York County, Pa., is in heart of Pennsylvania's top tourist region
YORK, Pa. (July 25, 2002) --- Lodging's at a premium, but there's plenty of vroom at the inn thanks to Harley-Davidson's annual open house.
The free event, which includes tours of the Harley motorcycle factory, takes place Sept. 26-28. Among the highlights, Harley shows off its new multi-million-dollar tour center, including exhibits that explain the manufacturing and assembly processes; Kids' Rally, including rocking motorcycles and a magnetic puzzle that allows children to assemble a life-size motorcycle; 46-seat theater featuring a nine-minute video about the company's heritage; and an expanded retail store.
Open house activities extend beyond the factory grounds to the York Expo Center and include demonstration rides on new models, daily group riding tours, fashion shows and concerts. For regular updates, call the open house hotline at 717-852-1852.
In conjunction with the open house, the city of York holds its annual Bike Night from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday (Sept. 27). This free event begins with a motorcycle parade into downtown and continues with entertainment and food and merchandise vendors. For details, visit www.yorkcity.org or call 717-854-1587.
Other fall events in the Factory Tour Capital of the World:
Sept. 6-15 --- York Fair
York Expo Center
The York Fair has been around since before you were born. And before your parents and their parents were born. In fact, it pre-dates the Declaration of Independence by 11 years. What was termed an "agricultural fair" in the mid-1800s continues to offer an abundance of blue-ribbon livestock and a bumper-crop of produce in addition to its midway attractions. The Grandstand of Stars presents evening concerts by the likes of Alabama, Travis Tritt, Toby Keith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foreigner, Aaron Carter and Jeff Foxworthy. (www.yorkfair.org/1-717-848-2596)
Sept. 29-July 4, 2003 --- Celebrate York Exhibit
Historical Society Museum, Glatfelter Gallery
"Celebrate York" is part of the ongoing "Nine Months in York Town" event, which marks 225 years since the Continental Congress' stay in York in 1777-78. The highlight of that period was the adoption of the Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution. The exhibit features 16 large oil paintings commissioned for the 150th celebration in 1927 that rarely have been seen since. Subjects include Founding Fathers John Hancock, John Adams and Samuel Adams. York artist Ernst Zimmerman's rendition of "The Spirit of '76" is the backdrop to a 10-foot model of the colonial courthouse. (www.yorkheritageorg/1-717-848-1587)
Oct. 3-11 --- Pfaltzgraff Warehouse Clearance Sale
York Expo Center
America's oldest pottery maker offers great bargains at its biannual clearance sale, which includes "Midnight Madness" from 9 a.m. to midnight Oct. 11. Other hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 3; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 6; and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. all other days. If seeing the finished product isn't enough, Pfaltzgraff offers free factory tours at its Thomasville factory, only 10 minutes west of the Expo Center. (www.pfaltzgraff.com/1-800-999-2811)
Oct. 5-6 --- 23rd Naylor Grape Harvest Festival
Naylor Wine Cellars, Stewartstown
The harvest wagons at Naylor Wine Cellars are piled high with juicy clusters of grapes plucked from the vines. The time is ripe for this annual outdoor festival at Naylors' 80-acre vineyard in southern York County, which is one of the signature tours in the Factory Tour Capital of the World. (www.naylorwine.com/1-800-292-3370)
Oct. 19-20 --- Colonial Days/Tavern Night/Oyster Fest
Colonial Courthouse, Gates House/Plough Tavern complex
This year, the annual Oyster Fest on Sunday combines with the two-day Colonial Days, which includes a Revolutionary War encampment, "townspeople" dressed in period costumes, and children's games and story times. The York County Bar Association's theatrical group, The Barstools, performs interactive trials at the replica courthouse. From 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Tavern Night offers food, period music, games and brew served by celebrity pourers. (www.yorkheritage.org/1-717-848-1587)
