August festivals celebrate peaches, outdoors and wizards in Franklin County
Back-to-school time and the return to normal routine are almost here, but there are plenty of things to do before summer reaches its unofficial end.
Check out these activities around Franklin County this August.
Wizarding Weekend
Friday, Aug. 3 through Sunday, Aug 5
Main Street Park 25 E. Main St., Waynesboro
This celebration of all things Harry Potter will bring magic to downtown Waynesboro for the seventh year.
On Saturday (10. a.m. to 9 p.m.) and Sunday (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.), there will be movies, books, workshops and more activities — and you won't even need any galleons (or dollars). Also, don't miss "Borogon Alley."
The 2023 Wizarding Weekend will open with the inaugural "Harry Porter" Pub Crawl, 6-9 p.m. Friday. Participants will get a 5-ounce pour at downtown spots Rough Edges Brewing, 633 Brewing and Park Tavern, as well as Hidden Key Brewing in Greencastle and Michaux Brewing in Rouzerville.
Dress magically to enter the costume contest and win a prize. There will also be giveaways at each location for ticket holders.
Tickets are $25 for general admission and $35 for VIP (comes with swag and a keepsake tasting glass). Buy them through Eventbrite.
The Wizarding Weekend is hosted by Mainstreet Waynesboro. All proceeds will go toward downtown revitalization efforts.
Mercersburg Sportsman's Outdoor Fest
4-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5
Mercersburg Sportsman's Association, 12143 Dickey's Road, Mercersburg
The club's first-ever Outdoor Fest will have vendors, food trucks, plus performances by Devin Fields (classic rock) and Nathan Merovich (country).
There will be small games of chance, plus games and activities.
Liquid Art Brewing Co. will serve up alcoholic drinks.
Admission is free. Guests should bring chairs
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Mercersburg Lions Club Community Fair
Sunday, Aug. 13 through Saturday, Aug 19
Lions Club Park, 405 S. Park Ave., Mercersburg
The 48th annual fair in Mercersburg will have rides from Snyder's Entertainment, games, food and live entertainment.
The fair opens Sunday with the annual Vesper's service and the Mercersburg Community Band. The food stand will be open with a limited menu.
Rides will be open 6-11 p.m. starting Monday. Buy a wristband to ride all night. Wristbands will be $25 at the fair, or pay in advance (cash only) for $18 at Orrstown Bank's Mercersburg branch (12 S. Main St). You will get a ticket to redeem for a wristband at the fair.
There will be live entertainment on stage each night. Fireworks are planned for Friday.
Check out the Mercersburg Lions Club Facebook page for details about the fair.
Fort Loudon Peach Festival and Car Show
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug 19
Two locations in Fort Loudon
Peach Festival: The 12th annual celebration of all things peaches will feature vendors, entertainment for all ages, food vendors, and of course lots of peachy desserts. It takes place at Fort Loudon Community Center Grounds, 142 Mullen St.
Fort Loudon Cruise-In Car Show: Cars, trucks, motorcycles and other vehicles will be on display at the Fort Loudon Ball Fields, 12836 Main St. There will also be arts/crafts and food vendors, as well as live entertainment. Check out the event page on Facebook.
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Totem Pole Playhouse season nearing close
The 2023 season at the summer stock theater wraps up with two shows in August. Showtimes are at 2 and 7 p.m. throughout the week. For tickets, go to totempoeplayhouse.org (click Shows, select the one you want, and then "Buy Tickets" on the next page.)
"Million Dollar Quartet": Runs through Aug. 13.
This Tony Award-nominated musical tells the story of a twist of fate that brought together Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash. Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for a jam session at Sun Records in Memphis in 1956. Showcased hit songs include “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Walk the Line,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Hound Dog,” and more.
"On Golden Pond": Aug. 19 to Sept. 3
A retired couple from New England are spending one final summer at their lakeside cottage in Maine when their estranged daughter, en route to her European honeymoon, arrives to leave behind her fiance's troubled young son. She returns to find her father playing the dad she never had, bringing years of bitter memories and resentment to the surface.
This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: Peach Festival, Wizarding Weekend, more August events in Franklin County
