This Weekend: A Look Back

Central Pennsylvania is positively dripping with historical importance. Gettysburg is the Elysian Fields of American mythology; it's almost humbling to live so close to the place that may have changed the course of world history. Beyond that, York, once the capital of the fledgling United States is a few miles down the road. The Carlisle Indian School, The Ephrata Cloister; there are historically significant places all over the Midstate. This weekend there are a number of events that play off of the history of Central Pennsylvania. Whether you're interested in those events or something else, here are some suggestion:

Friday, Patriot Days, an event organized by the York County Heritage Trust, returns to York. The event celebrates and honors York’s role in both the Revolutionary War and Civil War, and includes demonstrations, re-enactors entertainment and more. It’s not to be confused with a Tom Clancy flick starring Harrison Ford and the event runs through Sunday. The Gettysburg Festival continues Friday and will run through Sunday as well. Shippensburg is celebrating its Civil War History this weekend as well during the annual March to Destiny Encampment. The event includes a street skirmish and a parade in addition to the encampment and runs through — you guessed it — Sunday. The Codorus Summer Blast begins Friday at Codorus State Park. I’d never heard of this event until this year, but it seems to be incredibly popular. Yep, until Sunday. Finally, York County follows up Harrisburg BrewFest with a Micro Brew Fest at the Agricultural Industrial Museum. It does not run until Sunday. Thankfully. That would be quite the marathon.

Saturday, many of the aforementioned events continue rolling along. In addition, the Great River Adventure pushes off at Fort Hunter Mansion and Park. This is the second year in a row that a prior commitment has kept me from entering. In addition, Saturday is the annual Cherry Festival in Historic Schaefferstown and a Living History Encampent weekend at the National Civil War Museum. The 44th Georgia Volunteer Infantry will be camped out on the lawn at the museum. See, lots of history this weekend. Saturday is also the first day of the Celtic Fling and Highland Games at the Mount Hope Estate & Winery and the only day of the African Family Fest at the Levitt Pavilion in Harrisburg’s Reservoir Park.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday. Lots more of the same stuff. Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers will be in Long’s Park in Lancaster as part of the Long’s Park Summer Music Series.

Me? I’m getting married. I’ll be kind of an absentee daddy next week. Have fun kids!