Thursday, September 30, 2010

National Apple Harvest Festival

This weekend, and next weekend, mark the 46th annual National Apple Harvest Festival at South Mountain Fairgrounds near Arendtsville, PA. This is a very heavily attended local event, if you have never been, you might want to put this on your "to do" list. Events kick off Saturday October 2nd at 8:00 am and if you want to be there right at the opening give yourself some extra time to park and catch the shuttle bus (it really is a BIG event).

There are a bunch of kids events, held in the Kid Country Building, including face painting and various games, there is also a petting zoo, pony rides, crafts and karaoke. There is also a pie eating contest for kids and a build a scarecrow area, which is always popular. The big drawl, for me, is all of the apple foods, my personal favorites are the apple cookies and apple bread, but check out the other local products like pies, cakes, kettle corn and cider.

The arts and crafts vendors are another big drawl for the crowds and this year they are boasting over 300 vendors! One quick thought if you are thinking of going, and possibly bringing a stroller along, think about bringing a jogging stroller or something with bigger wheels, the event is held on a grassy fairground area and with all of this rain there is sure to be mud. (If you have a baby think about skipping the stroller and bringing along the front carrier, between the mud and the crowds you might fare better.)

Check out more on the Apple Festival, and if you are thinking of attending make sure you keep an eye out for coupons in the newspaper. (Admission is $9 for adults, 60 years and older $8, Kids under 12 are FREE) http://www.appleharvest.com/

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Stauffers of Kissel Hill Fall Festival

This weekend marks the first of two consecutive weekends that host the Stauffers of Kissel Hill Fall Festival. We have somehow managed to miss this event every year but everyone I know that has gone has LOVED all of the FREE activities. (We will absolutely be there this year!) There are way too many things going on to list so make sure you check out the attached flier below and remember that there are two SKH locations in York, one on East Market Street out towards Hellam and the other on Carlisle Road in Dover, both offering slightly different schedules. Hope to see you there!

Here is the flier for the DOVER Fall Festival:

Here is the EAST YORK Fall Festival:

Friday, September 24, 2010

Springettsbury Township's Saturday in the Park

I almost forgot to mention that tomorrow is Springettsbury Township's Saturday in the Park. The day starts at 8am with registration for the 5K race and fun run, you can sign up at the YAUFR Headquarters Parking Lot (fire station). The fun run begins at 9:30am and the 5K at 9:45am. Starting at 11:30am there is a 3 on 3 basketball tournament, and starting at noon in the amphitheater there are dancing and twirling routines from different dance companies in the area. Later in the evening there is a Panthers Soccer game, followed by an EYC football game and a York Little League game. (If there is a sport your child might be interested in this might be a fun way to introduce them!)

The fun stuff like face painting, bounce houses and hot air balloon rides are all starting at noon. Some things cost $2, like the bounce houses and inflatable slides, other things like the face painting and balloon animals are free. There is so much going on that I really would have to write for hours, but needless to say its going to be a very fun day and to top it all of there is a fireworks display to end the day at 8pm.

Check all of the fun information here:

(Sorry about the long link, let me know if it doesn't work!)


Sweet Beginnings

This weekend the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center will hold a two day kick-off event for the upcoming season, called "Sweet Beginnings". On Saturday the event will be for the 21 and older crowd, but Sunday is the day to have fun with the kids. In remembering that this is a fundraising event the tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids, which includes drinks and delicious sweets (think chocolate!) There will also be face painting, performances by Spring Grove High School students who are doing the play "Beauty and the Beast", and crowd favorite The Steven Courtney Band! This event kicks off at noon and runs through 4pm, and make sure you come hungry because I have heard there are over 30 vendors, dessert vendors, so be prepared.

Visit http://www.strandcapitol.org/ for more information and eat some sweets for me!

Heritage Day at Muddy Creek Forks

Tomorrow is the annual Heritage Day at Muddy Creek Forks, with the opportunity to take a ride on the Ma & Pa Railroad. There will be displays, children's games, food and entertainment and of course Train Rides! The events kick off at 10am and run through 5pm, parking and admission are free, train rides are $5 for adults and $3 for kids. Make sure you check out the website for directions, we can't wait to go tomorrow!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Helping Out!

The American Red Cross is offering a babysitting course for kids aged 11-14 who are interested in learning the do's and don'ts of the job. The class will take place from 9am-2pm October 23rd at the Springettsbury Township Farmhouse, 1501 Mount Zion Rd. The cost is $35 for township residents and $40 for nonresidents. (If you are a nonresident check your townships website to see if there is a class offered closer to you, I know this is a generally popular class and different townships offer them throughout the year!)

You can register your child at: http://www.springettsbury.com/ and you must register one week before the class begins. The class is a five hour class designed to teach your child safety skills, problem solving, diapering, feeding and leadership and care skills. As a mom I would be very excited to hire a babysitter that has gone through this class!
The York County Area Agency on Aging is looking for teenagers, 7th grade-12th grade, to earn a little money while helping out some York County seniors with household chores. The "recommended" payment from seniors would be $5 an hour for help with yard work, mowing the lawn, household chores and snow removal. They call it their "Rent-A-Kid" program. It sounds like a wonderful program, the kids get a little spending money and the seniors get some work done without having to do it themselves.

For more details call Rent-A-Kid at 771-9103 or 1-800-632-9073. Or you can download forms at http://ycaaa.org/FormsDocuments.aspx



Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Bear Heart Baking Company

Okay so someone posted about this awesome new bakery in York and I just had to check out their website (checking out the bakery soon)! The awesome thing about this bakery is not only that it's local but that they use all-natural ingredients like sea salt, oatmeal, unbleached whole wheat flour and hormone free eggs and milk. YAY!! Please think about visiting them for your next bakery need (birthday, party, or pastry).

