Happy Wednesday Lancaster!
The first signs of spring are popping up with the weather getting warmer later this week.
That’s perfect timing too for our nature lovers as Snow Geese have arrived in Lancaster County and can be seen by the public both online and in person.
In today’s issue we cover that, as well as food and fun all around the county.
Here’s what I think is worth your time today.
(By the way, if you want to listen to this edition, we now have an audio version on the website).
Spring Has Arrived: Snow Geese Pack Middle Creek in Spectacular Numbers
After a winter that refused to let go, Lancaster County's most beloved seasonal spectacle has finally arrived - and it was worth the wait.
Tens of thousands of snow geese have descended on Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area along the Lancaster-Lebanon county border, filling the skies with the kind of sight that reminds you why living here is special.
The first official count on February 25 tallied an impressive 60,000 snow geese, along with 550 tundra swans and 50 Canada geese.
Numbers have fluctuated throughout the days since - that's just the nature of migration - but the geese are here, and the show is on.
The flock's arrival came roughly three weeks later than usual, delayed by the extended winter freeze that gripped the region. Nature, it seems, was simply building anticipation.
And it's not just the geese making noise out at Middle Creek. Sharp-eared visitors have been catching the distinctive "peent" call of woodcock in the evenings — that quirky, buzzing sound is one of the surest signs that spring is genuinely on its way.
The Wildlife Drive opened March 1 and is accessible daily from sunrise to sunset. For the most dramatic experience, go at dawn for the mass morning liftoff - thousands of birds erupting into the sky at once - or return at dusk to watch them come back to roost. Either way, bring a jacket and a sense of wonder.
Your best bet for viewing is Willow Point Trail at Bricker Village, a paved 0.4-mile path that puts you right in the middle of the action.
The Visitor Center at 100 Museum Road in Stevens is open Tuesday through Sunday, 8 AM to 4 PM, if you'd like some context before heading out.
Can't make it in person? A live webcam streams the action at lanc.news/SnowGeeseLive.
A Note from the PA Game Commission
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has posted informational signs at Middle Creek asking visitors to maintain a respectful distance from wildlife and to report any sick or dead birds. As always, admire from a distance — it's better for you and better for the birds.
Middle Creek is one of those places that makes Lancaster County feel extraordinary. Don't miss it. Click here to learn more about the visitor center.
A 102-Year Tradition: Holy Trinity Fasnachts Are Still Available
If you haven't gotten your fasnachts yet, there's still time.
Columbia's Holy Trinity Catholic Church is continuing its beloved 102-year-old fasnacht baking tradition, with several pickup dates remaining through the month. You can still get your order in for March 4, 9, 11, 16, and 18.
Pre-orders are available for pickup between 10 AM and 1 PM at the Holy Trinity Parish Center, 409 Cherry St. in Columbia.
What makes this tradition so special isn't just the fasnachts themselves — it's the community behind them. More than 200 volunteers turn out to keep this century-old ritual alive, making each batch as much a labor of love as it is a Lancaster County staple.
Fasnachts, the Pennsylvania Dutch fried dough treat traditionally eaten before Lent, don't get much more authentic than this. A dozen decades in, Holy Trinity's version remains one of the most anticipated seasonal traditions in the county.
Don't wait too long - dates are going fast.
A Big Night for the Arts in Lancaster - March 5
Thursday, March 5 shapes up to be one of the better nights for live entertainment Lancaster County has seen in a while, with two very different but equally compelling shows taking the stage.
Servant Stage Opens a Pulitzer Prize Winner - Pay What You Will
Servant Stage Company opens its production of You Can't Take It With You at Lancaster Alliance Church (210 Pitney Road) at 7 PM - and here's the best part: every performance during opening week is pay-what-you-will.
The play itself is an American classic. George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart's madcap comedy won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1937 and has been making audiences laugh ever since. It follows the wonderfully eccentric Sycamore family and the chaos that ensues when their daughter brings home her very conventional boyfriend and his very proper parents. It's warm, funny, and surprisingly timeless.
The pay-what-you-will model during opening week is a genuine gesture toward making high-quality live theatre accessible to everyone in the community, regardless of budget. The production runs through March 22, with regular ticket pricing for performances after opening week.
The Phil Collins Story at American Music Theatre
Also on Thursday evening, American Music Theatre hosts The Phil Collins Story, a tribute concert celebrating one of rock's most iconic artists. Showtime is 7:30 PM and tickets are running around $85 through AXS.
If you've ever wanted to hear "In the Air Tonight," "Sussudio," or "Against All Odds" performed live in AMT's world-class venue, this is your night.
Have a great day,
Andrew
P.S. — One more thing. If you own a local business and you've ever wondered whether advertising in the Local would be worth it, I put together a full breakdown at the link below. The numbers speak for themselves — but I'm also always happy to just hop on a quick call and chat through it. No pressure, no pitch. Just two Lancaster people talking. See how it works