Outside of city hall, Mayor Eric Papenfuse today enjoyed a Farm Show milkshake, which will be one of the many items available on July 4 during Harrisburg’s “Taste of Independence” food truck festival.
Fourth of July revelers will get a “Taste of Independence” this year, as Harrisburg’s second annual food truck festival pulls up to Riverfront Park.
The festival will feature 40 food trucks serving everything from slow-roasted beef and fish tacos to favorites like kettle corn, fried Oreos and Farm Show milkshakes, city officials said today.
“You will not go home hungry,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said at a city hall press conference.
The festival attracted more than 25,000 people last year, despite a day of drenching rain. So, Papenfuse said he expects an even larger turnout this year.
In addition to the food trucks, the event will feature family-friendly entertainment with local artists playing at a stage near Market Street and in an “acoustic tent” near Pine Street. Face-painting, caricatures, balloon art and a bounce house all will be offered free of charge.
This event, which runs from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., is sponsored by the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitor’s Bureau, which spent $15,000 on marketing alone, according to Communications and PR Director Rick Dunlap.
The festival will conclude with two fireworks displays beginning at dusk. The first will be a fireworks show following the conclusion of the night’s Harrisburg Senators baseball game. A nearly 20-minute, 1,000-shell Independence Day fireworks show will follow at 9:15 p.m., put on by Ashland, Pa.-based Bixler Pyrotechnics and sponsored by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
“I believe Harrisburg has the best fireworks display in PA,” Papenfuse said.
On the same evening, the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra will host a free outdoor concert at the Reservoir Park band shell at 7:45 p.m.
Papenfuse encouraged visitors to get to the city early. Metered parking throughout Harrisburg will be free on July 4. Parking on City Island will cost $4, and the Market Street Garage will offer an all-day parking pass for $10.
After the press conference today, some attendees ventured outside, where a few trucks offered “just a little taste of what is going to be a wonderful Fourth of July celebration,” said Papenfuse, who went for a Farm Show milkshake.
At the press conference, Papenfuse also honored Arden Emerick, who received the Mayor’s Award of Distinguished Service for 16 years on the job as he retires as a commercial codes inspector for the city at the end of the month.
“A Taste of Independence” food truck festival runs 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 4 in Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, followed by two fireworks celebrations.
Author: Allison Moody
