A wirewalker performs at the 2021 Kipona Festival
Continuing a longstanding Labor Day weekend tradition, Harrisburg will celebrate the end of summer with one of its largest annual events.
This year’s Kipona Festival will feature food trucks, live music and a laser light show during the event, which runs from Sept. 3 to 5 on City Island and Riverfront Park.
“Kipona offers something for everyone,” said Cortney Ranck-Cameron, manager of special events for the city, during a meeting with the press. “It’s a good opportunity for people to come to the downtown area.”
The three-day event has historically featured Native American cultural experiences. This year on City Island, attendees can enjoy a Native American Pow-Wow, ax throwing, Aztec fire dancing and cultural foods.
Over in Riverfront Park, musical acts will perform on two stages, 28 food trucks will line N. Front Street, artists will sell handmade wares, and beverages will be available in a beer and wine garden.
Several popular experiences will return, as well. Wirewalkers will make the journey across the Susquehanna on a wire suspended from the Walnut Street Bridge to the lower river walk during all three days. There will be a special illuminated walk on Sept. 3 at 8:15 p.m. The Dick Reese canoe and kayak races are also back this year, continuing an over 80-year-old Kipona tradition, according to Ranck-Cameron.
On Sept. 4, at 8:15 p.m., a laser light show, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, will display laser effects choreographed to music.
For families attending the festival, there will be a UPMC Family Fun Zone with crafts, face painting, magicians, balloon animals and live theater performances. The Bubble Festival will also return, on Sept. 5, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with entertainer Grandpop Bubbles creating up to 70-foot long bubbles.
Ranck-Cameron said that she expects around 70,000 attendees from across the region at Kipona over course of the multi-day event. According to Lt. Kyle Gautsch, the Harrisburg Police Bureau will have a “significant police presence” at the festival.
Street parking in the city is free on Sunday and Monday. On Saturday, downtown street parking is free after 5 p.m. and the code LUVHBG can be used before then to receive four hours of free street parking. The Market Square Garage is discounted to $10, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., courtesy of Park Harrisburg. Recycle Bicycle will provide free bike parking along N. Front Street, near Market and Forster streets.
For more information about Kipona Festival, visit the city’s website.
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