🌹 The Lancaster Ledger

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Lancaster. Diana Ross. Is coming. To Lancaster. We need you to understand the gravity of this. A literal Motown legend, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient — performing at AMT this August. If you're not at least a little bit excited, check your pulse.

In today's Lancaster Ledger:

• The Hershey biopic just got a release date

• Marietta's cherry blossom festival returns Saturday

• Diana Ross is coming to Lancaster this summer

Let's do it.

— Collin

SPONSORED BY HINKLE INSURANCE AGENCY

Your Neighbor in the Insurance Business Since 1976

Finding the right insurance shouldn't feel like a headache. Hinkle Insurance Agency has been helping Lancaster County families and businesses navigate coverage for nearly 50 years — and they've handled my business insurance needs since I launched my first company in 2020.

As an independent agency, Hinkle isn't tied to one insurance company. Karyn, Luke, and the team shop across multiple carriers to find you the best combination of price, coverage, and service. Home, auto, business, life — they handle it all and actually pick up the phone when you call.

Three generations of the Hinkle family have built this agency on one idea: treat every client like a neighbor, not a policy number. That's why families who started with them in the '70s and '80s are still there today — and bringing their kids and grandkids along.

Whether you're buying your first home, bundling your auto policies, or need commercial coverage for your business, Hinkle's team will walk you through every option so you actually understand what you're paying for.

Stop by the office at 705 Olde Hickory Road, Suite 200, Lancaster or give them a call at (717) 560-9733. You can also visit hinkleinsurance.com to learn more.

Get A Quote → www.hinkleinsurance.com

The upcoming Milton Hershey biopic just got a release date and a shiny new trailer. "Hershey" will premiere Thanksgiving weekend, November 27-29, distributed by Angel Studios (the same studio behind "Brave the Dark," the film about Garden Spot High School teacher Stan Deen). The film stars Finn Wittrock as Milton S. Hershey and Alexandra Daddario as his wife, Catherine "Kitty" Hershey, and it's directed by Mark Waters. It's billed as a rags-to-riches story tracing Hershey's path from a confectioner's apprentice right here in Lancaster to building a global chocolate empire.

Filming took place across Pennsylvania, including at Linden Hall in Fayette County near Pittsburgh. Mark your Thanksgiving movie plans accordingly.

Marietta's Cherry Blossom Benefit Music Festival is back Saturday, April 18, with live music across four stages under a canopy of 150 cherry trees in full bloom along Front Street. The free festival runs 1 to 6 p.m. between River Trail Brewing at 40 E. Front St. and McCleary's Public House at 130 W. Front St. The lineup spans seven acts — from Heath James Hardin's Americana blues to Popscotch's high-energy dance sets — plus nearly 50 artisan vendors and 14 food trucks. Those 21 and over can grab a $5 wristband for on-street beer tables.

Proceeds benefit the Front Street Cherry Tree Restoration and Monarch Habitat. Rain date is April 19. You can also pet alpacas. (Yes, really.)

Diana Ross is bringing the hits to Lancaster County this summer. The legendary Motown singer will perform at the American Music Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18. Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. this Friday, with AMT members getting presale access starting 10 a.m. Wednesday. Prices range from $159 to $269 depending on seat location.

Ross, 82, last performed at AMT in 2019. She's earned a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. If you need us, we'll be humming "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" for the rest of the day.

You! Well, it could be powered by your business. The Lancaster Ledger is growing fast and we're looking for local businesses who want to get in front of the Lancaster County community. Interested? Reply to this email and let's chat.

Lancaster City Restaurant Week Spring 2026 | Over 50 downtown eateries offering special menus and fixed-price deals all week (April 13-19) | All week | Various restaurants, Downtown Lancaster, PA | Free to participate (restaurant specials vary)

Lancaster County's Best Kept Secrets Tour | Self-guided shopping adventure featuring 44 off-the-beaten-path local businesses with refreshments and prizes | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (daily through April 25) | Various locations across Lancaster County, PA | $12

Spring Is in the Air Moss Wall Workshop | Design a framed moss wall with preserved moss, botanicals, and air plants | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Gallery Grow Plant Bar, 320 N Queen St, Lancaster, PA | $50

The Making of Life On Our Planet | Immersive live show from the Emmy Award-winning team behind Netflix's Our Planet series | 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | The Ware Center, 42 N Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603 | $10

The Complete History of America (Abridged) | Opening night of Prima Theatre's fast-paced comedy tracing American history with just three actors | 7:30 PM | Prima Theatre, 941 Wheatland Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603 | $54 (use code DISCOVERHISTORY for $5 off)

Friday Night Improv: Their Royal Laziness | Improvisational comedy show from the Lancaster Improv Players | 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM | Lancaster Improv Players, 16 S Prince St, Lancaster, PA | $15

