Harrisburg announced its 4th of July festival at the MLK City Government Center on Monday.
Stuffed pretzels, lobster rolls, cheesesteaks and more. Mayor Eric Papenfuse listed off the many food items the city will have to choose from this weekend for Independence day.
The menu, of course, includes his favorite snack—kettle corn.
Papenfuse announced the details of Harrisburg’s 4th of July Food Trucks and Fireworks festival at a press conference in city hall on Monday morning.
“It’s going to be a family-friendly event for everyone,” he said.
The festival returns to Riverfront Park in Harrisburg this weekend after in-person festivities were cancelled last year due to the pandemic.
On Sunday, from 3 to 9 p.m., over 30 food trucks will park along the Susquehanna River, musical artists will perform and vendors will twist balloon animals for kids. The fireworks display will begin at 9:15 p.m.
Over the course of 15 minutes, 2,000 firework shells will shoot off of City Island, according to Scott Elliot, communications director for the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), the sponsor for the show.
“In my opinion, it’s the best fireworks show in PA,” he said.
Also hoping to give community members a great show will be the five main stage performers—Dillweed, Shea Quinn, Sound Method, Moe Blues and The Grant Bryan Band. The stage will be located between Market and Walnut streets in Riverfront Park.
Acoustic artists will play in the wine garden—a new addition to the festival this year.
Between Kunkel Plaza near State Street and the Civic Club of Harrisburg down the street, four local wineries will offer wine and wine slushies. They include Cheers To You, Firehouse Winery, J&P Winery and The Winery at Hunters Valley.
For the kids, there will be plenty of fun activities like caricature drawings, crafts and a visit from characters Captain America and Wonder Woman.
Food trucks will be available throughout the day on Front Street, including Chef de Crepe, Fuego Latino, Dough & Co., Dough Head Waffles, Stock’s on 2nd, Farm Show milkshakes, and others.
Street parking on Sunday is free. Attendees may also park on City Island for $5 or in the Market Square parking garage for $10 from 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. A handicapped parking area will be available free of charge on State Street between Front and Second streets. Cyclists can park their bikes in provided racks near the Walnut Street Bridge.
Sponsors for the event include Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, Explore HBG., PHFA, Xfinity and Capital Blue, among others.
“I hope you all will come and join us in Riverfront Park,” Papenfuse said.
For more information on the 4th of July Food Trucks and Fireworks festival, including maps, visit the city’s website.
If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!
