Homestead Day To Feature Fun For All Ages
By Dayna M. Reidenouer
The residents and staff members of Homestead Village, 1800 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, will host the annual Homestead Day festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17. Admission to the event will be free of charge for all ages, and the festival will feature activities and entertainment, some of which will have associated costs.
“We have done this for many years,” said Barb Massey, festival chair and a resident of the retirement community, which opened 30 years ago. “This is a fundraiser for the endowment fund, which helps people who need to go to another level of care but have run out of money.”
Admittedly, Homestead Day is also a marketing event for the retirement community.
“We advocate to residents to bring their family members to see what a beautiful campus we have and how much fun we have,” said director of marketing Christina Gallagher.
The festival will be held indoors and outside, so visitors will be able to become acquainted with the facilities, the residents, and the staff members. Between 1,000 and 1,500 people are expected to attend, said grounds supervisor Rich Denlinger.
All of the committees involved with Homestead Day are chaired by residents, but outside groups help as well. Life enrichment coordinator Karen Longenecker reported that approximately 200 volunteers, including students from Hempfield High School and Linden Hall, members of Civil Air Patrol Squadron 304, and nursing students, will help everything run smoothly.
“Without the volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to do it,” Massey remarked.
Residents, staff members, and auxiliary members have been busy baking sweet treats for the bake sale and making crafts, and they have donated items for the event’s white elephant sale as well. A used book sale and a flower and plant sale will also be held during the festival. Homestead Village’s Corner Gift Shop will be open, offering gifts and sales.
Activities during Homestead Day will include Native American games and crafts presented by Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation, a bounce castle, balloon art, and carriage rides. A 1920s-style brass quintet called Lovebirds will perform from 10 to 11 a.m. Ukulele player and singer Phredd will perform from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The Moonlighters will play big band music from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Refreshments during the day will include hot dogs, ice cream, and beverages for a cost. Barbecue chicken dinners will also be available to eat in or take out.
For more information about the retirement community, readers may call 363-8681 or visit https://www.homesteadvillage.org.
The members of the Homestead Day festival committee display examples of items that will be sold at various sales during the event, which will be held on Sept. 17 at Homestead Village.