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 Saturdays! Start your day with Wellness at the Whistle Stop, then join our Main Street businesses for Party on Main Street, and end it with Party on the Plaza. See details on all the events below.
The Ephrata Rec is helping to get your day off to a great start at 9:30 AM as they lead an exercise class at the Whistlestop Plaza followed by a brief session on healthy living. Bring a mat, towel, and water.
• August 5 & 19, 2023
• September 2 & 16, 2023
2023 brings the fun to ALL of downtown Main Street as Party on the Plaza expands to First Saturdays with themed ‘walks’ that bring attendees to our businesses up and down Main Street while visiting key stops along the planned, themed route. Our local brick-and-mortar companies will now be able to take advantage of the extra foot traffic generated by our Party on the Plaza events. First Saturdays will give them the opportunity to introduce themselves to our residents and visitors as never before.
First Saturdays begin at 2:30 p.m. and run until Party on the Plaza starts at 4:30 p.m. Here are the monthly themes:
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, be sure to stop in from 4:00-8:00 p.m. to see!
Our Party on the Plaza event is 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.
Established in 2017, the monthly community event quickly caught on with locals & visitors to Lancaster County.
The live music helps create a festive atmosphere and will have you tapping your toes & maybe even doing a bit of dancing!
Food is also a mainstay of the Party on the Plaza 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 & they still won’t serve you without your ID!!). Adult Beverages must stay within the boundaries of the event.
In the event of inclement weather, the events are canceled.
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
We LOVE our Vendors!
Mainspring of Ephrata is excited to be hosting the Whistle Stop Party on the Plaza again in 2023. 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.
Food & Adult Beverage Vendors:
JR’s Brisket – July & September
Rad.ish Food Truck – June & September
Brewster’s BBQ – June & August
Mad Dash Concessions – July
Griddle & Grind Cafe & Creperie – July & August
Tacos El Gordo – July
Soft Pretzel Trailer – Aug & Sept
Boehringers Ice Cream Cart – June, July & August
Pour Man’s Brewing Co – ALL dates
Hillside Public House – September
Old Republic Distillery Ephrata – ALL dates
Ephrata-Reading Elks Lodge #115 – ALL dates
Rural City Beer Co – June & September
Truth Beer Co – July & August
Whistlin’ Cup – September
Inna’s Pierogi Shop – September
Happy Sweet & More – September
Aesthetically Made – June, July & August
Lorah’s Handmade Chocolates – ALL dates
Ephrata Cloister – June & July, Aug & Sept
Sue’s Signs –August & September
Makennas Beads – June & August
Cairn Collective – Melanie Moyer – July & September
The Brewer’s Friend Dog Treat Co – ALL Dates
Fireside Clay Co – June, July & September
Erea Crochet – June, July, September
Sea Glass Gals – Aug
Elysian Designs – June & July
Bing Co Freeze Dried Goods & Services – July
Rawr Outfitters – August & September
Crafted from Faith – August
Bubbalou Boutique – August
Art by Sarah Jo – August
Blind Spot Nutbutters – September
Barefoot Farms – September
Lemongrass & Honey Co. – September
Easily Amused – June 3, 2023
Welcome Back, Easily Amused! Classic/Rock/Southern/Country/Pop/Alternative cover band based in Ephrata, PA
Steel Radiance – July 1, 2023
We welcome back Steel Radiance!
Steel Radiance was here for Ephrata’s first NYE celebration! Hailing from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the all-female band Steel Radiance is a classic rock and blues cover band.
Off Our Rockers – August 5, 2023
Welcome Off Our Rockers!
Off Our Rockers is Lancaster’s premier classic rock band. 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s Rock / British Invasion (their specialty)
All Weather Band – September 2, 2023
Welcome back, All Weather Band!
All Weather Band plays American music. We blend blues, roots, country, R&B, and more to create a dynamic “Americana” sound unique to Central Pennsylvania. We bend genres, go acoustic and electric, and mix five voices.
Sue & Dan Burkholder
Pyfer Reese Straub Gray Farhar
Scott & Jan Eaby
Edward Jones – Financial Advisor Jeff Burroughs
Marian Rutt Team, REMAX PINNACLE
Whistle Stop Party on the Plaza
16 E. Main Street
Ephrata, PA 17522
16 E. Main Street
Ephrata, PA 17522
Phone: (717) 721-6196
Email: lisa@mainspringofephrata.org
Have Questions or Suggestions?
email: lisa@mainspringofephrata.org