Feast on July! Foodie Events for July 2024
It’s the perfect month to savor fresh produce, support local events, enjoy a leisurely dinner at a favorite restaurant, visit a brewery, winery or distillery and bone up on your cooking skills.
Lancaster City International Food Tour
Select dates in July
Downtown Lancaster
Hosted by Unique Lancaster Experiences, the tour entails stops at a minimum of six culturally diverse restaurants. Sample food, meet the chefs/owners and more. Times vary. Information:Experiencelancasterpa.com.
Warehouse District Beer Garden
July
Lancaster
Back for another summer, the beer garden, which makes its home in a former lumber yard, is operated by Rural City Beer Co. The itinerary includes beer, food, live music, vendors, lawn games and more. It’s open Thursday-Sunday. 595 N. Charlotte St., Lancaster. Information: Warehousedistrict.com.
Zest Cooking School
July
Lititz
In the words of Julia Child, everyone should learn how to cook and in the process, try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all, have fun. The professional instructors who lead the classes at Zest! aim to have you do all of the above whether you’re a novice or a seasoned cook. Most classes begin at 6 p.m. or as otherwise noted. 1180 Erbs Quarry Rd., Lititz. Information: Zestchef.com.
- July 3: All-Grilled Sicilian Style with Chef Sara.
- July 6: Date Night: Saigon Summer with Cat Alwine
- July 13: Al Fresco: Indoor/Outdoor Picnic with Chef Linda
- July 16-18: Teens Camp: Farmers Market, Garden Cooking and Baking with Gwen Eberly (10 a.m.)
- July 20: Sun-Kissed Italian Summer with Chef Sara
- July 23: Sensational Seafood with Chef Linda
- July 24: Baking with Peaches with Chef Stephanie
- July 26: Parisian Olympics: Flavors of France with Cat Alwine
- July 27: Parent/Grandparents and Child Baking Adventure (12 p.m.)
- July 30: Knife Skills 101 with Chef Hannah
- July 31: Mastering Napoleon with Chef Stephanie (5 p.m.)
Wine & Cheese Train
Friday, Saturday and Sunday Evenings
Strasburg Rail Road
Climb aboard one of the First Class lounge cars and enjoy a tasting of wine (from Waltz Vineyards), cheese and crackers as the train makes the 45-minite trip to Paradise and back. Must be 21+, ID required. Times vary by date. Information: Strasburgrailroad.com.
Summerfest
July
Nissley Vineyards
Enjoy wine, beer, food (bring your own picnic or patronize the food trucks/vendors) and music on the lawn of the winery. New this year: Fridays are family-friendly and will offer non-alcoholic milkshakes and slushies for the kids, while Saturdays are 21+. Gates open at 6 p.m., music gets underway at 7:30 p.m. 140 Vintage Dr., Bainbridge. Information: Nissleywine.com
- July 5: Popscotch (pop/rock/funk)
- July 6: Bunchafunk (hi-energy dance music)
- July 12: Wonderland (one-hit wonders of the 70s/80s)
- July 13: Mama Tried (hi-energy dance music)
- July 19: 3rd Power family Soul (funk/jazz/rock/soul)
- July 20: Downtown Sound (hi-energy dance music/pop)
- July 26: Lancaster’s AM Radio (doo-wop/soul/R&B)
- July 27: Josh Squared (oldies/Top 40)
Sunset Dinner Tour on an Amish Farm
Through August
Amish Farm & House Event
No doubt you’ll have visitors this summer and are wondering how to entertain them. The Amish Farm & House has the solution: you and your guests can tour the 15-acre farm and 1805 farmhouse and then board a bus for a ride through the country that will take you to the home of an Amish family. There you’ll enjoy a traditional Amish dinner and end the visit with dessert and conversation with your hosts. Fridays and Saturdays; 3:45 tour/5 p.m. bus boarding. 2395 Covered Bridge Dr., Lancaster. Information: Amishfarmandhouse.com.
First Saturdays in Ephrata
July 6
Ephrata
Aiming to “grow the economy and build community,” today’s event – Chalk the Walk – invites visitors to unleash their creative talents on downtown’s sidewalks from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Then visit Whistle Stop Plaza (4:30-8 p.m.) to enjoy live music, food vendors and adult beverages (ID required). Sponsored by Mainspring of Ephrata, the event continues on August 3 and September 7. 16 E. Main St., Ephrata. Information: Mainspringofephrata.org.
Jazz on the Patio
July 11, 18, 25
The Barn at Paradise Station
Jump start your weekend at Lancaster’s newest events venue, where a summer-long menu of jazz, small plates, drinks and incredible views of the countryside is being offered on Thursday evenings, 6-9 p.m., through Labor Day. 312 Paradise Lane, Ronks. Information: Barnatparadisestation.com.
Blues & Brews
July 13
PA Renaissance Faire
Back for its 15th year, the event offers visitors a taste of Maryland: hard-shell crabs, steamed shrimp, pork BBQ, potato salad, hush puppies and more. Beer and cider will be provided by Swashbuckler Brewing Co. (ID required). Live music will be from The Hex Highway. Two seatings: 12-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. 2775 Lebanon Rd., Manheim. Information: Parenfaire.com.
