cappella & Unplugged
7 p.m. - 11/30 Visitors Center
5th annual talent search contest featuring live entertainment on the steps of the 11/30 Visitors Center. Spectators can vote for their favorites!
Details: ExploreFranklinCountyPa.com
1864: The Burning
9 to 10 p.m. - Downtown Chambersburg
As darkness approaches, the town will transform to 1864 and the story of the town’s ransoming, burning and rebirth will come to life with incredible light and atmospheric effects. ExploreFranklinCountyPa.com. Coordinated by the Franklin Co. Visitors Bureau.
The weeklong, family-friendly festival will host a variety of community events including Restaurant Week, Scoop-a-Palooza, Tim & Susan Cook Memorial Race, Old Market Day, 1864: The Burning and many more. Each activity is coordinated by various organizations with the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce promoting the festival throughout the region.
“ChambersFest is one of the most exciting community celebrations in Chambersburg, and we are happy to see many local businesses participating this year,” said Steve Christian, president of the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce. “The event will attract thousands to the region, and we encourage our local residents to take the time to enjoy the festival that supports our local, small businesses.”
ChambersFest will start on Saturday, July 13 with the 3rd Annual Restaurant Week sponsored by Signature Sponsor Penn National Insurance and Platinum Sponsor West Penn Power, a First Energy Company. More than 30 restaurants will participate with special cuisines, meal deals and daily prizes through Saturday, July 20. Restaurants involved include Big Oak Café, Bistro 71, Brussel’s Café, CJ’s BBQ Smokehouse, Denim Coffee Co., Falafel Shack, Fuddruckers, GearHouse Brewing Company, Johnnie’s Family Restaurant, Main Street Deli, The Meadows Frozen Custard, Molly’s Restaurant & Carry-Out, The Orchards, Relax Lounge, Roy-Pitz Beer Stube, Veroni Café, Volcano Japanese Restaurant and others. For a full list of restaurants and contest information, visit Chambersburg.org/ChambersFestRW.
Saturday events will also include the 16th Annual Tim & Susan Cook Memorial 1-Mile Race/Walk beginning at 7 a.m. at Chambersburg Area Senior High School (CASHS) Upper Concession Stand. Scoop-a-Palooza, the popular all-you-can-eat ice cream festival, will also be at CASHS that day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ice cream vendors include Hoover’s Grill & Ice Cream, The Meadows Frozen Custard, Milton Hershey School – Spartan Ice Cream, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, Trickling Springs Creamery and Windy Knoll Farm Market & Creamery.
Other ChambersFest activites throughout the week include “Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins” at Totem Pole Playhouse. The Council for the Arts will host the Franklin County Art Alliance Winner’s Gallery, the North Square Farmers Market will be set up at Chambers Fort Park, the Capitol Theatre will have two screenings of “Dirty Dancing” and the Chambersburg Quilt Guild will host the “Art of Quilting” Quilt Show at The Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring and the 11/30 Visitors Center.
Finally, the festival will culminate Saturday, July 20 with the largest events including Old Market Day and 1864: The Burning.
Old Market Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. will fill the streets of downtown with music, food, arts and crafts. The day features more than 150 craft and food vendors, on-stage entertainment and other activities throughout the day. Later that evening from 7 to 10 p.m. will be the final round of the A Capella & Unplugged music competition as well as the popular military re-enactment light show: 1864: The Burning.
ChambersFest began in 1986 when local organizations came together to create a festival commemorating the town’s rebirth after its burning on July 30, 1864. On that fateful day, Chambersburg became the only town north of the Mason-Dixon line to be burned by Confederates during the Civil War. More than 500 structures were destroyed and 2,000 people left homeless. The townspeople were resilient, however, and rebuilt the town, which enabled Chambersburg to grow and prosper.
Today, ChambersFest celebrates the spirit of the townspeople with fun, family-friendly events. View the entire ChambersFest schedule of events below, or visit Chambersburg.org/ChambersFest. For questions about ChambersFest, please call the Chamber at 717-264-7101.
ChambersFest events are coordinated by a variety of organizations, including the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Council, Franklin County Visitors Bureau, Downtown Chambersburg Inc., North Square Farmers Market, Cumberland Valley School of Music, Capitol Theatre, Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation and others.
Special thanks to the ChambersFest corporate sponsors: MyEyeDr., PDM Insurance Agency Inc., Totem Pole Playhouse, VerStandig Media, WellSpan Health – Formerly Summit Health, West Penn Power – A First Energy Company and Wilson College.
We would also like to thank our Premier Sponsors of the festival: Chambersburg Area Development Corp., F&M Trust, Menno Haven, Penn National Insurance and TB Woods – Altra Industrial Motion.
-----
CHAMBERSFEST 2019 - Schedule of Events
Saturday, July 13 - Saturday, July 20
Restaurant Week
More than 30 local restaurants showcasing special cuisines, meal deals and prizes for patrons.
Chambersburg.org/ChambersFestRW
Sponsored by Penn National Insurance and West Penn Power.
