THE TENNIS COURTS Game, set, match: await

Another popular sport, pickleball, is grabbing attention—but its full-size predecessor, tennis, remains a hot pursuit. In addition to the free outdoor tennis courts freckling the region, there are tons of racquet clubs where you can take part in clinics, lessons, and booked match time (globaltennisnetwork.com is a good place to start your search for a court).

Tennis offers more opportunities than just playing. It’s a widespread spectator sport, as evidenced by the 33 percent jump in viewership for the US Open in 2021 compared to the previous year, according to ESPN. Locally, Susquehanna Valley residents can visit Harrisburg’s own Metzger Open, a prize money event that takes place from July 19–23, 2023 and is free for spectators.

“The Metzger Open is kind of like my little baby,” says Craig Mathias, tournament director since its inception in 1993. Named after Mathias’ friend Bill Metzger, who died of cancer, the Metzger Open attracts high-level players from around the world. In the past, players like Jimmy Arias, Luke and Murphy Jensen, and Tim Wilkison—also known by his nickname Dr. Dirt—have hit the courts (Luke Jensen still returns annually for the Metzger Open Kids Day).

The Metzger Open will take place at Colonial Golf and Tennis Club, The Country Club of Harrisburg, West Shore Country Club, and Hershey Country Club. This year, Mathias is adding a new 40-and-over competition. Visitors can expect refreshments and musical entertainment. Proceeds from the event support the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. Despite sports like pickleball gaining steam, Mathias says, “My tournament is one of the few that continues to promote the game of tennis in spite of all these other distractions.”

Metzger Open

metzger-open.com

717-805-3988

Pennsylvania may not be adjacent to the beach, but Sickman’s Mill Outfitters solves that problem. “It’s kind of like going to the beach seven miles from Lancaster,” says Joe Devoy. Devoy and his wife Dana Paparo are owners of Sickman’s Mill, a place for tubing, entertainment, food, and drinks.

Paparo says about Sickman’s Mill, “We’re going for a sixties Woodstock vibe,” and the effort is apparent. With tubing down the Pequea Creek from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and music and events extending from the spring and summer until the end of October, there’s no shortage of family- and dog-friendly vibes.

At Sickman’s Mill, a small fleet of repurposed school buses transports tubers up the creek after their float, and even to and from downtown Lancaster for those looking to drink without driving. Reminiscent of school days, the buses will “rattle the bones off ya’,” Devoy says.

With the annual Pequea Creek Races, a bus painting event, and local food and drink (not to mention pizza made from Sickman’s Mill’s own milled flour, bringing a centuries-old mill back to life), visitors have a ton to look forward to for the upcoming tubing season.

Sickman’s Mill

671 Sandhill Rd, Pequea, PA 17565 sickmansmill.com

717-872-5951