Showing Up, Even When It Hurts

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Hi Neighbor,

This week’s newsletter is stitched together with both heaviness and hope. Grief has been close to home, and our town has felt its share of heartbreak too. But Hanover is also full of moments where people show up for one another, imperfectly but sincerely.

Inside, you’ll find a few of those reminders. From pumpkin season kicking off at Fat Bat, to the creativity of First Friday, to the tradition of our beloved Chili Cookoff. My hope is that these stories and events remind you, as they remind me, that community is made in the showing up.

Thanks for being here. I’m glad we get to share this little corner of town together.

I didn’t want to write this week. On Sunday, I lost my dog, Bubby, and the weight of that grief made everything feel heavier. When your heart is broken, even the smallest tasks can feel impossible.

But here I am. Messy. Tired. Not at my best. Still showing up.

Our town felt some of that same heaviness this week. News broke that Hanover’s Pride event, planned for October, has been canceled. Safety concerns, lack of sponsorships, and online controversy all played a part. Some words were messy. Some landed in ways people didn’t like.

But you know what? They showed up. Not perfectly. Not polished. But human.

And maybe that’s the point. In a world that expects us to look strong and composed, sometimes the bravest thing we can do is show up as we are…grieving, uncertain, hopeful, or somewhere in between.

That’s what neighbors do. We keep showing up for each other, in joy and in heartbreak, in celebrations and in setbacks.

So even though I didn’t want to write this week, I’m here. And I’m glad you are too. Because when we show up together, even imperfectly, that’s when the real magic of community happens.

If you’re one of those people who believe summer should linger a little longer, brace yourself. Pumpkin season is officially arriving in Hanover this weekend. And no one ushers it in quite like Fat Bat.

On Saturday, August 30, Fat Bat is hosting their Pumpkin Festival, built around the release of their wildly popular seasonal beer, Treat Yoself. This year’s batch comes with a twist: you can choose your rim, either pumpkin cheesecake or pumpkin spice sugar. Good luck deciding between the two.

But the festival isn’t just about what’s in your glass. It’s a full-blown celebration of all things pumpkin. The lineup includes pumpkin pie shots, a pumpkin painting contest with prizes, and a run of limited edition Pumpkin Fest tees for just $15. The first 45 pumpkin beer orders even come with a free Fat Bat glass, a little souvenir for starting the season right.

The food and vendor lineup is just as tempting:

And yes, there’s a pumpkin painting contest from 4 to 6 PM, with supplies included. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or someone who hasn’t touched a paintbrush since grade school, it’s a chance to flex a little creativity or at least have a laugh with friends.

Fat Bat is encouraging everyone to lean into the fun by wearing fall-themed outfits. Think cozy flannels, pumpkin-orange sweaters, or even a cheeky Halloween accessory or two. It’s a way to jump-start the season with a little flair, long before the leaves actually start to turn.

Hanover has plenty of ways to celebrate fall once September rolls around. Fat Bat’s Pumpkin Festival feels like the starting line. It’s a reminder that community, craft beer, and a bit of whimsy are more than enough reasons to raise a glass together.

If there’s one event that captures Hanover’s love of good food and good company, it’s the annual Chili Cookoff. Now in its 29th year, the tradition returns on Sunday, August 31, at Good Field (151 Moul Avenue), with gates opening at 11 AM.

What began as a small local fundraiser has grown into one of Hanover’s signature events, drawing thousands of people together for a day of food, music, and community spirit. At its heart is the chili — steaming pots of it, crafted by cooks who take their spices seriously. From mild and savory to fiery and bold, there’s a flavor for everyone. And yes, sampling them all is half the fun.

But the Chili Cookoff is more than just food. The event features live music, games, and family-friendly activities, turning Good Field into a bustling hub of Hanover pride. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits and community programs, so every bowl you taste helps support a good cause.

Visitors can also enjoy craft beer, local vendors, and the camaraderie that comes with standing in line, spoon in hand, debating which chili deserves your vote. It’s the kind of event where you’re as likely to run into an old neighbor as you are to make a new friend.

The Hanover Chili Cookoff has become a late-summer ritual, marking the transition from August’s heat to September’s cooler nights. It’s a reminder that food has a way of bringing people together, and in Hanover, chili just happens to be the dish of choice.

So bring your appetite, your sense of adventure, and maybe a few antacids, just in case. The Chili Cookoff is back, and it promises to be as flavorful and fiery as ever.

🎟 Buy tickets online here

Downtown Hanover will be buzzing with creativity on Friday, September 5, from 5 to 8 PM, as the monthly First Friday Art Walk returns. Hosted by Little Fox Coffee & Books, the walk is a chance to explore our town’s blossoming arts scene while meeting local artists and enjoying exhibits across multiple venues.

This month’s featured artist at Little Fox is Dorothy Hartley, an illustrator and muralist from Biglerville. Her warm, inviting artwork draws on folklore, mystery, and the cycles of the earth. Hartley also co-founded The Hartley Residence, an artist residency and land restoration project that offers agricultural education programs. She’ll be on hand during the event for a meet-and-greet, and you can preview her work at dorothyhartley.com.

The Hanover Area Arts Guild will open its September feature exhibit, Abstract Art, which runs through September 27. From simplified representations to bold non-objective works, the show explores the wide range of abstraction. Visitors can also stop by the Guild’s popular “Artist Attic,” where donated pieces are available to take home with a contribution to the scholarship or classroom supply fund.

