Are you ready for some hot summer entertainment? Whether your idea of fun involves theater, music, festivals, outdoor activities or learning something new, we’ve got your entertainment guide right here in NXT Best!
Sunflower & Queen Anne’s Lace Photos & Bouquets
Anytime (self-serve)
Pollinator and Wildlife Habitat
Church of the Apostles United Church of Christ
336 Barnett Ave.
Waynesboro, Pa.
Take photos and bring pruners to cut sunflowers and Queen Anne’s Lace bouquets. Park in grass along Barnett Avenue. Free. Call 717-377-4729 or email benchoff360@comcast.net.
The Legend of Barbara Fritchie
Monday, Aug. 19 – 7 p.m.
McKinley Hall
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
209 W. Main St.
Sharpsburg
Presented by local historian Steve Stotelmyer. Part of Civil War Lecture Series. Sponsored by the Jacob Rohrbach Inn. Drawing for an autographed book or a Civil War print with purchase of $5 ticket. Parking area off alley, and on Main and Hall streets. Lecture is free. Go to tinyurl.com/3ecxvurk or call 301-432-5079.
Songwriters & Poets Open Mic
Monday, Aug. 19 – 7 to 9 p.m.
Music Makers
46 W. Main St.
Waynesboro, Pa.
Led by longtime Waynesboro Songwriters Workshop member Dave Dishneau and Hagerstown-based poet Ann Culey. Free, donations appreciated. Email music@artsalliancegw.org or call 717-655-2500.
C&O Canal Wellness Walk
Tuesday, Aug. 20 – 10 a.m. to noon
C&O Canal Dam No. 4
142 W. Potomac St.
Williamsport
Hosted by Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Walk led by PVAS volunteer from Dam No. 4 to Big Slackwater and back. For all experience levels. Free. Registration required. Go to https://tinyurl.com/awptc8k6, email Sonja@potomacaudubon.org or call 681-252-1387.
Lisa Turchi & Friends Sing the Broadway Songbook
Wednesday, Aug. 21 – 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Aug. 22 – 2 p.m.
Totem Pole Playhouse
9555 Golf Course Road
Fayetteville, Pa.
Broadway classics. Part of Music in the Pines Concert Series. $39. Go to https://tinyurl.com/mud49zkz or call 717-352-2164.
Corey El & The Fam
Wednesday, Aug. 21 – 6 to 8 p.m.
University Plaza
50 W. Washington St.
Hagerstown
Soul, funk and pop. Part of MDWK Music & Market. Food and beverages (including alcoholic beverages) available for purchase. Hosted by the city of Hagerstown. Free admission.
Walking Tour of Bloody Lane
Wednesday, Aug. 21 – 6:30 p.m., rain date Tuesday, Aug. 27
Meet at Antietam National Battlefield Tour Stop No. 7
Richardson Avenue
Sharpsburg
Led by historian Brad Gottfried. Hosted by Harpers Ferry Civil War Round Table. Free. Registration required. Email ccraig@laurellodge.com or call 304-433-1260.
Caleb
Wednesday, Aug. 21 – 7 p.m.
City Park Bandshell
501 Virginia Ave.
Hagerstown
Weather permitting. Christian contemporary and Christian rock. Part of Encounter Music Series. Hosted by Valor Ministries. Free. Go to www.valorexcel.com.
Let’s Talk Art!
Thursday, Aug. 22 – 6 p.m.
Online
Hosted by the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. Agnita M. Stine Schreiber Curator Daniel Fulco, Manager of Exhibitions and Collections Sarah Wolfe, and Director of Education Kellie Mele will discuss “Art, Fashion, Symbol, Statement: Tattooing in America 1960s to Today.” Free. Register for a link by contacting Donna Rastelli at 301-739-5727 or drastelli@wcmfa.org.
Community Dinner
Thursday, Aug. 22 – 6:30 p.m.
Emmanuel United Methodist Church
802 Summit Ave.
Hagerstown
All welcome. Meal, fellowship and short message. Free. Call 301-733-4720.
Trick Bag
Thursday, Aug. 22 – 7 to 8 p.m.
Chambersburg Memorial Park Kiwanis Bandshell
1 Washabaugh Way
Chambersburg, Pa.
Family friendly. Part of the 2022 Summer Concert Series. Bring chairs and/or blanket. Free admission. Call 717-261-3275.
