Harrisburg, PA – There is more to fall in Pennsylvania than brilliantly colored leaves. Harvest festivals and seasonal events will be held all along the Pennsylvania Trails of History. Many of these Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission sites and museums are hosting a full schedule of events this autumn that are sure to entertain and educate each member of the family.
Apple Dumplings and Day of Music – Ephrata Cloister, Ephrata, Lancaster County – Friday, October 5–Sunday, October 7
On October 5 and 6, 9:30 AM–4:00 PM, Ephrata Cloister will sell apple dumplings to support its Back to the Cloister Fund, an effort aimed at returning original artifacts to the site. On October 7, the Cloister will host brief concerts in the original Meetinghouse at 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Visit www.ephratacloister.org.
Erntedankfest 2018 – Old Economy Village, Ambridge, Beaver County – Saturday, October 6, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, and Sunday, October 7, 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Old Economy Village’s annual fall festival features food, children’s games and activities, craft vendors, and tours of the historic village. Artisans will demonstrate crafts and skills, including woodworking, cheesemaking, baking and candle dipping. Live music performances will be featured both days. Visit www.oldeconomyvillage.org.
Fall Antique Show and Sawmill – Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, Ulysses, Potter County – Saturday, October 6 and Sunday, October 7, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
A dozen antique vendors will be selling furniture, glass, coins, books, toys, clothing and collectibles at the Fall Antique Show. On Saturday, visitors can experience the final 2018 run of the museum’s steam-powered circular sawmill. Other historic trade demonstrations include the firing of the museum birch still to produce spirits of wintergreen, blacksmithing in the lumber camp, apple pressing, and the operation of the shingle mill. Hayrides will allow visitors to observe the beautiful colors of fall along the site’s Sustainable Forestry Trail. Visit www.lumbermuseum.org.
Harvest Days – Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, Lancaster, Lancaster County – Saturday, October 13 and Sunday, October 14, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Harvest Days is an educational event featuring demonstrations of historic crafts, trades and farm chores that tell the story of the fall harvest. The event also includes wagon rides, music and food. Visit www.landisvalleymuseum.org .
Haunted Halloween Lantern Tours – Eckley Miners’ Village, Weatherly, Luzerne County – Friday, October 19; Saturday, October 20; Friday, October 26; and Saturday, October 27
Creatures lurk in the darkened streets of Eckley, a 19th-century anthracite mining patch town. This hour-long walk is full of scary stories and things that go bump in the night. First tour leaves at 6:30 PM and the last tour leaves at 9:00 PM. Visit www.eckleyminersvillage.com .
Bonfire Festival – Scranton Iron Furnaces, Scranton, Lackawanna County – Saturday, October 20, 6:00 PM–10:00 PM
The Annual Bonfire at the Iron Furnaces, a cultural program that benefits the Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces, explores the roots of the area and celebrates other cultural autumn festivals while highlighting northeastern Pennsylvania’s industrial past. Visit www.scrantonbonfire.com.
Great Pumpkin Day – The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, Dauphin County – Sunday, October 21, 12:30 PM–3:00 PM
This State Museum presents a family-friendly Halloween celebration featuring a costume parade, cupcake walk, seasonal games, crafts and treats. Visit www.statemuseumpa.org.
Tricks & Treats at the Manor – Pennsbury Manor, Morrisville, Bucks County – Sunday, October 28, 1:00 PM–4:00 PM
Pennsbury Manor’s Tricks & Treats highlights the holiday with snacks, games and a witch trial. Children are encouraged to arrive in costume. Visit www.pennsburymanor.org .
Trains & Troops – Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg, Lancaster County – Saturday, November 3, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Sunday, November 4, 2018, 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania presents its annual tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces, American railroads, and all who served or are serving overseas and on the home front. Railroad and military archival displays reveal the role railroads played in defense of the nation, all with the backdrop of the museum’s world-class collection of 100 historic locomotives and railroad cars. Visit www.rrmpa.org.
Revolutionary War Reenactment – Hope Lodge, Ft. Washington, Montgomery County – Saturday, November 3, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
The Friends of Hope Lodge will commemorate the 1777 Continental Army encampment in the Whitemarsh Hills surrounding Hope Lodge. Skirmishes on the grounds are scheduled for 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM. Visit www.historichopelodge.org.
The Pennsylvania Trails of History comprises 24 historic sites and museum administered by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. To find out more visit www.PATrailsofHistory.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACT: Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639