After living in Mechanicsburg all my life and then moving to West Chester for college, I have learned that Mechanicsburg is a unique little town. It is a town that I could not wait to get out of and found myself missing dearly once I was gone. Here are 10 things that will ring true for everyone in the 717.

1. Capital City mall is the worst, but you still go there at least once a week

Ah, Capital City mall. The glorious one story mall that I spent many of my middle school days doing laps around with my friends. It has little to no stores, but taking the 45-minute drive to Park City mall is not always an option.

2. Neato burrito is life

I recently discovered Neato and I must say my life has been forever changed. The Cowboy Crunch burrito is actually heaven on earth. I was sad to find that Neato is only a 717 thing.

3. Jubilee day is the most exciting thing that happens in Mechanicsburg all year

Jubilee day is the largest one-day street fair around and quite possibly one of the only exciting things that happens in Mechanicsburg. It makes way for some pretty annoying traffic for those who live in town.

4. The wrench drop is quite sad

In New York they drop a ball, in Dillsburg they drop a pickle, but here in Mechanicsburg we drop a wrench. Nothing says “Happy New Year” like seeing a giant wrench be lowered at in-town Mechanicsburg.

5. Farm show food is the bomb

Because let’s be real, we are all really just going for the milkshakes and potato donuts, not to see the livestock.

6. When people ask you where you’re from, you just say Harrisburg because no one knows where Mechanicsburg is

And trying to explain where Mechanicsburg is, makes way for a giant headache.

7. Juice and Java is a hidden gem

This quaint little smoothie place/ coffee shop has delicious food and drinks. But be careful because every time you walk in you are likely to see half of your graduating class.

8. You often find yourself just driving around as something to do

Because most of the time there literally is NOTHING else to do.

9. You are personally offended when anyone refers to their hometown as the “Burg”

Because Mechanicsburg will always be the real Burg in your heart.

10. You cannot go to Sheetz without seeing everyone you know

Anytime day or night you will run into your childhood best friend, your ninth grade English teacher, and three quarters of your graduating class in Sheetz. You are team Sheetz any day.

As much as us 717'rs will complain about our secluded little town, we like to call the Burg, trust me, you surely will miss it once you are not here.