Fireworks over the Susquehanna River
Harrisburg’s end-of-summer festival will not include its traditional fireworks show this year.
Mayor Wanda Williams announced on Wednesday that the city would cancel fireworks at the Kipona festival over Labor Day weekend, in light of incidents involving guns at previous city firework displays.
Earlier this month, Harrisburg’s July 4th fireworks show was halted early due to police spotting and apprehending several people carrying guns, many of whom ran from officers. During July 4th fireworks in 2022, hundreds of spectators fled Riverfront Park after someone in the crowd yelled “gun,” although there was no shooting.
“The City of Harrisburg prides itself on providing family-friendly events multiple times a year,” Williams said, in a statement. “These events provide affordable fun while providing a boost to the local economy. However, after serious incidents during the fireworks displays at two of the last three July 4th shows, we realize we need to make this portion of the event safer.”
There will not be a drone show either.
In her statement, Williams said that she hopes the fireworks cancelation will not be a permanent decision, but a temporary break as Police Commissioner Tom Carter works to develop a new safety plan for fireworks shows.
Officials will also consider if fireworks should be part of the plan at all, she said.
“This is a chance to reimagine event programming,” she said. “We will not let a few bad apples ruin these opportunities for Harrisburg to come together.”
Harrisburg’s Kipona Festival will run from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 and feature a family fun zone, multicultural celebration, Native American pow-wow, live music, food trucks and more.
For more information about Kipona, visit the city’s website.
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