Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams announced the annual Kipona Festival at a press conference near the Walnut Street Bridge.
Harrisburg’s annual end of summer event is back this weekend with several new happenings in store.
Kipona Festival will return to Riverfront Park, from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, featuring food, entertainment and a new giant puppet parade.
“We are so excited to welcome you all to the 108th edition of the Kipona Festival,” said Mayor Wanda Williams, at a Thursday press conference. “108 years of Kipona, one of the crown jewels of special events that we have every year in our city.”
The city’s Giant Puppet Parade will be new this year, happening on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. A 15-ft long Harrisburg River Monster, created by artist Jeff Semmerling and a 15-ft tall shark, created by the Imaginary Friends Puppet Theater, will join the parade. Community members can create their own water-themed costumes, giant puppets, decorated wagons and more to join in. Winners of the best youth, adult and group costumes will earn $100, courtesy of Coexist Gallery in Steelton.
Festival attendees can win free food at the festival by scanning the QR code on this man’s hat. He will be running around at the festival all weekend.
Additionally, all of the traditional Kipona events will return, including food trucks, a beer and wine garden and a Native American Pow Wow on City Island. A family fun zone will feature a giant fun slide, carnival games, face painting, balloon animals, a free rock wall and eurobungy on Sunday and a bubble fest on Monday.
Art in the Park will showcase over 70 artisans selling handcrafted wares. In addition, a Multicultural Celebration will include bands, dance groups and free activities, such as calligraphy lessons, Pakistani henna, Congolese hair braiding and a passport game.
Another new feature will be the Keystone Dock Dogs event on City Island where dogs can compete in the long jump, vertical jump and speed retrieve competitions, all weekend. No experience is needed to participate.
Street parking in Harrisburg is free on Sunday, Sept.1 and Monday, Sept. 2 and is free downtown after 5 p.m. on Saturday. Before 5 p.m, use the code “LUVHBG” in the ParkMobile app for four free hours of parking. Parking on City Island will be $5. Park Harrisburg will offer $10 special event parking in the Market Square Garage.
Starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, N. Front Street will be closed between Forster and Walnut streets, until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2.
For more information, including the event schedule, an event map and foodie guide, visit the city’s website.
If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!
