First Fall Festival Planned

When members of the Rotary Club of Lancaster Sunrise were searching for a new fundraiser after COVID-19 restrictions made it impossible to hold their Literacy Bike Ride or annual car show, they looked for something with expanded appeal. "The ride is for bike riders, and the car show is for people who like cars," said Bill Weik, adding that the event is desgned to appeal to adults of all interests.

The Fall Festival will officially be held for the first time this year on Saturday, Oct. 9, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Aberdeen Acres, 406 Aberdeen Road, Elizabethtown. The event, which is designed for adults age 21 and over, will include live music; food; beer, wine, and other beverages available for purchase; and silent and live auctions. Dillwood Band, a three-piece string band, will play from 2 to 4 p.m., and Mama Tried Band, known for soul, funk, and rock, will play from 4 to 7 p.m. Local television reporter Meredith Jorgensen will serve as master of ceremonies.

A variety of fall-themed food items will be a focus of the event, with Michelle Gilbert of Gilby's Cafe serving as chef. "We will be smoking the pork and the beef brisket ourselves, and there will be homemade smoked mac and cheese," said Weik. Also on the menu will be hamburgers, hot dogs, chili, chicken corn soup, and fried food items such as mozzarella sticks and onion rings.

Weik described two of the experiences that will be auctioned in a live fundraiser at the event. "One will be a Valentine's Day weekend in New York City," he said, noting that the package will include dinner, tickets to a Billy Joel concert, two nights at a Hilton hotel, and round-trip transportation by Unique Limousine. A second item will be a Night on the Town in Lancaster, featuring dinner for six at the Belvedere, six tickets to the Fulton Theatre, beverages at The Exchange, and Unique Limousine transportation. Jewelry from Vincent & Company will go up for bids as well. A silent auction will feature up to 15 items, including themed baskets.

Funds raised by Sunrise Rotary are used for a variety of local causes, including student scholarships for Manheim Township and Lancaster Catholic students, as well as grants to the Lancaster-Lebanon Education Foundation, UDS Service Dogs, and the Lancaster Early Education Center. The club has also specifically helped provide backpacks and school supplies to Manheim Township students, given funds to the Carter and MacRae Tutoring Program, and supported Power Packs.

Several local organizations have signed on as sponsors of the event, including Lancaster County Motors Subaru, Penn State Health, and Highmark.

Tickets, which are necessary to attend the event, may be purchased at Evenbrite at https://bit.ly/3rUk0GL. Outside food and beverage items will not be permitted.