By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey
Summer may be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to come to a stop. In Hershey and Harrisburg, just the opposite is true as a number of attractions gear up to put some summer-worthy sizzle into your September. (Get an early start on Sunday, September 12 because that one day alone is jam-packed with five major events!)
On Friday, September 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Hershey’s ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park will host “Ranger Scratch’s Back-to-School Barbeque,” a Disney-themed dinner and evening of entertainment. (By the way, Ranger Scratch is the zoo’s very cute mascot.) You’ll get a glimpse of Mother Nature’s own “magic kingdom” with after-hours animal encounters, naturalist talks and crafts. A real magic show and drawing for a really big family-size prize package will round out the event. Admission to the Back-to-School Barbeque is free with admission tickets to Hershey Gardens ($9.50 for adults, $8.00 for juniors and seniors, free for children two and under).
Sunday, September 12 is a day the entire region revs up for five super-hot happenings. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the free 22nd Annual Harrisburg Gallery Walk, you can immerse yourself in art at more than 30 locations throughout the city — most of which are within walking distance proximity of one another. Sponsored by the Art Association of Harrisburg (AAH), the walk, of course, includes such stellar city showplaces as the Susquehanna Art Museum, the State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg Midtown Arts Centre and the AAH headquarters building itself. But study the flyer and map that you can pick up at any of the participating galleries and you’ll find exciting exhibitions at some unexpected places such as architectural, insurance and internet solution companies, churches, restaurants and retail stores. The Governor’s Residence will also host a showing. And be sure to take this opportunity to become acquainted with some of the area’s wonderful intimate galleries.
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As part of the Gallery Walk event, the Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM) and the Humane Society of the Harrisburg Area (HSHA) will invite pint-sized Picassos and grown-up Gaugins to decorate tiles that will become part of a permanent public mural, at the same time, benefit these important cultural and animal rescue organizations. During the “Paints and Paws” event, which runs from noon until 4 p.m., each preregistered participant who makes a donation of $55 ($60 if you wait until the day of) will receive two tiles to decorate, one to take home and the other to add to an artistic installation that will adorn the new HSHA community room.
Also on the September 12, Hershey Gardens will offer free admission for its “Gardenfest,” a rain or shine celebration of all things flora, the environment and the community in honor of Chocolate Town U.S.A. founder Milton Hershey’s birthday. Throughout the day (from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), members of local garden clubs, the Hershey Horticultural Society and the Hershey Derry Township Historical Society will be on hand to offer information; the Hershey Area Playhouse, Hershey Community Chorus and Suzuki Strings will be performing and the Girl Scouts will be hosting old-fashioned games such as hula-hoops and badminton. Be sure to visit the Garden’s Butterfly House during the event — it’s the last day this popular attraction will be open for the season.
And be sure to mark your calendar for the September 12th Dauphin County 3rd Annual Jazz Festival. Stay tuned for more info about this musical extravaganza next week!