First Fridays is not the only event in Shippensburg striving to bring Shippensburg’s collegiate community and the town together.
The Ship Market encourages students and community members alike to support local businesses by attending the market each Thursday.
The Ship Market hosts a variety of businesses ranging from food trucks to distilleries and artisan jewelry makers. Vendors come from all over Central Pennslyvania and have many unique products to offer.
Duck Donuts of Mechanicsburg offers pre-ordering of their custom-made donuts each week while Uncle Eddie’s BBQ brings their well-known mac ‘n’ cheese bowls topped with a choice of brisket, pulled pork or chicken. Lotus Bowls frequents the market, bringing acai bowls, smoothies and other healthy options to Shippensburg.
In addition to food, Maxie’s Brew House of Shippensburg offers create-your-own six packs of their specialty brews.
Hook and Flask Still Works offers a taste of Carlisle with their craft spirits. Biser Farms and several other local farms provide locally grown produce for attendees to purchase.
The market provides a weekly ritual for many students and community members alike.
“My roommates and I discovered Ship Market a few weeks ago, when we saw a taco truck we like was coming to Shippensburg and have been coming ever since,” senior Jessa Corwell said. “It’s a great way to get out and experience the local community and support small businesses.”
The market is outdoors, and while masking is not required at the park, it is encouraged and many vendors wear masks throughout the evening while servicing their customers. Seating arrangements at the park are spread out and include picnic tables and benches.
Some attendees choose to bring their own lawn chairs and watch the different sporting events that may be taking place within the different fields at the park.
The market is located at the Southampton Township (Cumberland County) Park on Airport Road and is open from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursdays from May until the end of October. To find a list of vendors each week, follow Ship Market’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheShipMarket.
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