A circus, Battle of the Minds, festivals galore: Things to do in Franklin County in Sept.
Jammin’ in the Park festival
1-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3
Main Street Park, 25 E. Main St., Waynesboro
Celebrate all things music and arts. There will also be vendors, kids' activities, raffles, food trucks and craft beer.
Musical groups and solos/duos will perform on two stages. The main stage will feature, in order, The Loose Screws, Little Fry, Cameron Molloy and the Drivin’ Wheel, Lucky Punk and Big Whiskey. On the solo/duo stage, performers include Evan Crider, Tresa Day, BBD Trio and The Note Riders.
You can get tickets in advance for $15 at ArtsAllianceGW.org. Tickets will be $20 at the door (free for ages 12 and under).
All proceeds benefit the Arts Alliance of Greater Waynesboro.
Big Top Circus
6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6 and Thursday, Sept. 7
Cumberland Valley Antique Engine and Machinery Association, 1501 Criders Church Road, Chambersburg
The Zerbini Family Circus will present high-flying performers and talented pups and horses under the big top just west of Chambersburg.
Each performance is 90 minutes. Seating is by general admission on bleacher seats.
Buy tickets in advance ($15 for adults, $7 for kids) at zerbinifamilycircus.com (click Tour Dates, the Buy Tickets under the show you want). If seats are available, tickets will be available at the door for $18/adults and $10/kids. Discounts are available online.
Two Top Ruritan Gas and Steam Engine Show
Friday, Sept. 15 through Sunday, Sept. 16
Two Top Ruritan, 12270 Two Top Road, Mercersburg
Two Top Ruritan will host three days of truck and tractor pulls, a craft and flea market, live music, food and more.
Entertainment begins at 6 p.m. Friday, with the band Stoney Creek and a truck and tractor pull.
Saturday, there will be music from Ernie Bradley and Grassy Ridge at 2 p.m., followed by New Country at 7. A pedal pull will start at 10 a.m.
The Egolf Family and Pastor Bob Timmons Jr. will be featured at 9 a.m. Sunday. A tractor pull will start at 3 pm.
Breakfast will be served starting at 7:30 a.m. each day.
Admission is free.
Campsites are available.
For more information, go to twotopruritan.com or call 717-328-9837.
Greencastle Grub and Pub Festival
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16
Center Square, Greencastle
Head to the intersection of North Carlisle and Baltimore streets for food trucks, live music, and a Pub Garden.
On the music stage: Hot Fun Band (11 a.m.), Jason Teach (2 p.m.), Mid Life Crisis (3:30 p.m.)
Guests will be able to try their hands at axe throwing, from DJ Trixx TDI Illusions.
There will be vendors, too.
The event is family-friendly, but those 21 and older will of course need ID to buy alcoholic drinks.
Admission is free. The event is rain or shine.
Franklin Fall Farm Fun Fest
Saturday, Sept. 23
Mercersburg
The Franklin County Farm Bureau organizes this festival, now in its 33rd year, at a different local farm eah year. This year, the Brake family will host this year’s festival at Oakleigh Farm, 7102 Renninger Road, Mercersburg.
There will be a variety of free farm-inspired activities, plus free milk and ice cream. Guests can even learn to milk a cow by hand.
Get lunch at the FFA Food Stand.
Admission is free.
Shippensburg Beer and Wine Festival
12-5 p.m Saturday, Sept. 23
Shippensburg Fairgrounds, 10131 Possum Hollow Road, Shippensburg
Taste samples from breweries, wineries and distilleries at this festival organized by the Shippensburg Area Chamber of Commerce. There will also be food trucks, vendors, live music and small games of chance.
The festival is open only to those 21 and older, and ID is required to enter.
General admission is $25 and guests may enter at 1 p.m. Become a VIP guest for $35 to enter at noon. There is also a $10 admission for designated drivers.
Get tickets online via Eventbrite.
Battle of the Minds
5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28
Green Grove Gardens, 1032 Buchanan Trail East, Greencastle
Looking for something a little different to do with a group of friends or with members of an organization? The Rotary Club of Waynesboro annual Battle of the Minds is a big Trivia Pursuit-style game where groups at each table have 10 seconds to choose their best answer and respond using an electronic remote. The team at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the game wins $800 in cash.
The Rotary will split proceeds from the event with this year's co-sponsor, Mainstreet Waynesboro.
There will be an open bar and a meal at the event, as well as live and silent auctions, and a 50/50 drawing.
Individual and group/table tickets are available at battleoftheminds.org.
Mercersburg Townfest
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30
Downtown Mercersburg
The Tuscarora Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the 44th annual celebration of all things fall. There are a variety of craft and business vendors, food trucks, entertainment, kids' activities and more.