CHAMBERSBURG – Chambersburg is gearing up for its annual summer festival packed with family entertainment, ice cream, crafts, activities, art and history during ChambersFest, running July 13-21.
The week-long family-friendly festival will include a variety of fun community events, including Restaurant Week, Scoop-a-Palooza, Tim & Susan Cook Memorial Races, Old Market Day, 1864: Burning Re-enactment, historical exhibits, live music and more.
“Our community looks forward to ChambersFest every year,” said Steve Christian, president of the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce. “We’re excited to host a variety of events and activities that showcase our region’s unique history and vibrant culture. We look forward to seeing many local restaurants, retailers and nonprofits in attendance, and thousands of people coming to enjoy the festivities.”
ChambersFest kicks off on Saturday, July 13 with its 8th annual Restaurant Week, sponsored by Signature Sponsor Penn National Insurance and Platinum Sponsors Ventura Foods, LLC and The Franklin Shopper. More than 35 restaurants will participate through Saturday, July 20 with food specials, dining deals, daily prizes and more. Participating restaurants include The Barrel House Brewery, Brussel’s Café, Crumbl Cookies, Denim Coffee, Falafel Shack, Fiesta Maya, GearHouse Brewing Co., Hickory Ridge Restaurant, The Igloo, Kenny’s Grill & Ice Cream, Ledo Pizza, Meadows Frozen Custard of Chambersburg, Olympia Candy Kitchen and Veroni Café. For a complete list of restaurants and contest information, visit Chambersburg.org/ChambersFestRW.
Saturday’s events will also include the 20th Annual Tim & Susan Cook Memorial One-Mile Race/Walk, which will be held at the Chambersburg Area Senior High School (CASHS) upper concession stand starting at 7 a.m. Scoop-a-Palooza, the popular all-you-can-eat ice cream festival, will also be held that day at CASHS from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Other ChambersFest activities this week include the North Square Farmers Market, the dedication of the Louisa Bland Headstone at the Franklin County Historical Society, the 20th Anniversary Sale at the Chambersburg Heritage Center and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Mary B. Sharp School.
Finally, the festival finale on Saturday 20 July will conclude with the biggest event of the week, “Old Market Day” and “1864: Burning Re-enactment”.
Old Market Day runs from 9am to 4pm and fills the downtown streets with music, food, arts and crafts. The day features more than 150 craft and food vendors, stage entertainment and other activities. The evening will feature the finals of the a capella and unplugged music competitions and the popular military reenactment light show “1864: The Burning.”
ChambersFest began in 1986 when local groups created a festival to commemorate the town’s rebuilding after it burned down on July 30, 1864. On that fateful day, Chambersburg was the only town north of the Mason-Dixon Line to be burned by Confederate forces during the Civil War. More than 500 buildings were destroyed and 2,000 people were left homeless. But townspeople persevered, and Chambersburg grew and prospered.
Now, ChambersFest celebrates townsfolk spirit with fun, family-friendly events. See the full schedule of events at Chambersburg.org/ChambersFest. For questions about ChambersFest, contact the Chamber at 717-264-7101.
The ChambersFest event is coordinated by a variety of organizations, including the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Council, Franklin County Tourism, North Square Farmers Market and the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
Special thanks to ChambersFest’s corporate sponsors: Teflon Roofing, The Franklin Shopper, VerStandig Media and WellSpan Health.
We would also like to thank our premier sponsors, Chambersburg Area Development Corp., Salzmann Hughes, PC Law Firm, Valley Agency Company and Penn National Insurance, as well as supporting sponsor Brightspeed Business and contributing sponsors Community State Bank and Mercy House of Chambersburg.
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ChambersFest 2024 – Event Schedule
July 13th (Sat) – July 20th (Sat)
Restaurant Week
Returning by popular demand, the 8th annual ChambersFest Restaurant Week will showcase the best of culinary cuisine, featuring unique dishes and special menu items. More than 35 restaurants will participate, offering special dining options, deals and prizes for patrons.
Restaurant list and specials details will be available soon.
Sponsored by Penn National Insurance. Thanks to platinum sponsors Ventura Foods and Franklin Shoppers for their support. Coordinated by the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce.
