Lititz, founded in the early 1740s by German immigrants who were members of the Moravian Church, is known for the Rotary Club of Lititz Craft Show, which is nicknamed "The Big One" and annually draws about 50,000 attendees. To get the most out of the one-day show, make a few advance preparations and take time to experience some of Lititz's other attractions.
The craft show typically takes place the second Saturday in August, so the summer heat and humidity can be sweltering. Wear comfortable walking shoes, shorts or thin slacks and a short-sleeve shirt. For women, a sundress is another sensible option. Take sunscreen and apply it throughout the day. Bring a water bottle or small cooler with drinking water to keep you hydrated. If you plan to make a lot of purchases, bring a small suitcase or duffel bag in which you can store your finds and roll behind you.
The Lititz Craft Show began in 1978 with only a few vendors occupying a single downtown block. Today, the festival stretches along seven blocks on East Main and Broad streets as well as through Lititz Springs Park, attracting about 700 vendors and artisans selling jewelry, paintings, woodwork, fall decorations and other wares. The Lititz Rotary Club website has a map with vendor and parking locations; some parking areas are within walking distance and others provide shuttles to the show. Plan where you want to start and finish your stroll of the show and highlight the vendors you most want to visit. Arrive a few minutes before the show's early morning start to beat the crowds and the afternoon heat.
Between browsing the wares at the craft booths in Lititz Springs Park, take a few minutes to relax and enjoy the natural scenery at the historic retreat, which is more than 200 years old and has an abundance of ducks and other wildlife that enjoy the spring-fed Lititz Run canal. The 7-acre park has a number of benches that are alongside walking paths and the waterway.
Downtown Lititz is a haven for food lovers and home to the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery -- where you can tour the original circa-1861 pretzel bakery and learn how to twist your own pretzel -- and the Wilbur Chocolate Company. The five-story chocolate factory, which opened in 1913, still is active and home to a museum and candy store where you can sample and purchase a wide selection of fudges and other confections. Other downtown attractions include the Lititz Historical Foundation's 1792 Johannes Mueller House and Lititz Museum, the reconstructed 1884 Lititz Passenger Depot and Express Station -- which doubles as the town's welcome center -- and the nearby Lititz Caboose Museum.