At The Gallery at The Old Post Office (141 Broadway), more than two dozen works by 17 artists will be on display, each created on a 12” x 12” panel. Despite the shared dimensions, the collection showcases a wide variety of mediums and creative voices. Free parking is available behind the building.

Other stops include:

The First Friday Art Walk is always free and open to the public, making it a perfect evening to stroll, sip, and take in the creativity of our community.

Downtown Hanover is about to get a little more romantic. On Sunday, September 7, from 12 to 6 PM, the doors will officially open at Seventh Shelf, a brand-new, woman-owned bookstore dedicated to all things romance.

Located at 9 Carlisle Street, Seventh Shelf will offer a curated selection of romance novels alongside bookish goods, apparel, and other literary-inspired treasures. The shop is designed to be more than just a place to buy books — it’s a welcoming space for readers to celebrate love stories in all their forms.

From happily-ever-afters to slow-burn sagas, Seventh Shelf promises to bring a new chapter to Hanover’s downtown shopping scene. Whether you’re an avid romance reader or just looking for a thoughtful gift, this is a grand opening worth marking on your calendar.

🗓 Friday, August 29 | 🕘 9 AM – 1 PM

📍 Little Fox Coffee & Books, 125 Broadway, Hanover, PA 17331

Put on some pants and pretend you have co-workers at this weekly WFH Club hosted inside a cozy bookstore café. Expect great coffee, reliable internet, and an excuse to get out of the house. Stay as long as you like, and no one will mind if you keep to yourself. It’s the perfect way to wrap up your workweek.

🗓 Saturday, August 30 | 🕛 12 PM – 6 PM (Painting Contest 4–6 PM)

📍 Fat Bat Brewing, 10 N Railroad Street, Hanover, PA

Celebrate the release of Treat Yoself, Fat Bat’s popular pumpkin beer, served with your choice of a pumpkin cheesecake or pumpkin spice sugar rim. Enjoy half-price pours, $15 Pumpkin Fest tees (while supplies last), pumpkin pie shots, and a free glass for the first 45 pumpkin beer orders. Browse vendors, grab bites from food trucks, and join the pumpkin painting contest from 4–6 PM. Fall-themed outfits encouraged.

🗓 Sunday, August 31 | 🕚 11 AM – 5 PM

📍 Good Field, 151 Moul Avenue, Hanover, PA

Hanover’s favorite late-summer tradition returns for its 29th year with steaming pots of chili, live music, craft beer, family-friendly activities, and community spirit. Sample a wide range of recipes, vote for your favorites, and enjoy an afternoon that’s equal parts food and fun. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits, so every bowl supports a good cause.

Labor Day - spend it with family!

🗓 Tuesday, September 2 | 🕖 7 PM – 9 PM

📍 Fat Bat Brewing, 10 N Railroad Street, Hanover, PA

Test your knowledge at Fat Bat’s weekly trivia night, hosted by Showtime Trivia. Teams compete for gift card prizes for first, second, and third place, with seasonal cash prizes every six weeks. Gather your crew, grab a pint, and see how you stack up.

🗓 Wednesday, September 3 | 🕕 6 PM – 9 PM

📍 Divino Pizzeria Italian Eatery, 612 Frederick Street, Hanover, PA

Trivia meets dance party at Divino’s! Enjoy general trivia rounds covering pop culture, music, history, and more, with an All Request DJ spinning your favorite songs between rounds. Top teams win prizes, and the atmosphere is as laid-back as it is lively. Perfect for friends, coworkers, or anyone looking to mix brainpower with a good time.

🗓 Thursday, September 4 | 🕓 4 PM – 10 PM

📍 Avalon Ale House, 1418 Baltimore Street, Hanover, PA

All-you-can-eat seafood feasts kick off every Thursday at Avalon Ale House starting at 4 PM. Prices range from $23.99 to $48.99 with the purchase of a beverage. Come for crab legs, shrimp, and a six-hour window to get your seafood fix.

🗓 Friday, September 5 | 🕔 5 PM – 8 PM

📍 Downtown Hanover (multiple stops)

Stroll through downtown and enjoy free exhibits, meet local artists, and explore cultural stops. Highlights include illustrator Dorothy Hartley at Little Fox Coffee & Books, the Abstract Art show at Hanover Area Arts Guild, and a 12" x 12" group exhibit at The Old Post Office Gallery.

🗓 Saturday, September 6 | 🕘 9 AM – 3 PM

📍 160 Ram Drive, Hanover, PA

Celebrate the season at the 2nd annual Hanover Harvest Festival, hosted by J.A. Myers Homes. Enjoy family-friendly fall activities, local vendors, tasty food, and plenty of community spirit. Bring friends, family, and neighbors to kick off autumn together.

🗓 Sunday, September 7 | 🕛 12 PM – 6 PM

📍 Seventh Shelf, 9 Carlisle Street, Hanover, PA

Celebrate the opening of Seventh Shelf, a woman-owned romance bookstore in downtown Hanover. Browse a curated selection of romance novels, bookish goods, apparel, and more. Stop by to welcome this new chapter in our town’s literary scene.

This week’s newsletter only highlights a few picks, but there’s plenty more happening in and around Hanover. Visit the Heart of Hanover Google Calendar to see the full list of events this week.

Submitted by Chris S.

Stories like this remind me how small acts of kindness ripple through a neighborhood.

I have to say, I have some amazing neighbors that do the same thing. Thank you Brandon & Elizabeth! And thank you to George!

That’s all for this week, neighbor.

May we keep showing up for each other in the small, steady ways that matter most — with kindness, with curiosity, and with the courage to be real. That’s how Hanover feels like home.

See you around town, Megan

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