Saturday, July 13
20th Annual Tim and Susan Cook Memorial Race
July 13, 7-10 a.m., Chambersburg
Join us for the 20th Annual Tim & Susan Cook Memorial 1-Mile Race/Walk. Registration begins at 7 AM at the top of the stadium at Chambersburg Area Senior High School (CASHS), with the girls’ race/walk starting at 8 AM and the boys’ race/walk at 8:30 AM. Funds raised from this event will benefit the Tim & Susan Cook Memorial Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to two CASHS seniors each year. Same-day registration is $25 and includes a t-shirt (if available). Register here or call 717-264-7101.
Sponsored by the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce.
Scoop-a-palooza
10:30am-2pm – Chambersburg Area High School (CASHS) Cafeteria.
The Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s annual Ice Cream Festival will return on July 13. Sponsored by ACNB Bank, the festival will feature ice cream tastings, children’s activities, a Human Sunday event and more.
More info: ScoopAPalooza.org
Coordinated by the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Franklin County Historical Society: Louisa Bland Headstone Dedication
10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Cedar Grove Cemetery
Join the Historical Society as they celebrate Chambersburg Burning Heroine Louisa Bland. Louisa Bland was 21 years old when Confederate forces bought and burned Chambersburg in July 1864. She stood on her front porch holding a pistol and draped in an American flag. Now on display at the Franklin County Historical Society, she challenged Confederates to burn her home during the attack, earning her the nickname “The Heroine of the Chambersburg Burning.” This event is free and open to the public.
It will be coordinated by the Franklin County Historical Society.
Saturday, July 13th and 20th
North Square Farmers Market
8am-12pm – Downtown Chambersburg.
Enjoy farm-fresh, seasonal and 100% locally grown produce at Chambersburg’s only outdoor Farmers Market. Enjoy products exclusively from local farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs, kids’ activities, live music and more in a fun, social atmosphere.
More information: NorthSquareFarmersMarket.com
Organized by North Square Farmers Market
July 15-19
Chambersburg Heritage Center’s 20th Anniversary Sale
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 100 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg
Celebrate 20 years of the Chambersburg Heritage Center & Gift Shop with 20% off the entire gift shop this week. Find Chambersburg memorabilia, t-shirts, postcards, key chains and more. Be sure to leave plenty of time to explore the free interactive museum. For more information, visit Chambersburg.org/HeritageCenter.
Coordinated by the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce
Friday, July 19
Groundbreaking ceremony for the Mary B. Sharp School
This will be a groundbreaking event featuring a 3D virtual walkthrough and showcase of the future apartments, the unveiling of the National Register of Historic Places marker, and a look at which elements have been or will be recreated to restore the building to its original appearance. More details will be announced soon.
Coordinated by McKissick Properties.
Saturday, July 20
Old Market Day
July 20th, 9am-4pm Main Street, Downtown Chambersburg
Enjoy this free, family-friendly event in downtown Chambersburg from 9am-4pm. Join us as hundreds of arts, artisans, craft vendors, food trucks and community organizations line the downtown streets.
More info: www.facebook.com/OldMarketDay
It will be coordinated by the Chambersburg Downtown Business Council.
Heroes and Angels: 160th Anniversary of the Burning of Chambersburg
10 a.m.-4 p.m., 175 East King St., Chambersburg
The Franklin County Historical Society is pleased to announce a new special exhibit organized by Museum Director Anne Hull, “Heroes and Angels: 160th Anniversary of the Burning of Chambersburg.” The commemorative exhibit focuses on the stories of Chambersburg residents during the July 1864 Confederate attack on Chambersburg.
Northwood Books Special Hours
July 20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 59 N. Main St., Chambersburg
Visit Northwood Books on Old Market Day with extended hours from 9am to 4pm. For more information, visit northwoodbooks.com.
Coordinated by Northwood Books.
A cappella & Unplugged Finals
July 20, Franklin County Courthouse, 14 N. Main St., Chambersburg, 7 p.m.
The final round of a cappella and unplugged will take place before the 1864 ransom, burning and reclamation re-enactment in downtown Chambersburg. The winner of the audience vote will receive $500 and will perform two additional songs before the re-enactment. Join us for a night of fun and entertainment.
More information: www.explorefranklincountypa.com/acappella-unplugged
Coordinated by the Franklin County Tourism Bureau.
Reenactment of the Chambersburg Burning
July 20, 11/30 Center, 14 N. Main St., Chambersburg, dusk
As night approaches, the town transforms into 1864 as the story of the town’s ransom, burning and revival is brought to life with incredible light and atmospheric effects. A variety of activities will take place leading up to a light show re-enactment of the Burning of Chambersburg.
More information: www.explorefranklincountypa.com
Coordinated by the Franklin County Tourism Bureau.
