Wild & Uncommon Weekend offer four days of local food and connection with nature in the Lower Susquehanna Riverlands. The signature event is the York County Pawpaw Fesitival, entering its 22nd year in 2026.
York County Pawpaw Festival
Celebrating 22 years in 2026.
Signature event taking place at the Horn Farm Center ONE DAY ONLY.
Pre-purchased tickets required to attend.
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Wild & Uncommon Weekend
Entering its 3rd year in 2026
Over a dozen events taking place at several locations across the Lower Susquehanna Riverlands.
Registration required for most events.
Plan Your weekend in advance!
September 17 – 20, 2026
Tickets on Sale July 1, 2026
Spotlighting the Lower Susquehanna Riverlands in Southeastern PA, Wild & Uncommon Weekend celebrates our vibrant ecosystem of local foods and nature-based experiences. With the Pawpaw Festival as the main event, the star of the weekend is the unique fruit that started it all: the pawpaw!
Pawpaws (Asimina triloba) are the largest edible fruit native to the Eastern United States, growing naturally right here in the Lower Susquehanna. Similar in taste to tropical fruits, the pawpaw is a flavorful, nutritious and ecologically-significant delicacy that ripens for a short period of time from mid-September to mid-October. Learn more about pawpaws.
While pawpaw fruit, trees, and other goods will be for sale at the Pawpaw Festival on September 19th, Wild & Uncommon Weekend expands the experience with a variety of tours, talks, tastings, and more, many featuring the pawpaw.
But remember: the pawpaw is just one tasty piece in a diverse and delicious ecosystem. In 2026, you can expect to find more truly local foods and goods. Elderberries, figs, kiwiberries, and more, we’re celebrating the entire landscape of wild foods and regenerative crops that share the riverlands with the iconic pawpaw!
Wild & Uncommon
Pawpaw Festival
September 19, 2026 | 9AM – 5PM
at the Horn Farm
The York County Pawpaw Festival is the signature event of the Wild & Uncommon Weekend. Join us at the Horn Farm Center for family fun, connection with nature, and an array of local food vendors, artisans, educators, programs, and, of course, pawpaws!
At the festival, pawpaw fruit and trees will be available for purchase, alongside other pawpaw-themed merchandise and treats, including t-shirts, crafts, artwork, baked goods, beer on tap, and more.
Interested in tasting fresh pawpaws at the event? Make sure to BYOS (Bring Your Own Spoon!)
Visitors will also enjoy local and regional food trucks, live music, artisans, plant nurseries, small businesses, and environmental organizations. The event offers free tours of the farm and pawpaw orchard led by Horn Farm Center staff and volunteers. Additional educational experiences hosted by vendors and regional educators are also featured throughout the event, with plenty of youth-friendly offerings.
PRE-PURCHASED TICKETS ARE REQUIRED to attend the Pawpaw Festival.
Pawpaw Festival Ticket Details
General Admission
10am-5pm on Saturday, September 19th
$7 Ticket Includes:
- Timed entry to the festival beginning at 10am.
- Off-site parking with a 10-minute shuttle bus service to and from the festival.
- Option to add a $25 PARKING PASS (one per vehicle) and skip the shuttle.
Premium Early Entry
9am-10am on Saturday, September 19th
$35 Ticket Includes:
- On-site, front row parking at the Horn Farm Center.
- Exclusive access to vendors and pawpaw fruit sales before crowds arrive.
- Access to unlimited pawpaw purchases during the first hour of the festival (ONLY IF this year’s harvest allows!).
All Tickets:
Pre-purchased tickets REQUIRED. Tickets will not be available at the door.
Tickets are per-person, not per vehicle.
*However, General Admissions ticketholders looking to purchase an on-site parking pass will do so per vehicle.
Children under 12 may attend for free regardless of ticket type.
Handicapped patrons will be permitted to park on site regardless of ticket type.
No animals permitted except for essential service animals (active and in-training).
Thank you for supporting the Horn Farm Center’s mission and programs by attending our annual Pawpaw Festival!
Flavorful & Educational
Volunteers: We Need Your Help!
We are looking for volunteers to help with many aspects of the event, including pawpaw sales, parking, kids’ activities, engaging visitors, and more. Without you, the Wild & Uncommon Pawpaw Festival simply would not be possible!
