Go ahead and take a big wave goodbye to summer. With Labor Day around the corner, you know as well as I do, the party is over.
Fortunately, it seems like fall has a much bigger following than those heat-laced months, what with football, pumpkin-flavored everything and "the holidays" right around the corner. The mornings are cooler, the evenings often require a sweatshirt, but the days are still sunny and gorgeous (when there isn’t a natural disaster).
Perhaps it's that perfect cool/warm combination that inspires September as the host month for so many events. Each year it seems like more and more events and festivals take place during the month of September. Here are some of the top area events this ninth month. Read on:
- Harrisburg's annual Labor Day street festival, Kipona – including the annual Chili Cookoff – is Sat., Sept. 3 through Monday, Sept. 5.
- Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts celebrates its 12th year this month (Sept. 9 to be exact). To celebrate,enjoy special $12 admission packages.
- Friday, Sept. 9 is the 93.5 WTPA FM Birthday Bash with Kix, AC/DC tribute band Back in Black and Kiss Alive at the Radisson Penn Harris. Purchase tickets here.
- Blackman MMA presents the Pennsylvania Fighting Championship VI on Friday, Sept. 9 at the Zembo Shrine. Click here for tickets.
- Saturday, Sept. 10 is the 2nd annual Accomac Farm to Table Dinner. Truly outstanding.
- Dauphin County hosts its 4th annual Jazz Festival at Fort Hunter Park on the weekend of Sept. 10-11.
- The Gettysburg Wine & Music Festival also is Sept. 10-11, featuring live music, food and wine pairings and wine appreciation seminars.
- The Art Association of Harrisburg's 23rd annual Gallery Walk will be held on Sunday, Sept. 11 throughout downtown and midtown Harrisburg. More than 30 local vendors and venues will showcase local artists' works, most within walking distance. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Starting Sunday, Sept. 11 and running through Saturday, Sept. 17 is Restaurant Week in Hershey. Get 3-course dinners for $30 and 2-course lunches for just $15 at participating Hershey Resorts restaurants like Devon, Trevi 5 and The Forebay.
- America's Largest RV Show, the 43rd PA RV & Camping Show, is in Hershey Sept. 14-18.
- The food and wine extravaganza concludes with the Hershey Hotel Food & Wine Festival on Sept. 18 from noon to 4 p.m. ($50).
- Harrisburg's version of restaurant week, "Pamper Your Palate," runs from Sept. 12-16. Participating restaurants will offer a special 3-course menu (appetizer, entree and dessert) for just $30 per person. Participating restaurants include ABC, Cafe Fresco, Home 231, Carley's, Bricco, McGrath's, El Sol, Spice, Zia's at Red Door and Stock's on Second (click on each restaurant name for its 'restaurant week' menu).
- ABC's Capital City Beer Invitational Beer Fest is Saturday, Sept. 17. The event features two sessions, each including more than 25 craft brewers (local, regional and beyond), German food buffet and live entertainment. Tickets are $35/advance; $40/door. Also available: $15 designated driver tickets – all the fun, none of the booze. Buy tickets here.
- The Grateful Dog Walk and 5K Run and Woofstock are on Sunday, Sept. 18. For dog lovers, this is a can't-miss.
- Saturday, Sept. 24 is the 26th annual New Cumberland Apple Festival – everything apple from cider to strudel.
