LANCASTER, Pa. — Celebrate Lancaster is back, and city officials expect this year to be bigger and tastier.
“We have a really diverse, amazing city, so everyone comes together and celebrates what makes us really special and it’s always really fun,” said Amber Strazzo Righter, the communications manager for the city.
The annual event was originally held in June but was moved to August in 2023 and is expected to remain in August going forward.
Nearly 20,000 people are expected to attend the event throughout the day.
Around 20 local and regional food trucks are participating in this year’s celebration.
For Jared Carroll and his business, J.R.’s Brisket, it’s important to his bottom line.
“New clients, old clients, and just getting your name out there, getting your truck out there, and getting scene, it’s very important,” Carroll said.
Carroll has served at the event for two years since getting his food truck.
He runs the business with his wife and says the celebration helps get the word out about other local businesses.
“They do a great job here of organizing it, getting people to come out, I mean the number of people that come to this is amazing, this is one of our best events all year for sure,” Carroll said.
But the event doesn’t just highlight the best of Lancaster.
It’s an opportunity for families to make memories spanning generations.
“So, I grew up here and then we were living in Baltimore for a while and it was time to come home,” said Mckenna Morris, a Lancaster County resident.
“The community here is great, and everyone is so welcoming here, it’s just great to be back here,” said Mckenna’s husband, Garrett Morris.
The couple originally defined the celebration as a date, but after having their first daughter, they consider the celebration a family event.
With more than two dozen vendors to shop from, there should be something for everyone.
“We have beer gardens, we have food, we have fun, so it’s nice to see all that payoff and people enjoying it,” Strazzo Righter said.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and admission is free.