Harrisburg School Board pushes forward proposed budget, high school entrepreneurship program

May 27, 2026 | by Alexandra Jones

Kelly Mosby-Fowlkes, chief academic officer

The Harrisburg School Board advanced its 2026-2027 budget Tuesday night, with the intent to adopt a final version next month.

Members voted 8-1 to approve a $227.7 million proposed budget, which will be available for public inspection on the district’s website for 30 days before its final adoption by June 30. The proposal is based on numbers crunched by the district’s Chief Financial Officer Marcia Stokes.

Stokes emphasized that she is still adjusting numbers in the projected budget in real time as various enrollment numbers and district contracts are finalized.

“My job is to make sure I keep stuff as up to the minute as possible,” she said.

The proposed budget currently includes a 3% property tax hike, which it is possible the district could adjust next month as it is still waiting on a tax hike recommendation from Public Financial Management (PFM), an outside financial advisory firm. PFM is expected to have numbers for the district by June 9.

Board members have speculated that they expect PFM’s recommendation on the tax hike to be higher.

“Nobody’s numbers are wrong. The issues are whether the assumptions in either plan are most reasonable for the district,” explained district solicitor Jeffrey Sultanik, “I would venture to say that Dr. Stokes’ numbers are based upon actual numbers that she sees live on a regular basis. PFM’s is based upon the monitoring plan, which was admittedly quite restrictive.”

Brian Carter was the lone no vote on the budget’s preliminary approval.

Board members also voted unanimously to launch a new entrepreneurial studies program at John Harris High School campus. The program will be the beginning of a three-year Career Technical Education curriculum. It will operate alongside an existing School of Business and Industry program offered at the high school.

Kelly Mosby-Fowlkes, the district’s chief academic officer, said that, over the next few years, the district will aim to add additional concentrations like technology, cybersecurity, EMT and trades to the CTE program.

“We plan to make this pretty big and offer our students some, some really neat opportunities that a lot of them don’t have now,” she said.

Ryan Jones, Camp Curtin’s new principal

Ryan Jones, who was appointed to be the new principal at Camp Curtin last week, also spoke at the meeting, expressing excitement about working at the school because of its committed staff members.

“That staff, that building, that community, it’s got heart and I look forward to leading it,” he said. The official comes to the post after years leading the Marshall Math and Science Academy, another district middle school.

Camp Curtin will operate as the district’s flagship middle school campus as part of an ongoing consolidation plan.

Earlier in the meeting during public comment, Emily Stine, school psychologist, voiced her concerns that the consolidation had caused an increase of conflict at the campus.

During the 2023-24 school year, the year prior to consolidation, there were 169 incidents of quarreling or shoving at the building, Stine said.

This year that number was up to 417.

“That is more than double. This is not a small increase,” Stine said. “This is a fundamental shift in the daily reality of our building.”

She said that the district previously responded to concerns about overcrowding, school climate and student behavior at Camp Curtin by adding three more administrators to the building and increasing the presence of security.

“Those efforts are recognized, however, the core concerns raised in October still have not changed,” she said.

Harrisburg School Board

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Harrisburg brings back July 4th fireworks; officials say safety is priority

May 26, 2026 | by Maddie Gittens

Fireworks in Harrisburg. File photo.

Harrisburg will shoot off fireworks for July 4^th this year, after taking last year off due to safety incidents.

City Council on Tuesday approved a contract with Bixler Pyrotechnics for an Independence Day fireworks show, while expressing support for increased safety measures at the event.

“Our goal this year is to have a family-friendly, fun and safe show,” explained the city’s Business Administrator, Antonio Megna.

In 2024, the city’s fireworks show was cut short due to the police apprehending several armed individuals, including juveniles. In 2022, masses of people fled the riverfront during the fireworks display after hearing someone yell “gun,” although no firearm was found.

Citing those incidents, Mayor Wanda Williams cancelled the city’s fireworks show last year, instead noting that people could watch the Harrisburg Senators’ fireworks that night.

This year, Megna said that the show would return, but noted that safety is the city’s priority.

The 15-minute fireworks show will close out Harrisburg’s annual Food Trucks & Fireworks Festival in Riverfront Park, which features music, food and family activities.

The fireworks will cost $48,000 and will be covered by Fourth of July event sponsors, Megna said.

“It’s great to have the fireworks back,” said council member Ralph Rodriguez. “It’s always an attraction that brings a lot of people into the city by way of tourism, so it’s always very beneficial.”

