Back-to-School Shopping, Entertainment, Fundraising and Hotel Grand Opening all at The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg

Students have been out of school for about six weeks, which means it’s time to start talking about back-to-school shopping. Nearly the best part about every new school year for kids is deciding what to wear the first day back. Nearly the biggest headache for parents is tackling the shopping. But The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg is ready to help with summer sales and a Back-To-School Summer Shindig.

Back-to-school means back packs. From preschool to high school, The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg offers options for everyone’s style and price point. It also means cute, versatile outfits that rock the transition from summer to fall. For those returning to college, on-trend, comfy and stylish duds are a must.

But wait, summer isn’t over yet! Visit The Outlet Shoppes on Sunday, July 30, from 1–4 p.m. for a Back-To-School Summer Shindig, and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with lots of family-friendly happenings. 

Meet at 1 p.m. at the gazebo for a pie-baking contest with local celebrity judges. Your favorite recipe just might win you the grand prize of a $50 outlet gift card. You can enter the contest either in person at Customer Service or e-mail [email protected]. The deadline for entries is July 28. Follow The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates, or head over to to its website. Start making your shopping wish list!

If you have a child who loves pie, make sure to sign him or her up for the pie-eating contest being held at the gazebo at 1:30 p.m. Ages 5–11 and 12–18 will each compete for the grand prize of a $25 outlet gift card. Enter your child in the contest by July 28 either in person at Customer Service or e-mail [email protected]. They’ll be full for hours and might be able to contribute to that brand-new backpack!

Be sure to swing by the food court area between 2–4 p.m., where Pixie Dust Creations will be offering complimentary face painting and balloon twisting. Also check out the Adams County Library table, where kids (and parents) can sign up for a library card. The library is a fabulous community resource for not just books, but also magazines and movies.

Visit the general store (tent) and treat your entire family to the VIP area from 2–4 p.m. (admission is a minimum $5 donation per family; cash only). Entertainment includes country fair games and prizes, pony rides for kids 10 and younger by the National Riding Stables, live music by The Woo-Yeahs and special outlet discounts (while supplies last).

All donations from the VIP area will be donated to The Gettysburg Battlefield Bash, taking place August 4–6 at The Pike, The Gettysburg Ghost Exchange and The Comfort Suites, in support of The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). The WWP is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Through Proud Supporter events, WWP can help tens of thousands of service members and their families and caregivers.

After the Summer Shindig, you’ll want to come back to The Outlet Shoppes in August, when a brand-new Holiday Inn Express will be unveiled on the property. With a grand opening scheduled for Sunday, August 13, Gettysburg visitors will be thrilled to have another option for overnight accommodations so close to shopping. Amenities include 99 guest rooms and suites, three conference rooms for small or large meetings, light catering, a free deluxe continental breakfast, an indoor pool and fitness center. Shop til you drop and stay in style with the Holiday Inn Express Shop and Stay packages, perfect for families, a girls getaway or a thoughtful gift idea. Keep an eye out for special Black Friday Packages coming soon!

The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg is located at 1863 Gettysburg Village Dr. in Gettysburg; phone: (717) 337-9705.

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Gettysburg is located at 1871 Gettysburg Village Dr. in Gettysburg; phone: (717) 420-2686.

• Photos: The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg
• Holiday Inn photos: Holiday Inn Gettysburg