First Saturday

Celebrate summer in downtown Ephrata! Our First Saturday events have become THE destination event. Themed afternoon activities followed by evening celebrations featuring live music, craft vendors, and food vendors.

Chalk the Walk + Live Music at Whistle Stop Plaza
Artists of all ages are invited to create a Main Street Masterpiece at our final First Saturday of the season!
Participation is free and open to all.
Artists may register at the Whistle Stop Plaza, 16 E. Main St., starting at 11 a.m., where they will receive an assigned sidewalk canvas along with professional-grade chalk pastels and blending foam at no charge. Individual artists work in a five-foot-square space, while groups may collaborate on mini-murals as large as five feet by twenty feet. All canvases must be completed by 4:30.

No artistic experience is required. Downtown Ephrata’s paver sidewalks naturally lend themselves to grid-based drawing, allowing participants to plan and execute even intricate designs square by square.

Community voting begins at 4:30 p.m., when visitors are invited to stroll the downtown, view the artistic creations, and select their favorites. Voting closes at 6:45 p.m., and winners will be announced at 7 p.m.

At 4:30 PM, switch gears and head to Whistle Stop Plaza for a FREE evening community event. Friends, family, and neighbors are invited to gather in a festive atmosphere featuring live music, dancing, local food vendors, retail vendors, and adult beverages.

Live Music: Crackerboxx
Crackerboxx brings high-energy party vibes to the plaza, delivering crowd-favorite ’80s, ’90s, and pop rock dance hits that keep the celebration going all night.

Food and drink are a mainstay of the evening event.

Join Big Back Burger, Inna’s Pierogi Shop, Victory BBQ, Greco’s Italian Ice, Old Republic Distillery Tasting Room, Inspiration Brewing and Cocalico Valley VFW Post 3376 for the best refreshments.

Local retail vendors will be on site offering a fun and personal shopping experience. See complete list below.

• This event is family-friendly.
• Must be 21+ with valid ID to enjoy adult beverages (yes — ID is required for everyone). Alcohol must remain within designated event boundaries.
• In the event of inclement weather, the event will be canceled.
  

Decorate the town, then rock the plaza — a First Saturday finale you won’t want to miss!

Retail Vendors Include:

• ComfyStitchesCo
• Corvid Manor
• Cozy Crow Glassworks
• Creations by Ali
• E.R. Martin
• Friends of Ephrata Police
• Happily Ever Crafter LLC
• Hartman Ave Studios
• KO Crafted Studios
• Kristi Woodburn
• Laura the Cookie Lady
• Lavender Acres Winery
• Liberty Crafting
• Monas Creations
• Palawan Pottery
• ReMargable Magnets LLC
• Sugarplum Country