Foodies can stroll, sip and savor at these summer tasting events | Entertainment

It may not officially be summer yet, but with all of the outdoor events happening now that we have passed Memorial Day weekend, it might as well be.

These warmer weeks, from now through the end of August, promise a wide variety of food-oriented festivals, strawberry socials, food truck gatherings, beer events and other celebrations with food as their focus.

Here’s a list of tasting events to sip and savor through the summer months in Lancaster County.

This list will be updated here on LancasterOnline.com as more events are announced.

June events

TASTE OF LITITZ

• When: 5-9 p.m. Friday, June 5.

• Where: Main Street, Lititz.

• Details: Nearly 30 Lititz-area restaurants, eateries, bakeries, beverage purveyors and other food businesses will set up in the street to serve up small bites of their specialties to taste. Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic, so visitors can stroll, drink in hand, and try these samples. There will be live music and family-friendly games.

• Admission: Free. Buy samples and sips as you go.

• Info: lititzpa.com/taste-of-lititz.

FOOD TRUCK FEST

• When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 6.

• Where: Stauffer Park, 1241 Lititz Pike, Lancaster.

• Details: More than 15 food trucks will serve up meals, snacks, drinks and dessert. There will be a raffle, DJs playing music, a touch-a-truck event and other activities for kids. Police, fire and construction vehicles will be on hand for kids to pose for pictures with.

• Benefits: Occupational Development Center and the Manheim Township Recreation Department.

• Admission: Free; buy food as you go.

• Info: ODC’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ODCenterLancaster.

LANCASTER VEGFEST

• When: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7.

• Where: Buchanan Park, 901 Buchanan Ave., Lancaster.

• Details: The annual event marks 10 years of celebrating the plant-based, vegan lifestyle. There will be food trucks, a food court and a farmers market, all selling vegan food, desserts, drinks and more. There’s also a marketplace with vegan vendors selling animal-friendly products. There will also be live music, speakers, chef demonstrations, community yoga and kids’ activities. Pet and wildlife rescue organizations will also be on hand.

• Admission: Free, but suggested donations of $5 will be accepted for Lancaster Farm Sanctuary. VIP tickets, which allow for early admission to the festival from 11 a.m. to noon and include a tote bag, vegan samples and coupons and raffle tickets, are $36.70 including fees.

• Info and VIP tickets: pavegfest.com.

LANCASTER VEGAN RESTAURANT WEEK

• When: Saturday, June 6, through Sunday, June 14.

• Where: Several vegan-friendly eateries around Lancaster.

• Details: This event returns this year after being on pause since 2021. Restaurants in the area will offer specials on plant-based dishes; those signed up so far also plan to make a donation to Lancaster Farm Sanctuary.

• Admission: Free; buy your meals at the participating restaurants.

• Info on participating restaurants and menus: pavegfest.com/vegan-restaurant-week.

HALDEMAN MANSION STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL AND NATIVE AMERICAN GATHERING

• When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 6, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 7.

• Where: The Haldeman Mansion, 230 Locust Grove Road, Bainbridge.

• Details: The annual festival becomes a two-day event this year and has a Native American theme, honoring the late Christina Mark and Patricia Rineer. The menu features frybread tacos, strawberry shortcake and other strawberry desserts. There will also be kid’s games and educational activities, vendors, music, tours of the mansion and Native American dancing, drumming and flute. Proceeds benefit the Haldeman Mansion Preservation Society.

• Admission: $5; children under 7 get in free.

• Info: lanc.news/HaldemanFestival.

MANHEIM FOOD TRUCK EVENT

• When: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 7.

• Where: Manheim Fire Department, 83 S. Main St., Manheim.

• Details: Several food trucks will serve up a variety of dishes and desserts. There will be family-friendly activities including tours of the fire house and its museum.

• Admission: Free; buy your food as you go.

• Info: Follow the Manheim Fire Department’s Facebook page for more details, at lanc.news/ManheimFoodTrucks2026.

LUTHERCARE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

• When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 6.

• Where: Luthercare Commmunity, 600 E. Main St., Lititz.

