Community Events

Bringing the community together

NOTICE: The Institute’s planning for our 2022 community events is still underway, but dates are set for these events.

Stay tuned for new information about these events!

The Institute provides free family-friendly community events throughout the spring, summer and fall. From the Annual Kite Fly and Earth Celebration Day & Festival of Art in April, Youth Festival in May, Shakespeare in June and sizzling Jazz Fest in August, there are exciting family activities happening month to month. Most take place outdoors.

Check out these family-friendly, fun events!

Annual Fun Fly 2022

Saturday, April 9 • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Underwriting support provided by Buchanan Auto Park

Free kite flying (all ages) with expert flying help from our Kite Masters—brothers Sam and George Adams—in the field adjacent to Hooverville Elementary School in Waynesboro. Bring your own kite. Build a Kite workshop is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., all welcome; $1 materials donation.

Watch this amazing video by local photographer, videographer, and video editor, Andrew Gehman, created during the 2013 Fun Fly. Watch the video here.

Earth Celebration Day 2022

Saturday, April 23 • 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Underwriting support provided by Angela Grove-Weagly in memory of Joyce L. Ceyler & Richard D. Ceyler, and by Lucinda D. Potter, CPA.

NOTICE: Details for the 2022 Earth Celebration Day event are coming soon. The Institute celebrates spring with environmental exhibits, music, student clothesline display, and food stand. Free admission. Event will take place outdoors at Pine Hill Recreation Area near Waynesboro, Pa. Please come prepared for an outdoor day, (light) rain or shine. Subject to cancellation in the event of heavy rain. Check our Earth Day calendar page for fliers and exhibitor lists when posted.

Watch a video of the 2013 event, created by Andrew Gehman.

Youth Festival—Our 33rd

Let’s Play Outside!

Sunday, May 22, 2022 • 1 to 5:30 p.m. at Pine Hill Recreation Area

Underwriting support by Patriot Federal Credit Union

This fun event features a variety of workshops, demonstrations, activities, exhibits, and entertainment throughout the day. Specialty playshops tie in the theme with all sorts of fun activities. Professional guest performers are always exciting, entertaining and fun! Pre-register for fun playshops.
Youth Fest is the best-kept FUN SECRET in Waynesboro! Free admission. [Rain site Waynesboro Area Middle School]

Check back for details on our 2022 Event Page.

Check out this cool video from 2013, created for the institute by Andrew Gehman. Plus, visit our Flickr page to see great photos from 2015!

31st Annual Jazz Festival 2022

Sunday, August 28 • 5 to 7 p.m.
At The Wharf in Waynesboro

The Institute’s annual jazz festival spotlights top professional artists each year with stellar performing artists that light up the outdoor stage with hot summer jazz. This year features 7-time Grammy Award winner, Arturo O’Farrill and his Afro Latin Jazz Quintet. Check out the Jazz Fest event page with flier and all the details HERE.

The concert is followed by an informal question and answer period. Free and open to the public. [Rain site: Waynesboro Area High School auditorium].

Underwriting support by lead sponsor, FirstEnergy Foundation on behalf of West Penn Power, plus a grant from the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Further sponsors include Hamilton Family Foundation on behalf of Hamilton Nissan; Beverly McFarland, in memory of Tom McFarland; Andrew and Sally Sussman; and Franklin County Visitors Bureau.

Additional support from The Institute’s Today’s Horizon Fund contributors: The Nora Roberts Foundation; The John R. Hershey Jr. and Anna L. Hershey Family Foundation; Alma W. Oyer; the Carolyn Terry Eddy Family: Carolyn, with daughters Connie Fleagle & Kim Larkin, and an anonymous donor, in honor of the life and work of Eunice Statler.
Facility support provided courtesy of Jeff and Nancy Mace.

Winter Solstice Celebration

Sunday, December 18, 2022 • 1 to 5:30 p.m. at Red Run Park

Underwriting support provided last year by Patriot Federal Credit Union

The Institute’s annual Winter Solstice Celebration launched in 2020. Marking the longest night—or shortest day—of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Since ancient times, people all over the world have recognized this important astronomical occurrence and celebrated the “return of the sun” in a variety of ways. After the solstice, the days get gradually longer.
Join this family-friendly celebration of the season with winter folktale storyteller Bruce Rowland, hands-on solstice activities for children including making garlands of popcorn and berries and edible ornaments for animals, live music, fire-pit warming stations, and hot chocolate stations.
Members of the Tri-State Astronomers club will be on hand with telescopes to observe the winter skies. Vendors and specific details are to be announced. The entire event is outdoors, so dress accordingly.