Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Community Corner: Notable July Events

July Community Corner

Library Learning
July 1-Aug. 8: Join New Cumberland Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, for “A Universe of Stories” summer learning program. Earn incentives and raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes by reading, visiting the library and attending programs. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Midday Getaway
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Families with kids from newborn to 4 years old can enjoy a peaceful afternoon with a beverage and soothing music on the first floor of Elizabethtown Public Library, at the Coffee Co., 10 S. Market St., 1 to 3 p.m. Quiet play stations with colorful, educational toys and coloring pages are available. www.etownpubliclibrary.org

4th Celebration
July 2-4: Head to the 3rd Annual July 4th celebration at The Star Barn Village, Newville Road, Elizabethtown, for a ride through Herr’s Mill Covered Bridge, self-guided tours of The Star Barn Village, a visit with animals in the petting zoo, pony rides, games, vendors, demonstrations and more. www.thestarbarn.com

July 4 Celebration
July 4: Join Friends of the New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, for their annual Independence Day Celebration, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy patriotic marches and show tunes by the New Cumberland Town Band at 10:30 a.m. Bring chairs or blankets to sit on. Purchase picnic foods and shop a book and jewelry sale. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Declaration Reading
July 4: Historical Society of Dauphin County presents its annual public reading of the Declaration of Independence with John Harris Jr. re-enactor David Biser from the porch of the Harris-Cameron Mansion, 219 S. Front St., Harrisburg. Readings will be held at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. www.dauphincountyhistory.org

Taste of Independence
July 4: Harrisburg toasts the nation’s birth with the annual “Taste of Independence” food truck festival with more than 40 food trucks, live music, kids’ activities, a wine garden and more in Riverfront Park, 3 to 9 p.m. Annual fireworks display follows. www.harrisburgpa.gov

Summer Fridays
July 5-Aug. 23: Summer Fridays at The State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg, are “pay as you wish,” 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Art docents will be available for tours of “Art of the State,” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. www.statemuseumpa.org.

Summer Flea
July 6: Explore the HBG Flea summer market, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. Shop for local art, handmade gifts and vintage wares from local artists and curators. www.hbgflea.com

Concert Series
July 7: Harrisburg Young Professionals hosts a free Italian Lake Concert series concert at Italian Lake, N. 3rd and Division streets, Harrisburg, with Switch Fu, 6 to 8 p.m. Bring a lawn chair, picnic blankets and snacks. www.hyp.org

Golf Tournament
July 8: Bethesda Mission will host its 29th Annual Mission Open Golf Tournament at Colonial Golf and Tennis Club, 4901 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg, to raise funds for its long-term recovery program. Light refreshments will be available at 7 a.m., and the four-ball scramble starts at 8 a.m. Luncheon and awards ceremony follows. www.bethesdamission.org

Community Carnival
July 9-13: Middle Paxton Lions Club will hold its free annual carnival at the Lions Club Carnival Grounds on Allegheny Street, Dauphin, beginning 6:30 p.m. each night. Enjoy live music, children’s rides, games and carnival foods. Visit their Facebook page.

Evening Mixer
July 10: Build relationships with local business professionals at the West Shore Chamber of Commerce’s June Evening Networking Mixer, 5 to 7 p.m., at Premier Eye Care Group, 3903 Hartzdale Dr., Camp Hill. The event is free to chamber members. www.wschamber.org

Networking Social
July 10: Join Harrisburg Young Professionals for a networking social at the rooftop biergarten at Café Huey, 260 Championship Way, Harrisburg, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. HYP members receive a complimentary drink ticket. Non-members welcome to join. www.hyp.org 

4-H Days
July 11, 18: Cumberland County 4-H hosts 2019 Activity Days for kids, 8 to 12 years, at Penn State Extension Office, 310 Allen Rd., Carlisle, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. On July 11, kids can navigate a fire safety house, learn self-defense and explore a virtual emergency. On July 18, they will learn about the body, exercise and enjoy a healthy snack. Cost is $8 per day. www.extension.psu.edu

Jazz Fest
July 11-14: Central PA Friends of Jazz will host the 39th Annual Central PA Jazz Festival, featuring concerts, a riverboat cruise on the Pride of the Susquehanna, a jam session, a jazz party, workshop, picnic and more. www.friendsofjazz.org

Brews & Views
July 12-14: ​Keystone Trails Association hosts Brews & Views, a hiking and brewery tour of scenic Pennsylvania vistas and hiking trails and Cumberland Valley breweries and pubs. Stay at Carlisle Comfort Suites, starting each day with breakfast and taking guided hikes to scenic vistas and well-known Appalachian Trail spots. Wind down at local pubs and breweries. www.kta-hike.org

Music & Movie
July 12 & 19: Lower Paxton Township’s “Free Summer Concert and Movie” series features a Beatles tribute by The Jellybricks on July 12 and Rayzen Kane and Howard and the Islanders on July 19. Following the July 12 concert, the movie “Hidden Figures” will be shown. Events begin at 7 p.m. at Heroes Grove Amphitheatre, 5010 Commons Dr. www.lowerpaxton-pa.gov

Volunteer Work Day 
July 13: Head to Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, to help with continuing park and habitat enhancement projects, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Snacks, tools and work gloves provided. Bring a water bottle. Refreshments available. www.wildwoodlake.org

