Things To Do This Weekend
October opens with Franklin County history, makers and artists, downtown markets, outdoor activities, benefit runs, live music, food events and family activities across the county.
Featured This Weekend
A two-day program explores Franklin County’s ties to the Underground Railroad, John Brown, Frederick Douglass and the U.S. Colored Troops.
Learn & Explore Weekend: Road to Freedom
Saturday features a bus tour of Franklin County sites connected to the Underground Railroad, John Brown, Frederick Douglass and the U.S. Colored Troops. Sunday continues with a Frederick Douglass Tea & Talk at the Visitors Center. Registration is required and bus seating is limited.
Event Information →Friday, October 2
Friday begins with a Greencastle fundraiser, Shippensburg’s monthly downtown gathering, alumni activities and the start of a three-day Fayetteville festival.
Fall Into Christmas Golf Tournament
The Greencastle Exchange Club tournament includes golf, cart, lunch, two beer tickets and prizes. Proceeds help purchase Christmas gifts for children in the Greencastle-Antrim district.
Greencastle Golf Club • Greencastle EveningShip First Fridays
Shippensburg’s monthly First Friday brings people downtown for community activity at Ship Station. Check the event listing for the latest program and times before traveling.
Ship Station • ShippensburgFayetteville Volunteer Fire Department Fall Festival
The fire department’s three-day fall gathering features food trucks, vendors, apple-butter making and live music throughout the weekend. Check the department’s latest notice for each day’s schedule.
101 West Main Street • FayettevilleJames Buchanan Alumni Weekend
The school community marks its 60th anniversary with alumni activities that include a meet-and-greet, Friday football and Saturday school and community gatherings.
James Buchanan High School area • MercersburgFriday Morning Openings
Two local businesses are marking openings or reopenings Friday.
Saturday, October 3
Saturday is the busiest day, with downtown markets, history, crafts, live music, nature programs and fall farm activities.
Waynesboro Fall Market Day
Downtown Waynesboro welcomes more than 150 vendors along with food, beverages, live music and children’s activities for one of the weekend’s largest community gatherings.
Main Street • Downtown WaynesboroRoad to Freedom Bus Tour
A guided Franklin County tour visits sites connected to the Underground Railroad, John Brown, Frederick Douglass and the U.S. Colored Troops. Advance registration is required.
Departs from the 11/30 Visitors Center • Chambersburg 10 AM–3 PMCumberland Valley Woodcarvers
Meet local woodcarvers, see finished work, explore environmental center displays and enjoy children’s activities and concessions.
Charles Brightbill Environmental Center • Mercersburg 11 AM–5 PMStrange Days Makers Fest
More than 60 artists, vendors, record dealers, vintage sellers and handmade creators gather with live bands, a DJ and benefit raffles supporting the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter.
AMVETS Pavilion • Chambersburg 1–4 PMBasic Tree Identification
Penn State Master Gardeners lead an outdoor session on recognizing trees by leaves, bark, branching patterns and other key features.
Waltonian Meadows Pavilion • Chambersburg 2 PM & 7:30 PMMusic in the Pines: Queen + Journey
The music of Queen and Journey comes to the Totem Pole stage in two Saturday performances, with another show scheduled Sunday.
Totem Pole Playhouse • Fayetteville 2 PM FeatureCalf Bottle Feeding at Stoner’s Corn Maze
Stoner’s seasonal corn-maze activities include calf bottle feeding at 2 p.m., included with admission while the fall attraction is open.
Stoner’s Dairy Farm & Corn Maze • MercersburgAdopt-a-Ghost Night
Participants create a living ghost terrarium during an evening workshop at Eden Vintage. Registration is $50 per person; confirm availability directly with the organizer before attending.
Eden Vintage • 24 East Baltimore Street, GreencastleAlso Happening Saturday
Markets, tours, food fundraisers and additional local options.
Sunday, October 4
Sunday brings a history program, community benefit events, bingo and another live-music performance.
Montessori Academy Bingo
A Sunday bingo fundraiser supports Montessori Academy. Admission and game-package details were not included in the available information, so confirm pricing with the organizer.
Scotland Community Center • ScotlandFrederick Douglass Tea & Talk
The Road to Freedom weekend continues with tea service, historic materials and a conversation covering the breadth of Frederick Douglass’ life. Registration is required.
Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center • Chambersburg Noon–5 PM5th Annual Dash for Down Syndrome
A community race and celebration at Norlo Park supports inclusion and celebrates individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
Norlo Park • Fayetteville 2–4 PM8th Annual EdK Memorial 1K & 5K
The annual YMCA event honors Edwin “Ed” Sponseller with a 1K fun run and 5K race supporting youth and community programming.
Chambersburg Memorial YMCA • Chambersburg 2 PMMusic in the Pines: Queen + Journey
Sunday’s final performance brings the familiar rock anthems of Queen and Journey to the Totem Pole Playhouse stage.
Totem Pole Playhouse • FayettevilleHave an event we should know about?
Send your Franklin County event information for possible inclusion in this weekend guide.
