Whistle Stop Party on the Plaza

Join Us for First Saturdays!

June 3 ⋅ July 1 ⋅ August 5 ⋅ September 2
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 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.

Wellness at the Whistlestop 9:30-10:15 AM

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

Party on Main 2:30-4:30 PM

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:

• June 3, 2023, Wine Walk
  Visit up to 5 local Wineries that will have portable tasting rooms set up inside some of our Main Street businesses. Sample different wines and get to know the downtown businesses. Attendees will begin the walk at the Whistle Stop Plaza to get ID’ed, and receive a bracelet and a map of the participating businesses. The wineries in each business will stamp the appropriate location on the attendees’ map.
  When they have completed the Walk, return to the Whistle Stop Plaza to turn in the map for a chance to win one of the prize baskets. Let us know you’re coming!
• July 1, 2023, Christmas in July (ALL DAY during business hours)
  We kind of have a thing for Christmas. Get a special preview of what’s coming for this year’s 100th Tree Lighting Celebration, learn how you can participate, and maybe even get a jump start on planning your holiday season. See complete list of participating businesses here!
• August 5, 2023, Back to the Books!
  As Summer starts to come to an end, bring the kids (18 and under) and visit our local businesses hosting story times and get a free backpack and books!
• September 2, 2023, Explore Ephrata
  The ultimate scavenger hunt. Where will you find the answers to the clues? Join in the fun, visit our participating shops, and be the first to return with all digital proof for a special surprise.

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!

Party on the Plaza 4:30-8:00 PM

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.

VENDORS

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.

2023 Vendors & Food Trucks 

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

2023 Retail Vendors

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

2023 Community Partner & Sponsors

Community Partners

Community Contributor

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Sue & Dan Burkholder

Pyfer Reese Straub Gray Farhar

Scott & Jan Eaby

Key Aid Ace Hardware

Edward Jones – Financial Advisor Jeff Burroughs

GSM Roofing

JD’s Pazzo Pizza

Marian Rutt Team, REMAX PINNACLE

Inghams Powder Coating

Eagle Rental

Stubbs Insurance Assoc

Brickyard Beverage

Olde Lincoln House

Dever Family Dentistry