ChambersFest may look a lot different this year, here's what to expect
Carley Bonk
With COVID-19 canceling many summer events this year, Franklin County residents can rejoice in the fact that Chambersburg's biggest event, ChambersFest, is still slated to continue - but with some notable changes.
"ChambersFest 2020 will be a memorable community collaboration as the residents of the greater Chambersburg area unite during Covid-19," the Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce noted on their website.
Two of the festival's largest events - Old Market Day and the Burning of Chambersburg - will not happen in person. Traditionally, these highlights of ChambersFest attracted large crowds of visitors from across the region.
Instead, these and other events will be converted to "follow safe gathering practices." Most of those changes include adding a virtual spin to the 34th annual event.
Events from July 11 to 18 will include Restaurant Week, virtual Acapella & Unplugged, Scoop-a-Palooza ice cream trail, North Square Farmers Market and more.
"ChambersFest began as a tribute to the resilience of the people who rose up following the devastating burning by Confederates in 1864," the Chamber of Commerce noted. "Our celebration in 2020 will witness the community standing together once again to overcome the global pandemic and boost the area economy."
Here's the schedule:
#FranklinCountyStrong Movement
Where: Franklin County Area
Who: Coordinated by the Chambersburg Chamber and Franklin County Visitors Bureau.
ChambersFest 2020 will stand as a memorable community collaboration as the residents of Franklin County unite following Covid-19.
Here’s how to participate:
- Pick up a pre-printed sign at the Franklin County Visitors Bureau to decorate or make your own with #FranklinCountyStrong on it. Place in the window of your home or business.
- Pick a purple flower (the color of hope and rebirth) and display it proudly in your home or business.
- Post a photo of your sign or floral arrangement to social media and be entered to win a prize. Posts on Facebook should tag @BenFranklin and posts on Instagram should tag @FranklinCountyTourism.
- Include #FRANKLINCOUNTYSTRONG on your digital or traditional letterboard sign.
Participants will be entered into a weekly drawing for gift cards to local businesses.
Scoop-a-Palooza
When: July 1-31
Where: Ice Cream Trail - 20+ Vendors
Who: Sponsored by ACNB Bank, coordinated by the Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation.
Scoop-a-Palooza, the Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation’s yearly ice cream festival, has transformed into an “Ice Cream Trail” with visits to local vendors, prizes and special virtual events lasting throughout July. Join the fun by following a downloadable trail map to local ice cream shops and taking pictures of your sweet treats to enter to win prizes. On July 19, celebrate National Ice Cream Day by tuning in to Facebook Live and watching the traditional human Celebrity Sundae. Kids 3-12 can also decorate printable coloring pages and enter to win prizes of their own.
More:Mont Alto, Fayetteville Fire Departments carnivals canceled
Restaurant Week
When: July 11-19
Who: Brussels Café, Denim Coffee, Grill Kabab, Jai Thai Restaurant, Meadows Frozen Custard of Chambersburg, Montezuma (LWE & Wayne Ave.), Norland Pub, Sweet Rollers, Teriyaki Madness, Veroni Cafe, Volcano and others.
Back by popular demand, the 4th Annual ChambersFest Restaurant Week will feature unique cuisines and specials to showcase the best in dining. More than 25 restaurants will participate with special meals, deals and prizes for patrons.
Presented by Penn National Insurance and Platinum Sponsors The Franklin Shopper and West Penn Power, A First Energy Company. Coordinated by the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce.
Chambersburg Art Showing
When: July 11-18
Who: The Foundry
Where: 100 South Main St.
The Foundry Art Co-op will participate in ChambersFest by dressing up its windows with vibrant new artwork. Be sure to stroll by and check it out. More details at FoundryArtMarket.com.
More:Pandemic cancelations: The Franklin County Fair isn't going to happen this year
North Square Farmers Market
When: July 11 & 18, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Where: Downtown Chambersburg
Enjoy Chambersburg's only open-air farmers market offering farm-fresh, seasonal and 100% locally grown produce. Products exclusively from local farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs in a fun, social atmosphere as well as kids' activities, live music and more. This is a free event.
More:Fireworks to be held in Waynesboro on Independence Day
History
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 during the Civil War. That event made Chambersburg the only town north of the Mason-Dixon line to be burned by Confederates during the 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, according to the Chamber of Commerce.
Today, ChambersFest celebrates the spirit of the townspeople with fun, family-friendly events thousands of people enjoy every year.
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. For more details on events, go to chambersburg.org/chambersfest or call the Chamber at 717-264-7101.
Carley Bonk is a Watchdog Reporter for the USA Today Network - Pennsylvania. Her coverage spans across the southcentral region of Pennsylvania. She can be reached at cbonk@publicopinionnews.com or on Twitter at @carls_marie.