ChambersFest Events Kick-Off July 14
June 29, 2018
CHAMBERSBURG, PA – Ice cream, live music, kids’ activities, delicious food, art and history will entertain thousands of residents and visitors during the 32nd Annual ChambersFest from July 14 to 21 in the Chambersburg area.
The weeklong, family-friendly festival will host a variety of community events including Restaurant Week, Tim & Susan Cook Memorial Race, Scoop-a-Palooza, Old Market Day, 1864: The Burning and many others. Each activity is coordinated by various organizations with the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce promoting the festival throughout the region.
“We are excited to see so many local businesses contributing to ChambersFest this year; it is truly a community-wide celebration that will attract thousands of people to Chambersburg,” said Steve Christian, president of the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce. “Local nonprofits, retail shops, restaurants and many more organizations are participating, and we’d like to encourage everyone to take the time to enjoy the festival.”
ChambersFest will start on Saturday, July 14 with the 2nd Annual Restaurant Week sponsored by Penn National Insurance and Strickler Agency, Inc. Back by popular demand, more than 20 restaurants are participating with special cuisines, meal deals and daily prizes through Saturday, July 21. Restaurants involved include Big Oak Café, Brussel’s Café, CJ’s BBQ Smokehouse, Fuddruckers, GearHouse Brewing Company, Hoss’s Steak & Sea House, Jan Zell Wines & Olympia Candy Kitchen, Main Street Deli, The Meadows Frozen Custard, Molly’s Restaurant & Carry-Out, The Orchards, Relax Lounge and others. For a full list of restaurants and contest information, visit Chambersburg.org/ChambersFestRW.
Saturday events will also include the 15th Annual Tim & Susan Cook Memorial 1-Mile Race/Walk beginning at 7 a.m. at Chambersburg Area Senior High School (CASHS). 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.
Also on July 14 is the North Square Farmers Market, Bike Fest at Chambersburg Bike Park and the Second Saturday Movie Series. The free screening of COCO (2017) will be held at Chambers Fort Park at dusk. In case of inclement weather, the movie will be shown at Coyle Free Library.
Other ChambersFest activites throughout the week include “Look Away: The Aftermath of the Burning of Chambersburg,” a history exhibit of artifacts from 1864 at the Franklin County Historical Society. The Council for the Arts will host the Franklin County Art Alliance Winner’s Gallery. Two screenings of “Cabaret” will be shown at the Capitol Theatre on Thursday, July 19 with a special Restaurant Week promotion.
Finally, the festival will culminate Saturday, July 21 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: Summit Health, The Shook Rehabilitation & Wellness Center, VFW Post 1599, Amvets Post 224, Wilson College, TB Wood’s, VerStandig Media and Lifehouse Church.
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CHAMBERSFEST 2018 - Schedule of Events
Saturday, July 14 - Saturday, July 21
Restaurant Week
More than 20 local restaurants showcasing special cuisines, meal deals and prizes for patrons.
Chambersburg.org/ChambersFestRW
Sponsored by Penn National Insurance and Strickler Agency, Inc.
Saturday, July 14
15th Annual Tim & Susan Cook Memorial 1-Mile Race
7 to 9:30 a.m. - CASHS
Proceeds provide scholarships to students at CASHS. 7 a.m. Registration at CASHS; 8 a.m. Women’s/Girl’s Race/Walk; 8:30 a.m. Men’s/Boy’s Race/Walk; 9:30 a.m. Results Ceremony.
Details: Chambersburg.org/Events
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.
NorthSquareFarmersMarket.com
Coordinated by North Square Farmers Market.
Scoop-a-Palooza
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - CASHS
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.
Details: Scoopapalooza.org
Coordinated by the Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation.
Bike Fest 2018
12 to 8 p.m. – Chambersburg Bike Park, 100 Hood St.
Come out and cruise some laps! There will be a high jump and best trick contest on the jump lines. There will be hot dogs on the grill throughout the day. Entry fee by donation.
Second Saturday Movies
9 p.m. - Chambers Fort Park
Enjoy free family-friendly movies on Second Saturdays all summer long! This month’s free movie will be “COCO” (2017).
DowntownCburg.com/Second-Saturdays
Coordinated by DCI.
