Good morning, Lancaster County. Friday is here, and it's bringing nearly 70 degrees and mostly clear skies - a perfect send-off into the weekend. From a Lancaster institution celebrating 101 years to a symphony reaching for the stars tonight, there's plenty to feel good about inside today's edition.
In today's Lancaster Local:
Root's Country Market in Manheim marks 101 years of family-owned tradition and community gathering
Tonight, the Lancaster Symphony performs Holst's The Planets alongside stunning NASA imagery
Music Friday brings live drumming to the streets of downtown Lancaster this evening
A weekend full of baby animals, brew fests, and a charity 5K awaits across the county
Community News
Root's Country Market Turns 101 - and It's Still All in the Family
What started as a poultry auction on Graystone Road in 1925 is still drawing crowds every Tuesday in Manheim - and Root's Country Market is marking the milestone with its 101st year of continuous operation.
Founded by the great-great-grandfather of current market master Emily Rineer, Root's has grown from a single-commodity auction into a beloved gathering place hosting more than 300 standholders and vendors.
Shoppers come for everything from fresh produce, flowers, and baked goods to locally raised meats, artisan cheeses, and antiques. Five generations of one family have kept this Lancaster County institution alive, and if the last century is any indication, the next one looks just as bright.
EVENTS
Lancaster County's weekend is officially loaded - here's what's happening starting tonight.
🥁 Music Friday: Drumming with Bumbada Women Drummers - 100 Block of North Prince Street, Lancaster. Tonight, Friday, May 15. A street-level percussion experience right in the heart of Lancaster City, as part of the beloved Music Friday series. Bumbada's all-women drumming ensemble brings infectious rhythm and energy to the sidewalks - no ticket needed, just show up and let the beat move you. More info →
🪐 Lancaster Symphony: The Planets - Ewell Plaza, Lancaster. Tonight, Friday, May 15. Composer Gustav Holst imagined the solar system in sound - and tonight, the Lancaster Symphony performs The Planets alongside real NASA imagery projected live. The program also features Morten Lauridsen's luminous Lux Aeterna, and a pre-concert lecture gets the evening started early for the curious-minded. It's a night that's equal parts concert hall and planetarium. Get tickets →
🎸 Atlas At Hold + To Be A King + Varia - Phantom Power, Millersville. Tonight, Friday, May 15. An all-ages rock and metal showcase featuring three bands ready to turn Phantom Power into the loudest room in Lancaster County tonight. Whether you're a longtime fan of the local scene or just looking for something with some edge, this is the Friday night show to catch. More info →
🐣 Corn Cob Acres Baby Animal Festival - Corn Cob Acres, Lancaster County. Saturday–Sunday, May 17–18. Spring's most adorable weekend tradition returns for its third year, with animals big and small available to meet, learn about, and yes - touch. The full park will be open alongside the festival, with food available on site. Start a new family tradition this weekend. More info →
🍺 4th Annual Baron Brew Fest - Market Square, Manheim. Saturday, May 16, 3:00–6:00 PM. Manheim's Market Square transforms into an outdoor celebration of regional craft beverages - beer, wine, cider, mead, and spirits - with live music and food vendors rounding out the afternoon. Sample from producers across the region, and take home your favorites via the convenient bottle check on your way out. Get tickets →
🏃 Clinic for Special Children 5K - Leola Produce Auction, Leola. Saturday, May 16, 9:00–11:00 AM. Lace up and race through Lancaster County farmland past Amish schoolhouses in this annual community run benefiting the Clinic for Special Children. A family walk and a kids' color fun run round out the morning, making it a great event for all ages and paces. More info →
🎈 Balloon Twisting Workshop - Ewell Plaza, Lancaster. Saturday, May 16. I See Magic is hosting a free, hands-on balloon-twisting workshop - a perfect weekend activity for kids and the young at heart. Come learn the art of the twist and leave with something to show for it. More info →
THIS WEEK Out and about in Lancaster County
Root's Country Market has been running since 1925 - if you've never made a Tuesday trip out to Manheim, there's no better time to start than now that the market is in full spring swing with 300+ vendors. Fresh flowers, local produce, baked goods, antiques, and more await. More info →
Weather For Friday, May 15 - A gorgeous way to end the work week: mostly clear skies and a high near 68 degrees. After the warm-up, the weekend only gets better - Saturday climbs to nearly 80, making it a near-perfect day for the Brew Fest, the 5K, or a stroll through baby animal territory.
Thanks for reading Lancaster Local. Whatever your Friday holds, we hope it ends somewhere fun tonight - and if it does, you probably found out about it here. If you found something useful, forward it to someone who still gets their news from a Facebook group.