Summer arrives June 20! It’s the perfect time to get outdoors and celebrate the season.

Music!

The arrival of summer means concerts are being held in parks across Lancaster County. Pack up your lawn chairs and spend an evening listening to music under the stars. Bring your own treats or patronize the food trucks and vendors that are onsite at most venues.

Long’s Park Summer Music Series

Held Sunday evenings, June-late August, all concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. 1441 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster. Information: Longspark.org.

• June 2: Monophonics (soul/funk)
• June 9: Good Shot Judy (swing)
• June 16: Snacktime (urban street band)
• June 23: Carolyn Wonderland (blues)
• June 30: U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” (patriotic). Note: 8 p.m. start time.

Summer Concert Series – Columbia

Sponsored by the Columbia Lions Club, the monthly Friday evening concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. Locust Street Park, 550 Locust St., Columbia. Information: Columbialions.org.

• June 21: Central City Orchestra (classics/R&B/disco/funk)

Music in the Park – Maytown

Now in its 28th year, the Sunday evening music series is sponsored by East Donegal Township. Start time is 6 p.m. Lloyd H. Furhman Memorial Park, 190 Rock Point Rd., Maytown. Information: Eastdonegaltwp.com.

• June 2: Bump City (soul/funk/R&B)
• June 9: Three Hour Tour (yacht rock/soul)
• June 16: Fortunatos (New Orleans funk/soul/jazz/rock)
• June 23: Kracker Beez (faves from the 60s-80s)
• June 30: Ghost Light Radio Show (rock/country/pop)

Summer Music Series – Shoppes at Belmont

Now in its 5th year, the music series is held at the shopping center’s Charles Frey Park on Saturday evenings from 6-10 p.m. 1600 Fruitville Pike, Lancaster. Information: Shoppesatbelmont.com.

• June 1: Quentin Jones Band (rock/blues)
• June 8: Mark DeRose & The Dreadnaughts (blues/rock)
• June 15: Ever Sandoval & The Arenna Band (Latin/South American folk/pop/rock)
• June 22: Rockbox (pop/Southern Rock/country)
• June 29: Dibbs & The Detonators (rockabilly/country/swing)

Greenfield Concerts in the Park

Summer concerts are back at Greenfield! Music gets underway at 7:30 p.m. in the park that is located across from 1861 William Penn Way. Information: Greenfieldlancaster.com.

• June 13: Central City Orchestra (classics/R&B/disco/funk)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Concerts – Covenant UMC

Covenant United Methodist Church launched a First Friday concert series last month that entails music and chocolate chip cookies made by church members. The series will continue each First Friday through December. 6 p.m. 110 N. Charlotte St., Lancaster. Information: Covenant-umc.com.

• June 7: Midst the Noise (pop tunes from the ’70s)

Beer Gardens

June | Lancaster City

Traveling beer gardens are returning to Lancaster City this summer. They are scheduled to be held at Musser Park, May 30-June 1 and June 4-8. At Buchanan Park, the dates are June 13-15 and 19-22. (Dates for August have also been posted.) Visitors can partake of beer (draft, canned and bottled), as well as cocktails, wine and liquor. Food vendors will also be onsite. Proceeds benefit Lancaster Recreation Commission programs. Hours are Wed.-Fri., 4-10 p.m. and Sat., 12-10 p.m. Information: Lancasterrec.org.

The Warehouse District Beer Garden is also back for another summer. Operated by Rural City Beer Co., it’s located in a former lumber yard. The itinerary includes beer, food, live music, vendors, lawn games and more. It’s open Thursday-Sunday. 595 N. Charlotte St., Lancaster. Information: Warehousedistrict.com.

mini Pints for Pups

Summer | Various Locations

Back for its 6th year, the “roving” event serves as a fundraiser for Humane Pennsylvania, which partners with breweries and wineries to welcome animal lovers and their (well-behaved/leashed) four-legged friends to sample tasty brews and delicious food, engage in yard games and maybe win some prizes. $1 from each beverage sold will benefit Humane PA. Passports are available. Information & a Full Schedule:Humanepa.org.

Locations in Lancaster

• June 2: Pour Man’s Brewing Company, Ephrata. 11-a.m.-5 p.m.
• June 22: Raney Cellars Brewing Company, Millersville. 12-4 p.m.
• July 14: Twisted Bine Beer Company, Mount Joy, 12-4 p.m.

Out & About

Plant Sale

May 31 & June 1
The Essa Flory Center

Do you need that special something for your garden? If so, Hospice & Community Care, in conjunction with The Gilded Lily, is hosting its annual Plant Sale. No matter your needs – annuals, perennials, shrubs, house plants, hanging baskets, potted arrangements, succulents, native plants, herbs or vegetables – you’ll find it here. Food trucks will be onsite, as well. Proceeds from the Plant Sale benefit patients and families who are coping with a serious illness or loss. Friday, 12-7 p.m. Sat., 7 a.m.-1 p.m. (rain/shine). 685 Good Dr., Lancaster. Plenty of parking at Hospice and across the street. Golf cart shuttle service will be available for guests with mobility issues. Information: Hospiceandcommunitycare.org.

Red Rose Run

June 1 | Downtown Lancaster

Now in its 48th year, the 5-mile course takes participants through Lancaster, around Lancaster County Central Park and back to the finish line in Ewell Plaza. Event also includes a Kid’s Fun Run and a wheelchair race. Register online through May 28. 8 a.m. start time. Information: visitlancastercity.com.

First Saturdays in Ephrata

June 1 | Ephrata

Aiming to “grow the economy and build community,” this inaugural event kicks off with a Wine Walk theme that will see vendors set up tasting rooms inside Main Street businesses from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Then, visit Whistle Stop Plaza (4:30-8 p.m.) to enjoy live music provided by the rock band, Honey Trap, food vendors and adult beverages (ID required). Sponsored by Mainspring of Ephrata, the event continues on July 6, August 3 and September 7. 16 E. Main St., Ephrata. Information: Mainspringofephrata.org.

EPC Golf Outing

June 7 | Crossgate Golf Club

Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc. will be hosting their 17th Annual EPC Golf Outing for the benefit of Good Samaritan Services. Tee times are available at 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Breakfast will be provided by Joe on the Go Coffee Co. and a boxed lunch will be provided by Trio Bar and Grill. Chicken barbecue from Peters BBQ will be served at the conclusion of the sessions. Raffle tickets can be purchased for a chance to win prizes. Registration is required. Information: epcgolfouting.com

Good Samaritan Services compassionately responds to homelessness and poverty through a unique and personalized approach to help their neighbors journey from crisis to stability. Serving over 500 men, women and children annually across Lancaster and Chester counties, their vision is to see and serve all who may be overlooked. Learn more at goodsamservices.org.

Lancaster Water Week

June 7-15 | Various locations

Lancaster Water Week celebrates Lancaster County’s 1,400 miles of streams and rivers. These waterways are the source of drinking water, drive economic and agricultural growth and provide a way to enjoy nature through fishing, paddling and swimming. Now in its 8th year, the event’s sponsor, Lancaster Conservancy, has lined up 60 events during Water Week that extend to river paddles (including one with Paul Nevin to see the petroglyphs in the Susquehanna River), workshops (including an intro to fly fishing), hikes, maintenance and clean-up projects, tours (including the Safe Harbor Dam), a film festival, activities at the Lancaster Science Factory, lunch & learns and more. Information: lancasterconservancy.org/water-week

Art in the Garden

June 8 | Columbia

If you love the architecture that defines Columbia, wait until you see the beautiful, sometimes whimsical and always creative gardens that complement it. Columbia’s garden tour is unique in that each stop features an artist at work. Sponsored by Create Columbia, tickets ($15) can be purchased at Columbia Market House (15 S. Third St.) on June 8 from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tour hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Information:Createcolumbia.org.

