The weekend of July 24 offers several ways to spend time in Mercer County, especially for families, history lovers, and adults seeking a more relaxed local outing. From music on Mercer Courthouse Square to a history walk through Downtown Sharon, the weekend includes events that can be enjoyed together as a family, along with a few options that may be a better fit for adults or older children.
Whether you are planning a full family day, looking for something educational, or hoping to pair a kids’ activity with an adult-focused outing, these events offer a practical way to experience the area’s history, community spaces, and local traditions.
On Friday, July 24, Big Bands Revisited will take place at Mercer Courthouse Square at 5:30 p.m. The event includes warmup music by Jeff Hughes on piano, the Mercer Community Jazz Band, vocalist Suzi Beach, and a Common Grounds Ice Cream Social.
This is a good option for families who want an evening event that does not require a full day of planning. The courthouse square setting also gives families a chance to spend time in one of Mercer’s recognizable public spaces while listening to live music. For parents, grandparents, and older relatives, the big band theme may bring back familiar sounds and offer a simple way to introduce younger family members to music from another era.
For those who want to focus on history, the Downtown Sharon History Walks: Nooks, Crannies & Hidden Places event is one of the most directly history-focused options of the weekend. Hosted by the Sharon Historical Society in conjunction with the Sharon Beautification Commission, the free walks are scheduled for Saturday, July 25, with identical tours beginning at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
The walk explores Downtown Sharon’s central business district, including historic buildings, landmarks, and stories connected to the city’s development. Possible stops may include a view from the Protected Home Circle Building, now Gilbert’s Risk Solutions, a hidden underground tunnel, Penn State University’s historic Shenango campus buildings, private spaces at the Masonic Lodge Building, now The Corinthian, and the historic Columbia Theatre.
This event can be a meaningful choice for adults, residents, visitors, and older children who are interested in architecture, community history, or behind-the-scenes spaces. The route is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours over 1.5 miles of flat terrain, though some areas may be uneven. Navigating steps and walking are required because the tour includes hidden spaces not usually open to the public.
Christmas in July Adventure Camp is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, 10 am to 4 pm at Carried Away Outfitters in Jamestown.
This event features creative holiday crafts, team challenges, and festive games, giving kids a chance to enjoy the holiday spirit this summer! Parents can drop their kids off at camp and head out to enjoy events such as the Victorian Tea at The Gibson House Manor, while the kids enjoy an exciting Christmas in July.
The Authentic British Victorian Tea takes place on Saturday, July 25, at The Gibson House Manor Museum, with food served from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event features a British afternoon tea experience with finger sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, pastries, and a variety of teas. The listed cost is $28 for adults, $16 for children, and free for children under 6.
This event fits well with the weekend’s historical theme because of its setting at The Gibson House Manor Museum and its connection to Victorian-style tea service.
For families planning around the day’s other events, the tea could be paired with a morning history walk in Downtown Sharon or a later visit to the Hermitage Arts Fest. It may also be a good choice for parents, grandparents, and older children who want an activity that feels a little different from a typical weekend outing.
Hermitage Arts Fest returns to Rodney White Olympic Park on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26. Saturday’s hours are listed as 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with fireworks at 9:00 p.m. Sunday’s hours are 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free.
The festival includes an artists’ marketplace, live entertainment, food vendors, and family activities. Children can enjoy inflatables, balloon twisting, circus performances, and other activities throughout the weekend.
This is one of the more flexible family options because visitors can decide how long they want to stay. Families with younger children may prefer to visit earlier in the day, while families with older kids may want to stay into the evening for the Saturday fireworks. Adults can browse artwork, listen to music, or enjoy food vendors while children take part in the family activities.
The arts fest also works well as a shared family outing after a more structured morning activity. For example, families could attend the history walk earlier in the day, stop for lunch, and then spend the afternoon at the festival.
Christmas in July is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, at 9:00 a.m. at Lisa’s General Store. The listing provides the date, time, and location, making it a simple morning stop for families looking to add a seasonal, casual touch to the weekend.
This event may work well as a low-pressure start to the day before heading to another activity. Families could stop by in the morning, then continue to the history walk, the arts fest, or another event later in the day.
Because the listing does not provide a detailed description, visitors should check with the event host for specific information about activities, shopping, food, or age suitability.
The weekend of July 24 offers several ways to experience Mercer County through local history, music, art, and family activities. Some events are designed for all ages, while others may be better suited for adults, older children, or families who want to divide the day between kid-friendly activities and more relaxed outings.
Whether you are walking through hidden spaces in Downtown Sharon, listening to big-band music in Mercer, enjoying tea at The Gibson House Manor Museum, or spending time at Hermitage Arts Fest, a weekend in Mercer County, PA, is filled with fun and excitement for all!