Tuesday, July 17 - Saturday, July 21
Look Away: The Aftermath of the Burning of Chambersburg
History Exhibit 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Franklin County Historical Society - 175 E. King St.
Featuring archives and artifacts from the Burning of Chambersburg including letters and photos.
Details: FranklinHistorical.org
Coordinated by the Franklin County Historical Society - Kittochtinny.
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 47th Annual Membership Exhibition of the Franklin County Art Alliance. Kids’ Activities also offered on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Call 717-264-6883 for more details.
Coordinated by the Council for the Arts.
Thursday, July 19
Cabaret
Two screenings at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. - The Capitol Theatre, 159 S. Main St.
Film depicting life in Berlin in 1931 as the Nazis begin their ascent to power in Germany and their attempt to dominate the world.
Tickets: TheCapitolTheatre.org
Coordinated by the Capitol Theatre Center.
Saturday, July 21
North Square Farmers Market
8 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Downtown Chambersburg
Products exclusively from local farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs in a fun, social atmosphere as well as kids’ activities, live music & more.
NorthSquareFarmersMarket.com
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.
Details: Facebook.com/OldMarketDay.
To apply to be a vendor, visit: DiscoverChambersburg.com
Coordinated by the Downtown Business Council. Sponsored by F&M Trust.
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 sunglasses 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: Lifehouse Church, Summit Health, VerStandig Broadcasting, The Shook Home and the Quarters at the Shook, VFW Post 1599, TB Wood's and Wilson College. Public restrooms also available at the Heritage Center.
Camp Showcase
9:30 a.m. - The Capitol Theatre, 159 S. Main St.
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
Old Jail Tours
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - 175 E. King St.
The Old Jail will be open for tours during Old Market Day to celebrate their 200th Anniversary!
Call 717-264-1667 for more information.
Coordinated by the Franklin County Historical Society - Kittochtinny.
A Cappella & Unplugged
7 p.m. - Downtown Chambersburg
4th annual talent search contest featuring live entertainment on the steps of the courthouse. Spectators can vote for their favorites!
Details: ExploreFranklinCountyPa.com
Coordinated by the Capitol Theatre and the Franklin County Visitors Bureau.
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.
Details: ExploreFranklinCountyPa.com
Coordinated by the Franklin County Visitors Bureau.
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The weeklong, family-friendly festival will host a variety of community events including Restaurant Week, Tim & Susan Cook Memorial Race, Scoop-a-Palooza, Old Market Day, 1864: The Burning and many others. Each activity is coordinated by various organizations with the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce promoting the festival throughout the region.
“We are excited to see so many local businesses contributing to ChambersFest this year; it is truly a community-wide celebration that will attract thousands of people to Chambersburg,” said Steve Christian, president of the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce. “Local nonprofits, retail shops, restaurants and many more organizations are participating, and we’d like to encourage everyone to take the time to enjoy the festival.”
ChambersFest will start on Saturday, July 14 with the 2nd Annual Restaurant Week sponsored by Penn National Insurance and Strickler Agency, Inc. Back by popular demand, more than 20 restaurants are participating with special cuisines, meal deals and daily prizes through Saturday, July 21. Restaurants involved include Big Oak Café, Brussel’s Café, CJ’s BBQ Smokehouse, Fuddruckers, GearHouse Brewing Company, Hoss’s Steak & Sea House, Jan Zell Wines & Olympia Candy Kitchen, Main Street Deli, The Meadows Frozen Custard, Molly’s Restaurant & Carry-Out, The Orchards, Relax Lounge and others. For a full list of restaurants and contest information, visit Chambersburg.org/ChambersFestRW.
Saturday events will also include the 15th Annual Tim & Susan Cook Memorial 1-Mile Race/Walk beginning at 7 a.m. at Chambersburg Area Senior High School (CASHS). 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.
Also on July 14 is the North Square Farmers Market, Bike Fest at Chambersburg Bike Park and the Second Saturday Movie Series. The free screening of COCO (2017) will be held at Chambers Fort Park at dusk. In case of inclement weather, the movie will be shown at Coyle Free Library.
Other ChambersFest activites throughout the week include “Look Away: The Aftermath of the Burning of Chambersburg,” a history exhibit of artifacts from 1864 at the Franklin County Historical Society. The Council for the Arts will host the Franklin County Art Alliance Winner’s Gallery. Two screenings of “Cabaret” will be shown at the Capitol Theatre on Thursday, July 19 with a special Restaurant Week promotion.