• Details: Luthercare’s Residents’ Council hosts this event for the public, offering local strawberries with shortcake, ice cream and whipped cream. Visitors can enjoy their strawberry treats in the Community Room and adjoining patio. There will also be raffles. Proceeds benefit the council’s charitable activities.

• Admission: Strawberry shortcake with ice cream costs $7; you can make it a meal by adding a hot dog, chips and a drink for $5 extra. Gluten-free options will be available.

• Info: lititzpa.com/events/strawberry-festival.

BRECKNOCK ORCHARD STRAWBERRY FESTIVALS

• When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, June 6, 13 and 20, and noon to 6 p.m. Friday, June 12.

• Where: Brecknock Orchards, 390 Orchard Road, Mohnton.

• Details: You can pick your own strawberries from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., make your own chocolate-covered strawberries, get a free serving of strawberry shortcake at 10 a.m. on Saturdays, try strawberry treats such as pies, whoopie pies and bread and get lunch from pretzel or barbecue food trucks.

• Admission: Free entrance and parking; some activities, such as the crafts, have an additional fee.

• Info: brecknockorchard.com/festivals.

CENTRAL MARKET STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

• When: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 13.

• Where: Lancaster Central Market, 23 N. Market St., Lancaster.

• Details: Stand-holders will be selling strawberry-themed creations both inside the market and in the alleys around the market. There will be tables in the alleys for those enjoying strawberry treats outside, along with live entertainment and activities for the whole family.

• Admission: Free; buy your strawberry treats as you go.

• Info: Visit Lancaster Central Market’s Facebook page at facebook.com/LancasterCentralMarket for updates closer to the event.

TASTE THE WORLD

• When: Tour starts between 4:45 and 6:15 Friday, June 12.

• Where: Eateries around Lancaster city, with a starting point of of the side entrance of Neighbors Community Center, 450 N. Prince St., Lancaster.

• Details: Strolling diners receive a passport and map and have 90 minutes to walk around to the nine participating eateries to get sample servings. The theme of the evening is “Say cheese!” in honor of National Dairy Month. Participants will not necessarily be sitting down to eat samples at a given restaurant. Proceeds benefit the Neighbors Community Center at Hub450.

• Admission: $30.

• Info and tickets: neighborslancaster.org/#events.

ST. LUKE EPISCOPAL STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

• When: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, June 13.

• Where: St. Luke Episcopal Church, 209 S. Market St., Mount Joy.

• Details: On the menu are hamburger barbecue sandwiches, all-beef hot dogs, chips and drinks, plus strawberry shortcake and other strawberry desserts. Eat in or take out.

• Cost: $15.

• Info; 717-538-0810.

STRAWBERRY SOCIAL

• When: 1-6 p.m. Sunday, June 14.

• Where: Elizabethtown Borough Park, 1 Ken Lane, Elizabethtown.

• Details: The sixth annual social gathers the community for strawberry-themed fun, including a strawberry pie- and cupcake-eating contest and the crowning of a Strawberry Princess. There will also be live music, games, food trucks, a makers market, a candy toy toss, bounce houses, a water battle and a dog fashion show.

• Info: lanc.news/EtownStrawberry.

July events

FIRST SATURDAY IN EPHRATA/WINE WALK

• When: 2:30-8 p.m. Saturday, June 6.

• Where: Main Street in downtown Ephrata.

• Details: First Saturday events kick off for the season with the Wine Walk from 2;30-4:30 p.m. Local wineries will set up tasting rooms in brick-and-mortar businesses around Ephrata; attendees can taste their way up and down Main Street while shopping at these retail stores. First Saturday continues from 4:30-8 p.m. with an all-ages event at the Whistle Stop Plaza, 16 E. Main St., with food, beverages, vendors and live music. First Saturdays continue through September — except for July, when the monthly event will be on Friday, July 3 — with different early-afternoon themes each month.

• Admission: No tickets are required, but Mainspring of Ephrata asks that you RSVP. This is a family-friendly event, but those who want to enjoy adult beverages must be 21+ and must show ID.

