Out of the ashes: ChambersFest celebrates the community’s resilience
Food, family activities, ice cream, history and more are planned for the 36th annual ChambersFest from July 9 to 16 in the greater Chambersburg area.
The weeklong family-friendly festival will include Restaurant Week, Scoop-a-Palooza & Ice Cream Trail, Tim & Susan Cook Memorial Race, Old Market Day, “1864: The Burning,” history exhibits and musicals. Activities are coordinated by various organizations, with the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce promoting the festival throughout the region.
Things to do in July:Fireworks, shopping, books, ice cream and more
In the record books:Chambersburg sophomore J.J. Kelly is already one of the Trojans’ all-time great athletes
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 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 were left homeless. The townspeople were resilient, however, and rebuilt the town, which enabled Chambersburg to grow and prosper. Today, ChambersFest celebrates their spirit.
“This community-wide event is a highlight of the year and we are excited to see so many local organizations contributing to the festival,” said Steve Christian, president of the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce. “Local nonprofits, restaurants, retail businesses and more are participating, and we encourage everyone to take time to enjoy the upcoming festivities.”
Events Saturday, July 9, include the 18th annual Tim & Susan Cook Memorial 1-Mile Race/Walk beginning at 7 a.m. at Chambersburg Area Senior High School’s upper concession stand. Proceeds provide scholarships for CASHS students.
Scoop-a-Palooza, the Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation’s all-you-can-eat ice cream festival, will also be at CASHS that day from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is accompanied by the monthlong Scoop-a-Palooza Ice Cream Trail through July 31. There is a trail map of local ice cream shops and chances to win $1,200 in prizes with photos of their treats.
The sixth annual Restaurant Week is from Saturday, July 9, to Saturday, July 16. More than 30 restaurants will offer special cuisine, meal deals and daily prizes.
Other ChambersFest activites throughout the week include North Square Farmers Market, Totem Pole Playhouse: “Beehive,” Scoop-a-Palooza Ice Cream Trail, Franklin County Historical Society’s “The Patriots of WWII” exhibit, train rides at Norlo Park and Council for the Arts’ “Architecturally Designed” exhibit.
The festival will culminate Saturday, July 16, in downtown Chambersburg with the largest events, including Old Market Day and “1864: The Burning” military re-enactment light show.
Old Market Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. will fill the streets with music, food, arts and crafts. The day features more than 150 craft and food vendors, on-stage entertainment and other activities.
At 7 p.m., the final round of the “A Capella & Unplugged” music competition will be held on the steps of the 11/30 Visitors Center. Spectators can vote for their favorites.
As darkness approaches, the town will go back in time and the story of its ransoming, burning and rebirth will come to life with light and atmospheric effects with “1864: The Burning” from 9 to 10 p.m.
For more information about ChambersFest, visit Chambersburg.org/ChambersFest or call the chamber at 717-264-7101.
ChambersFest Schedule of Events
Saturday, July 9
18th annual Tim & Susan Cook Memorial 1-Mile Race
7 to 9:30 a.m.
CASHS Upper Concession Stand
Scoop-a-Palooza
10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Chambersburg Area Senior High School Cafeteria
Saturday, July 9 - Saturday, July 16
Restaurant Week
Chambersburg.org/ChambersFestRW
Saturdays, July 9 and 16
Saturday, July 9 - Saturday, July 16
North Square Farmers Market
8 a.m. to noon
Chambers Fort Park
July 9, 10, 12, 13, 16
“Beehive”
Totem Pole Playhouse:
9555 Golf Course Road, Fayetteville
Sunday, July 10
Summer Concert Series
Reunited Quartet
7 p.m.
Chambersburg Memorial Park
1 Washabaugh Way
Tuesday, July 12, to Saturday, July 16
“The Patriots of WWII” Exhibit
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Franklin County Historical Society
175 E. King St.
717-264-1667
Wednesday, July 13, to Saturday, July 16
“Architecturally Designed” Exhibit
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Council for the Arts
103 N. Main St., Chambersburg
717-264-6883
Thursday, July 14
Summer Concert Series
JCM Band
7 p.m.
Chambersburg Memorial Park
Saturday, July 16
Old Market Day
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Downtown Chambersburg
Book Signing
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Franklin County Historical Society
175 E. King St.
Chambersburg
Virginia Stakes, reprint of “John Brown in Chambersburg 1859” with additional chapters
Ann Hull and Carlton Bigler, “The Way We Were Continues ...” FranklinHistorical.org
Train rides at Norlo Park
1 to 4 p.m.
3050 Lincoln Way East
Fayetteville
“A Cappella & Unplugged Finals”
7 p.m.
11/30 Visitors Center
"1864: The Burning"
9 to 10 p.m.
Downtown Chambersburg.