Finally, the festival will culminate Saturday, July 21 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: Summit Health, The Shook Rehabilitation & Wellness Center, VFW Post 1599, Amvets Post 224, Wilson College, TB Wood’s, VerStandig Media and Lifehouse Church.
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CHAMBERSFEST 2018 - Schedule of Events
Saturday, July 14 - Saturday, July 21
Restaurant Week
More than 20 local restaurants showcasing special cuisines, meal deals and prizes for patrons.
Chambersburg.org/ChambersFestRW
Sponsored by Penn National Insurance and Strickler Agency, Inc.
Saturday, July 14
15th Annual Tim & Susan Cook Memorial 1-Mile Race
7 to 9:30 a.m. - CASHS
Proceeds provide scholarships to students at CASHS. 7 a.m. Registration at CASHS; 8 a.m. Women’s/Girl’s Race/Walk; 8:30 a.m. Men’s/Boy’s Race/Walk; 9:30 a.m. Results Ceremony.
Details: Chambersburg.org/Events
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.
NorthSquareFarmersMarket.com
Coordinated by North Square Farmers Market.
Scoop-a-Palooza
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - CASHS
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.
Details: Scoopapalooza.org
Coordinated by the Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation.
Bike Fest 2018
12 to 8 p.m. – Chambersburg Bike Park, 100 Hood St.
Come out and cruise some laps! There will be a high jump and best trick contest on the jump lines. There will be hot dogs on the grill throughout the day. Entry fee by donation.
Second Saturday Movies
9 p.m. - Chambers Fort Park
Enjoy free family-friendly movies on Second Saturdays all summer long! This month’s free movie will be “COCO” (2017).
DowntownCburg.com/Second-Saturdays
Coordinated by DCI.
Tuesday, July 17 - Saturday, July 21
Look Away: The Aftermath of the Burning of Chambersburg
History Exhibit 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Franklin County Historical Society - 175 E. King St.
Featuring archives and artifacts from the Burning of Chambersburg including letters and photos.
Details: FranklinHistorical.org
Coordinated by the Franklin County Historical Society - Kittochtinny.
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 47th Annual Membership Exhibition of the Franklin County Art Alliance. Kids’ Activities also offered on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Call 717-264-6883 for more details.
Coordinated by the Council for the Arts.
Thursday, July 19
Cabaret
Two screenings at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. - The Capitol Theatre, 159 S. Main St.
Film depicting life in Berlin in 1931 as the Nazis begin their ascent to power in Germany and their attempt to dominate the world.
Tickets: TheCapitolTheatre.org
Coordinated by the Capitol Theatre Center.
Saturday, July 21
North Square Farmers Market
8 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Downtown Chambersburg
Products exclusively from local farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs in a fun, social atmosphere as well as kids’ activities, live music & more.
NorthSquareFarmersMarket.com
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.
Details: Facebook.com/OldMarketDay.
To apply to be a vendor, visit: DiscoverChambersburg.com
Coordinated by the Downtown Business Council. Sponsored by F&M Trust.
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 sunglasses 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: Lifehouse Church, Summit Health, VerStandig Broadcasting, The Shook Home and the Quarters at the Shook, VFW Post 1599, TB Wood's and Wilson College. Public restrooms also available at the Heritage Center.
Camp Showcase
9:30 a.m. - The Capitol Theatre, 159 S. Main St.
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
Old Jail Tours
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - 175 E. King St.
The Old Jail will be open for tours during Old Market Day to celebrate their 200th Anniversary!
Call 717-264-1667 for more information.
Coordinated by the Franklin County Historical Society - Kittochtinny.
A Cappella & Unplugged
7 p.m. - Downtown Chambersburg
4th annual talent search contest featuring live entertainment on the steps of the courthouse. Spectators can vote for their favorites!
Details: ExploreFranklinCountyPa.com
Coordinated by the Capitol Theatre and the Franklin County Visitors Bureau.
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.
Details: ExploreFranklinCountyPa.com
Coordinated by the Franklin County Visitors Bureau.
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Contact:
Lark Kennedy
lkennedy@chambersburg.org, 717-264-7101