Saturday, July 13
16th Annual Tim & Susan Cook Memorial 1-Mile Race
7 to 9:30 a.m. - CASHS Upper Concession Stand
Proceeds provide scholarships to students at CASHS. 7 a.m. Registration at CASHS Upper Concessions Stand; 8 a.m. Women’s/Girls’ Race/Walk; 8:30 a.m. Men’s/Boys’ Race/Walk; 9:30 a.m. Results Ceremony.
Details: Chambersburg.org/Events
Scoop-a-Palooza
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – CASHS Cafeteria
Enjoy all-you-can-eat ice cream samples from local ice cream shops and vote for your favorites! Proceeds raise money for educational programs offered through the Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation.
Tickets: ScoopaPalooza.org.
Saturdays July 13 & 20
North Square Farmers Market
8 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Downtown Chambersburg
Enjoy Chambersburg’s only open-air farmers market offering farm fresh, seasonal and 100% locally grown produce.
Details: NorthSquareFarmersMarket.com.
July 14, 16, 17, 18, 20
Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins
2 p.m. & 8 p.m. showings on various dates - Totem Pole Playhouse
Experience one of the best known and highly-regarded summer theaters in the U.S. with this hilarious show that is fun for the whole family!
Tickets: TotemPolePlayhouse.org.
Coordinated by Totem Pole Playhouse.
Tuesday, July 16 - Saturday, July 20
Franklin County Art Alliance Winner’s Gallery Art Exhibit
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tues. – Fri.; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat. - Council for the Arts, 81 N. Main St.
Featuring over 30 of the award-winning works of art from the 48th Annual Membership Exhibition of the Franklin County Art Alliance.
Call 717-264-6883 for more details.
Thursday, July 18
Dirty Dancing - Film Screening
3 & 7 p.m. - The Capitol Theatre
Join the Capitol Theatre during their Summer Movie Extravaganza for the screening of Dirty Dancing.
Tickets: TheCapitolTheatre.org
Coordinated by the Capitol Theatre Center.
Friday, July 19
Old Jail Tours
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Franklin Co. Historical Society
The Old Jail will be open for tours and a special WWII exhibit.
Details: FranklinHistorical.org
July 19 & 20
Quilt Show
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 19; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 20 - The Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring & 11/30 Visitors Center
Beautiful, handmade quilts on display at the “Art of Quilting” Quilt Show, along with demonstrations of quilting techniques.
Details: ChambersburgQuiltGuild.com
Saturday, July 20
Old Market Day
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Downtown Chambersburg
Free street festival featuring art, craft and food vendors, kids’ activities and on-stage entertainment. More than 10,000 expected to attend!
Facebook.com/OldMarketDay.
Vendor App: DiscoverChambersburg.com
Coordinated by the Downtown Business Council. Sponsored by F&M Trust.
Voice & Drama Camp Performance
9 a.m. - The Capitol Theatre
Musical showcase featuring three of Cumberland Valley School of Music’s camps: Voice & Drama, Voice & Drama Jr. and the YMCA Sam’s Music Camp.
Details: CVSMusic.org
Chambersburg Art Project
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - The Foundry
Enjoy interactive art projects at The Foundry including the Faces of Chambersburg Mural! Artists will also showcase their current works.
Details: FoundryArtsCoop.com
ChambersFest Summer Swag
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Chambersburg Heritage Center & Gift Shop, 100 Lincoln Way East
Pick up your FREE ChambersFest Summer Swag including a survival kit and beach balls while you enjoy the Old Market Day festivities! Cold bottled water will also be available free of charge thanks to our Corporate ChambersFest Sponsors: MyEyeDr., PDM Insurance Agency Inc., Totem Pole Playhouse, VerStandig Media, WellSpan Health – Formerly Summit Health, West Penn Power and Wilson College. Public restrooms also available at the Heritage Center.
Old Jail Exhibit & Book Signing
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - 175 E. King St.
The Old Jail will be open for tours and feature a WWII exhibit with reenactors. Ann Hull and Carlton Bigler will sign their new photo book: The Way We Were: The Decades of the 40’s to the 80’s.
Call 717-264-1667 for more information.
Coordinated by the Franklin Co. Historical Society
Pop-Up Beer Garden & Multicultural Cuisine
11 a.m. to 4 p.m - Capitol Theatre Greenway
Featuring craft beer, cider and wine for purchase and multiple vendors. Admission is free for those 21+ w/ ID.
Details: DowntownCburg.com
A Cappella & Unplugged
7 p.m. - 11/30 Visitors Center
5th annual talent search contest featuring live entertainment on the steps of the 11/30 Visitors Center. Spectators can vote for their favorites!
Details: ExploreFranklinCountyPa.com
1864: The Burning
9 to 10 p.m. - Downtown Chambersburg
As darkness approaches, the town will transform to 1864 and the story of the town’s ransoming, burning and rebirth will come to life with incredible light and atmospheric effects. ExploreFranklinCountyPa.com. Coordinated by the Franklin Co. Visitors Bureau.
Contact:
Lark Kennedy
lkennedy@chambersburg.org