The other awesome thing about them is that they are starting some classes, tomorrow is the first Mommy and Me Cupcake Decorating class, one at 10am and one at 5:30pm. If you can make it on short notice give them a ring and reserve your spot. (858-7941)

Please keep this awesome all-natural bakery in mind for your next event. Woo-hoo, this is one happy momma!

1413 N. George Street
York, Pa. 17404
Hours Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm

Monday, September 13, 2010

Maximizing Capabilities

If you are a parent to a special needs child than make a date to visit the Maximizing Capabilities conference in Enola, Pa. October 2nd, from 11:00am-4:00pm. The conference is being billed as a "Pediatric Special Needs Conference" filled with education, information and inspiration!

This event is free to attend and is for parents, professionals and care givers of young children with special needs. There will be 60+ exhibits, presentations and product demos. It sounds like a great event that you don't want to miss.

Saturday, October 2nd, 2010
11:00am-4pm
Capital Area Intermediate Unit
55 Miller Street
Enola, Pa.

For more information visit www.centralpennparent.com

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Doll Tea Party/Benefit

Next Sunday September 19th from 2pm-4:30pm the York City Ice Arena (Ice Skating Rink) is throwing a tea party benefit for the Special Olympics York County figure skating program. It sounds like a great day for your daughter, or son, to play dolls with friends all while supporting an awesome cause. For more information contact the Arena at 848-1084 or visit them online at http://www.yorkskate.com .

Monday, September 6, 2010

Mother Earth Harvest Fair

I have posted before about how awesome it is to live somewhere with fresh produce, fruits and vegetables, livestock and honest to goodness working farms. I think most of us take for granted that we have half a dozen farmers markets within a 30 minute drive, and the ability to get almost any kind of organic food you can think of and even pick it off of the stalk, stem, or vine ourselves.

One such farm that practices sustainable farming is Spoutwood farm in Glen Rock. My neighbor and I have taken our kids for the past two years to the annual Fairy Festival, held at Spoutwood in August, and this year we are going to take them to the Mother Earth Harvest Fair. The fair is another way to celebrate healthy living here in the Susquehanna Valley, with food samples, cooking ideas, live music, animals, face painting and hay rides.

The fair will be held Saturday October 3rd from 10am-6pm, you can find more information on their website: http://www.spoutwood.org/mehf . Take the opportunity to support your local farmers by stopping by the MEHF and sampling their produce and by visiting your local farm market, buying local keeps local farmers working and local residents happy!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

York Fair 2010

It's that time of year again, time for the YORK FAIR!

This year the York Fair runs from September 10-19th and once again the fair is packed with entertainment, food and fun! (Just pace yourself!) The gates officially open at 10am Friday and admission prices this year are as follows, $6 for adults, $3 for kids 6-11 and under 5 are FREE. Parking is $6.

As every native of York knows, one must never pay full price to go to the Fair! As a kid I remember collecting the special Coke cans to get in for $2 and getting out of school early (York City School District) so we could get in FREE on Student Day. There are still special deals to get you in either FREE or with some kind of discount and remember to be nice to your neighbors that live in West York, they can let you park for free or at a discount too! (Or use our trick and park over by West York High School and walk a few blocks)

Discount Days:
Friday Sept. 10th-FREE admission for Military Veterans (proper ID required), FREE Admission for Senior Citizens. (Ride Wristbands $19)
Sunday Sept. 12th- $2 admission for adults, kids FREE from 10am-11am for the Ecumentical Church service ($1 is donated to the York County Council of Churches) (Ride Wristbands $19)
Monday Sept. 13th- $3 admission all day, FREE admission from 4pm-6pm for 2 people with Weis Shopper Card (Ride Wristband $19)
Tuesday Sept. 14th- Student Day- FREE ADMISSION for Students and Scouts from noon-8pm (Ride Wristbands $19)
Wednesday Sept. 15th- Community Currier Day- FREE admission with coupon from the community currier (little newspaper that comes in the mail)
Thursday Sept. 16th- WSBA DAY-FREE admission with coupon printed out from WSBA website.
Friday Sept. 17th- PRE-SCHOOL DAY-FREE admission from 10am-3pm for one adult with a pre-schooler. Kiddieland Wristbands $8 and expire at 4pm
Sunday Sept. 19th-FREE ADMISSION all day for 2 people with Weis Shopper Card. (Ride Wristband $15)

For concert, events, judging and other information on the York Fair visit their website at http://yorkfair.org/



Friday, September 3, 2010

Creative York

The fall edition of Creative York is out, please take time to check out all of the awesome classes available this fall for kids and adults. As a smaller city York is very fortunate to have such an active and vibrant artistic community, so if you looking for something different for you or your child take the time to peek at the link below. With classes in the visual arts, photography, craft work, children's theater, and literature you can't go wrong.

Sign up today!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

First Fridays in Downtown York

I know I have posted before about First Fridays, but tomorrow night is the last one of summer and they have saved the best for last. First Fridays run from 4-9pm, right outside of Central Market, and this week Steven Courtney and His Band of Friends is playing! If you have never heard of him, now is your chance to hear him for free, my 3 year-old LOVES him and so do I; he's silly, fun, energetic and a really great musician to boot.

Besides the band, sorry we are groupies, there is FREE parking, a bounce house, more live music and even FREE caricatures. Here is the link to the map online: http://downtownyorkpa.com/storage/Sept%20flyer.pdf along with specials the shops downtown are running. It's a lot of fun and a great way to support York City businesses, enjoy the night and head downtown!