Tenacious Beasts: Wildlife Recoveries that Change How We Think About Animals
Thursday, Aug. 22 – 7 p.m.
Byrd Auditorium
National Conservation Training Center
698 Conservation Way
Shepherdstown, W.Va.
Presented by author Christopher Preson. Part of the NCTC Conservation Lecture Series. Free. No registration required. Go to http://www.friendsofnctc.org, email mark_madison@fws.gov or call 304-876-7276.
Jimmy Carpenter
Thursday, Aug. 22 – 8 to 10:30 p.m.
Hub City Vinyl
28 E. Baltimore St.
Hagerstown
Grammy and Blues Music award-winning saxophonist. $23.18. Go to https://liveathubcityvinyl.com/all-events/ or call 301-800-9390.
End of Summer Block Party
Friday, Aug. 23 – 5 to 7:30 p.m.
South Potomac Street
Hagerstown
DJ, kids’ activities, hot dog eating contest, more. Hosted by the city of Hagerstown.
BBD Trio
Friday, Aug. 23 – 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Music Makers
46 W. Main St.
Waynesboro, Pa.
Blues. Free admission. Donations appreciated. For more information, email music@artsalliancegw.org or call 717-655-2500.
Benefit Auction
Saturday, Aug. 24 – doors open 9 a.m., bidding 10 a.m. until sold out
Broadfording Church of the Brethren Fellowship
14010 Greencastle Pike
Hagerstown
Handmade quilt, Longaberger baskets, memorabilia, homemade baked goods, jams, jellies, relishes and candies; jewelry, live plants and more. Food stand. Proceeds benefit missions and other church needs. Call 301-791-5432 or email broadfordingcob@myactv.net.
Shalisha
Saturday, Aug. 24 – 10 a.m. to noon
Brooke’s House Coffee & Chocolate Shop
1083 Maryland Ave.
Hagerstown
Pop. Call 240-203-8183. Go to brookeshousecoffeeandchocolate.com/.
Vacation Bible School
Saturday, Aug. 24 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Emmanuel United Methodist Church
802 Summit Ave.
Hagerstown
Special activities for children and families on church lawn. Food, music, moon bounce, water slide, storytelling and science experiments. Call 301-733-4720.
Spud Fest
Saturday, Aug. 24 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Washington County Rural Heritage Museum
7313 Sharpsburg Pike
Boonsboro
Watch draft horses plow potato field. Children’s potato picking contest, children’s tractor pedal pull. Music by Knuckle Dusters. Potato-themed lunch menu. Register for contests at 10 a.m. Parking by donation. Go to www.ruralheritagemuseum.org or call 240-420-1714.
Volunteer Skill-Sharing Workshop
Saturday, Aug. 24 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Conococheague Institute Visitor Center
12995 Bain Road
Mercersburg, Pa.
Part of Saturdays’ historic programs. Historic homestead and gardens. Learn about the 18th century through hands-on programming, crafts and exhibits. Free. Go to www.cimlg.org, email info@cimlg.org or call 717-328-2800.
Annual Wolfsville Picnic
Saturday, Aug. 24 – 11 a.m.
Wolfsville Ruritan Park
12708 Brandenburg Hollow Road
Myersville, Md.
Music by Ernie Bradley and the Grassy Ridge Band, and the Rohrersville Band. Quilt auction, white elephant. Crafts, garden produce, home baked goods, homemade soups, slippery pot-pie, country ham sandwiches, hand-dipped ice cream, fresh cut French fries and potato chips available for purchase. Sponsored by St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and Sunday school.
The Buzz Jones Big Band
Saturday, Aug. 24 – 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Totem Pole Playhouse
9555 Golf Course Road
Fayetteville, Pa.
Vocalist Darden Purcell. Re-orchestrated masterpieces of the Great American Songbook, swing standards of Basie and Ellington, blues of all genres, Latin jazz, and fusion. Part of Music in the Pines Concert Series. $39. Go to https://tinyurl.com/mud49zkz or call 717-352-2164.
Adult Senior Prom
Saturday, Aug. 24 – 3 to 7 p.m.
The Manger Ballroom
The Maryland Theatre
21 S. Potomac St.
Hagerstown
For ages 50 and older. DJ, dancing, photos with props, Prom King and Queen crowning and more. Presented by The Elder Group. $64.60 for one ticket, includes entertainment, food and non-alcoholic beverages (alcoholic beverages available for purchase). Go to https://www.mdtheatre.org/elder-group or call 301-790-2000.
