Coloring Contest
July 1-31: Children are invited to participate in Wildwood Park’s fourth annual coloring contest. Young artists may submit a nature-themed, 8.5-by-11-inch, hand-drawn, portrait-style coloring page using colored pencils, crayons or markers. Entries may be submitted to the Nature Center via mail or email throughout July. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Fourth Fireworks
July 3: Celebrate America’s birthday with food trucks and a fireworks display at Koons Park, 6030 Larue St., Harrisburg, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Enjoy a variety of food truck options and family fun before the sky lights up with fireworks. Rain date is July 6. www.lowerpaxton-pa.gov
Xmas in July
July 3-27: Start your holiday gift making at Wheel of Light Studio, 3738 Peters Mountain Rd., Halifax, during their “Christmas in July” workshops. Craft projects include clay trees, watercolor cards, macramé ornaments, ceramic winter luminaries and mosaic Christmas trees. Find a complete schedule online. www.wheeloflightstudio.com
Lawn Concert
July 4: Enjoy a patriotic Independence Day concert with the New Cumberland Town Band on the lawn of the New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will be concessions for sale in Foundation House by the Friends of the Library. www.newcumberlandpa.org
Fourth Celebration
July 4: Celebrate Independence Day at The Star Barn Village, Newville Rd., Elizabethtown, 3 to 9 p.m. Enjoy a ride through Herr’s Mill Covered Bridge, self-guided tours of Ironstone Ranch and The Star Barn Village, animal visits, tractor-pulled wagon and pony rides, yard games, art displays, train rides, fireworks and more. www.thestarbarn.com
Declaration Reading
July 4: Celebrate the Fourth at the Historical Society of Dauphin County’s 14th annual public reading of the Declaration of Independence by John Harris Jr. reenactor David Biser. Readings will take place from the porch of the John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion, 219 S. Front St., Harrisburg. Find times online. www.dauphincountyhistory.org
Fourth Fest
July 4: City of Harrisburg hosts the July 4th Food Truck Festival and Fireworks in Riverfront Park, 1 to 9 p.m., with more than 45 food trucks, live music, a wine/beer garden, free kids activities and one of the largest fireworks displays in Central Pa. www.harrisburgpa.gov
Barnyard Jazz
July 5: Hershey History Center presents “Jazz at the Barnyard” outdoor concert series at Hershey History Center, 40 Northeast Dr., Hershey. Events begin at 6 p.m. and live music is 7 to 10 p.m. Concerts are held on the first Friday of May through September. On July 5, enjoy music by Amanda Sachs Group. www.hersheyhistory.org
Summer Concerts
July 5-7: Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra presents its 2024 Summer Concerts: July 5, Reservoir Park, 100 Concert Dr., Harrisburg, 7:30 p.m.; July 6, Millerstown Park, 110 W. Juniata Pkwy., 7:30 p.m.; and July 7, Dickinson College, 230 Louther St., Carlisle, 8 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and snacks. www.harrisburgsymphony.org
Sunset Series
July 5, 12, 19, 26: Dauphin County Parks and Recreation hosts an outdoor “Sunset Music and Movie Series” at Fort Hunter Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg. Performances start at 7 p.m., showings begin at 8:30 p.m. Bring a picnic or grab refreshments from the concession stand. www.forthunter.org
HBG Flea
July 6: Explore the HBG Flea to shop for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. The mission of the HBG Flea is to create a platform for community growth by bringing artists, small businesses and patrons together. www.hbgflea.com
Book Sales
July 6, 20: Friends of New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, hosts pre-owned book sales on the first and third Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Foundation House, across the shared parking lot from the library. Find books, vintage items, jewelry, music, puzzles, kids’ books, vinyl records and more. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org
Garden Camp
July 9, 23: Penn State Master Gardeners of Cumberland County hosts a summer gardening camp series for kids ages 7-12 at the Penn State Extension office, 310 Allen Rd., Carlisle. Activities include planting and harvesting vegetables, herbs and flowers, crafts, games and scientific exploration. Cost is $10 per session. www.extension.psu.edu
Wellness Walks
July 10: Enjoy a walk around the lake at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, while enjoying the scenery, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. This will be a walk on paved and gravel or dirt surfaces, and you may customize the length of your walk. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Kids Workshops
July 11, 25: The Bower, 1190 Bower Rd., Shermans Dale, in collaboration with Dickinson College’s Trout Gallery, offers free summer workshops for kids ages 4-10, who can explore environmental science, art and literature. The July 11 workshop focuses on biomass; July 25 workshop will explore flowers. Families may pack a picnic.www.thegardenbower.com
Food Rally
July 11: Enjoy fresh, savory foods at the New Cumberland Food Truck & Restaurant Rally every second Thursday of the month, 5 to 8 p.m. Grab dinner from area food trucks or New Cumberland restaurants and enjoy shopping and special promotions at local businesses. www.newcumberlandpa.org
Shipoke Flea
July 13: The annual Shipoke Flea returns with a wide assortment of goods available for purchase. The event, organized by the Shipoke Neighborhood Association, runs 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. along the 500 to 800 blocks of S. Front Street, Harrisburg. www.shipoke.org
Pump Primers
July 13: PA Pump Primers’ 48th 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 will be on view all day. Speak to owners, play games, grab food and listen to music. www.papumpprimers.org
Forest Bathing
