Good morning, Lancaster County. Today is the first full day of spring, and with temps climbing into the mid-60s this afternoon, the county is warming up in more ways than one. Inside today's edition: local manufacturers are competing for bragging rights, volunteers are packing meals for kids around the world, and your Saturday is about to get a whole lot more interesting.

In today's Lancaster Local:

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The PA Chamber of Business and Industry's annual "Coolest Thing Made in Pennsylvania" bracket is back, and Lancaster County is showing up strong.

These local companies made the 2026 field: Armstrong World Industries, Kitchen Kettle Village, Dutchware Gear, Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Co., Lancaster Cast Iron, New Holland Agriculture, and Rock Lititz. Who has the coolest product in Lancaster? Let us know your thoughts.

The 11th annual Lancaster County Feed My Starving Children MobilePack is underway - and it runs through Sunday, March 22, at Willow Street Mennonite Church on Penn Grant Road. Volunteers of all ages gather to package nutritious meals for children facing hunger around the world. It’s wonderful to see our community helping each other out. Click here if you want to learn more about it.

Saturday is stacked — here's a lot of events this weekend (and beyond).

🧠 Brain Discovery Day — Lancaster Science Factory — 454 New Holland Ave, Lancaster, PA 17602. Saturday, March 21, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Penn State Health is bringing hands-on brain science to the Science Factory — explore how your senses work, catch an actual brain dissection, and learn about stroke prevention in a fun, kid-friendly environment. Free with museum admission; tickets available at the door. More info →

🚀 Secret of the Cardboard Rocket — North Museum of Nature and Science — 400 College Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603. Saturday, March 21, 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM. A beloved planetarium classic that takes kids on a journey to the Sun, planets, and Moon guided by a talking astronomy book — pure magic for young stargazers. $10 for the show; $20 for general admission plus planetarium. Free for members. Get tickets →

🌌 Seeing! With Neil deGrasse Tyson — North Museum of Nature and Science — 400 College Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603. Saturday, March 21, 2:00 PM. Neil deGrasse Tyson narrates a planetarium show tracing a single photon's journey from a distant star all the way to the human brain — genuinely mind-bending stuff. $10 show / $20 general + show; free for members. Ages 8+. Get tickets →

🎨 Intergenerational Intro to Watercolor — Demuth Program Center — 116 East King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602. Saturday, March 21, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. Learn watercolor basics inspired by Lancaster's own Charles Demuth, then create a piece of your own — all supplies included, all skill levels welcome. $15 per person. More info →

🐦 Birding for Beginners — Graham Nature Preserve — 562 Hillview Rd, York, PA 17406. Saturday, March 21, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM. Lancaster Conservancy leads a guided morning walk for first-time birders — binoculars, field guides, and apps provided. A great low-key way to start connecting with the natural world. $12.51 per person; ages 10+, under 18 with an adult. Get tickets →

🚂 Easter Eggstravaganza — Strasburg Rail Road — 301 Gap Road, Ronks, PA 17572. March 27–29; trains run 10 AM–5 PM with candy drops on the hour noon through 5 PM. The Easter Bunny is the conductor, Mister Boom Boom and Ridiculous Nicolas provide the entertainment, and Lancaster County farmland provides the scenery. An optional Easter Egg Hunt Shuttle runs March 28. Hard to beat. More info →

📚 Elizabethtown Public Library Spring Book Sale — 10 South Market Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Preview day Tuesday, March 24 (2–7 PM; $10 or free with Friends membership); regular sale runs Wednesday, March 25 through Saturday, March 28. Free admission all regular days; Friday hours extend to 7 PM. Whether you're a casual reader or a box-buyer, this is the best deal in town all week. More info →

🎭 Seussical the Musical — The Junction Center — 545 Junction Road, Manheim, PA 17545. March 27–29. Encore! Home School Productions brings the world of Dr. Seuss to the stage in a joyful, colorful production performed by Lancaster County homeschool students. A genuinely delightful family show. Check the website for showtimes and tickets. More info →

🐑 Sheep Shearing Winter Institute — Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum — 2451 Kissel Hill Road, Lancaster, PA 17601. March 27–29, 9 AM–4 PM. Master shearer Joe Schott leads an immersive hands-on workshop in humane, efficient sheep shearing — a rare chance to connect with Lancaster County's deep agricultural roots. $275–$300; registration required. More info →

Friday, March 20 — Highs in the low-to-mid 60s make this one of the better days of the week to get outside, so take advantage of the afternoon before clouds thicken up tonight. Showers are likely after dark, so enjoy the dry stretch while it lasts — Saturday looks much cleaner.

Thanks for reading Lancaster Local. Spring is officially here, and this county has never needed less convincing to celebrate it. If you found something useful, forward it to someone who still gets their news from a Facebook group.

— Andrew From The Lancaster Local