First Saturday

Join Us for First Saturday!

June 1 ⋅ July 6 ⋅ August 3 ⋅ September 7
Whistle Stop Plaza, 16 E. Main St., Ephrata

As we continue our quest to “grow economy” and “build community,” we’re excited to share how we’re bringing the two goals together with First Saturday! Our First Saturday events celebrate the Ephrata community throughout the downtown area all Summer long. See details on all the events below.

Upcoming…

September 7, 2024, Explore Ephrata

How well do you know Ephrata? Our last First Saturday is a crazy one! The Second Annual Scavenger Hunt, 2:30-4:30 pm, tests your knowledge against your fellow residents and visitors. Can you find the answers to all the clues? More details to come.

The Scavenger Hunt does not require tickets, but we would LOVE to know you’re coming! RSVP below!

RSVP First Saturday

We’re also excited to announce that the Historic Conservation Trust of the Ephrata Area has graciously decided to open the Caboose at the Whistle Stop Plaza for tours on First Saturdays. If you’ve ever wondered what’s inside, stop in from 4:00-8:00 p.m. to see!

Past First Saturday Events:

June 1, 2024, Wine Walk
In June we’re bringing back the Wine Walk with more wineries! From 2:30-4:30, join in as local vintners set up tasting rooms within our brick-and-mortar businesses. Taste your way up and down Main Street as you shop and get to know the entrepreneurs who keep our town moving.

Wineries joining us ~

Benigna’s Creek Vineyard & Winery
Glasshouse Wineworks
Kog Hill Winery
Nissley Vineyards
Weathered Vineyards (Ephrata Tasting Room)
Lavender Acres Winery
Red Shale Ridge Vineyards
(* list updated daily)
The wine walk does not require tickets, but we would LOVE to know you’re coming!

July 6, 2024, Chalk the Walk
In July we’re beautifying Main Street with Chalk the Walk! From 11 am-4:30, sign up for your sidewalk ‘canvas’, pick up your sidewalk chalk, and get creative. Groups and individuals are welcome to participate – start planning now!

August 3, 2024, Back to the Books!
With the first day of school right around the corner, it’s time for Back to the Books! All of Main Street turns into a book 2:30-4:30 pm! Our businesses feature pages from great books that families can read by going from shop to shop. All kids receive school supplies at each stop and a copy of the featured book at the end of the route. More details to come.

Llama Destroys the World is our book this year! Be sure to JOIN us along with the author, Jonathan Stutzman, and illustrator, Heather Fox.

Whistle Stop Plaza 4:30-8:00 PM

At 4:30, switch gears and join us at the Whistle Stop Plaza for a unique experience that brings together the local community for a FREE fun event where friends, family, and neighbors have the opportunity to gather in a festive atmosphere while enjoying the live music (dancing too!), local food vendors, and adult beverages. Local retail vendors offer a personal shopping experience for all attendees.

Food is also a mainstay of the evening event. There’s a great assortment of things to eat at any one event!

This event is family-friendly. Must be 21+ to enjoy an Adult Beverage (bring your ID… you could be 75 years old & using a walker & you will still need to show ID to consume Alcohol) Adult Beverages must stay within the boundaries of the event.

In the event of inclement weather, the events will be canceled.

VENDORS

We LOVE our Vendors!

Mainspring of Ephrata is excited to be hosting First Saturday again in 2024. While all of us (the organizers, volunteers, vendors, food trucks, musicians, and the public) have a role to play when it comes to promoting the event, we recognize that the MAIN responsibility for this effort falls to us, the organizers!

We’ll be building off past events’ success, with OVER 500 people attending any given month & great feedback from vendors & attendees. We have a robust marketing program to bring out even more attendees each month!

We hope you’ll consider joining us! Together we can make this a fun & profitable community event!

In the event of inclement weather, this year we will be canceling the event.

2024 Adult Beverages & Food Trucks

Vendors updated daily!

Old Republic Distillery Ephrata – ALL Dates!

Pour Man’s Brewing Co – ALL Dates!

Weathered Vineyards – ALL Dates!

Ephrata-Reading Elks Lodge 115 – ALL Dates!

Greco’s Italian Ice & Homemade Ice Cream – ALL Dates!

272 BBQ – September

JR’s Brisket – September

D&B’z Food – September

Rad.ish Food Truck – June & July

Donuts NV Lancaster – July & August

Tacos El Gordo – July

Raggamuffin Kitchen (Jamaican food) – August

2024 Retail Vendors

Vendors updated daily!

Laura the Cookie Lady – Sept

Crafted From Faith – ALL Dates

E Rae Crochet – ALL Dates

The Original Cold Smoked Salt & Pepper Co – June & July

Meadowlark Lane Rustic Crafts – June

Whimzegal – June

Hey Tim Productions – June & July

For His Glory Boutique – ALL Dates

Crafty Nonna Company – June & July

Kona’s Catty Creations – Sept

SEWSWAVE – Sept

Zook Woodcraft – June & July

Beauty and Spirit Arts – June, July & Aug

Inkonic – July

The Candy Crusher Crew – July

Amos and Annie’s – June

Sugarplum Country – ALL Dates

Home Decor Items – June

Lorah’s Homemade Chocolate – ALL Dates

Fly Custom/Violet by She – ALL Dates

Uprooted Horizons Woodworking and Crafts LLC – June

Lavender Acres Winery – ALL Dates

Red Shale Ridge Vineyards – June

Share Your Gifts Studio – June, July & Aug

Emma’s Closet & Color Street – June

AEM Originals (resin art products) – June

Fairy Hair Sparkles by Zarah – July & Aug

Old Broke & Beautiful – Sept

House Sparrow Design Co – June

Hello Dia – ALL Dates!

Roni’s Sea Glass Jewelry – July & Aug

Build-A-Balloon – Aug

Fairytale Fragrance Co – Sept

Friends of Ephrata Unleashed Dog Park – Sept

Retail/Craft Vendor Sign-up

Food & Adult Beverage Vendor Sign-up

Frequently Asked Questions

What people are saying…

We had such a good time at the Whistle Stop on Saturday night. We saw many friends, ate great food, had some good drinks and just loved the atmosphere provided by the band!!
Thanks for all the time and devotion to those who planned, set up, and cleaned up afterward!! Nicely done!!

~ Beth

LIVE MUSIC

We are welcoming 3 NEW bands for 2024!

Honey Trap – June 1, 2024

Welcome Honey Trap!

Honey Trap is a fierce 4-piece, female-fronted hard rock band, hailing from the bustling streets of New York City. Formed in 2014, their signature sound is a unique blend of sensual, yet edgy vocals over melodic guitar, groovy bass licks, and heavy-hitting drum beats.

Crossing Abbey Road – July 6, 2024

Welcome Crossing Abbey Road!

Crossing Abbey Road is a Beatles cover band based in central Pennsylvania. The band has been entertaining audiences for over a decade, bringing the timeless music of The Beatles to life for generations old and new.

Off Our Rockers – August 3, 2023