In 1954, Alvin Engle bought a printing press with a dream of starting his own publication. Alvin, who had been working full time in the printing business, put the press in the basement of his home in Mount Joy, and together he and his wife, Pauline, laid the foundation for what would become Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc. (EPC). As EPC celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, the company invites members of the community to attend an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at its facility at 1100 Corporate Blvd. in Lancaster.

Refreshments will be available to purchase from food trucks such as Auntie Anne's, Cupcakes by Casey, Tri-County Barbecue and Homage. Guests may enjoy complimentary ice cream from Kreider Farms while supplies last.

Live entertainment will be provided by Blessing & Fowler from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Comprising musicians Zach Blessing and Nate Fowler, the duo performs soulful tunes and classic hits throughout central Pennsylvania. The event will also feature a live broadcast from WJTL from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and local mascots Johnny from Achenbach's Pastries and Cylo from the Lancaster Stormers will make an appearance.

The open house will feature a variety of yard games and activities for children, including face painting and balloon twisting, and Cherry Hill Orchards will provide pumpkins for kids to decorate.

Guests may participate in several prize drawings during the open house, and prizes will include items and experiences donated by local businesses such as an espresso machine from Martin Appliances and zip lines from Refreshing Mountain Retreat and Adventure Center. The prize drawing will also feature tickets to local attractions such as American Music Theatre, Field of Screams, Decades and Go 'N Bananas.

Attendees will have an opportunity to look behind the scenes at EPC during a self-guided tour of the plant, which will offer a close-up look at each department and how the company's publications, including weekly newspapers, are made.

Multiple community organizations and local first responders will be present at the open house, including a firetruck from West Hempfield Fire & Rescue, an officer from East Hempfield Township Police Department and the Lancaster County 4-H Seeing Eye Puppy Club. Representatives from local chambers of commerce serving Lancaster, including the Lancaster Chamber, the Mount Joy Area Chamber, the Southern Lancaster County Chamber and Northern Lancaster County Chamber, will also be in attendance.

"In the third generation of this company, it's important for us to continue the legacy of what was started," said Jocelyn Engle, EPC's publisher. "It's all about supporting local organizations and understanding what serves our communities in each area."

For more information, visit http://townlively.engleonline.com/epc70event.