Selinsgrove
Around Selinsgrove
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Town and around · Pennsylvania · 39k people
Selinsgrove
Locals say Susquehanna Valley
Quiet river town with a heart of farmland.
Susquehanna OrangeSusquehanna MaroonSusquehanna River Blue
Welcome to the Susquehanna Valley! Here you'll find friendly folks, scenic river views, and a pace of life that's just right. Whether you're here for the racing, the bridges, or the college town vibe, you'll feel at home in no time.
Clubs for Selinsgrove
No clubs for Selinsgrove yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Selinsgrove. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Selinsgrove. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Susquehanna River Central waterway for boating and fishing
- Selinsgrove Speedway Saturday night dirt track racing
- Susquehanna University Hosts community events and concerts
- Kline's Covered Bridge One of the county's historic bridges
- Selinsgrove Historic District Victorian-era downtown architecture
- Isle of Que River island with walking trails
- Outdoors Kayaking on the Susquehanna
- Outdoors Hiking the river trails
- With kids Selinsgrove Speedway family nights
- With kids Covered bridge tours
- Evenings Live music at Susquehanna University
- Evenings Local taverns
- Locals love covered bridges
- Locals love river access points
Through the year
- Snyder County Fair August Agricultural fair with rides and livestock
- Selinsgrove River Festival June Music, food, and river activities
- Covered Bridge Festival October Tours of historic covered bridges
- Selinsgrove Speedway Season Opener April Kickoff of dirt track racing
- Susquehanna University Homecoming October Parade and football game
Humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy, summers warm and humid. Best times to be out are spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal with mild temps and clear skies.
Talk like a local
- “the river”
- The Susquehanna River
- “the speedway”
- Selinsgrove Speedway
Getaways
- Sunbury Historic river town
- Lewisburg College town with shops
- Bloomsburg University town and fair
- Williamsport Little League World Series
Local flavour
Rooting for Penn State Nittany Lions (NCAA), Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL), Philadelphia Phillies (MLB), Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Eat and drink
- Whoopie Pie A Pennsylvania Dutch classic, widely available locally.
- Shoofly Pie Molasses pie, a regional staple.
- Scrapple Breakfast meat common in Pennsylvania Dutch country.
- Sheetz Convenience store chain with made-to-order food, ubiquitous in central PA.
Where people go
- Covered bridges Historic wooden bridges over creeks and the river.
- Susquehanna River Recreation, fishing, and scenic views.
- Small-town main streets Brick storefronts and local shops.
- Selinsgrove Speedway Dirt track racing on weekends.
- Susquehanna University campus Collegiate atmosphere and cultural events.
Heritage and traditions
Selinsgrove and the surrounding Snyder County take pride in their deep Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, the scenic Susquehanna River, and a close-knit community that blends Amish farm life with a lively college town atmosphere.
This time of year in Selinsgrove
- Apple harvest October Orchards open for pick-your-own apples and cider pressing.
- Selinsgrove Apple Festival October October harvest celebration with apple pies, cider, and orchard games.
Say it like a local: “Redd up” — Clean up or tidy
Festivals
- McClure Bean Soup Festival September A September tradition serving slow-cooked Pennsylvania Dutch bean soup, with crafts and music.
- Selinsgrove Apple Festival October October harvest celebration with apple pies, cider, and orchard games.
- Selinsgrove Christmas Walk December December downtown stroll with carolers, lights, and visits with Santa.
Landmarks with a story
- Old Selinsgrove Cemetery Burial ground with headstones of early settlers and Revolutionary War veterans.
- Snyder County Courthouse 1855 Greek Revival courthouse in Middleburg, still in use and a symbol of local government.
- St. Paul's Lutheran Church Historic congregation in Selinsgrove with roots to the town's founding and a notable steeple.
- Selinsgrove Area Historical Society Museum Housed in a restored 19th-century building, displaying local artifacts and photographs.
Food traditions
- Fasnachts Potato doughnuts made on Shrove Tuesday to use up lard before Lent, a Pennsylvania Dutch staple.
- Schnitz un knepp A hearty stew of dried apples, ham, and dumplings, reflecting German farm cooking.
- Chow chow A pickled vegetable relish served alongside meals, often made in late summer.
- Apple butter making Families gather in autumn to slow-cook apples in copper kettles for a thick spread.
- Pennsylvania Dutch pot pie A noodle-and-meat stew, not a pie, simmered with root vegetables.
Music and arts
- Pennsylvania Dutch folk music Traditional hymns and polkas still heard at community gatherings and church events.
- Bluegrass and country scene Local bands play at fire halls, fairs, and the speedway's special events.
- Susquehanna University arts The university's music and theatre programs bring concerts, plays, and gallery shows to town.
A little history
- 1787 Selinsgrove founded by Swiss immigrant Anthony Selin.
- 1858 Susquehanna University established as a Lutheran seminary.
- 19th century The Pennsylvania Canal and later railroads brought trade and growth to the Susquehanna Valley.
- 1860s Local farms and businesses supported the Union during the Civil War.
Rivalries
- Selinsgrove vs. Milton high school football Annual rivalry game
- Game day Selinsgrove Speedway Saturday nights
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Outdoors Canoeing or kayaking to Isle of Que
- Outdoors Fishing for smallmouth bass
- With kids Isle of Que sandbar
- With kids Selinsgrove Speedway kids' nights
Locals speak a mild Pennsylvania Dutch–influenced English, with a soft accent and words like 'redd up' and 'outen the lights' woven into everyday talk. The Amish community speaks Pennsylvania Dutch, and many residents are familiar with its sounds and phrases.
Only here
- Isle of Que, a sandbar island in the Susquehanna, emerges and shifts with the river's flow.
- The Selinsgrove Speedway has hosted dirt-track racing since 1946, one of the oldest in the East.
- McClure's Bean Soup Festival has been serving the same recipe for over a century.
- The Selinsgrove Halloween Parade is one of the largest in central Pennsylvania, drawing floats from miles around.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the slow pace—locals value community and neighborliness over hustle.
- Try the McClure Bean Soup at the September festival; it's a local institution.
- Learn a few Pennsylvania Dutch phrases like 'outen the lights' to charm your neighbors.
- Respect the Amish community: don't photograph them without permission, and watch for buggies on rural roads.
- The Susquehanna River is beautiful but can be deceptively swift—always wear a life jacket when boating.
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Part of Sunbury area
Nearby
Every areaSunburyPennsylvaniaWhere the rivers meet and the hills hold storiesLewisburgPennsylvaniaWhere the river meets the spirit of a college town.Juniata CountyPennsylvaniaWhere the Juniata winds through quiet farmland.BloomsburgPennsylvaniaA river town with a fair heart.WilliamsportPennsylvaniaThe Lumber City with a little league heartPottsvillePennsylvaniaWhere the hills are black with historyHarrisburgPennsylvaniaChocolate, history, and the Susquehanna.Lock HavenPennsylvaniaWhere the river meets the mountain, and the pace slows down.
Selinsgrove, PA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.