Shippensburg’s annual beer and wine festival kicked off its second year on Saturday with great success.

Shippensburg Area Chamber of Commerce teamed up with Downtown Organizations Investing Together (DOIT) and the Shippensburg Area Development Corporation (SADCO) to host the festival once again.  

There was excitement in the air as many of the vendors were first-timers at the festival. 

Shippensburg residents from all over town gathered together at the Shippensburg fairgrounds, where they were surrounded by great food and an assortment of local winery and brewery vendors. 

Jan Zell Wines and Ciders of Chambersburg featured some of its seasonal wines at the event, such as “Summer Days” and “Autumn Nights.” It is owned and operated by Arnie and Laura Jansen with their son, Eric, at their winery on Grant Street in Chambersburg. 

Arnie Jansen said it was recently offered to open a location in Shippensburg, but it is not yet ready to expand. However, it is hoping to bring Jan Zell to Shippensburg near the university in the future.

Some of Shippensburg’s own companies were present, such as the Appalachian Brewing Co. People were lined up outside of their tent to taste their featured brew, “Oktoberfest Style Marzen.”  

Alyssa DeHart, Appalachian Brewing Co. team member, encouraged locals to visit their location on East King Street. 

“It’s not just beer, we also have Pennsylvania distilled liquor like gin and vodka,” DeHart said. 

The brewery also has its own distilleries in Chambersburg and Carlisle.  

The beer and wine festival also ventured outside of just beer and wine this year. The brand Single Prop of Trumbauersville featured its Caribbean rum crafted with coconut water, which gives it a smooth, fruity flavor. It sampled its rum plain and in a handmade cocktail.

A ticket into the festival included a novelty glass used to taste test any of the vendors’ products. Most vendors offered bottles for sale and to fill up their cup for an additional cost.

Locals talked and laughed with each other while sitting on their lawn chairs under two giant tents, listening to live country music. Some made their way to play quoits, while others played some volleyball. 

The sense of community flourished as everyone discovered their new favorite “go to” wine or beer, while making memories with their friends and family.  

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