Say hello to Wild & Uncommon Weekend, a new expansion of the York County Pawpaw Festival offering events across the Lower Susquehanna Region!
The Pawpaw Festival is welcoming its 20th anniversary in 2024! As we celebrate this milestone, we’re excited to spread the spirit of the event across the landscape with over a dozen new programs and experiences, all happening September 26-29 at several different locations.
The centerpiece of the Weekend is the Pawpaw Festival at Horn Farm Center – taking place ONE DAY ONLY on Saturday, September 28th from 9AM to 5PM. Pre-purchased tickets are required to attend, and options for parking on- and off-site are offered.
Wild & Uncommon Weekend
NEW for 2024
Over a dozen events taking place at several locations across the Lower Susquehanna Region.
Registration required for most events.
Plan Your Weekend in Advance!
September 26 – 29
York County Pawpaw Festival
Celebrating 20 years in 2024.
Signature event taking place at the Horn Farm Center ONE DAY ONLY.
Pre-purchased tickets required to attend.
Saturday, September 28th
Spotlighting the Lower Susquehanna Riverlands in Southeastern PA, Wild & Uncommon Weekend celebrates a diverse ecosystem of local foods, makers, and nature-based experiences. With the Pawpaw Festival as the main event, the star of the weekend is the pawpaw fruit that started it all!
Pawpaws are the largest edible fruit native to the Eastern United States, growing naturally right here in the Susquehanna Riverlands. Similar in taste to tropical fruits, the pawpaw is a unique, 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 28th, Wild & Uncommon Weekend extends the experience with a variety of tours, talks, tastings, and experiences, many featuring the pawpaw. But that’s not all! Attendees at the 2024 Pawpaw Festival and other Wild & Uncommon events will also find NEW local foods and learning experiences, all capturing the amazing ecosystem that the pawpaw calls home!
Scroll down for more information about both events!
2024 Wild & Uncommon Weekend
September 26 – 29
NEW for 2024, Wild & Uncommon Weekend is a regional celebration spotlighting the diverse ecosystem of local foods, makers, and experiences found across the Lower Susquehanna.
Below, explore the exciting NEW EVENTS bringing Wild & Uncommon Weekend to life. Click the arrows to reveal event details and sign-up instructions. Note that many events require pre-registration to attend.
Thursday,
September 26th
9AM-6PM Pick-Your-Own & Enjoy a Taste of Apple Schnitz
Flinchbaugh’s Orchard & Farm Market: 110 Ducktown Rd. Hellam, PA 17406
Free tasting while supplies last, no ticket required. Family-friendly!
Discover a uniquely tasty, Pennsylvania Dutch treat – apple schnitz – or dried apple, while shopping at one York County’s best farm markets. Pick your own pumpkins, flowers, and apples with the whole family! Enjoy fresh produce, baked goods, flowers and more!
9AM-7pm Let’s Eat More Local Food!
Leg Up Farmers Market: 3100 N George St, York, PA 17406
Free, No Tickets Required
Leg Up Farmers Market is THE Local Food Hub to find York County farmers and artisans. Enjoy locally-grown and crafted products at 10% off during Wild & Uncommon Weekend including: Mad Radish Farm Organic Produce, Linda Jean’s Microgreens, The Breaded Egg Artisan Breads, Old Grumpy Mark’s Hot Sauces, Oak Lane Kitchen Fermented Veggies, Manchester Kimchi, My Aunt Mary’s Pasta Sauces, and more!
1PM-9PM Pawpaw Cocktails, Lavender Indulgences, & Locally-Made Wine
Lavender Acres Winery: 4865 Libhart Mill Rd, Hellam Township, PA 17406
Free, no registration required. Must be 21+
Enjoy pawpaw cocktails, special lavender food and drinks, and locally-crafted, award-winning wines at beautiful Lavender Acres Winery.
5:30PM-7PM Pawpaw Cooking Class with Locally Seasoned
Leg Up Farmers Market: 3100 N George St, York, PA 17406
TICKETS HERE, Space Limited
Learn how to prepare and enjoy a multi-course, pawpaw-inspired dining experience! From appetizer to dessert we’re crafting practical and unique ways to use and preserve your pawpaw harvest.
Friday,
September 27th
9AM-6PM Pick-Your-Own & Enjoy a Taste of Apple Schnitz
Flinchbaugh’s Orchard & Farm Market: 110 Ducktown Rd. Hellam, PA 17406
Free tasting while supplies last, no ticket required. Family-Friendly!
