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From “rising stars” on the American music scene, to one of America’s legends of comedy, along with spectacular culinary events designed by a former White House chef, the 2011 Gettysburg Festival lineup showcases American arts, culture and cuisine through about 75 events over the course of ten days this June.

“Exploring new and exciting art forms as part of this year’s Gettysburg Festival, June 10-19, headline events will include: the energetic male a cappella group Straight No Chaser and comedy with the one and only Bob Newhart,” said Festival Executive Director Alice Estrada.

Additionally, theater returns to the 2011 Festival with an historical twist. Theater-goers can “step back in time” with four of the nation’s premier living historians, as Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt gather on stage to present The Presidents of Mount Rushmore.

“Culinary events at Gettysburg Festival always meet three criteria to qualify as memorable experiences and not simply dining opportunities,” according to former White House Chef Walter Scheib, the Festival’s Artistic Director for Culinary Events. “First, events are designed around an outstanding, themed menu with farm-fresh ingredients. Secondly, they present opportunities for great conversation. And third, events are wrapped around distinct locations in full integration with the arts so that musical performances, or a film, or artists painting are encompassed within the event and its theme.”

Newly-designed culinary events for 2011 include An Old-Fashioned Sunday Supper and Chocolate Sinema: A Sinfully Delicious Combination of Classic Cinema & Chocolate. Several Festival favorites returning to the culinary lineup include the Edible Art Tour in partnership with select downtown galleries, and a popular event that sold out the past two years–Blues, Beer & BBQ.

Tickets to highlight events such as Straight No Chaser, The Presidents of Mount Rushmore, and Bob Newhart are available to the public on Presidents’ Day, February 21, through the Festival website, gettysburgfestival.org.

2011 headline events include:

· Straight No Chaser, June 10, Festival Main Stage at Gettysburg College: Performing classic hits from the 1950s and 1960s, along with Motown and contemporary pop hits, Straight No Chaser is reinventing a cappella with a signature twist. The outdoor concert kicks off the 2011 Festival.

· The Presidents of Mount Rushmore, June 17, Majestic Theater: Celebrate American history in one of her most historic towns, with the nation’s foremost portrayers of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt. Premium tickets include a pinnacle culinary experience, the White House Dinner, hosted by Chef Scheib.

· Bob Newhart, June 18, Majestic Theater: Celebrate the funnyman’s 50th year in show business through his most beloved comedy sketches along with fresh new material and a swingin’ jazz band to boot.

Additional 2011 Festival highlights include:

· After Hours at the Attic, June 10, 11, 16, 17, 18: The Festival’s late-night club features a variety of musical acts and cash bar.

· An Old-Fashioned Sunday Supper, June 12: A traditional, farm-to-table menu presents a family-style, nostalgic retreat at a picturesque Adams County farm.

· Chocolate Sinema, June 15: The romantic movie Chocolat is topped with a chocolate lover’s culinary dream reception.

· Edible Art Tour: Kicking off History Meets the Arts Weekend, June 16: Both culinary and artistic masterpieces are featured in select downtown Gettysburg galleries.

· History Meets the Arts, June 16-19, select Gettysburg galleries: “The largest gathering of historical artists in the country.”

· Artist Colony at Gettysburg Festival, June 16-19: A dozen plein air artists are juried into the Festival’s Artist Colony and can be seen painting at numerous Gettysburg landmarks as well as Festival events.

· Children’s Arts Fair, June 17, Festival Main Stage: A Curious George theme helps children of all ages develop a curiosity for the arts.

· All-American Brass Picnic, June 18, Festival Main Stage: This free event combines the excellence of brass concerts, 11 am – 5 pm, with a summertime-in-the park setting, and picnic baskets available for pre-order. One of the new performers for 2011 is the award-winning Chesapeake Brass.

· Wildcat Regiment Band, June 18, PA Monument, Gettysburg National Military Park: In partnership with the National Park Service, civil war-era brass is presented on the hallowed grounds of the Gettysburg Battlefield.

· Blues, Beer and BBQ, June 19 (Father’s Day), Festival Main Stage: The combination of blues bands, PA craft beer and classic summertime cuisine is described by Former White House Chef Walter Scheib as “the quintessential barbeque experience.”

· Adams County Arts Council’s Juried Art Exhibition, June 10-19: A partnership between the Arts Council, Gettysburg College and Gettysburg Festival, this free exhibit features one of the finest juried exhibitions of mid-Atlantic artists.

A showcase of arts-related community events, such as historic tours, church events, art exhibits and a showcasing of the local music scene, is offered through the Gettysburg Fringe Festival, occurring simultaneously, June 10-19. For more information on Gettysburg Festival or Gettysburg Fringe Festival: www.gettysburgfestival.org, 717-334-0853.

On Wednesday, February 9, 2011, after attending the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America (CADCA) week-long National Youth Leadership Institute, local high school students joined thousands of youth, community leaders, and government officials on Capitol Hill to support a minimum allocation of $95 million for the Drug Free Communities Program.

Adams County Youth Coalition leaders also met with Congressman Todd Platts to share their first-hand knowledge about the positive impact of having a Drug Free Communities (DFC) program in Adams County has in their home communities. Although recent national surveys show that drug use is on the rise nationally, local evaluations prove that the DFC program is effective in Adams County, reducing teen drug, alcohol, and tobacco use to levels lower than the national average.

In Adams County school districts where youth, school personnel, and the community support evidenced-based programs and partner with Collaborating For Youth, the use of marijuana has decreased by 39%; binge drinking has decreased by 37%; and tobacco use has decreased by 40%. The national averages in those same areas show an increase in the use of marijuana by 9.6%; a decrease in binge drinking of 13.9%; and a decrease in tobacco use of only 24.1%.

Collaborating For Youth is a Drug Free Communities coalition working to improve the environment for youth and their families, serving Adams County, Pennsylvania since 2001. CFY brings together schools, service providers, county and local government, clergy, parents, and youth to focus on preventing and reducing substance abuse and the other adolescent problem behaviors linked with substance use. Collaborating For Youth has been a federally funded Drug Free Communities Coalition since 2005 and continued funding is critical to the safety and welfare of Adams County youth and families.

For more information about how youth can join the CFY Youth Coalition and the impact Drug Free Communities funding is having in Adams County, please contact Sharron Michels or Emily Knowles-Kellett at (717) 338-0300.