Spit & Spat’s This or That. Photo from 2023 Harrisburg Fringe Festival, by Dani Fresh.
Harrisburg’s second annual Fringe Festival invites audiences to be adventurous and “do something weird” this weekend.
The multidisciplinary arts festival will take place July 18 to 21 at venues across the city, promoting local and national artists alike and giving patrons a taste of diverse entertainment.
The event falls under an international circuit of fringe festivals hallmarked by their open artist selection process and uncensored performances.
“Our goal is to take boundaries away from artists, not put boundaries on them,” said Chris Gibson, festival co-producer.
This year’s performances cover everything from sci-fi stage plays to brass bands to crochet improv.
In order to keep the festival as inclusive as possible and encourage people to experience the breadth of performances, shows do not run longer than an hour and do not cost more than $10, Gibson said.
“We’re trying to pair adventurous audiences with adventurous art,” he said. “Go see as many shows as you can in four days and see something you wouldn’t normally see.”
Before getting a ticket, the festival requires each patron to purchase a Fringe button for $5 so that 100% of ticket sales can be given to the artists.
“This is an opportunity for emerging artists to learn the process of producing their art with training wheels,” Gibson said. “We provide a lot of the facilities and marketing for them, but they get to reap the benefits […] of their efforts.”
Curse of the Werewolf – Choose Your Own Play. Photo from 2023 Harrisburg Fringe Festival, by Dani Fresh.
Last year’s festival generated around $20,000 in ticket sales that was given back to the 100 performing artists across 75 performances, Gibson shared. This year will include over 200 artists and roughly 100 performances over the four-day period.
New venues like the State Museum of Pennsylvania and Zeroday Brewing Company’s Taproom will help accommodate the growth, joining returning venues like Gamut Theatre and Midtown Cinema.
Other local businesses will show support by offering discounts to festival-goers.
Gibson said these partnerships between business and art are crucial in making a community flourish.
“We really want people to cross the river and come downtown and experience the art and the culture that is native to this city,” Gibson said.
In addition to the regular festival, a Kid’s Fringe will take place July 20 in Strawberry Square, offering performance workshops, crafts and family-friendly shows for the younger audience.
To learn more about the festival and to buy tickets, visit the festival’s website.
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