Last Week in Carlisle, PA | April 27 through May 3, 2026 | Culture, Construction, and Champions

Last week, there were a lot of exciting events and important local government updates in Carlisle. This article covers all the key news and events you need to know from the past week.

Here is a quick summary of the key things that happened in Carlisle last week:

• 30th Annual Amani Festival: A major community celebration of peace and diversity.
• Carlisle Area School District Updates: A new $560,000 sports equipment contract and new safety rules.
• Dickinson College Construction: The start of new cultural and art buildings on campus.
• Local Sports Success: Undefeated high school track teams and college lacrosse playoffs.
• Public Safety and Police News: New arrest warrants and a search for a missing teenager.
• Municipal and Government Updates: Recycling delays and long-term planning meetings.

30th Annual Amani Festival Celebration

The 30th Annual Amani Festival took place on Saturday, May 2, at the Carlisle Expo Center. The word “Amani” means peace in the Swahili language, and the festival was created to help people learn about different cultures. This popular, family-friendly event brought people together to celebrate our diverse community with live music, dancing, and a large marketplace. Visitors enjoyed local food, shopped for arts and crafts, and explored a special Children’s Alley with fun activities for kids.

Carlisle Area School District Approves Contract and Updates Policies

The Carlisle Area School District (CASD) made big moves on April 27 by approving a $560,000 contract to buy new athletic equipment and bleachers for the middle school. District leaders also sent out important messages to families about Act 44, a new state law. This law requires the school to tell parents and staff within 24 hours if a weapon or look-alike weapon is found on school property. The school district wants parents to know that getting more of these alerts does not mean the schools are less safe, but simply that the law requires stricter reporting.

Dickinson College Begins Construction on New Cultural Centers

Dickinson College hosted a major event called the “Framing Legacy” celebration on Saturday, May 2. This exciting event marked the official start of construction for two new campus buildings: the Samuel G. Rose ’58 Art Gallery and the Jim Thorpe Center for the Futures of Native Peoples. This project is an important step to honor the history of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. The college also spent the week hosting many campus tours and information sessions for future students.

Local Sports Updates: High School Track & Field and College Lacrosse Success

It was a great week for local athletes across the region. The Carlisle High School boys’ track and field team kept their undefeated streak alive (8-0) with a huge 117-32 win against Central Dauphin East on April 29. The girls’ team also won big, securing a winning season. Meanwhile, the Dickinson College men’s lacrosse team won their semifinal playoff game against Swarthmore on April 30. This earned them a spot in a tough championship match against Gettysburg College on May 2.

Public Safety Updates and Police Warrants Issued

The Carlisle Police Department stayed busy keeping the community safe. On April 28, the police issued arrest warrants for three people involved in local thefts. These warrants were related to shoplifting and stolen property crimes at local businesses like Sheetz and Carroll Mart. Later in the week, on May 3, officers had to organize a major search for a missing 15-year-old girl who disappeared from the Kerrs Avenue area.

Municipal News: Recycling Delays and Planning Commission Meetings

Carlisle residents saw a few small changes to local services, including some recycling collection delays announced by the Borough on April 27. That same day, the nearby Middlesex Township Planning Commission held a meeting to talk about long-term land use and the area’s Connectivity Project. The Borough also reminded citizens about an upcoming public hearing on May 6 to discuss the Community Development Block Grant, which helps fund projects in lower-income neighborhoods.

Conclusion

From cultural celebrations and college building projects to school board decisions and housing market shifts, it was an active week in Carlisle, PA. Local sports teams found great success, while our local police and government officials worked hard to keep the town safe and running smoothly. Whether you were attending the 30th Annual Amani Festival or cheering on the high school track team, the week of April 27 through May 3 offered something important for everyone in the community.

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