Discover a uniquely tasty, Pennsylvania Dutch treat – apple schnitz – or dried apple, while shopping at one York County’s best farm markets. Pick your own pumpkins, flowers, and apples with the whole family! Enjoy fresh produce, baked goods, flowers and more!
9AM-7pm Market Tours & Eat More Local Food!
Leg Up Farmers Market: 3100 N George St, York, PA 17406
Free, No Tickets Required
Leg Up Farmers Market is THE Local Food Hub to find York County farmers and artisans. Enjoy locally-grown and crafted products at 10% off during Wild & Uncommon Weekend including: Mad Radish Farm Organic Produce, Linda Jean’s Microgreens, The Breaded Egg Artisan Breads, Old Grumpy Mark’s Hot Sauces, Oak Lane Kitchen Fermented Veggies, Manchester Kimchi, My Aunt Mary’s Pasta Sauces, and more!
Friday Only at 10AM & 3PM, Store Manager, Dan will share the story of this local grocery store and how it supports local growers! Enjoy a 30-45 minute tour of Leg Up Farmers Market and shop from locally-grown and crafted products at 10% off!
1PM-9PM Pawpaw Cocktails, Lavender Indulgences, & Locally-Made Wine
Lavender Acres Winery: 4865 Libhart Mill Rd, Hellam Township, PA 17406
Free, No Tickets Required. Must be 21+
Enjoy pawpaw cocktails, special lavender food and drinks, and locally-crafted, award-winning wines at beautiful Lavender Acres Winery.
2PM River Discovery Boat Tour
Susquehanna National Heritage Area \ Zimmerman Center: 1706 Long Level Road, Wrightsville, PA 17368
REGISTER HERE, Space Limited.
The Susquehanna River has been a place of sustenance for generations of local people. Fish, birds, mammals, and plants made it a great hunting spot for Native people and Europeans alike. Learn about wild & uncommon foods from the Susquehanna River.
6PM-7PM Sip & Learn: Snorkeling Susquehanna Riverlands Streams with the Lancaster Conservancy
Lavender Acres Winery: 4865 Libhart Mill Rd, Hellam Township, PA 17406
Free, REGISTER HERE
It may seem there isn’t much to see beneath the surface of freshwater rivers and streams, but once we look underwater an amazing world appears. Discover the otherworldy streamscapes of our local waterways. Enjoy locally-crafted wines while underwater naturalist Keith Williams shares his adventures of exploring and discovering the underwater world of our Susquehanna Riverlands streams in an engaging presentation.
Saturday,
September 28th
9AM-5PM Wild & Uncommon Pawpaw Festival at Horn Farm
Horn Farm Center: 4945 Horn Road, York, PA (Parking at Church of the Open Door: 4075 E Market St, East York, PA 17402)
TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE!
The Horn Farm Center’s Wild & Uncommon Festival is the signature event of the Weekend. Enjoy all of the family-fun, education, and local shopping that you have come to love about the Pawpaw Festival!
9AM-12PM Buzzards Roost & Wildcat Run: Guided Morning Hike
Lancaster Conservancy’s Kinsley Preserve: 5082 Furnace Rd, York, PA 17406
REGISTER HERE. Space Limited.
Start your morning right with a wild & uncommon adventure through the Hellam Hills. Enjoy the fall ecology of fields and forests as you hike to Buzzards Roost to explore the geology of this incredible overlook. Then descend the dramatic cliffs that define Buzzards Roost to a final loop around Wildcat Run.
9AM-4PM Pick-Your-Own & Enjoy a Taste of Apple Schnitz
Flinchbaugh’s Orchard & Farm Market: 110 Ducktown Rd. Hellam, PA 17406
Free tasting while supplies last, no ticket required. Family-Friendly!
Discover a uniquely tasty, Pennsylvania Dutch treat – apple schnitz – or dried apple, while shopping at one York County’s best farm markets. Pick your own pumpkins, flowers, and apples with the whole family! Enjoy fresh produce, baked goods, flowers and more!
9AM, 11AM, 2PM, & 4PM A Biodynamic Exploration at Dark Hollow
Dark Hollow Biodynamic | 6924 Dark Hollow Road, Wrightsville, PA 17368
REGISTER HERE. Space Limited
Immerse yourself in a one-hour walking farm tour to discover the unique practice of biodynamic farming! Meet a herd of Icelandic sheep and explore forest-grown fruits, mushrooms, and medicinal plants – all during Michaelmas – a wild and uncommon celebration.
9AM-5PM Pawpaw Baked Goods & Elderberry Syrup
White Clover Farm: 327 Campbell Rd. York, PA 17402
Free tasting while supplies last, no ticket required.