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Halal restaurant coming to downtown Harrisburg, slated to open next month

May 26, 2026 | by Alexandra Jones

Mohammad Ayaz, owner, at Crispy Halal on N. 2nd Street downtown

Harrisburg soon will welcome a new Halal restaurant downtown.

Crispy Halal, located at 209 N. 2nd St., will open as soon as the first week of June, according to Mohammad Ayaz, who owns the business with his father.

“There weren’t any spaces like this one in Harrisburg,” he said, of why they chose to open the location in the city. “There were other foods, but the halal, in the terms of a restaurant, per se, this is the [only] one that is here.”

The spot, last home to BurgerIM, will be Crispy Halal’s third restaurant site. The family currently operates locations in Allentown, opened in 2022, and Bethlehem, opened in 2025.

They entered the restaurant business after moving from New York City to the Lehigh Valley where they struggled to find authentic halal.

The restaurant serves Halal and Mediterranean food with some American options. The menu boasts platters of chicken, lamb, or falafel over rice as well as various gyros. Loaded fries, cheesesteaks, and chicken tenders are also on the menu.

Ayaz said the portion sizes are big enough that, for around $11 a meal, customers sometimes say they can get enough for both lunch and dinner.

“I want to give them food that’s worth their money,” he said.

The restaurant will be open seven days a week and stay open until 3 a.m. on weekends, Ayaz said, in order to offer a late-night food option for downtown’s bar crowd.

“They want to have something to eat,” Ayaz said.

Two partners will be managing the store alongside Ayaz’s family.

He said the Harrisburg community has been welcoming thus far.

“Just earlier, some guy came in, he was like, ‘Good job, you guys brought something new to the place,’” Ayaz said.

Mohammad Ayaz, owner

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Art Along the River: Artsfest 2026 continues tradition of creativity, community

May 26, 2026 | by Alex Foley

For nearly 60 years, Artsfest has brought artists, musicians and festival-goers to downtown Harrisburg each Memorial Day weekend. This year, thousands once again gathered in Riverfront Park for the 58th annual celebration of art, music and community.

Although the festival boasts a 58-year run, many people don’t know the history of the event. Despite this, one thing remains certain: the festival is a summer staple for the city.

Mystery of the History

David Morrison, the executive director of the Historic Harrisburg Association, shed light on the history of Artsfest. Morrison was the event chairperson during the late 1980s.

The first question was: When did the festival start?

“The generally accepted answer is 1968,” stated Morrison. “However, the exact first year has become unclear over time.”

Morrison explained that people tend to use the terms “the first” and “the first annual” interchangeably, and by doing so, the official first year’s date has been lost.

Artsfest began in the plaza located behind the State Museum of Pennsylvania. In 1968, the museum was debuting its newest program, referred to as the “Art of the State” exhibition.

This showcase featured artists from across Pennsylvania. It exhibited painters, sculptors, photographers and artists of all kinds. The annual exhibit still runs to this day.

While the “Art of the State” exhibition was taking place indoors, Artsfest was running outdoors with vendors lining the plaza. The original overseer of the festival was the now-defunct Greater Harrisburg Arts Council.

Over the next two decades, the festival grew into a presence of its own and eventually detached itself from the “Art of the State” showcase.

In the 1990s, Harrisburg decided to move the festival to Riverfront Park along the Susquehanna River, where it has remained since.

“The Harrisburg Artsfest evolved with the times,” Morrison stated.

Over the years, several organizations organized the festival until the city fully took it over several years ago.

“In the olden days, cities used to just plow snow and issue parking tickets, but Harrisburg was branching into the entertainment business,” Morrison explained. “Harrisburg is now very good at running special events. It was a natural evolution, and that is how the Artsfest has continued to thrive.”

Artsfest 2026

This year’s festival brought together juried artists, metalworkers and leatherworkers, textile artists, ceramic sculptors, jewelry makers and more. The festival also featured several musical attractions, including Jazzfest and acts at the UPMC State Street Stage. Artsfest also featured activities for children called Kidsfest.

Many artists shared their histories, stories and inspirations behind their artwork. Festivalgoers offered their opinions and experiences as well.

Marina Radanovic displayed her original paintings. Radanivic spoke about her journey with painting and what inspires her work. Radanivic also displays artwork in galleries.

“I went to school for graphic design, but I realized halfway through that graphic design wasn’t for me. So, I switched to fine art,” she said.

Radanovic graduated with a degree in drawing and relief printmaking, and after graduating, decided to pursue painting. Radanovic painted throughout high school and took painting classes in college, so the medium was familiar.

She spoke about what inspires her work.

