LOCAL

Things to do in August: Wizards, engines, rides, crabs, jazz and more

Shawn Hardy
Chambersburg Public Opinion

There is no shortage of things to do in and around Franklin County in August 2022. Here is a selection of events to add to your social calendar, listed in order by date:

Waynesboro Wizarding Weekend

When: Friday and Saturday, Aug. 5 and 6

Where: Downtown Waynesboro

Cost: Mainly free (fee and/or advance registration for some activities)

Waynesboro Wizarding Weekend will bring magic to the community on Aug. 5 and 6.

“We are very excited to be hosting Year 6 of the Waynesboro Wizarding Weekend in downtown Waynesboro. It’s a great way to celebrate the magical books and movies about Harry Potter, but also a brilliant way to celebrate magic, fun and activities that are multi-generational,” said Bill Kohler, director of economic development for Mainstreet Waynesboro, which has been organizing the event since 2017.

There will be a Wizarding Treasure Hunt both days. The Waynesboro Theatre will show “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince” at 7 p.m. Friday and “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Theater admission is $6.

On Saturday at Main Street Park, Borogon Alley will be set up from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to shopping, activities will include a musical performance at 10 a.m., a magic show at 2:30 p.m. and a costume parade and contest at 3 p.m. The Hairy Pawter Pet Adoption Day Event with Antietam Humane Society will be held nearby and other activities for wizards and witches are planned at Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library, Music Makers, the American Legion and downtown businesses.

Jim Tavare, Tom the Innkeeper in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” will appear at Beer and Harry Potter Trivia at Rough Edges Brewing on Friday evening. On Saturday, he’ll be at the library, the theater and the Yule Ball, which will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Waynesboro American Legion.

It won’t be unusual to spot Dementors, Giants, a Wholloping Willow and magical characters.

For more information, call 717-762-0397 or visit www.mainstreetwaynesboro.org

Coming Aug. 6 to 13:Community members getting excited about Old Home Week

Steam and Gas Show

When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12, 13 and 14

Where: 1501 Criders Church Road, Chambersburg

Cost: Free

C.V. Antique Engine and Machinery Association’s 40th annual Steam and Gas Show will feature Ford and Cockshutt tractors and Oilfield engines. There will be steam engines, sawmilling, shingle making, stone crushing, threshing, a blacksmith shop and a gas engine display, along with daily equipment parades, kiddie tractor pulls, a flea market and food.

Friday will feature a for-fun antique tractor pull for exhibitors at 6 p.m. and bluegrass music from 6 to 7 p.m.

Competition tractor pulls begin at 10 a.m. Saturday. There also will be a Ford and Cockshutt quilt auction Saturday and country and gospel music in the evening.

A church service is planned at 9 a.m. Sunday, when there will be garden tractor pulls in the afternoon.

For more information, visit www.cvantiqueengine.org or call 717-369-9937.

Focus on the community:Photographers invited to compete in Franklin County Photo Contest

47th Mercersburg Lions Club Community Fair

When: Sunday, Aug. 14, to Saturday, Aug. 20

Where: Lions Club Community Park, Park Ave., Mercersburg

Cost: Free

Rides will be offered from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15, through Saturday, Aug. 20, at the 47th Mercersburg Lions Club Community Fair.

The Mercersburg Lions Club Community Fair gets underway Sunday, Aug. 14, with a vespers service at 7 p.m. and performance by the Mercersburg Community Band at 8 p.m.

The fair continues through Saturday, Aug. 20, with rides each evening from 6 to 10 p.m.

On Monday, there will be an overdose awareness event from 6 to 9 p.m. and a talent show at 7 p.m. The entertainment schedule, with two shows nightly, is Flashback on Tuesday, Vertigo Vultures on Wednesday, New Country on Thursday, Kenton Sitch Band on Friday and New Censation on Saturday.

Other highlights include big bucks bingo Thursday night, fireworks at 10 p.m. Friday and a car show Saturday running until 8:30 p.m. after registration from 4 to 6 p.m.

There will be a limited food stand Sunday evening. Monday through Saturday, the food stand will open at 5:30 p.m. featuring hamburgers, hoagies, ground ox, country ham, french fries, soup, hot dogs and Hershey’s ice cream. A chicken barbecue will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. 

Money raised helps the Lions maintain and improve Mercersburg Community Park and fund community outreach programs.

For information, follow the Mercersburg Lions Club on Facebook or Instagram.

Crabfeast

When: 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27

Where: AMVETS Post 224, 750 Fifth Ave.

Cost: $60 for adults, $13 for age 12 and younger

The 26th annual Crabfeast hosted by Downtown Chambersburg Inc. is expected to include approximately 40 bushels of crabs steamed by Fred Knode, the man festival committee chairwoman Angela Quigley called the “Crab Guy,” who has been part of the event for more than two decades.

In addition to crabs, tickets include other food, such as barbecue with all the fixins’. An assortment of beverages — alcoholic and nonalcoholic — will be on hand, as well as small games and raffles.

“This event is a great place to mingle with many different people of Chambersburg,” Quigley said. “I encourage people to step out of their comfort zones and share a table with a stranger. You will have a great conversation and meet new people. If you’ve always come to the event, take this as the opportunity to rekindle old relationships or create new ones. This event is such a great place to engage with others while sharing a great meal.”

All the funds raised support the revitalization of downtown Chambersburg.

For more information or to order tickets, email dci@chambersburg.org; or go to facebook.com/DowntownCburg/events or www.downtownchambersburgpa.com

The Institute’s Jazz at the Wharf

When: 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28

Where: The Wharf, 10141 Wharf Road, Waynesboro

Cost: Free

Pianist and composer Arturo O’Farrill, a seven-time Grammy Award winner, will headline the 31st Institute Jazz Festival on Sunday, Aug. 28, at The Wharf, near Waynesboro.

The Institute’s 31st Jazz Festival features the Arturo O’Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Quintet, with Arturo O’Farrill (piano), Adam O’Farrill (trumpet), Zack O’Farrill (drums), Liany Mateo (bass and Victor Pablo (percussion). The quintet has toured and performed at jazz festivals and clubs around the world.

Pianist and composer Arturo O’Farrillis the winner of seven Grammy Awards. Born in Mexico, O’Farrill grew up in New York City, and began his professional career with Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Bowie, Wynton Marsalis, Harry Belafonte (where he served as music director) and other jazz luminaries. In 2007, he founded the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the performance, education and preservation of Afro Latin music.

Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets, and picnics are welcome. Free cold water will be available.

If it rains, the concert will be moved into indoors at the same location.

For more information call The Institute at 717-762-0373, or visit www.natureandcultureinstitute.org.