As a volunteer at the Pawpaw Festival on September 19th, you’ll enjoy perks like:
- FREE admission to the festival, including on-site parking (otherwise reserved for VIP, handicapped, and special ticket-holders)
- Breakfast snacks and a pizza lunch provided in our volunteer stationing area.
- Priority access to purchase pawpaws before the festival.
If you are able to spare some time to help the Pawpaw Festival thrive, sign up below! Make sure to pay attention to the time frame and description for the shift(s) you are selecting.
The Pawpaw Festival involves many moving pieces. To ensure all volunteers are in the loop, we request that you attend a 1 hour virtual volunteer orientation with our Volunteer Coordinator on Tuesday, September 15th from 6:30PM to 7:15PM. Prior to this, we’ll be in touch with all volunteers to relay important event details and any information pertaining to specific roles.
Before signing up, please consider volunteering in one of our “high priority” volunteer areas. While all volunteers have an important role to play, these are the areas of most critical need for managing this large event:
High-priority volunteer stations:
- Road blocks (managing festival entrances)
- Parking
- Pawpaw Sales
For inquiries about organized volunteer groups (scouts, businesses, religiously-affiliated, etc.), please contact Andrew Leahy, the event’s volunteer coordinator, directly at a.leahy@hornfarmcenter.org.
2026 Festival Vendors
Our vendor list is growing! Check back throughout the summer as more vendors are confirmed!
Discover the unique food, art, and natural offerings of our region at the Wild & Uncommon Pawpaw Festival – made here in York County!
From small farmers and plant nurseries to culinary crafters and skilled artisans, the vendors at the Festival embody York County’s maker spirit.
Cash & Credit Cards will be accepted dependent upon individual vendors. No ATM on site.
CASH IS RECOMMENDED to account for any unforeseen issues with our farm Wi-Fi. We appreciate your consideration!
Food & Food Trucks
- Character Coffee
- Stoney’s Burgers and Fries
- Locally Seasoned
Plant Vendors
- Ort Family Farm
- Gino’s Nursery
- Future Forest Plants
Arts, Crafts & Home Goods
- Green Daisy Soaps
- Wildwood Lavender Farm
- Steph Holmes Art
- The Gardener of the Owl Valley
- Seek The Light Creations LLC
Food & Beverage Products
- Lavender Acres Winery
- Holla Spirits
- Cove Mountain Mycology
- Old Grumpy Mark’s Hot Sauce
Educational & Community Vendors
- Watershed Alliance of York
- York County Solid Waste Authority
- Lancaster Conservancy
2026 Wild & Uncommon Weekend
September 17 – 20
Wild & Uncommon Weekend is a regional celebration spotlighting the diverse ecosystem of local foods, makers, and experiences found across the Lower Susquehanna.
Wild & Uncommon Weekend Schedule of Events
Trails & Tales
Thursday, September 17
Weird Fish & Fishing Weirs | 10am – 4pm
Free Registration Online Here.
Suitable for families and kids!
Location: Columbia Crossing River Trails Center | Columbia, PA (Directions)
Details: Susquehanna National Heritage Area will have some fun fishy activities available for all visitors to learn all about Weird Fish and Fishing Weirs at the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center. Our program will be an interactive learning experience about the fish of the Susquehanna River and the traditional eel-weir type fishing methods of the Susquehannock tribe. Drop in to make your own fish prints and try out an activity station about weirs.
Host: Susquehanna National Heritage Area
All About Pawpaws: Guided Nature Hike | 5:30 – 7:30pm
Sign-Up Required. Register here.
Location: Turkey Hill Nature Preserve | Conestoga, PA (Directions)
Details: This 2.2-mile strenuous out-and-back hike will climb the hillside above the Enola Low-Grade Trail to a scenic Susquehanna River overlook, Along the way, participants will learn about paw paw history, pollinators, and tree identification. Note: this hike will not include foraging.
Host: Lancaster Conservancy
Tap Talk: Watershed Week | 6 – 8pm
Sign-Up Required. Registration link coming soon!.