Washington Boro Tomato Festival
July 13 & 20
Washington Boro Community Park
Washington Boro will once again be celebrating its famous Jet Star tomatoes with food, fun, games, raffles and entertainment. BorderLine (country rock) will perform July 13, while 3 Hour Tour (yacht rock/soul) will provide music on July 20. Proceeds benefit Blue Rock Fire Rescue. Food service begins at 3 p.m. Festival hours are 5-9 p.m. 2010 River Rd., Washington Boro. Information: Facebook.com.
Haiti Benefit Auction
July 14-15
Bird-in-Hand
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the collaborative effort on the parts of churches and individuals to raise funds for mission projects in Haiti. Friday’s events include a dinner (chicken BBQ, pulled pork, pizza, burgers), gospel singing and an auction of tools, crafts, quilts and specialty items. Saturday will feature breakfast fare, food stands and auctions entailing furniture, quilts, play-sets, tractors, gardening needs, sheds and more. A craft auction will feature a 3D painting (1973) by Abner Zook. Friday, starting at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, starting at 6:30 a.m. 338 N. Ronks Rd., Bird-in-Hand. Information: Pahaitiauction.com.
Photo courtesy of PA Haiti Auction
Date Night in the Garden
July 18
Conestoga House & Gardens
Surprise and impress the love of your life with an evening at this beautiful property. The gardens will be in full bloom, musicians will be strolling the grounds and you can bring your own wine and picnic dinner or pre-order one. 5-8 p.m. 1608 Marietta Ave., Lancaster. Information: Conestogahouse.com.
Sweet Corn Festival
July 20
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
Sweet corn is cause for celebration as Cherry Crest will offer visitors freshly roasted corn on the cob, specialty sweet corn items and more. A sweet-corn-eating contest will also be held. 3-9 p.m. (farm opens at 10 a.m.). 150 Cherry Hill Rd., Ronks. Information: Cherrycrestfarm.com.
Farm-to-Table Dinner
July 20
Inn at Twin Linden
Chefs John and Don from Chester County will be preparing a dinner that entails farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, apps with mint and citrus tones, signature sips and other treats. Dinner is held in the inn’s party barn and guests are also welcome to stroll the beautiful gardens and take in the views of the countryside and Welsh Mountains. 7 p.m. Information: Innattwinlinden.com.
4th Wednesday Happy Hour
July 24
Ephrata
Start your evening off at Whistle Stop Plaza, where Mainspring of Ephrata invites you to listen to live music (Joe Lerman Show/classic rock & country) and enjoy food (Rad.ish Food Truck & DonutNV Lancaster) and beverages (Hillside Public House at Doneckers). All ages are welcome; ID required to purchase adult beverages. 5-7 p.m. 16 E. Main St. Information: Mainspringofephrata.org.
San Juan Bautista Hispanic Festival
July 24-27
San Juan Bautista Catholic Church
Now celebrating its 41st year, the festival has become known for its musical entertainment, food, family-friendly activities and focus on Hispanic culture. The festival also holds raffles, with $15,000 in prizes awarded to their winners. The festival serves as the church’s largest fundraiser. Wed., 6-9 p.m. Thur., 6-10 p.m. Fri., 6-11 p.m. Sat., 4-11 p.m. 425 S. Duke St., Lancaster. Information: Lancasterhispanicfestival.com.
John Wright Themed Dinner
July 25
Wrightsville
Take a culinary tour of the Greek island of Crete via a three-course dinner that will be served in the River Room. 6:30 p.m. 234 N. Front St., Wrightsville. Information: Jwrpa.com.
Dinner on the Farm
July 30
Lundale Farm, Pottstown
Lundale Farm’s roots extend to 1946, when Sam and Eleanor Morris purchased he acreage. The two were pioneers in agricultural land preservation and went on to found the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust in 1967. During their association with the trust, more than 5,000 acres of open space were saved and preserved.
In 1974, they were granted and easement of 175 acres. Fearing development would encroach on the farm, they expressed a desire to see the land used for regenerative agriculture. Their daughters and a son-in-law accepted that challenge and today, the 550-acre farm is home to tenant farmers who are passionate about biodynamic methods of farming and operate farmettes with names such as Pasture Song Farm (hogs and flowers), Horseshoe Ranch (hens), Kneehigh Farm (veggies and flowers) and French Creek Organic Cider Orchard (apples). Through their farms, they aim to enhance the ecology, health and diversity of the land in Pottstown.
The farm is overseen by a board of directors, one of whom is Dean Carlson, who once owned Wyebrook Farm in Honeybrook. Events such as tours, birding treks and farm-to-table dinners are held at the farm.
Such a dinner will be held July 30. The four-course, family-style dinner will be designed and prepared by Chef Wyatt Piazza of Kiddo, a vegetable-forward restaurant located at 12th and Pine streets in Philadelphia. The restaurant, which is co-owned by Piazza and his wife, Elizabeth, opened last October and in January was named a Best New Restaurant by USA Today. Its menu features ingredients grown by farmers at Lundale. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Lundale Farm.
6 p.m. Lundale Farm, 2501 Pottstown Pike, Pottstown, Montgomery County.
Information: Lundalefarm.org
