Jeff Washington of Harrisburg’s Parks and Recreation Department talks about summer activities at a press conference.
Summer events in Harrisburg are about to make a splash.
The city announced on Wednesday all the various summer activities Harrisburg has to offer, including swimming, live music and even dancing on the riverfront.
“Our parks and recreation team has put more effort into our summer programs than ever before,” said Mayor Wanda Williams.
Harrisburg shared both its own programming, as well as many other events taking place throughout the city this summer.
Most of the city’s events are geared toward youth and are free to the public. From June 12 to Aug. 4, residents ages 6 to 14 can participate in the free Summer Parks Program, which includes crafts, sports, swimming, field trips and a provided lunch. The program takes place at parks across the city.
Harrisburg will also provide free tennis classes from June 12 to Aug. 11 to residents in the age groups of 6 to 12 and 13 to 17 years old.
For children who want to get creative, the city has partnered with the Art Association of Harrisburg to offer free weekly art classes in the Reservoir Park pavilion. The classes will run from June 7 to July 26 for age groups 5 to 9 and 10 to 15 years old.
The Jackson Lick pool will open to the public on June 10 and will be open from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 12 to 6 p.m. Visitors can pay daily rates or purchase pool memberships. On every Saturday at the pool, the city will host free Aqua Zumba classes at 10 a.m., starting June 17. Free swimming classes will also be offered for ages 5 to 17, from July 11 to 21.
Movie nights are back, with Harrisburg’s free weekly showings at Reservoir Park, starting on June 30 with “Encanto.”
Outside of city-sponsored events, there are lots of other summer activities happening in Harrisburg.
Harrisburg University has its Summer Concert Series coming to Riverfront Park, featuring bands like Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Roots, The Head and the Heart and Mt. Joy.
“We’ve put together a pretty exciting run again this year,” said Frank Schofield, HU’s director of live entertainment, at the press conference.
With a unique twist on listening to music, the Harrisburg Riviera Dance Club will host weekly silent disco parties in Kunkel Plaza on N. Front Street.
Another event to get you moving is UPMC’s “Healthy Harrisburg” Summer Fitness Series, offering dance and fitness classes from June 17 to Aug. 26.
In downtown Harrisburg, Sara Bozich Events has monthly block parties coming to the SoMa neighborhood, featuring live music, beer and food trucks.
Additionally, Free Shakespeare in the Park recently kicked off in Reservoir Park and will present showings of “Richard III” through June 17.
“It’s going to be the best summer we ever had,” said Matt Maisel, the city’s communications director.
For more information about Harrisburg summer programming, visit their website. For all other events, click the links embedded in the story.
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