CHICAGO at Linden Hall | Linden Hall's student production of the Broadway musical, doors open at 6:30 PM | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Linden Hall School for Girls, 212 E Main St, Lititz, PA 17543 | $0–$15 (sliding scale)

Marietta Cherry Blossom Benefit Music Festival | Open-air festival with live music across four stages, food trucks, and artisan vendors celebrating 150 cherry trees in bloom | 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Front Street, 130 W Front St, Marietta, PA 17547 | Free

Earth Day Extravaganza | Family-friendly event with hands-on sustainability activities and educational displays | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Lancaster Public Library, 151 N Queen St, Lancaster, PA | Free

Earth Night at West Art | Immersive dance party with FRWRD Dance Company, Luna Dance, and electronic music benefiting Lancaster Conservancy | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM (doors at 6:00 PM) | West Art, 816 Buchanan Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603 | $15 advance / $20 door ($10 student)

Saturday Night Improv: Indie Mixtape | Independent improv teams perform an evening of comedy | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Lancaster Improv Theater, 16 S Prince St, Lancaster, PA | $15

Off The Cuff, an Improv Comedy Gameshow! | Lancaster's monthly improv game show featuring comedians competing in hilarious challenges | 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM | Lancaster Improv Players, 16 S Prince St, Lancaster, PA | $15

Treasure Island at Fulton Theatre (Opening Weekend) | Opening weekend of the Fulton's Family Series original musical following young Jim Hawkins on a pirate adventure (runs through May 9) | 11:00 AM | Fulton Theatre, 12 N Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603 | Pay-What-You-Want (opening) / $20–$74

Earth Day Yoga at Gallery Grow | Gentle, beginner-friendly yoga class surrounded by plants | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Gallery Grow Plant Bar, 320 N Queen St, Lancaster, PA | $25

Songs & Stories of the American Revolution | Matthew Dodd performs Colonial-era songs and stories in period garb at Historic Rock Ford | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Historic Rock Ford, 881 Rockford Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601 | $10

Hairspray at Fulton Theatre, 12 N Prince St, Lancaster — through May 3 | $20–$74

Joshua at Sight & Sound Theatres, 300 Hartman Bridge Rd, Ronks — through December 31 | Starting at $79

Oklahoma! at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, 510 Centerville Rd, Lancaster — through May 10 | $55 show only / $78–$83 dinner + show

Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, 510 Centerville Rd, Lancaster — through May 5 | Call box office (717-898-1900)

Know someone who'd love this? Forward to a friend:

Subscribe to The Lancaster Ledger

Wednesday High 87°F, low 62°F.

Thursday High 90°F, low 64°F.

Tractor Jerry and the Mudbuckets | Americana / Roots | 7:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 E King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Free

West Art Open Mic | Open Mic / Various | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | West Art Art Bar, 816 Buchanan Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603 | Free

Live Jazz at Plough Restaurant | Jazz | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Plough Restaurant, 25 S Queen St, Lancaster, PA 17603 | Free

Rebecca Porter & The Rhinestone Roses w/ Roberta Faceplant | Appalachian Honky Tonk / Country | 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM | West Art, 816 Buchanan Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603 | $15 advance / $20 door

Adam Weiner aka LOW CUT CONNIE w/ Brittany Ann Tranbaugh | Rock / Piano Rock | 7:30 PM (doors 6:30 PM) | West Art, 816 Buchanan Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603 | $20 advance / $25 door ($14 student)

They Are Gutting a Body of Water | Experimental / Indie | 7:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 E King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | $15

The Nancy Reagans | 80s Cover Band | 8:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 E King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Free

Dry Kill Logic w/ Dizasterpiece | Metal / Rock | 6:00 PM (doors 5:30 PM) | Phantom Power, 121 W Frederick St, Millersville, PA 17551 | $30 advance / $40 day of

The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA | Pop / Tribute | 8:00 PM | American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA 17602 | $34–$54

Johann (Classic Ballads) | Classic / Soft Rock Ballads | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Smucker Village Corner Coffee Shop, 3526 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, PA 17534 | Free

The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA (Saturday Matinee) | Pop / Tribute | 3:00 PM | American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA 17602 | $34–$54

Live Jazz at Horse Inn | Jazz | Evening | Horse Inn, 540 E Fulton St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Free (no cover)

Folsom Prison Experience (Johnny Cash Tribute) | Country / Tribute | 3:00 PM | American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA 17602 | $24–$44

Old Time Jam Session w/ Danny Mulligan | Folk / Old Time | 2:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 E King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Free

Ben Sollee | Cello / Folk / Singer-Songwriter | 3:00 PM | West Art (The Sanctuary), 816 Buchanan Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603 | $20

Thanks for reading The Lancaster Ledger today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who thinks they can get anywhere in Lancaster County in 15 minutes. Doesn't matter where they're starting from. Doesn't matter where they're going. "It's only 15 minutes." 

Cheers!