There is A LOT happening in Pennsylvania this summer, with America250 celebrations across the state and several premier sporting events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Philadelphia, which begins Thursday and Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week, also in Philly, next month.

Beyond these 2026-specific events, Pennsylvania’s season of annual summer festivals is typically robust, featuring celebrations of art (Mechanicsburg’s Jubilee Day), music (Musikfest in Bethlehem), and Italian-American heritage (the 50th incarnation of Scranton’s La Festa Italiana). There are also festivals devoted to the humble pickle (Pittsburgh’s Picklesburgh) and a favorite Pa. delicacy, kielbasa.

We’ve got the details on these and other great festivals happening in the commonwealth this summer right here.

Though the calendar says it’s not another two weeks until summer, the season for sweating, no school, trying in vain to ward off mosquitoes, farm fresh produce, baseball, lazing about, and eating as much ice cream as you want is essentially here. So we’d like to know:

What’s your favorite thing about summer in Pennsylvania?

I’ll have to go with the farm-fresh produce: there’s nothing like fresh tomatoes, peppers, green beans, and berries (more on that below) in the summer. 

What’s your favorite thing about summer in Pennsylvania? Reply below, and PLEASE let us know where you live!

A child picks a fresh strawberry at Brecknock Orchard in Lancaster County. (Shutterstock)

Pennsylvania is one of the country’s leading agricultural producers, and that extends to your favorite berries. But outside of the grocery store or your local farmers market, you can also find berries such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries at U-pick farms across the state, where you can fill a bucket with berries you’ve picked yourself while enjoying time in the sun.

Different types of berries are available to pick at different times based on region and weather. In this story, our Kalena Thomhave has all you need to know to go berry picking in Pennsylvania and bring home these sweet treats of summer.

• A York County man is headed to trial after being charged with making terroristic threats against Democratic state Rep. Tarik Khan in a voicemail last month. Get the story here.

• Artificial intelligence entrepreneur Sam Altman’s vision for a future when AI is viewed as a utility “like electricity or water” has prompted legislation in Harrisburg to make clear that data centers are not public utilities. Get the details here.

• York Water Company customers struggling to pay their bills are being offered a new program to help. Get the details here.

Join COURIER and 3.14 Action on June 11 for Facts vs. Fiction: The Fight for Science in American Democracy.

Misinformation isn’t just noise. It’s shaping policy decisions that determine who can afford care, which communities are protected, and how our government responds to real-world risks.

This live conversation will examine what’s at stake when facts are ignored and how science-informed leadership has shaped policy on healthcare, climate, agriculture, and public health. At a moment when institutions and public trust are under attack, we’ll explore what happens when decision-making is driven by evidence, what it takes to rebuild trust, and why scientific integrity is essential to democracy.

Stay tuned for more speaker announcements, and don’t miss this conversation.

Pride flags wave in the breeze. (Visit Philadelphia)

June is Pride Month, a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and the ongoing fight for equality. Pride is an unrepentant rejection of shame and stigma and a resounding affirmation of LGBTQ+ rights—including the right to joy.

While Pride Month is often celebrated with colorful parades and lively festivals that draw thousands of revelers across Pennsylvania each year, there are many other ways to participate and show your support.

We’ve rounded up some of the biggest parades and events of Pride 2026, along with a handful of other ways to celebrate, from supporting LGBTQ+-owned businesses and advocacy groups to learning about LGBTQ+ history in the commonwealth. Find that story here.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from Kalena Thomhave, USA Today via Reuters Connect, and Peter Hall of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. It was edited by Paula Solis.

The Keystone is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.