Everyday is Summer Vacation when you're writing about Lancaster, PA

The Digest

Rock Ford pulls Lancaster's revolutionaries out of the wings

Lancaster's Revolutionary credentials run deeper than being state capital for one day in 1777. Historic Rock Ford's new exhibit, "Lancaster's Revolutionaries," spotlights four locals who shaped the moment: George Ross, the Lancaster lawyer who signed the Declaration of Independence; Ann Wood Henry, who became Pennsylvania's first female public official after taking over her late husband's treasurer role; Francis Bailey, the printer who published the first edition of the Articles of Confederation and coined the phrase "father of his country" for George Washington; and Edward Hand, Rock Ford's original owner and a Revolutionary War general. The exhibit leans on letters and personal correspondence rather than muskets and battlefields, and makes room for stories from Lancastrians of African descent and Indigenous communities.

Runs through October 31, alongside America250 events including a family day and a production of 1776 this summer.

Read more at LancasterOnline →

Sen. Malone takes on Pennsylvania's e-bike confusion problem

State Sen. James Malone convened transportation advocates, police, and Lancaster General medical staff at Ephrata Pioneer Fire Company on Friday to figure out what Pennsylvania should do about the e-bike boom. The numbers gave the room a reason to act: LG's Kelly Tice reported serious micromobility injury admissions jumped from 14-15 a year in 2022-24 to 42 in 2025. Pennsylvania caps legal e-bikes at 750 watts, under 100 pounds, and 20 mph (riders must be 16). The problem: a wave of imported "e-motos" weigh more than that, ditch the pedals, and hit 50 mph — still sold as bikes. Ephrata Police Chief Christopher McKim wants manufacturers to slap on a clearer warning so families don't realize they bought an illegal vehicle after the fact.

State law also still bans e-scooters from public roads, which makes for awkward traffic stops. Harrisburg has homework.

Read more at LancasterOnline →

What's happening

Monday

Jesse's Forgotten Friends Reptile Show | Adamstown Area Library brings naturalist Jesse and his live reptiles to St. Paul's for a kid-friendly look at today's scaly visitors and the dinosaurs they descended from. | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 80 E Main St, Adamstown | Free

Free Health Screenings at Lancaster Public Library | Walk-in cholesterol screenings, blood pressure checks, and other health assessments in the lobby, plus referrals to local health resources. | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Lancaster Public Library, 151 N Queen St, Lancaster | Free

Summer Story Time at Ephrata Public Library | Toddlers and kids hear 3-4 books, work on an art project, and do sensory play in the Story Room. Registration required. | 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Ephrata Public Library, 550 S Reading Rd, Ephrata | Free

Tuesday

Family Farm Days at Oregon Dairy | Three-day farm festival with tractor wagon rides, a petting zoo, chick hatching, ag demos, and local food vendors. | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | The Farmstead at Oregon Dairy, 2900 Oregon Pike, Lititz | Free

Lancaster Stormers vs. York Revolution | The Stormers open a home series against archrival York in the War of the Roses. | 6:45 PM | Penn Medicine Park, 650 N Prince St, Lancaster | Tickets from $9

Celebrate Water Week! 10th Anniversary at West Art | Lancaster Water Week marks a decade of protecting the county's 1,400 miles of streams with a free community party — Art Bar refreshments, a DJ, food vendors, and a 7 PM program. | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | West Art, 816 Buchanan Ave, Lancaster | Free

Phredd Ukulele One Man Band | Family-friendly performance from a one-man ukulele band as part of the library's summer reading kickoff. Registration required. | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Columbia Public Library, 24 S 6th St, Columbia | Free

Concerts by the Creek at Grater Park | Outdoor summer concert series hosted by the Ephrata Public Library. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Thomas P. Grater Community Park, 320 Cocalico St, Ephrata | Free

Wednesday

Family Farm Days at Oregon Dairy | Extended-hours day at the farm festival, with tractor wagon rides running until 6:30 PM, the petting zoo, and Pennsylvania product vendors sampling local goods. | 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM | The Farmstead at Oregon Dairy, 2900 Oregon Pike, Lititz | Free

Lancaster Stormers vs. York Revolution | Game two of the home series against the York Revolution. | 6:45 PM | Penn Medicine Park, 650 N Prince St, Lancaster | Tickets from $9

Trivia Night at Southern Market | Weekly Wednesday trivia at the food hall with $1 off beer and wine plus gift card prizes for the top three teams. | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Southern Market, 100 S Queen St, Lancaster | Free

Pajama Storytime at Musser Park | Lancaster Public Library takes storytime outdoors for the summer. Kids welcome in their PJs for stories and songs under the trees. Registration required. | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Musser Park, 135 N Lime St, Lancaster | Free

Character Juggler Chris Ivey | Championship juggler Chris Ivey performs a high-energy show for Columbia Public Library's summer reading program. Registration required. | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Park Elementary School Gym, 50 S 6th St, Columbia | Free

Now Playing

Joshua | Sight & Sound's massive biblical musical wraps the audience in 300 feet of stage. Runs through Dec. 31. Closed Sundays and Mondays. | Tue-Sat 11 AM, 3 PM & 7 PM | Sight & Sound Theatres, 300 Hartman Bridge Rd, Ronks | Tickets from $174

All Shook Up | The Elvis-fueled jukebox musical about a leather-clad stranger shaking up a buttoned-up Midwestern town. Runs through June 20. | Tue dinner 6 PM / show 7:30 PM · Wed dinner 6 PM / show 7:30 PM | Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, 510 Centerville Rd, Lancaster | Dinner & show $78-$83; show-only $55

Ned & Nancy See America | Brand-new musical comedy about a retired couple's wildly off-track RV vacation. Runs through July 25. | Tue 1 PM · Thu 1 PM · Fri 7 PM · Sat 1 PM & 7 PM | Bird-in-Hand Stage, 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand | Show only $47 adult / $18 child; Dinner & Show $73.50 / $34

Ryan & Friends: Laughter in Lancaster | Ventriloquist Ryan Bomgardner returns with a Pennsylvania Dutch Country-flavored variety show running through Oct. 15. | Wed 7 PM (June 10) | Bird-in-Hand Stage, 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand | Show only $47 adult / $18 child; Dinner & Show $73.50 / $34

Live music

Monday

Open Mic Artist Sessions w/ Henry Devorick | Open Mic / Acoustic | 7:00 PM | Tellus 360, 24 E King St, Lancaster | Free

Tuesday

Open Mic with Dan Jamison | Acoustic Open Mic | 7:00 PM | 551 West, 551 W King St, Lancaster | Free

Old Time Jam (hosted by Danny Mulligan) | Old-Time / Acoustic Jam | 6:30 PM | West Art (Art Bar), 816 Buchanan Ave, Lancaster | Free

Summertrios Faculty Chamber Music Concert | Chamber Music / Classical | 8:00 PM | Barshinger Center at Franklin & Marshall College, 415 Harrisburg Ave, Lancaster | Free

Rocky Allen + Screamin Daisys | Country / Covers | 6:00 PM | Concerts by the Creek at Thomas Grater Park, Cocalico St, Ephrata | Free

Wednesday

Live Music Night | Live, rotating artists | Evening | McCleary's Public House, 130 W Front St, Marietta | Free