Location: Collusion Tapworks | York, PA (Directions)
Details: Tap Talks are a fun and informative series that highlights water quality and watershed-related topics through dynamic presentations by local water resource professionals. Participants will also have the opportunity to enjoy food and locally brewed beverages while engaging in an interactive environmental trivia game. Speaker and topic details coming soon!
Host: Watershed Alliance of York
More Events Coming Soon!
Foraged Flavor
Thursday, September 17
Falmouth Forest Garden & Conoy Wetlands: Guided Nature Hike | 9 – 11:30am
Sign-Up Required. Register here.
Location: Falmouth Boat Launch | Bainbridge, PA (Directions)
Details: Participants will follow the flat, paved Northwest River Trail to the Falmouth Forest Garden, an agroforestry plot for humans and wildlife featuring 20 native species of trees and shrubs, including pawpaw. Farther down the trail, attendees will visit the Conoy Wetlands Nature Preserve, before returning to the start, on this 3-mile (round-trip) journey
Host: Lancaster Conservancy
More Events Coming Soon!
Festival Fun
Thursday, September 17
Dam Bridge Challenge | 7am – 1pm
Registration Required for Paddlers. Sign Up Here.
Suitable for families and kids!
Location: Wrightsville Riverfront Park | Wrightsville, PA (Directions)
Details: The Dam Bridge Challenge is a series of exciting paddle races celebrating our river and supporting the vital work of the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association.
The course is along the Susquehanna River, stretching from the historic river town of Wrightsville to Lake Clarke and the Safe Harbor Dam. Whether you’re a junior or master paddler, you’re invited to compete in your watercraft of choice—kayaks, canoes, surfski, or stand-up paddleboards. You don’t have to be on the water to be part of the fun! Bring your family and friends to cheer on racers, enjoy riverfront views and learn about the importance of protecting the Susquehanna River. Come celebrate, connect, and help safeguard the river we all treasure.
Host: Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association
Wildly Made (And All Things Elderberry) | 9am – 5pm
No Registration Required.
Suitable for families and kids!
Location: White Clover Family Farm | York, PA (Directions)
Details: White Clover Family Farm has some wild & uncommon goods in store for you–including elderberry syrup made with Horn Farm Center elderberries, elderberry goat milk soap made with their goats milk, elderberry scented foaming hand soap, elderberry scented lotion, dried elderberry bath salts, elderberry loose leaf tea, baked goods featuring local fruits, and elderberry scented 100% soy candles hand poured on the farm. $1 from every elderberry candle sold will be donated to Horn Farm Center!
Host: White Clover Family Farm
Wild & Uncommon Pawpaw Festival | 9am – 5pm
Tickets Required. Grab Tickets Here.
Suitable for families and kids!
Location: Horn Farm Center | York, PA
Details: The signature event of Wild & Uncommon Weekend features fresh pawpaw fruit, trees, and products available for purchase alongside an array of local food trucks, native plant nurseries, artisans, environmental educators, and other uncommon crops of the season. Free programs, live music, and tours of the Horn Farm’s regenerative landscape and pawpaw orchard will run throughout the day, along with kid-friendly walks and activities.
Host: Horn Farm Center
More Events Coming Soon!
Forest & Feast
Sunday, September 20
Pawpaw Cooking Class | 1:30 – 3:30pm
Sign-Up Required. Registrations Opening Soon!
Location: Leg Up Farmers Market | Emigsville, PA (Directions)
Details: Take a delicious deep dive into one of Pennsylvania’s most fascinating native fruits, the pawpaw, with a cooking demonstration and tasting. Special guests Dick and Judy Bono–founders of the York County Pawpaw Festival–will share their knowledge of pawpaw history, growing, and harvesting. Local chef Liza Naylor of Locally Seasoned will then showcase different ways to use pawpaws in the kitchen. All attendees will receive a copy of Judy’s Pawpaw Recipes cookbook!
Host: Locally Seasoned
More Events Coming Soon!
Our Sponsors
The 2026 Wild & Uncommon Weekend is supported by local businesses who believe in our mission to foster learning through ecological land stewardship, experiential education, and community partnership. Learn more about ways to make a lasting impact through sponsorship.
We thank the following sponsors for supporting regenerative agriculture and education at the Horn Farm Center:
