Creativity will take center stage in downtown Hagerstown as Downtown Hagerstown Main Street hosts its free Art Walk on May 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout the city’s Arts & Entertainment District. The event invites residents and visitors to explore the Cultural Trail through guided walking tours at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., enjoy live buskers along the route, and browse an artisan marketplace at University Plaza featuring local makers. Additional activities include caricature drawings at Potomac Walk and a coloring station at The Maryland Theatre, offering family-friendly ways to engage with the arts. Designed to highlight the area’s vibrant creative community, the Art Walk encourages attendees to discover public art, support local businesses, and experience downtown Hagerstown in a lively, interactive setting
Step back into the rhythms of early American life at “1776: Hearth, Home, and Springtime,” a living history event hosted by the Conococheague Institute and designed to immerse visitors in 18th-century domestic life, farming and food traditions. The free, family-friendly event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at 12995 Bain Road in Mercersburg, featuring sheep shearing, hearth cooking, blacksmithing, live music and hands-on activities for all ages. Guests can explore historic house and garden tours, meet farm animals and enjoy food, craft vendors and local beverages, while learning about early American skills and seasonal routines. Organizers say the event supports educational programming that serves more than 6,000 students annually and offers a meaningful way for the community to connect with regional history.
History takes the wheel at the East Coast Military Vehicle Rally, where engines, artifacts and stories from the past converge for a day of hands-on exploration. The public is invited to the rally from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum, 18450 Showalter Road, Building 8, in Hagerstown, where more than 200 vendor spaces and a wide array of historic military vehicles — including Jeeps, trucks and aircraft — will be on display. The event offers a flea market-style atmosphere for buying, selling and browsing, while also serving as a gathering for veterans, collectors, re-enactors, scouts and history enthusiasts of all ages. Admission fees apply, and attendees should follow event signage upon arrival; additional details are available at hagerstownaviationmuseum.org/events/.
Book lovers and bargain hunters will find plenty to explore at the 40th Annual Friends of Legal Services Book Sale, set for May 8–10 at Laird Hall on the Wilson College campus in Chambersburg. Hosted by Friends of Legal Services, the three-day community event offers a wide selection of gently used books along with CDs, DVDs, games, sheet music and puzzles, with proceeds supporting local legal aid services. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Shoppers should note that purchases are cash or check only.
Caped crusaders, cosmic explorers and fairy tale favorites will take over downtown Chambersburg as the 4th Annual Fandom Fest returns Saturday, May 9, inviting families and fans of all ages to celebrate their favorite characters and stories. Hosted in downtown Chambersburg from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the free event will feature artist vendors, brick-building competitions, costume contests and themed photo opportunities, bringing together community members, creators and enthusiasts for a day of imagination and creativity. Organizers say the festival aims to unite fans across genres—from superheroes and dinosaurs to space adventures and fantasy worlds—while supporting local artists and offering a fun, inclusive experience for the region.
Catch our weekly “Let’s Talk Tristate” news roundup with a new link every Friday at noon, available through the Verstandig “Let’s Talk Tristate” Media Links box at the bottom of the LocalNews1 home page. Each video recaps the week’s top stories from LocalNews1.org, produced and edited in collaboration with Verstandig Media.