July 13: Take a slow-paced mindfulness walk to experience your breathing and senses in nature throughout Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Participants should be able to walk 1 to 1.5 miles on paved, gravel and wood plank trails with some elevation gain. Walk concludes with a forest tea. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Volunteer Day
July 13: Spend time in nature helping with park and habitat enhancement projects at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tools and work gloves provided, and refreshments will be available. www.explorewildwoodpark.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. Book sale opens on Saturday, July 13 with an early preview 7:30 to 9 a.m. Admission is $5 per person. Please bring your own boxes or bags. www.palmyra.lclibs.org
Summer Service
July 14: Salem United Church of Christ, Harrisburg, hosts an ecumenical service on the Pride of the Susquehanna at 10 a.m. Enjoy a casual service on the boat, followed by a picnic in the pavilion. All are welcome. salemuccharrisburg.org
Tree Identification
July 14: Enjoy a leisurely walk at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, while learning about the variety of species around the Nature Center, 1 to 2 p.m., as part of the Dauphin County Park Rx series of programs. Space is limited; pre-registration required. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Film Fridays
July 14: Join Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, at 2 p.m. for Film Friday to view a free screening of “Whale Rider,” a 2002 New Zealand film based on the 1987 novel about Paikea, a 12-year-old Māori girl whose ambition is to become chief of the tribe. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Harrisburg Mile
July 17: Lace up your running shoes for the Harrisburg Mile. The 43rd annual race begins at Front and Maclay streets, Harrisburg, with heats beginning at 5:15 p.m. Choose between running or walking the full 1-mile course or the 1/2-mile course. www.hbgyrun.org
Heritage Days
July 18-21: Tuscarora Valley Heritage Days will be held at 6201 Route 75, East Waterford, with an antique tractor show, flea market and live music. Find Tuscarora Valley Heritage Days on Facebook for details.
3rd in The Burg
July 19: Celebrate the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event, exploring and enjoying galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org
Midtown Mural Tour
July 19: Join Sprocket Mural Works for a guided mural tour in Midtown Harrisburg. The tour is approximately one hour and one mile in length. $15 per person, with all proceeds benefitting the nonprofit Sprocket Mural Works. Meet at 6 p.m. at the Broad Street Market Courtyard, 1233 N. 3rd St. Reserve your spot by visiting www.sprocketmuralworks.org/shop.
Pride Picnic
July 20: Celebrate Pride at the Cute Lil’ Pride Picnic and Drag Show in New Cumberland Borough Park. Pack your snacks, blankets and rainbow spirit for a family-friendly day of games, music and community resources, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Continue the celebration into the evening at the “Drag Me Downtown Drag Show” at 7 p.m. www.newcumberland.co
Brewfest
July 20: Sample more than 50 craft brews while listening to music and tasting food from food trucks at the 11th Annual Dauphin County Brewfest on the front lawn of Fort Hunter Mansion, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 3 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door and $15 for designated drivers. www.forthunter.org
Flower Walk
July 21: Go for a walk at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., to view joe-pye weed, pokeweed, three species of monarda and two species of jewelweed. Learn how these flowers were named and about some of their uses. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Concert Series
July 21: Lower Paxton Parks and Recreation will host a free outdoor concert with Dance Fever at Dauphin County Heroes Grove, 4 to 6 p.m., as part of its outdoor summer concert series. www.lowerpaxton-pa.gov
Mixer
July 23: Join West Shore Chamber of Commerce for an evening mixer, 5 to 7 p.m., at Utopian Landscapes, 6780 Parkway East, Harrisburg. This free event is open to chamber members. Potential members are welcome to attend two free chamber events. www.wschamber.org
Dutch Days
July 24-27: Head to the 56th Annual Richfield Dutch Days, Basom Memorial Park, Richfield, for summer family fun, rides, BINGO, food, fireworks and more. Enjoy a Dutch menu throughout the week, a parade on Saturday and an outdoor picnic and church service on Sunday. www.dutchdays.com
Flower Field Day
July 25: Explore nearly 1,000 varieties of annual and perennial plants at Penn State Extension’s Flower Trials Field Day at 1446 Auction Rd., Manheim, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Talk with industry colleagues and breeders and learn about new varieties, disease management and pesticide safety. Registration is $65 and includes snacks and lunch. www.extension.psu.edu
PrideFest
July 27: The 32nd annual Pride Festival of Central PA takes place at Soldier’s Grove, Harrisburg, part of the PA Capitol Complex. The day begins with a 10 a.m. parade before continuing 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with entertainment, vendors, events, activities and more. www.centralpapride.org
Nature & Art Fest
July 27: Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art hosts its annual Nature and Art Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at MYO Park, Millersburg. The free festival includes food and craft vendors, education and art presentations, make-it-yourself bluebird boxes, live music and more. www.nedsmithcenter.org
Concert Series
July 28: Harrisburg Young Professionals hosts a free Italian Lake Concert series concert with Neil McClain at Italian Lake, N. 3rd and Division streets, Harrisburg, 6 to 8 p.m. Bring a lawn chair, picnic, blankets and snacks. www.hyp.org
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