“I take inspiration from all sorts of things. Sometimes it’s a dream. Sometimes it’s observations from the world, or if I just happen to snap a photo that fits, I can make it into a composition.”

Nearby, Lora Russell displayed her unique style of paintings. Russell described her artistic process and journey of self-expression through art.

“I was kind of born an artist, but I spent time honing my skills. For 20 years, I did watercolor portraits. Watercolor is very picture-perfect proper. I was also a people pleaser. About six years ago, I had a rebellion against the picture-perfect, people-pleasing attitude, for art and in my life.”

Russell’s paintings now feature colorful, free-flowing and expressive designs.

“One day, I just took everything outside and started throwing paint authentically. I don’t think I was ever an authentic painter before. (My art now) is happy, free-flowing, colorful, vibrant. It’s almost like I just grew as a person and as an artist, and I became extremely happy.”

Carolyn Garay discussed her technical artistic training and choice of medium. Garay’s work leans heavily into imagery of portals and otherworldly beings. The paintings feature lots of space and nature. She attributes these qualities to her worldview.

“In general, I think of my paintings as an expression of my inner world and parts of self. I have always been interested in the idea of how we can never see the world from outside of our own perspectives, yet we still try to.”

Artists’ booths

Garay spoke about her undergraduate degree program and how that eventually led her to pursue oil painting.

“I’ve been oil painting for about 13 years now and drawing since forever. In undergrad, I dual majored in both art and chemistry, but I remember no chemistry. Afterwards, I followed the art path and started showing my work at the Ann Arbor Fair. Eventually, I built up to doing shows full time and have been doing that for the last four years.”

Katie Trainer ran this year’s community art project, an annual tradition for the Harrisburg Artsfest.

This year featured paintings from more than 500 festivalgoers on 24 sheets of parachute fabric. Eventually, these sheets will be stitched together into a banner displaying everyone’s work.

Previous years’ community art projects include the 2024 “Fish of City Island” project and the 2025 “Block Print Planter Art” displayed throughout downtown Harrisburg.

Lorenzo Hoban at Artsfest

Lorenzo Hoban of York said it was his second time attending Artsfest.

Hoban praised the originality of the artwork at the festival, saying, “Even with the rise of generative AI art, I haven’t seen any artists trying to sell it here.”

Likewise, Karen and Don Carrick of Reading were attending for their second year

“We just had such a great time in the past, so we had to come back,” Karen said.

Despite parts of the festival’s history being lost over time, Artsfest still brings people together year after year. Whether it was artists sharing their work, families walking along Riverfront Park or festivalgoers stopping to talk with vendors, the event once again showed why it has remained such an important part of Harrisburg for nearly six decades.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

May 22, 2026 | by TheBurg Staff

Ride of Silence display on the Capitol steps

We’ve been busy finalizing our June issue this week, but the daily news has kept trucking along. If you missed any of TheBurg’s coverage, we’ve wrapped it up neatly for you below:

Alexander Grass Campus will soon be listed for sale, as a transition team member for the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg said the organization is working quickly to correct course, as it faces more than $9 million in debts.

Big 26 Baseball Classic will bring Pennsylvania and Maryland’s best high school baseball players to City Island this summer.

Bob’s Art Blog showcases the “art” of early eats this month, highlighting local brunch spots.

Gorgas Park is now open to the public and boasts new playground equipment, a large pavilion with picnic tables, grills and fitness equipment.

Harrisburg’s bakeries seem to flourish while other businesses struggle. We wondered why.

Harrisburg engineer Joel Seiders said the city is beginning a three-year city-wide traffic study and will soon begin three road paving projects, among other infrastructure upgrades.

King Mansion has changed a lot over its 100-year lifetime. The historic property on Front Street has transformed from a family home into a breathtaking events venue.

Ned Smith Center has announced its lineup for summer concert series, which will run on select Saturdays from May 23 through Aug. 29.

Ride of Silence bike ride took place this week as a display at the Capitol honored cyclists tragically killed while riding.

Tri-County Housing hosted a ribbon cutting Monday to celebrate the completion of five affordable housing units in Uptown Harrisburg.

Watershed Pub became the first dining destination in Camp Hill since Prohibition to serve wine, spirits and beer in 2020. Since then, its drinks have only gotten better.

