From national athletic championships to major hobby shows and conferences, these events will draw visitors from across the region and country while supporting local hotels, restaurants, and small businesses.
Athletics play a major role in the season’s lineup. Highlights include the Nationals Masters Powerlifting Championships at the historic York Barbell (April 18), where lifters from across the country will compete at the birthplace of American weightlifting. York County will also host a cheer competition, two basketball tournaments, five softball events, and three volleyball tournaments throughout the quarter, including the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Pennsylvania State Volleyball Championships (May 16–17), one of the region’s largest youth volleyball events. On the ice, the White Rose Figure Skating Invitational will welcome skaters from across the region (May 23–24).
Several conventions and enthusiast gatherings will also bring an influx of visitors to the area. The national meet of the Eastern Division Train Collectors Association (April 20–25) will draw collectors and vendors from around the world to York.
In early June, the Street Rod Nationals East (June 5–7) returns for its 52nd year. Held at the York Expo Center, this long-running automotive event kicks off with a lively parade on Friday and features thousands of classic and custom street rods — attracting enthusiasts from across the country.
Later in the quarter, York County will host the Lincoln Highway Association conference (June 22–26), bringing together historians, preservationists, authors, road enthusiasts, and heritage travelers from across North America who share an interest in America’s first coast-to-coast highway. Immediately following, the Eastern Star Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania conference (June 26–29) will welcome members from across the Commonwealth for meetings and programming.
“These events do more than bring visitors to York County — they energize our community, showcase our hospitality, and create meaningful opportunities for local businesses to thrive,” said Laura Wagner, President of Explore York. “Each tournament, conference, and show fills our hotels, restaurants, and shops, while highlighting everything that makes York County a destination people want to return to again and again.”
Explore York continues to work with event organizers and partners to attract a diverse mix of events that bring visitors to the county while showcasing York County’s hospitality, venues, and experiences.
About Explore York:
Explore York’s mission is to maximize tourism expenditures and their economic impact in York County, PA, through comprehensive tourism sales and marketing programs. Explore York’s vision is for a York County where tourism is recognized for the value of its economic impact and its role in raising the profile of York County as a sought-after destination. For more information on Explore York, visit YorkPA.org.