Saturday is Bread Day at White Clover Farm and they’ve got some wild & uncommon goods in store – including pawpaw baked goods and elderberry syrup! Shop and enjoy affordable, local produce, as well as handmade jams, salsas, and breads.
9AM-7PM Let’s Eat More Local Food!
Leg Up Farmers Market: 3100 N George St, York, PA 17406
Free, No Tickets Required
Leg Up Farmers Market is THE Local Food Hub to find York County farmers and artisans. Enjoy locally-grown and crafted products at 10% off during Wild & Uncommon Weekend including: Mad Radish Farm Organic Produce, Linda Jean’s Microgreens, The Breaded Egg Artisan Breads, Old Grumpy Mark’s Hot Sauces, Oak Lane Kitchen Fermented Veggies, Manchester Kimchi, My Aunt Mary’s Pasta Sauces, and more!
10:30AM-11:30AM Weird Fish & Fishing Weirs
Susquehanna National Heritage Area | Columbia Crossing River Trails Center: 41 Walnut St. Columbia, PA 17512
REGISTER HERE. Free Program.
Youth program for ages 5-12.
Create a fish print and learn about the wild fish of the Susquehanna. Learn about how Native Americans caught fish and how fishing weirs were used.
11AM-6PM Pawpaw Cocktails, Lavender Indulgences, & Locally-Made Wine
Lavender Acres Winery: 4865 Libhart Mill Rd, Hellam Township, PA 17406
Free, No Ticket Required. Must be 21+
Enjoy pawpaw cocktails, special lavender food and drinks, and locally-crafted, award-winning wines at beautiful Lavender Acres Winery.
1PM-3PM Eco Restoration at Wizard Ranch: Guided Nature Hike
Lancaster Conservancy’s Wizard Ranch Nature Preserve: Accomac Rd, Hellam Township, PA 17406
REGISTER HERE. Space Limited.
Explore the natural history and restoration work in progress at this unique nature preserve that will create native forests, savannahs and meadows
2PM River Discovery Boat Tour
Susquehanna National Heritage Area \ Zimmerman Center: 1706 Long Level Road, Wrightsville, PA 17368
REGISTER HERE, Space Limited.
The Susquehanna River has been a place of sustenance for generations of local people. Fish, birds, mammals, and plants made it a great hunting spot for Native people and Europeans alike. Learn about wild & uncommon foods from the Susquehanna River.
7PM-8:30PM Wild & Uncommon After Party: Pawpaw Desserts & Mocktails
Firefly Hollow Wellness: 200 Farm Ln, York, PA 17402
TICKETS HERE, Space Limited
Enjoy an evening where innovative mocktails and exquisite desserts come together to highlight the unique taste of PA’s only tropical fruit featuring delicious creations by The Sweet Botanist. Hosted by Firefly Hollow Wellness.
Sunday,
September 29th
9AM-12PM Wild Pawpaws & Zebra Swallowtails: Guided Nature Hike
Lancaster Conservancy’s Turkey Hill Nature Preserve: Enola Low Grade Trail, Conestoga, PA 17516
REGISTER HERE. Space Limited.
Hike along the Turkey Hill Trail and spy wild fruiting pawpaw trees and its beautiful companion, the zebra swallowtail. This guided hike will explore the unique relationship between these two species and we will discover many other plants, insects, and birds along the way to a scenic river overlook.
9AM, 11AM, 2PM, & 4PM A Biodynamic Exploration at Dark Hollow
Dark Hollow Biodynamic | 6924 Dark Hollow Road, Wrightsville, PA 17368
REGISTER HERE. Space Limited
Immerse yourself in a one-hour walking farm tour to discover the unique practice of biodynamic farming! Meet a herd of Icelandic sheep and explore forest-grown fruits, mushrooms, and medicinal plants – all during Michaelmas – a wild and uncommon celebration.
9AM-7PM Let’s Eat More Local Food!
Leg Up Farmers Market: 3100 N George St, York, PA 17406
Free, No Tickets Required
Leg Up Farmers Market is THE Local Food Hub to find York County farmers and artisans. Enjoy locally-grown and crafted products at 10% off during Wild & Uncommon Weekend including: Mad Radish Farm Organic Produce, Linda Jean’s Microgreens, The Breaded Egg Artisan Breads, Old Grumpy Mark’s Hot Sauces, Oak Lane Kitchen Fermented Veggies, Manchester Kimchi, My Aunt Mary’s Pasta Sauces, and more!
11AM-1PM Pawpaw Brunch & Learn (TICKETS SOLD OUT)
TICKETS SOLD OUT
However, leftover pawpaw fruit may be available for purchase at the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center while supplies last. Fruit availability is not guaranteed depending on sales at the festival.