Strawberry Festival

June 8 | Lancaster Central Market

Come and enjoy one of the most delish mornings at market. Standholders will be setting up shop outdoors to offer visitors a taste of every strawberry-themed food, treat and drink imaginable. Pay as you go. Event also features live music, face painting and more. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. 23 N. Market St., Lancaster. Information:Centralmarketlancaster.com.

Family Farm Days

June 11-13 | Oregon Dairy

Oregon Dairy and The Lancaster County Agricultural Council host this annual family-friendly event that celebrates agriculture and promotes its value to the county. It’s part educational and total fun, as it features live animals, tractor and wagon rides, exhibits, displays of farm machinery, Barnyard Theatre, a petting zoo, a straw tunnel and other activities. Food is also part of the event and the PA’s Dairyman’s Association’s famous milkshakes will be available. Wednesday’s Maker’s Market will feature PA-made products. Tues. & Thurs., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 2900 Oregon Pike, Lititz. Information: Oregondairy.com.

Thunder on the River

June 15 | Columbia

The Columbia Lions Club presents its annual car show that features hundreds of vehicles, including antique and muscle cars, imports, trucks, hot rods and motorcycles. (Last year 450 vehicles were displayed.) Proceeds will benefit such nonprofits/organizations as the Columbia Borough Fire Department, Habitat for Humanity, The Common Wheel, Columbia United Veterans Council’s Memorial Day Parade and the Wenger Center (youth sports). 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Locust Street between Front and 6th streets. Information:Columbialions.org.

Lavender Festival

June 15 & 16
Star Bright Farm, White Hall, Maryland

Looking for a fun day trip? Just over the PA/MD line, you’ll find the perfect destination: Star Bright Farm, which is owned by renowned lifestyle photographer, Helen Norman, and her family. Here you’ll find a period barn whose lower level is home to a shop stocked with products for the home and self-care that embody the all-natural movement, whether it’s something from the farm’s fields or local artisans. Outside, the barn is surrounded by gardens that are filled with old-fashioned varieties of plants. In mid-June, the fields are aglow with lavender. To celebrate, the farm hosts a festival that entails food, drink, music, farm tours and lavender products. It makes for a lovely way to spend a day! Reserve tickets via starbright-farm.com. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 2950 Garrett Rd., White Hall, MD. Information: Starbright-farm.com.

Parade of Homes

June 15-16 & 19-23
Lancaster & Lebanon Counties

Are you dreaming of a new home? If so, the Building Industry Association of Lancaster County can offer inspiration with the annual Parade of Homes. Entries include new and custom homes, townhomes/duplexes, apartments and even remodeling projects. Entries are judged by a panel of industry professionals prior to the Parade’s kick-off. Homes are open weekends, 12-6 p.m. and weekdays, 5-8 p.m. Information:Lancasterbuilders.org.

Still dreaming? The BIA is once again sponsoring a raffle – Build Your Dream Raffle – through which a lucky ticket holder will win $25,000 that can be used to help finance a renovation project or even the purchase of a new home. (The work must be completed by a BIA member.) Tickets are $50 and can be purchased through the BIA. Proceeds will benefit the BIA’s workforce development initiatives, including BIA Building Futures: Construction Career Day. Drawing is July 15. Details: Lancasterbuilders.org.

Summer Solstice Soiree

June 28 | Kitchen Kettle Village

Kitchen Kettle Village is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Their kick off to summer includes a dining event that is held at the Harvest Café and outdoors among the village’s twinkling lights. The summer-themed menu has been designed by chef TJ Quinn. Waltz Vineyards is providing a wine bar. Live entertainment rounds out the event. 6 p.m. 3529 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse. Information: Kitchenkettle.com.

Riverfest

June 29-30
Columbia & Wrightsville

This event pays homage to the burning of the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge in June 1863 that thwarted the Confederate Army’s plans to cross into Lancaster County and make its way to Harrisburg and Philadelphia. Events include 4th Friday activities in Columbia, trolly tours, heritage tours, the Bridge Burner Run & Paddle Challenge, an outdoor rec expo, a lawn concert at John Wright Restaurant and more. Information: Riverfestpa.com.