Blog

Due to extreme heat forecasted, this event has been cancelled. Main Street is about to become the most colorful place in Lancaster County. On Friday, July 3, Mainspring of Ephrata presents the 4th annual Chalk the Walk, a free, family-friendly celebration inviting artists of all ages to transform downtown sidewalks into a sweeping open-air gallery with a patriotic theme in honor of America's 250th birthday.

We have some exciting news to share — and it's the kind that will be visible right on Main Street.

Mainspring of Ephrata is drafting a Master Site Plan for the 200-acre Ephrata Mt. Springs Recreational Preserve. As part of that process, Mainspring’s consultant, YSM, hosted a public open house on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

Small commitment. Big impact. Join the team moving Ephrata forward. Downtown Ephrata doesn't just happen. The fresh storefront that caught your eye on Main Street, the concert that filled the plaza on a summer evening, the historic building that got a second life instead of a slow decline — those things happen because people choose to invest in them. The Mainspring Collective is your invitation to be one of those people.

Looking for a meaningful way to make a real impact in Ephrata?  Mainspring of Ephrata is currently seeking passionate, community-minded individuals to fill open seats on our Board of Directors!

A Look at What's Happening in Ephrata

As the Ephrata Mountain Springs Preserve enters the Draft Master Plan phase, the community has had many questions. We've gathered the ones we see most often and answered them here.

Ephrata’s revitalization isn’t happening by accident. The murals brightening our streets, the bike park and bike share drawing riders from across the area, the businesses being recruited to the area, the events that make downtown feel alive — all of it takes hands, hearts, and people who genuinely care about where they live. That's where you come in. Mainspring's volunteer program just got a refresh, and we think you're going to like what you see.

The Ephrata Mountain stands as both a defining feature of our community and an untapped opportunity. Through the proposed Mountain Springs Recreational Preserve, Mainspring is exploring how this natural asset could support downtown economic revitalization while addressing ecological improvements and creating new recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.

America turns 250 in 2026, and Ephrata is marking this milestone in a way that captures who we are – diverse voices coming together to celebrate freedom. The America's 250th Birthday Community Quilt project invites every resident to express what freedom means to them. No artistic perfection required. Just your voice, your perspective, your story woven into our collective celebration.