It’s harvest season! As the days begin to grow shorter and the nights cooler, it becomes that time of year where we collect the bounty of our hard work. Over at the Dickinson College Farm, the college reaps the rewards of a successful crop harvest. Meanwhile, downtown, Carlisle harvests the bounty of our townspeoples’ own creative imaginations with its annual Harvest of the Arts festival!
Celebrating its 43rd harvest, Harvest of the Arts hosted over 100 exhibitions, as well as its famous array of European sports cars. East High Street transformed into an outdoor mall on Saturday, September 27.
For any trinket collectors, jewelry fiends, or art lovers–as someone who is all three– trust me when I say Harvest of the Arts is the land of your dreams! The rows upon rows of vendors seem never ending in the best way possible. Spanning from the edge of campus all the way down E. High Street, there’s no doubt that there’s something for everybody. From painters, to sculptors, to jewelers and cooks, you’ll never run out of things to explore or treasures to find.
My only complaint is not having the funds to buy something from every stand–I had to pass up some beautiful finds (that I truly hope found their way to a good home). Each vendor possesses such a beautiful joy and passion for their craft, and are always excited to talk about their creations and products.
Every one was friendly and inviting, and each booth felt like home once you linger long enough. Even the street performers made you feel welcome, singing to you and interacting with the passersby.
One of my favorite parts of the day was the way it allowed me to connect with community members in a way I don’t always get to. While I love the walkability of downtown Carlisle, not having my own transportation prevents me from venturing further and seeing all that is out there in the greater area. Harvest of the Arts brings that right to my backyard!
It’s also a wonderful family event that any family–visiting or local–needs to check out for themselves! With food vendors for meals and an entire section dedicated to kids, stocked with crafts and cookies, Harvest of the Arts is the perfect place for some family fun.
I also love to use the opportunity for some early holiday shopping! I love how I can find something unique for each member of my family, often with a homemade touch that makes it all the more special. There’s so much variety in what you can find once you dig deep.
A special shoutout to Nonna Ilva, who, as always, topped off my day with one of the best cannoli’s in PA! Lucky for Carlisleians, you can get your Nonna Ilva fill any time–just across from the Antique Mall!
It seems like Harvest of the Arts only grows in popularity every year, and for good reasons! This festival is one of my favorite events of the season, and I will always encourage anyone I talk to to visit for themselves and enjoy its magic!
