Fall is a fabulous time to visit Lancaster. The air is cooled enough you can comfortably be outside without wearing a coat. The leaves are starting to change and there are fun things to do inside and out.
Once again – I’ve scoured the internet trying to find fairs; craft shows; live theatre; corn mazes; farms to pick gourds, fresh fruit and pumpkins; and other fun things to do.
This Fall’s Fairs
September 26 – 28 West Lampeter will be holding it’s 94th annual West Lampeter Community Fair. This is how the fair is described on their website: The three-day event provides friendly competition among neighbors and a wholesome, educational atmosphere for all ages. Farmers and small gardeners can compare their produce at one central location. Children can learn to appreciate quality food products and farm animals. Our Youth Program is especially designed to encourage both boys and girls to exhibit in all categories of baking, canning, cooking, art, sewing, fruits, vegetables, plants and animals.
October 3 – 6, 2018 New Holland will hold it’s Farmers Fair. Every year the streets of New Holland close to traffic and the center of town transforms into a celebration of farm and community. The crisp autumn air is sweetened with funnel cake, hot cinnamon rolls, and cotton candy. Laughter rings out and dazzling lights shine on the midway filled with thrilling rides and games of chance. The four day event kicks off with the Spectacle of Bands Parade Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. where excitement and attendance is at its peak. The entire two-mile route is flooded with spectators and is quite a sight to see. There is something for everyone throughout the week including an FFA tractor driving contest and a Swine and Sheep Show and Sale at the New Holland Sales Stables. The Tug-of-War and Pedal Power take place on Franklin Street. A Bake Sale and Kid’s Day are held in the ambulance parking lot. Saturday starts off with a Horseshoe-Pitching Contest at the park and continues with a Pet Parade and Baby Parade on Main Street. In addition, there are a whole host of exhibits to enjoy. The New Holland Farmer’s Fair, known to many as “Farm Show”, has been around for over 75 years and has a very rich and colorful history.
You can find more Fall Fairs here.
Fall Craft Shows
Creatively Lancaster has 2 Fall Maker’s Markets this year. October 13 at the Barnstormers Arena and November 24th at Spooky Nook. Get ready to get your handmade holiday shop on!
Will update as I find more.
Live Theatre
American Music Theatre is running Songs of the Silver Screen
Dutch Apple has Sister Act running until November 10th and then they start their Christmas Show
Treasure Island is at the Fulton until October 14th. After that they have The Mystery of Irma Vep until November 4th. They wrap up the year with A Christmas Carol.
Rainbow Comedy Playhouse is running Love, Lies & the Lottery until the end of October. Then Christmas in Paradise starts.
Sight & Sound is showing Jesus.
Check our Area Attractractions Page for links to each theatre.
Fall Corn Mazes
Check out this fall post for tasty pumpkin recipes and a list of local corn mazes.
This year the Cherry Crest Adventure Farm’s corn maze theme is The Amazing Maize.
Farms
Head Over to Kinzer to get gourds at Smucker’s Gourd Farm. You can buy painted gourds or gourds that are ready for painting. Henry Beiler has a gourd farm on Strasburg Pike in Lancaster.
You can head to the Country Barn to pick your own pumpkins – because we all need sugar pumpkins for some of these yummy pumpkin recipes; for decorating and for carving and roasting their seeds! Here’s a list of farms where you can pick your own.
Don’t forget to head over to Cherry Hill Orchards for you pick peaches & apples. We went in August and had a great time! We picked over 100 pounds of fruit – including peaches, nectarines and apples.
Other Fun Fall Things
photo: Strasburg Scooters
Head over to Strasburg Scooters and take a covered bridge scooter tour.
Or grab the list from our gift shop and head out on the Ice Cream Trail!
No matter what you choose to do this Fall you are sure to have a great time. Don’t forget to check out our rooms and then make your reservations. Remember, we have the firepit for your Fall evening enjoyment.