Pump Primers
July 13: PA Pump Primers’ 44th Annual Antique Fire Apparatus Show and Muster returns to Harrisburg, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A parade of antique fire trucks will leave the PA Farm Show building and travel to Riverfront Park, where they’ll be on view. Speak to owners, play games, grab food and listen to music. www.papumpprimers.org

Kids Club Event
July 13: Take the kids to Harrisburg Mall, 3501 Paxton St., for a Mario Party with Gamestop. Kids Club events are free and held the second Saturday of each month, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. www.shopharrisburgmall.com

Thursday Fun
June 13-27: New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, offers Thursday Family Entertainment in Foundation Hall. On July 11, ZooAmerica hosts a fun, educational program with live animals; on July 18, Bright Star Interactive Theatre presents “Jack’s Adventure in Space;” and on July 25, Music Play Patrol leads interactive drumming. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Book Sale
July 13-18: Palmyra Public Library hosts its annual used book sale at Palmyra First United Methodist Church, 520 E. Birch St. The book sale opens on July 13 with an early bird preview, 7:30 to 9 a.m. Admission is $5. Customers should bring their own boxes or bags. www.palmyra.lclibs.org

Summer Theatre
July 15-26: Theatre Harrisburg, 513 Hurlock St., invites kids to its Summer Theatre Program, a theater experience in an interactive environment. The program is held in two sessions: July 15 to 19 for students going into 3rd to 5th grades and July 22 to 26 for those going into 5th to 8th grades. www.theatreharrisburg.com

Harrisburg Mile
July 17: Run or walk down Front Street during the annual Harrisburg Mile, part of the YMCA race series. The race begins at 6 p.m. at Front and Maclay streets and culminates near Boas Street with an after-race party. www.ymcarun.com

Explore the Moon
July 18: Kids ages 3 to 6 are invited to explore the moon at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. This Curiosity Kids event is included with general admission to the museum. www.statemuseumpa.org

Business After Hours
July 18: Mingle with business professionals over food and drink at Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC’s free networking event, hosted by the Hotel Hershey, 100 Hotel Rd., Hershey, 5 to 7 p.m. www.harrisburgregionalchamber.org

NCPC Meet
July 18-20: National Chrysler Products Club will host its 41st annual national meet at Hotel Rock Lititz, 50 Rock Lititz Blvd. The three-day meet includes driving tours, a judged car show and a banquet. www.nationalchryslerproductsclub.org

3rd in The Burg
July 19: Enjoy the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event at galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org

Arts & Drafts
July 20: Support Perry County Council of the Arts at its “Arts & Drafts” fundraiser at River Bend Hop Farm and Brewery, 1800 Lower Bailey Rd., Newport. From 12 to 6 p.m., enjoy a family-friendly, picnic-style event, with art and craft vendors, activities, live music and a silent auction. From 6 to 10 p.m., guests receive access to a private upper level with music, beverages and hors d’oeuvres. www.perrycountyarts.org

Brewfest
July 20: Taste more than 50 craft brews while listening to music and sampling food from area restaurants at the 8th Annual Dauphin County Brewfest at Fort Hunter Mansion, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 3 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 advance, $50 at the door and $15 for designated drivers. www.forthunter.org

Art Soiree
July 20: Art Association of Harrisburg hosts a “Soiree in the Country” at 1140 Gettysburg Rd., Mechanicsburg, 5 to 8 p.m. Featured artists include Yachiyo Beck, Jonathan Frazier, Paul Gallo, John McNulty Lowell and Linda Gates. Cost is $45 in advance, $50 at the door. www.artassocofhbg.org

Summer Brunch
July 21: Harrisburg Young Professionals’ Summer Brunch Tour continues at The Millworks, 340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg, 11:30 a.m. Enjoy good conversation, hot coffee and a variety of menu options. RSVP is required. www.hyp.org

Mantra Practice
July 21: Eckankar of PA hosts “Chant HU: the Sound of Soul,” a workshop focused on the sacred sound and ancient mantra, at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, 2 to 3 p.m. Free and open to all. www.eckankarofpa.org

Zero K
July 21: Support St. Stephen’s Episcopal School at a “Zero K,” a race that ends as soon as it begins. After “crossing” the finish line, participants enjoy an after-party, with music, beer, food, etc. The event begins at 4 p.m. at Zeroday Brewing Co., 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. www.sseschool.org/zero-k

Folk Fest
July 26-28: Susquehanna Folk Music Society hosts the Susquehanna Folk Festival at Roundtop Mountain Resort, 925 Roundtop Rd., Lewisberry. Enjoy live music, dancing, workshops, storytelling, crafts, kids’ activities, food and more. susquehannafolkfestival.org

Nature & Art Fest
July 27: Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, 176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg, hosts the 26th Annual Nature and Art Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free festival includes food and craft vendors, education and art presentations, make-it-yourself bluebird boxes, live animal demonstrations and fish print T-shirts. A concert will at 5:30 p.m. www.nedsmithcenter.org

Pride Festival
July 27: The 27th annual Pride Festival of Central PA takes place in Soldier’s Grove Memorial Park, in back of the state Capitol, Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with vendors, live music, drag performances and more. www.centralpapridefestival.com

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