🌹 The Lancaster Ledger

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Good morning, Lancaster.

Did you know that April Fools' Day has been a thing since at least the 1500s? We considered writing a fake story about Central Market moving to Park City, but honestly, some of you would have believed it. So instead, here's the real news — and it's actually pretty good today.

In today's Lancaster Ledger:

• Iron Hill Brewery is coming back from the dead

• UGI wants to raise your gas bill again

• A new beauty school is opening in Manheim Township

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

Remember Iron Hill Brewery at 781 Harrisburg Ave.? The beloved brewpub that vanished overnight when the chain filed for bankruptcy back in September 2025? It's being resurrected. A group called IHB, backed by Rightlane LLC, acquired the brand's trademark and is bringing five locations back to life — Lancaster included. Even better: original co-founder Mark Edelson is on the revival team, alongside longtime employees who were part of the Iron Hill family before it all went sideways.

The Lancaster location is expected to reopen by early summer. We don't have an exact date yet, but the fact that the original founder is involved gives us hope this won't be some soulless corporate reboot. Love to see it.

Lancaster County residents packed a public hearing at the Manheim Township Public Library on Monday to push back on UGI's latest rate increase proposal. Under the plan, residential gas bills would jump 8.7%, taking the average monthly bill from $113.64 to $123.55. UGI says the increase would cover more than $400 million in infrastructure upgrades to its natural gas distribution system.

Here's the thing — this is UGI's second rate hike request in roughly a year. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission already approved a 6.7% residential increase back in September 2025. State Rep. Nikki Rivera (D-Lancaster) spoke at the hearing, noting that more and more residents are "pricing out of the middle class." A final decision from the PUC is expected by October 2026.

Genesis Beauty School is setting up shop at 1630 Manheim Pike, Suite 3B, in Manheim Township. Founded by stylist Jennifer Renee, the school offers a 1,250-hour cosmetology program with tuition set at $19,000. The first class kicks off April 6. The space features two classrooms and a 24-chair student salon designed to prepare students for Pennsylvania's cosmetology licensing exams.

If you've been thinking about a career change — or know someone who's always doing everyone's hair at family gatherings — this might be the sign.

One of the Most Awarded Bloody Mary Mixes in the World — Made Right Here in Lancaster, PA

You know how most bloody mary mixes taste like spicy ketchup water? Sunday's Bloody Mary Mix is the opposite of that. This small-batch, handcrafted mix has won three consecutive Platinum Medals at The Drunken Tomato Awards — the highest honor at the world's most competitive bloody mary competition.

Founded right here in Lancaster. Sunday's started as a pandemic-era side hustle in 2020 and has since shipped to customers in all 50 states.

Whether you're a Sunday brunch regular or just discovering the world of craft bloody marys, one sip and you'll never go back to store-shelf mix.

Use code LANCASTER50 for 50% off your first order.

Shop Sunday's → https://sundaysbloodymary.com/discount/50lancaster

Friends of the Tanger Arboretum Annual Dinner | Free annual dinner, open to the public, no registration needed | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Southern Market, 100 South Queen Street | Free

Trivia Night at Southern Market | Test your knowledge with great drinks and prizes | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Southern Market, 100 South Queen Street | Free

The Simon & Garfunkel Story | Theatrical concert celebrating the legendary folk-rock duo | 7:30 PM | American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Highway East | $39-$69

Music Trivioke | Music trivia plus karaoke with $1 off beer and wine | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Southern Market, 100 South Queen Street | Free

Randy's Cheeseburger Picnic | Trailer Park Boys' Randy performs live, 21+ | 8:00 PM | Phantom Power, 121 West Frederick Street, Millersville | $30-$130

Lancaster City International Food Tour | Guided culinary exploration for First Friday | 10:00 AM | Lancaster City Welcome Center, 38 Penn Square | $50-$65

Dutch Wonderland Eggcellent Celebration | Cookie decorating, juggling, Royal Egg Hunt, and character meet-and-greets | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Dutch Wonderland, 2249 Lincoln Highway East | Season passes up to 40% off; single-day tickets vary

Gallery Grow 1 Year on Queen Street Celebration | 20% off plants and pottery plus a Golden Egg Anniversary Hunt | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Gallery Grow Plant Bar, 320 North Queen Street | Free

PCA&D Spring Art Market | 65+ students and alumni selling art with live drawings and photobooths | 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, 204 North Prince Street | Free

