pamfritz's blog

One of the oldest, continuous, holiday tours in Pennsylvania, the 49th Annual Candlelight Tour of Homes will be held on December 7 from 11am to 7pm. Spend the day visiting eight private homes located in the small town of Marietta along the Susquehanna River. One of the homes on this year's tour is the B. F. Hiestand House Bed & Breakfast. Enjoy a variety of events from carriage rides, a Victorian Tea, table decorating display, strolling carolers, Nissley Vineyard Wine Tasting & Sales, Artists & crafters, and Susquehanna Stage "Dickens' Market." This is a walking tour and shuttle buses will be available from the parking area and between sites. Parking is available at the Donegal Intermediate School located at 1177 River Road in Marietta.

Tickets are available in advance at select local businesses until November 29 for $17 or online and day of for $20. Visit the website for more information. Proceeds from this event are used by the Marietta Restoration Association to maintain and restore many of the historic buildings in town such as Old Town Hall, the Union Meeting House and the Bank Building.

Marietta is the quintessential small town. Incorporated in 1812, Marietta was a major anthracite iron and lumber industry center during the 19th and early 20th century. Its economic history has positioned Marietta to be the jewel it is today. Many homes still have their historic character intact. More than half of Marietta is now designated a National Historic District and is recognized for its restoration efforts.

While you are in town for the Candlelight Tour, enjoy Marietta's unique restaurants and historic charm. Stop by Shank's Tavern established in 1814 to help observe its 200th year in a friendly neighborhood tavern.

The York Fair, held annually, is one of the country’s oldest fairs, with the first fair held in 1765, eleven years before our nation was born. William Penn’s son, Thomas, presented the people of York with a charter to have the Fair. In the early years, the Fair was a two-day agricultural market. Over the years, it grew to a three-day, a five-day, and today a 10-day event.

The Fair evolved over the decades adding different types of entertainment, horse races, strong man competitions and midways offering all sorts of games. Grandstands and exhibition halls were also built as the Fair continued to grow and attract more visitors.

The York Fair, one of Pennsylvania’s most visited fairs, is held at the York Fairgrounds at 334 Carlisle Avenue, York. PA. Fairgrounds Fun includes`: livestock & draft horses, butter sculpture, hypnotist, hot dog racing pigs, Royal Hanneford Circus of Thrills, Endora Farms Exotic Animal Petting Zoo, Team Ironmill Strongman Challenges, antique tractor & steam engine displays, harness racing, high school bands on parade, Remembering 9/11 parade, lawnmower races, and ziplining.

The best part of the York Fair is its monstrous lineup of concerts. This year’s fair hosts: Lady Antebellum on 9/6, Jackyl with Molly Hatchet on 9/9, McClain including China Anne McClain on 9/10, Jeff Dunhams’s “Disorderly Conduct” tour on 9/12, and Hunter Hayes on 9/13. Tickets can be purchased at the York Fair Events website.

Admission to the York Fair is $8 for adults, $4 for children 6-18 & college students, and children under 5 are free. Parking is $7. There is an additional cost for concerts. Gates open from 11:00 am Friday to Sunday and Noon Monday to Thursday.

Enjoy this unique classic agricultural fair that offers competitions, interactive entertainers bringing family fun and vendors offering the best fair food. Put on your boots and get back to your roots with the timeless magic of a fair.

For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.yorkfair.org.

Nestled along the bank of the Susquehanna River and just three miles from B. F. Hiestand House, you’ll find the quaint river town of Columbia that played a big part in the building of America herself. From the frontier days to the Revolution, to the Civil War, to the birth of the industry, Columbia will give you a taste of American history.

In 1726, John Wright established a tiny settlement that would become known as Columbia in 1788. At that time, it was frontier woodlands and the Wrights were blazing the trail. Visit the magnificent Wright’s Ferry Mansion and discover how this pioneering family influenced the westward expansion of culture and industry.

The historic First National Bank Museum, built in 1814, still retains the original teller’s cage and bank vault from the 19^th century and is the only known bank still preserved in its original setting in the United States. The bank museum contains the account books of Underground Railroad activists and prominent businessmen, William Whipper and Stephen Smith. Their lumber business provided employment to formerly enslaved people, and their special railroad cars included secret compartments that allowed freedom seekers safe travel to Philadelphia and northern territories.

At Zion Hill Cemetery, located at 5^th & Linden Streets, is the final resting place of many soldiers who fought with the U.S. Colored Troops from Columbia during the Civil War. Not far from here is the National Watch & Clock Museum,  with a collection of pieces from the Civil War that connects the past to the present in a literal sense.

In June of 1863, as Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia was set to cross into Columbia to capture Lancaster on its way towards Harrisburg, militia from Columbia along with locals, Union soldiers, and African American militiamen burned the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge.  What was once the longest covered bridge in the world was now just a charred reminder of the sacrifice and burden that crippled their economy for a decade. The span’s massive stone piers remain to mark its crossing of the wide Susquehanna River.

Before you leave Columbia you have to stop at Prudhomme’s Lost Cajun Kitchen.  Food flavored with inherited family recipes from the world-famous Cajun connoisseur Paul Prudhomme fills the menu. His nephew has created a place you can’t believe is north of Mississippi much less in a town that held strong for the Union Army.

Take home a treasure from our history. Explore the antique shops, galleries, and arts and crafts proprietors.  Book your stay at the B. F. Hiestand House Bed and Breakfast so you can explore Columbia at your own pace.

Located 7.5 miles from the BF Hiestand House, The Vineyard at Grandview's tasting room awaits you.  The view is phenomenal! It overlooks the 5 acres of meticulously groomed vines, which were planted in 2009.  The beautiful oak and black walnut hardwood floors were milled from trees on the property.  You may choose from eight premium wines;  Chardonnay, Rose' of Pinot Noir, Crimson Quartette, a blend of four red varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sun-Kissed, a semi-sweet blush, Sapphire White, Ruby Red and Mom Kennel's Blackberry.  Dallas loved the Blackberry.  He says it satisfied his sweet tooth!  I am not a dry wine lover, so I really enjoyed their sweet Sapphire White and the Blackberry.  You may also pair local chocolates and cheeses with your wine for a nominal charge.  Tasting hours are Saturday, 10 a.m..-4 p.m.. and Sunday, noon-4 p.m.., or by appointment.  For more information, check out the Vineyard at Grandview website.  The Vineyard at Grandview is a member of the Mason-Dixon Wine Trail.  Over 20 wineries from Lancaster, York, Dauphin, Adams counties in PA and down into Maryland make up the Trail.  During the month of March, the trail offers the Tour de Tanks, a special tasting event.  Tour tickets are $25 each and entitle you to a collectible wine glass, light food, tasting wine from the barrels before it is bottled, tours and presentations by the winemakers, and 10% discount on your purchase.  For more information, check the Mason Dixon Wine Trail website. Come join the fun!