• Info and registration: mainspringofephrata.org/first-saturday.

TASTE THE WORLD

• When: Tour starts between 4:45 and 6:15 Friday, July 10.

• Where: Eateries around Lancaster city, with a starting point of of the side entrance of Neighbors Community Center, 450 N. Prince St., Lancaster.

• Details: Strolling diners receive a passport and map and have 90 minutes to walk around to the nine participating eateries to get sample servings. The theme of the evening is “Young at Heart,” in observance of National “Be A Kid Again” Day. Samples will be snacks, candy, ice cream and other sweet treats. Participants will not necessarily be sitting down to eat samples at a given restaurant. Proceeds benefit the Neighbors Community Center at Hub450.

• Admission: $30.

• Info and tickets: neighborslancaster.org/#events.

BLUES & BREWS

• When: A choice of two sessions, noon to 3 p.m. or 5-8 p.m. Saturday, July 11.

• Where: Mount Hope Estate & Winery, 2775 Lebanon Road, north of Manheim.

• Details: All-you-can-eat food including hard-shell crabs, steamed shrimp, barbecue pork, potato salad, coleslaw, garden pasta salad, hush puppies, fresh fruit and dessert. The “brews” part of the day takes the form of beer from the Swashbuckler Brewing Co. Lancaster County Cider will also be offered, along with nonalcoholic beverages.

• Admission: Tickets not yet available.

• Info: Closer to the event, when tickets become available, visit parenfaire.com/bluesbrews.html.

WASHINGTON BORO TOMATO FESTIVAL

• When: Consecutive Saturdays, July 11 and 18.

• Where: Washington Boro Community Park, 2010 River Road, Washington Boro.

• Details: The spotlight is on Washington Boro tomatoes, including the flavorful, low-acid Jet Star variety that grows in the nutrient-rich soil near the Susquehanna River. Tomatoes will be for sale, along with food including the popular tomato sandwiches — with or without bacon.

• Admission: Free to the public; buy food as you go. Proceeds from vendor fees benefits Blue Rock Fire Rescue.

• Info: Times and more details will be available closer to the event. facebook.com/Kathyfry2017.

TASTE OF MOUNT JOY CRUISIN’ CUISINE CAR SHOW

• When: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25.

• Where: Main Street from Jacob Street to Manheim Street, Mount Joy.

• Details: All cars are welcome at the event that combines a food festival with a car show. A variety of local restaurants will sell food to those who are strolling through car displays in such categories as antique vehicles, classic cars and trucks, muscle cars, street rods, Corvettes and motorcycles. More than 50 trophies will be awarded to winning cars at 1:30 p.m.

• Admission: Free to the public. Registration to show your car is $16.10, including fees, in advance; $20 on the day of the show.

• Info and car registration: voyagemountjoy.com/tasteofmountjoy.

August events

TASTE THE WORLD

• When: Tour starts between 4:45 and 6:15 Friday, Aug. 14.

• Where: Eateries around Lancaster city, with a starting point of of the side entrance of Neighbors Community Center, 450 N. Prince St., Lancaster.

• Details: Strolling diners receive a passport and map and have 90 minutes to walk around to the nine participating eateries to get sample servings. The theme of the evening is “It’s A Wrap!” in observance of National Sandwich Month. Samples will be various kinds of sandwiches, such as sliders, chicken salad and empanadas. Participants will not necessarily be sitting down to eat samples at a given restaurant. Proceeds benefit the Neighbors Community Center at Hub450.

• Admission: $30.

• Info and tickets: neighborslancaster.org/#events.

PEACH FESTIVAL

• When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Aug. 1, 9 and 18.

• Where: Brecknock Orchards, 390 Orchard Road, Mohnton.

• Details: Brecknock Orchard celebrates the peachy season with peach pies, bread, jam, whoopie pies, barbecue sauce, salsa, slushies and more for purchase. You can pick your own peaches, create a peach parfait, get a free sample of peach coffee cake at 9 a.m. and can a pint of peaches. Kids can make a fruit ice pop or peach-scented Play-Doh. There are also activities for kids, including crafts and wagon tours of the orchard.

