Three Pennsylvania State Park Fall Festivals Near Shippensburg
Here’s a list of the Pennsylvania State Park’s fall harvest festivals closest to Shippensburg, PA, in 2022.
Garden Harvest Day – Kings Gap Environmental Education Center
Celebrate Nature and Art in the Fall at Kings Gap during Garden Harvest Day on Sunday, October 2, 2022. From Noon to 5 PM, the Friends of Kings Gap will have a variety of activities for all ages. Activities include hayrides, 
pumpkin painting, face painting, pumpkin bowling, mum walk, eco-art, food trucks, nature storytime, apple cider press, chicken corn soup, and more. There will also be handmade crafts from local artisans, including paintings, wooden bowls, dried flower wreaths, and more. A nominal fee for some activities and “make and take” items will be charged, but parking and admission are free. In addition, do not forget cash for food trucks and craft vendors.
Be sure to visit the mansion for the opening of the first Kings Gap Mansion Art Gallery featuring a wide variety of nature art from 14 local artists. The gallery opens on Garden Harvest Day and continues throughout October. The mansion will also be decorated with flowers generously donated by Roots Cut Flower Farm. Garden Harvest Day will be held at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center, 500 Kings Gap Road, Carlisle. All activities will be held in the mansion area.
Harvest Day Festival – Cowans Gap State Park
The Harvest Day Festival at Cowans Gap State Park, Fulton County, is a fun-filled day celebrating Fall. On Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 10 AM – 3 PM, enjoy the fall foliage, pumpkin carving, apple cider pressing, horse-drawn hayrides, making S’mores, and lots of kid-friendly crafts. In addition, there will be exhibits, food, and craft vendors. The timeframe of this event coincides with the Fulton County Fall Folk Festival weekend, which is the 3rd weekend in October. It also coincides with the annual Halloween celebration at Cowans Gap State Park—a time when the park is filled with campers who enjoy decorating their campsites. The Friends of Cowans Gap sponsors the event. Cowans Gap State Park is located at 6235 Aughwick Rd, Fort Loudon, PA.
Fall Furnace Fest – Pine Grove Furnace State Park
The Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park will host its annual fall festival on Saturday and Sunday, October 15-16, 2022. The Pine Grove Furnace State Park festival is a fun, two-day family-oriented event with food and craft vendors, entertainment, free hayrides, pumpkin carving, Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl appearances, scarecrow making, beekeeping, broom making, apple cider making, candle dipping, kids activities, Birds of Prey, and historical demonstrations, including charcoal making and blacksmithing. Saturday night will feature the annual pumpkin parade followed by the Legend of the Hairy Hand. There is no charge to enter the Park or the Festival, and most activities are free! 
Hours
- Saturday, October 15, 11 AM – 7 PM
- Sunday, October 16, 11 AM – 4 PM
The famous Hairy Hand and Pumpkin Float is Saturday evening, October 15. The pumpkin parade is at 6:15 PM, followed by the Hairy Hand Legend at 6:45 PM on Fuller Lake beach. The legend will be told, and the raft of glowing pumpkins will be set afloat on the lake to keep the hairy hand away. Pine Grove Furnace State Park is located at 1100 Pine Grove Road, Gardners. The rain or shine event is held in the Furnace Stack and Fuller Lake Day Use Areas.
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