What do you want for Christmas?
If you’re a Harrisburg resident or visitor, chances are good that free parking is high on your wish list. Well, that wish is granted, as the city’s parking manager today announced that street parking will not be enforced on Dec. 24, 25 and 26.
“Though Saturday is not an official city holiday, Park Harrisburg will suspend ticketing enforcement activities for everybody planning to visit the city for the holiday,” said Nancy Keim, senior manager of SP Plus.
Parking enforcement then will resume as normal, though street parkers will not have to pay on Jan. 1—but only because New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday.
Coming into the city for New Year’s Eve? Mayor Eric Papenfuse reminded drivers today that they can use the code “LUVHBG” with the Pango app for four hours of free parking on Saturday.
Also, parking garages will cost a $10 flat rate for Dec. 31. Drivers can park there all night while enjoying the city’s celebration downtown.
And what about that celebration?
Things start early for the kiddos, as the Gamut Theatre’s Popcorn Hat Players’ annual celebration begins at 11 a.m. with a play and a balloon drop at Whitaker Center.
For the adults, the official fun begins at 9 p.m, with light refreshments and the music of Jimmy Lawrence at Harrisburg city hall. Across the street, Harrisburg Young Professionals and the Hill Society will present a New Year’s Eve party at the Hilton Harrisburg.
And, as has become a central PA tradition, come midnight, a giant strawberry will drop from the hotel, followed by fireworks, to welcome the new year.
Aaron Johnson, the city’s director of Public Works, said his team will be ready to clean up after the holiday mess.
Speaking of which: Trash collection will be delayed a day during the weeks following Christmas and New Year’s, both Sundays. So, if your trash is normally collected on a Monday, the city will collect it on Tuesday, and so forth, Johnson said.
During the week after Christmas, Public Works will accept extra trash loads without a fee, an exception to the rule. In addition, during the entire month of January, residents can place Christmas trees to the curb for compost collection, according to Johnson.
For more information on city-sponsored events and schedules, visit www.harrisburgpa.gov or www.explorehbg.com/holiday/.
Author: Danielle Roth