• Admission: Free entrance and parking; some activities, such as the crafts, have an additional fee.

• Info: brecknockorchard.com/festivals.

CELEBRATE LANCASTER

• When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14.

• Where: The first and 100 blocks of North Queen Street will be closed to traffic for the street festival.

• This is Lancaster city’s annual downtown Lancaster festival, featuring food trucks, craft vendors, live music, a beer garden and more.

• Admission: Free; purchase food as you go.

• Info: visitlancastercity.com/events/celebrate-lancaster.

LANCASTER CRAFT BEERFEST

• When: Saturday, Aug. 22, with two sessions to choose from — noon to 3 p.m. or 4-7 p.m.

• Where: The 100 block of North Queen Street, Lancaster.

• Details: Decades restaurant, bar and arcade hosts this annual event celebrating craft brews. There will be samples from a curated list of about 30 local and regional breweries and cideries. There will also be food vendors and live music on the festival stage. Fahrenheit will provide the live music at the first session; the band at the second session is yet to be announced. You must be 21 or over to attend the event.

• Benefit: Part of the proceeds go to the programs supported by the Rotary Club of ​Lancaster Penn Square.

• Admission: For either session, general admission tickets are $55.20, including fees; designated driver tickets are $14.64, including fees.

• Info and tickets: lancastercraftbeerfest.com.

All-summer events

LANCASTER REC BEER GARDENS

• When: 4-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturdays.

• Where: June 20, July 23-25, July 30-Aug. 1 and Aug. 6-8 in Buchanan Park, 901 Buchanan Ave.; Aug. 14 in Binns Park, 100 block of North Queen St. (for Celebrate Lancaster), and June 4-6, Sept. 10-12 and Sept. 17-19 in Musser Park, 135 N. Lime St., Lancaster. Additional dates will be available in October.

• Details: Fenced-in areas of Lancaster parks become family-friendly, pet-friendly community spaces for evenings of enjoying beer from local breweries, food from local food trucks, lawn games and socializing. Beer, wine, cocktails, nonalcoholic beverages and food are available for purchase. Brews are for those 21 and older only. At the end of the season, proceeds from the beer gardens are donated to Lancaster Rec to benefit its recreation programs.

• Admission: Free; buy food and brews as you go.

• Info and schedule: lancasterrec.org/beergardens.

Early September events

TASTE THE WORLD

• When: Tour starts between 4:45 and 6:15 Friday, Sept. 11.

• Where: Eateries around Lancaster city, with a starting point of of the side entrance of Neighbors Community Center, 450 N. Prince St., Lancaster.

• Details: Strolling diners receive a passport and map and have 90 minutes to walk around to the nine participating eateries to get sample servings. The theme of the evening is “Sabores de Lancaster (flavors of Lancaster),” in observation of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Participants will not necessarily be sitting down to eat samples at a given restaurant. Proceeds benefit the Neighbors Community Center at Hub450.

• Admission: $30.

• Info and tickets: neighborslancaster.org/#events.

WHOOPIE PIE FESTIVAL

• When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.

• Where: Hershey Farm Resort, 240 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks.

• Details: A wide variety of whoopie pie flavors will be available for sampling at the festival; there will also be whoopie pie-related activities and craft vendors on site. VIP passes will be available online in August for early entry to the festival at 9 .m., a festival tote bag, a voucher for a free whoopie pie and more.

• Info: More information will be available closer to the event at whoopiepiefestival.com.

LANCASTER CITY RESTAURANT WEEK

• When: Monday, Sept. 14, to Sunday, Sept. 20.

• Where: Restaurants and other food and beverage establishments around Lancaster city.

• Details: Dozens of restaurants, bars and other food businesses will offer fixed-price menus or discounts on new or signature food and beverage items.

• Admission: Free; pay for your food as you dine at different eateries.

• Info: The list of eateries for Restaurant Week’s fall edition will be assembled closer to the event, and listed on the event’s website, lancastercityrestaurantweek.com.

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