First Friday at Lancaster Medical Heritage Museum | Extended evening hours to explore the city's medical history | 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Lancaster Medical Heritage Museum, 410 North Lime Street | $5

Genevieve Berube Functional Ceramics Pop-Up | First Friday ceramics pop-up with bold, artful pieces | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Third Story, 44 North Christian Street | Free

Lancaster Improv Players at The Ware Center | Comedy games and improvised scenes from audience suggestions | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM | The Ware Center, 42 North Prince Street | Free

Lancaster Improv's First Friday Free For All | Two bite-size improv shows plus an open jam | 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM | Lancaster Improv Players, 16 South Prince Street | Free

Comedy Night at Columbia Kettle Works | Live stand-up comedy at the IronSpire Taphouse | 7:00 PM | Columbia Kettle Works IronSpire Taphouse, Reinholds | $25

Organic Reflections: Palms to Passion | Good Friday organ concert by Larry Hershey on the Hill Byrne/Christiansen Memorial Organ | 8:00 PM | First Reformed Church, 40 East Orange Street | Free

Sensory Hour at Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania | Reduced-stimulation museum experience for visitors with sensory sensitivities | 9:00 AM | Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 Gap Road, Strasburg | Free-$7

Dutch Wonderland Eggcellent Celebration | Spring celebration with Royal Egg Hunt and character meet-and-greets | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Dutch Wonderland, 2249 Lincoln Highway East | Season passes up to 40% off; single-day tickets vary

Community Easter Egg Hunt | Refreshments, crafts, and an egg hunt for the community | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 31 South Duke Street | Free

Legacy Church Eggstravaganza | Egg hunts, snacks, games, and fun for all ages (registration required) | 10:00 AM | J.P. McCaskey High School Soccer Field | Free

Manor Church Community Egg Hunt | Egg hunt plus live entertainment from Phredd, adapted hunt at 11:30 AM | 10:30 AM | Daniel's Den Playground, Manor Church | Free

Redeemer Lutheran Pancake Breakfast & Egg Hunt | Free pancake breakfast from 9-11 AM, egg hunt at 11 AM | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Wheatland Middle School Baseball Field | Free

Nature Journaling: Spring Ephemeral Wildflowers | Creative journaling amid the spring wildflower bloom | 1:00 PM | Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve, Conestoga | ~$13

Backstreet Brothel Historic Walking Tour | Stories of wage-earning women and hustlers in early 1900s Lancaster | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Lancaster City Welcome Center, 38 Penn Square | $20

Saturday Night Improv: TourCo Home Game | Lancaster Improv's touring company performs at home | 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Lancaster Improv Players, 16 South Prince Street | $15

Saturday Night Improv: Peach Soda | House team turns audience suggestions into punchlines | 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM | Lancaster Improv Players, 16 South Prince Street | $15

Easter Brunch at Annie Bailey's | Brunch buffet with smoked salmon, omelet station, and more | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Annie Bailey's Irish Pub & Restaurant, 28-30 East King Street | $30

Dutch Wonderland Eggcellent Celebration | Bonus Easter Monday with all the spring festivities | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Dutch Wonderland, 2249 Lincoln Highway East | Season passes up to 40% off; single-day tickets vary

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Wednesday High 79°F, low 61°F.

Thursday High 60°F, low 44°F.

Major Vibes (DJ) | Electronic/DJ | 9:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free

Tate Lehman | Acoustic/Singer-Songwriter | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | South County Brewing Co., 26 West King Street, Lancaster | Free

Corty Byorn & The Light | Indie/Rock | 8:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free

Slick Rick w. Shaw Calhoune and more | Hip-Hop | 8:00 PM | Phantom Power, 121 West Frederick Street, Millersville | $35

High Fever: Wig Out | Rock/Dance | 8:30 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free

raDiANCE with DJ Edge | Electronic/DJ | 10:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free

Sweet & Savory | Rock/Variety | 10:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free

Manticore w. Influenza | Metal/Rock | 8:00 PM | Phantom Power, 121 West Frederick Street, Millersville | $10

raDiANCE with DJ Edge | Electronic/DJ | 10:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free

The Thompson Triplets | Rock/Cover | 10:30 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free

Bluegrass Jam Session with Jordan Rast | Bluegrass/Jam | 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free

Open Mic Artist Sessions w/ Henry Devorick | Open Mic/Variety | 7:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free

Thanks for reading The Lancaster Ledger today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who thinks First Friday is just a normal Friday that happens to be first. Show them what they're missing.

Cheers!