(PRWEB) January 30, 2015 -- The Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites visitors to Franklin County in 2015 to try 15 exciting things unique to the area.
1. Brush up on your history
Franklin County is rich in history, from battlefields to historic homes.
The Monterey Pass Battlefield Museum was completed at the end of 2014, which displays artifacts related to the battles of Monterey Pass and the Pennsylvania Campaign of 1863, and the Civil War in Franklin County. This museum joins the many other things to see in the county.
In April, explore your own path during Spring into History, where visitors can trek back to early settlements, frontier forts, secret hiding places of the Underground Railroad, Civil War sites and hallowed grounds. Explore fire museums and the history of industry in the county during a self-guided tour.
The historic nature of Franklin County will again be highlighted this year as the 250th commemoration of The Black Boys Rebellion will take place at Fort Loudon on September 25, 26, and 27, hosted by the Fort Loudoun Historical Society.
The rebellion began in 1765 when James Smith, led a group of white settlers, against British troops. The men opposed renewed trade relations with Indians due to recent attacks and disrupted British supply shipments to western forts. The men got their name after they were seen dressing as Indians and “blackening” their faces with tar.
The free weekend event will include skirmishes and the firing on the fort by the Black Boys, a confrontation at the Widow Barr’s House and a showing of Allegheny Uprising—the movie inspired by the events at Fort Loudoun.
2. Get in touch with nature and enjoy the outdoors on a scenic hike
It was a big year for Waynesboro and Washington Township, who became an official Appalachian Trail Community in April. This designation is in the cooperation with hikers and the community to encourage a partnership between the two.
Franklin County is also home to beautiful state parks such as Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park, Caledonia State Park, Cowans Gap State Park, Pine Grove Furnace State Park and Mont Alto State Park.
3. Catch a show at one of the historic theaters
Why stay at home when you can see live performances at just one of the many theaters in Franklin County? Totem Pole Playhouse in Fayetteville signs on professional talent for musicals and plays in the scenic Caledonia State Park. Capitol Theatre in Chambersburg is not only a symbol of the downtown but is home to the Chambersburg Ballet Company and works to bring in the biggest artists of today. Other venues include The Star Theatre in Mercersburg, which is home the PA Opry every year and the Luhrs Center in Shippensburg draws artists from all over the world.
You can find what you need in Franklin County, from locally-owned corner Italian, Mexican, and American restaurants to antique shops with treasures found nowhere else. Try some candy at Olympia Candy Kitchen or Zoe’s Chocolate in Waynesboro.
5. Shop for unique and antiques gifts
Don’t forget about the shopping! Hidden in a corner or on the main drag, our shops have unique gifts and trinkets you will treasure forever. From handmade jewelry, candles and furniture, there is something for everyone to find.
6. Enjoy a weekend away and relax at a real bed and breakfast or historic inn
If you need some time to get away from the stresses of life and instead relax, you’ll find what you are looking for in Franklin County. From historic bed and breakfasts to hotels, hospitality abounds. Scenic cabins and deluxe accommodations are all here, with some miles away from the traffic and craziness of everyday life.
7. Enjoy scenic and breathtaking views
When you visit, don’t forget your camera! The county is home to breathtaking views from our mountains with sunsets and sunrises camera-worthy. The overlooks at Blue Ridge Summit and from the state forests are ones to take your breath away.
8. Enjoy the snow with skiing and snowboarding at local resorts
When the weather gets cold, hit the slopes at Whitetail Resort in Mercersburg. With facilities for skiing, snowboarding and tubing, 23 trails are ready to be explored. Kick up the powder even if the snow isn’t falling too fast with state of the art snow-making machines.
9. Enjoy a Franklin County festival
Festivals abound in Franklin County. Chambersburg’s annual IceFest will take center stage January 29 through February 1 with fun for the whole family. Ice carvings, a double wide slide, chili cook-off and snowfall ball will make downtown Chambersburg the place to be during the winter days.
Other festivals for the year include Old Market Day and ChambersFest, which will highlight downtown businesses with fun for the whole family.
There are also festivals that highlight the food of the county, such as AppleFest and Fort Loudon’s Peach Festival. In the fall, don’t forget PumpkinFest at Renfrew Institute, where pumpkins, scarecrows and apple cider make celebrating the season fun for everyone.
10. Watch as Chambersburg “burns”
2014 marked the 150th anniversary of the Confederate burning of Chambersburg, and the crowds came in the thousands to experience the live re-enactment and light show in the town square. In 2015, the emphasis shifts to the rebirth of Chambersburg with more music, food, and family entertainment leading up to the history commemoration and light show, scheduled for July 18, 2015.
11. Eat Franklin County Fresh
Farming is the lifeblood of Franklin County. Enjoy homegrown and fresh fruits and vegetables grown right in your backyard!
12. Reflect and honor our nation’s veterans
The 9/11 Tribute was officially dedicated on September 11, 2012 at Red Run Park after years of planning and work by local officials and dignitaries. The artifacts include a 1,088 pound steel I-beam from the World Trade Center, a piece of limestone from the Pentagon and a rock from Shanksville, Pa., where Flight 93 crashed.
13. Enjoy hunting and fishing
Four creeks within 25 miles of Chambersburg are open year-round, including Antietam Creek, Big Spring and Green Spring close to Newburg. The Conocheague Creek and the Conodoguinet Creek may not be open year-round for fishing, they are home to bluegills, small-mouth bass and plenty of brown, brook, and rainbow trout.
The county’s geography gives hunters choices where to set up and with many locally owned hunting shops, it’s easy to get the equipment hunters need to get out and bag their trophies.
14. Enjoy a day out on the green
Franklin County has golf courses over 100 years old, one rated 4-stars by Golf Digest and another, a former military personnel and Letterkenny Army Depot course now open to the public. With easy access from Interstate 81, the PA Turnpike and Route 30, the golf courses of Franklin County are waiting for you on your next trip.
15. Try something different
Have you ever tried skydiving? What about milking a cow? Franklin County is a cross-roads of culture, farmland and excitement. With not only farmlands and history for the city-dweller, it has thrills for adventure-seekers or those who want to make 2015 an exciting year where they try something different.
The Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites all to explore Franklin County PA and enjoy the history, arts and entertainment, recreation and natural beauty, and the fresh foods and warm hospitality of charming communities like Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro. Franklin County PA is located just north of the Mason Dixon Line and is an easy drive to Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Discover more....plan your visit at ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com or by contacting 866.646.8060.
Janet Pollard, Franklin County Visitors Bureau, http://www.ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com, +1 717-552-2977 Ext: 103, [email protected]
SOURCE Franklin County Visitors Bureau
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