28th Annual Crabfeast
Saturday, Aug. 24 – 3 to 8 p.m.
AMVETS Post 224 picnic pavilion
750 Fifth Ave.
Chambersburg, Pa.
Rain or shine. All-you-can-eat hardshell crabs and barbecue, beer and other beverages. Small games of chance, a raffle and an auction. Hosted by Downtown Chambersburg Inc. Dine-in tickets: $75 ages 13 and older, $20 ages 2 to 12. Take-out tickets available for 12 hardshell crabs. Take-out orders must be picked up by 5:30 p.m. Go to https://downtownchambersburgpa.com/crabfeast/ or email sthrush@chambersburg.org. Proceeds benefit downtown revitalization efforts.
Cooking With Gas
Saturday, Aug. 24 – 7 p.m.
Shafer Park gazebo
37 Park Drive
Boonsboro
Hosted by the Boonsboro Park Board. Bring lawn chair and/or blanket. Leashed dogs welcome. Free. Go to town.boonsboro.md.us, email info@townofboonsboro.com or call 301-432-5141.
Jazz is Phsh
Saturday, Aug. 24 – 8 to 10:30 p.m.
Hub City Vinyl
28 E. Baltimore St.
Hagerstown
Mashup of jazz legends and the music of Phish. $23.18. Go to https://liveathubcityvinyl.com/all-events/ or call 301-800-9390.
Annual Heritage Fest
Sunday, Aug. 25 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Washington County Rural Heritage Museum
7313 Sharpsburg Pike
Boonsboro
Antique tractor pull, all cars-trucks-bikes cruise-in. $5 to enter vehicle. 19th century log cabins, living history. Go to www.ruralheritagemuseum.org or call 240-420-1714.
Latin Festival
Sunday, Aug. 25 – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
University Plaza
50 W. Washington St.
Hagerstown
Live music, authentic food, beverages, vendors and more. Sponsored by the city of Hagerstown.
Everybody’s Day
Sunday, Aug. 25 – 12:30 to 4 p.m.
Pen Mar Park
14600 Pen Mar Road
Highfield-Cascade
For all ages. Live music by Ray Birely Orchestra, arts and crafts, kid-friendly activities, running challenge (go to https://runsignup.com/highrockrun2024), Potomac Indian Dancers, Zumba, jitterbug and waltz contests, magic show, Hub City Model A Ford Club, bounce house, Antietam Dairy, baked goods, balloon artist. Hosted by Washington County Parks and Recreation Department. Free admission. Call 240-313-2380 or email pr@washco-md.net.
Bluegrass Hootenanny
Sunday, Aug. 25 – 2 to 4 p.m.
Music Makers
46 W. Main St.
Waynesboro, Pa.
Led by Johnny Calamari and Brad Munn. Bring bluegrass instruments and play. Admission is free. Donations appreciated. For more information, email music@artsalliancegw.org or call 717-655-2500.
Bowman House Tours
Sunday, Aug. 25 – between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Bowman House Museum and Pottery
323 N. Main St.
Boonsboro
19th-century log house, raised-bed vegetable garden. Hearth cooking demonstrations. Period guest demonstrators. Go to https://tinyurl.com/ypujweay or https://tinyurl.com/24xfm6m8.
33rd Annual Jazz Festival
Sunday, Aug. 25 – 5 to 7 p.m.
The Wharf (outside; rain location is Waynesboro Area Middle School)
10141 Wharf Road
Waynesboro, Pa.
2024 Grammy Award-winning vocalist Nicole Zuraitis, saxophonist Don Braden, guitarist Paul Bollenback, drummer Dan Pugach and bassist Luques Curtis. Presented by Buttonwood Nature Center, home of The Institute. Roll Time food truck, BYOB/picnic. Bring lawn chair/blanket. Free parking. Free admission. Go to www.buttonwoodnaturecenter.org, call 717-762-0373 or email jessica@buttonwoodnaturecenter.org.
Rohrersvile Band
Sunday, Aug. 25 – 7 p.m.
Shafer Park gazebo
37 Park Drive
Boonsboro
Hosted by the Boonsboro Park Board. Bring lawn chair and/or blanket. Leashed dogs welcome. Free. Go to town.boonsboro.md.us, email info@townofboonsboro.com or call 301-432-5141
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Arts and entertainment activities in the Hagerstown area Aug. 19-25