BRUNCH INFO (sold out): Kick-off the last day of Wild & Uncommon Weekend with a delicious boxed brunch curated by Locally Seasoned while overlooking York County’s iconic riverfront in Columbia, PA. Enjoy a locally-crafted meal and self-serve beverage station (all featuring pawpaw) while learning about the origins, ecological significance, and future of America’s forgotten fruit! Presentation led by Dale Hendricks.
2PM River Discovery Boat Tour
Susquehanna National Heritage Area \ Zimmerman Center: 1706 Long Level Road, Wrightsville, PA 17368
REGISTER HERE, Space Limited.
The Susquehanna River has been a place of sustenance for generations of local people. Fish, birds, mammals, and plants made it a great hunting spot for Native people and Europeans alike. Learn about wild & uncommon foods from the Susquehanna River.
3PM-6PM Pawpaw Cocktails & Live Music
Lavender Acres Winery: 4865 Libhart Mill Rd, Hellam Township, PA 17406
Free, No Ticket Required. Must be 21+
Enjoy pawpaw cocktails, special lavender food and drinks, and locally-crafted, award-winning wines at beautiful Lavender Acres Winery. Live music from 3-6pm.
Check Out the Printable Events Listing!
We’ve got lots of Wild & Uncommon experiences lined up for the Weekend, including guided hikes, children’s programs, pawpaw tastings, featured speakers, and more!
Wild & Uncommon
Pawpaw Festival
September 28, 9AM – 5PM
at the Horn Farm
Signature Event: Wild & Uncommon Pawpaw Festival at the Horn Farm
Originally known as the York County Pawpaw Festival, the Horn Farm Center’s Wild & Uncommon Pawpaw Festival is the signature event of the Wild & Uncommon Weekend and boasts all of the family-fun, education, and local shopping that you have come to love about the Pawpaw Festival!
At the festival, pawpaw fruit and trees will be available for purchase, alongside other pawpaw-themed merchandise, including t-shirts, crafts, artwork, and products. Interested in sampling pawpaws while you’re at the event? Make sure to BYOS (Bring Your Own Spoon!)
Visitors will also enjoy local and regional food trucks, 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, including kid-friendly farm walks. Additional educational experiences hosted by vendors and regional educators are also featured throughout the event.
PRE-PURCHASED TICKETS ARE REQUIRED to attend the Pawpaw Festival.
Creative, Flavorful, & Educational
Planning an overnight visit?
Book your stay in York County using this travel link, and check out all that York has to offer by visiting Yorkpa.org!
2024 Festival Vendors
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 unique 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
- 2Delicious – Gyro Fusion
- Stoney’s Burgers and Fries
- Brotherly Love Scratch Kitchen
- Locally Seasoned
- Historic Wrightsville
- Safe and Sweet
- Cupcakes by Casey
Plant Vendors
- Ort Family Farm
- Gino’s Nursery
- Calyx Native Nursery
- Heartwood Nursery
- Future Forest Plants
Goods, Arts & Crafts
- Virtue Local Art Market
- Seek The Light Creations LLC
- J David Pottery
- The Gardener of the Owl Valley
Food Products & Home Goods
- 4 Herb & 7 Spices Ago
- Lavender Acres Winery
- Holla Spirits
- Kilgore Family Farm
- Cove Mountain Mycology
Educational & Community Vendors
- West Shore Wildlife Center
- Watershed Alliance of York
- Lower Susquehanna Riverkeepers
- Kreutz Creek Library
- York Audubon Society
- York County Solid Waste Authority
- Pawpaw Project
- Josh Brandstadter
We Need Your Help!
We are looking for volunteers to help with many aspects of the event, including admissions, kids’ activities, pawpaw sales, parking, engaging visitors, and more.
As a volunteer at the Pawpaw Festival on September 28th, you’ll enjoy perks like:
- FREE admission to the Pawpaw Festival, including on-site parking (otherwise reserved for VIP, handicapped, and special ticket-holders)
- Lunch and snacks provided in our volunteer break area, including coffee, breakfast pastries, pizza, and other items.
- Priority access to purchase pawpaws before the festival.
If you are able to spare some time to help our Wild & Uncommon Pawpaw Festival thrive, sign up below! Make sure to pay attention to the time and description for the shift(s) you are selecting. We’ll be in touch with all volunteers as the event approaches!
Our Sponsors
The 2024 Pawpaw Festival is supported by local businesses who believe in our mission to foster learning through ecological land stewardship, experiential education, and community partnership. We thank the following sponsors for supporting regenerative agriculture and education at the Horn Farm Center: