It's a sweet treat you might not have tried before, but visit Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education in York, and you can taste a pawpaw, the most abundant edible fruit native to the eastern United States.

The Pawpaw Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Horn Farm, 4945 Horn Road, York. It's part of the farm's Wild & Uncommon Weekend, happening Thursday, Sept. 18, through Sunday, Sept. 21. Tickets are on sale now.

"Festivalgoers will enjoy locally grown pawpaws and pawpaw-inspired treats like desserts, beverages and even hot sauce, along with a vibrant marketplace featuring over 30 local vendors offering handcrafted goods, native plants (including pawpaw trees) artisan foods and wild-crafted products," said Alexis Campbell, Horn Farm executive director. "Other highlights include live music, informative presentations and guided farm tours."

Visitors to the Pawpaw Festival can also enjoy local fare from food trucks, sip pawpaw-themed spirits and enjoy nature-based kids' activities.

"It's a laid-back, family-friendly event," Campbell said.

More than 1,500 people attended the festival in 2024, and the Horn Farm relies on volunteer support to ensure the event runs smoothly.

"The Horn Farm is currently seeking over 60 volunteers to help staff the event," she shared. "Volunteers serve critical roles, including conducting sales of pawpaw fruit, monitoring and assisting traffic, facilitating activities and engaging visitors. In return for helping at the festival, volunteers enjoy free, full-day admission; priority access to purchase pawpaws; and lunch and treats, courtesy of the Horn Farm."

Volunteers are asked to sign up for a shift at http://www.hornfarmcenter.org/pawpawfest by scrolling down to the volunteer registration link. While shift times vary, most are about four hours long. Volunteers must also attend a one-hour virtual orientation on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m. Once people sign up, they will receive information about joining the training. Groups are also encouraged to volunteer. For group volunteering information, contact the event's volunteer coordinator, Andrew Leahy, at a.leahy@hornfarmcenter.org.

"Wild & Uncommon Weekend is a four-day celebration of the unique food, culture and landscape of the Lower Susquehanna Riverlands region, with the Pawpaw Festival as the centerpiece of the weekend," Campbell commented. "The weekend kicks off with a special 'Meet the Makers' event hosted by The Gardener of the Owl Valley. Friday features an eco-restoration hike at Wizard Ranch Preserve and an exclusive Pawpaw Tasting and Tour at Horn Farm."

The Friday, Sept. 19, Tasting and Tour is new this year and offers guests an opportunity to explore the farm's restored wild spaces and cultivated orchard where the pawpaw thrives.

"Along the way, you'll learn how pawpaws contribute to both ecological restoration and regenerative agriculture at Horn Farm," Campbell explained. "The experience includes refreshing pawpaw-inspired cocktails and culminates in a curated tasting of six to 10 varieties of pawpaw - from foraged wild fruits to carefully selected cultivars. It's a rare chance to experience the best of the festival before Saturday's big event!"

On Sept. 20, in addition to the Pawpaw Festival, visitors can enjoy youth programs at Columbia Crossing River Trails Center; a family-friendly event and author talk at Kreutz Creek Library; and shopping at several local markets, including for elderberry baked goods at White Clover Farm, Campbell said.

"The weekend wraps up Sunday with a special pawpaw cooking class led by Locally Seasoned at Leg Up Farmers Market," she stated. "Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy a special pawpaw beer at Collusion Tap Works; locally grown food at Flinchbaugh's Orchard & Farm Market; special discounts on local goods at Leg Up Farmers Market; and indulgent, pawpaw-infused massage packages at Firefly Hollow Wellness - all highlighting the wild and uncommon beauty of our region's ecosystems and cultural traditions."

Campbell said whether people come for the Pawpaw Festival or any of the weekend's events, they can expect a one-of-a-kind blend of adventure, learning and connection.

"You'll taste delicious, hard-to-find native fruits like the pawpaw; explore local farms and forests; meet artisans, authors and makers; and enjoy entertaining activities for all ages," she said. "Wild & Uncommon Weekend is a chance to slow down, savor the season and discover something new about the place we call home. Come with your curiosity, your appetite and your sense of wonder!"

Some events and offerings require preregistration. To learn more, visit https://hornfarmcenter.org/pawpawfest/#wild-uncommon-weekend. For more information on volunteering, contact education@hornfarmcenter.org.