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Open Stage’s “The Boys in the Band” offers a catty, energetic glimpse into gay friendship in the 1960s

May 22, 2026 | by Gina Napoli

Boys in the Band

In celebration of Pride Month, Open Stage Director Stuart Landon unscrews Broadway’s 1968 time capsule to serve Harrisburg “The Boys in the Band.” The one-act ensemble melodrama contains enough weaponized friendships and sarcasm dripping off snarly fangs to consider the play the gay community’s answer to “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”

Set in Michael’s (TJ Creedon) flairly furnished New York City apartment, the air reeks of smoke, lasagna, and pretension. Each birthday party guest saunters in as if they’re making a grand entrance at a cotillion.

The banter starts off cutting and keeps escalating, with dynamics shifting with each doorbell ring. Every remark slides across the spectrum between catty and vicious in that competitive way males often brandish when establishing their dominance in the animal kingdom.

When Michael’s straight college roommate Alan (Jason Samarin) figuratively and literally crashes the party, Creedon fuels Michael with an alcohol-soaked fuse, feeding off his party guests’ vulnerabilities, nailing his character’s self-loathing turned outward like a spider injecting venom everywhere.

As the evening wears on, each Open Stage actor accentuates his respective character with enough shade to mute the New York City skyline outside Michael’s overpriced window.

Emory (Calian Byard) is the most affectatious, putting on a fabulous one-man show, oscillating between grande dame and butching things up for Alan. Samarin stays in the box to play the straight and structured Alan, who has his own thinly veiled issues.

And speaking of issues, let’s spill some more tea.

I would tell Bernard (Marcus McGhee) to pick a struggle between his sexuality, his race, and bemoaning his long-lost love, but this is not a show with audience participation. Hank (Joseph Chubb) and Larry (Cory Metcalf) don’t strike me as a good match, fraying like Michael’s split ends as the play progresses, but that’s none of my business.

Then there is Harold (Joshua Dorsheimer), the perpetually tardy birthday boy. If the script notes on Harold suggest making him as sarcastic, outspoken, and over-the-top as possible, then Dorsheimer slays. Harold’s birthday present, Cowboy (Brad Barkdoll), may not talk real good, but he’s so pretty that it don’t matter none. Three snaps in a Z-formation to all the guys for amping the drama inherent in their exaggeratedly flawed characters.

Standing slightly apart from the others, Donald (Zach Haines) is the most subtle character, initially bemoaning his problems to Michael only, then keeping quiet when he unwittingly finds himself in a love triangle. He provides grounding to the group, being the first to arrive and the last to leave. Swimming in somewhat deeper waters, Haines gets his own on-the-sly snap.

Although many of writer Mart Crowley’s characters feel sympathetic, their friendships feel rooted on somewhat shaky ground, like when your parents brought you to an adult party and expected all you kids to play together, despite having little in common aside from your approximate ages.

Throughout the play’s all the too-few dance numbers, the friends feel the most cohesive, like the pressure is off. The highlight of the play for me was when Creedon, McGhee, Byard, and Metcalf take the play’s title literally and girl-group dance to “Heat Wave.”

The setting (Kalina Barrett, scenic designer; Heather Jannetta, scenic charge artist) itself is a character, capturing the zeitgeist of the late 1960s with its magazine rack throwback, and Michael turning on each lamp individually the way we did prior to smart houses. (Tristan Stasiulus, lighting designer).

I had forgotten what it felt like to slam the receiver down on a springy-corded rotary phone, (Rachel Landon, prop master; Anthony Pieruccini, sound designer; Wayne Landon, audio consultant) or to call an operator for a phone number, then asking someone nearby for paper and pen to write it down.

Same for the costumes (Jacob Schlenker). I had forgotten all about lime leisure suits and orangey-brown fashion coordinates blending into orangey-brown furniture. And when the bile goes back down my throat, I’ll gladly revert to forgetting them all over again.

“The Boys in the Band” stands as a landmark piece in LGBTQIA+ history as an unprecedented mainstream portrayal of gay culture, offering a raw keyhole peek into gay male friendships during an era when homosexuality was still largely stigmatized and criminalized.

If you invite yourself to Harold’s birthday party to see “The Boys in the Band” for yourself, be sure to visit Open Stage’s snack bar AND all-gender bathroom before the show starts.

No one will count the umbrellas in your signature drink (drinks?), but if you have a small bladder like this writer, (my turn to read the room and throw shade) you will be counting every riveting minute, and there will be approximately 120 of them.

“The Boys in the Band” makes its grand debut on Open Stage May 23, and makes the room feel empty when it exits the party on June 13. For more information and ticket sales, visit www.openstagehbg.com/shows/boysintheband.

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Road Report: City engineer shares list of coming street paving, construction projects in Harrisburg

May 22, 2026 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg roadwork. File photo.

According to City Engineer Joel Seiders, it’s a busy time for Harrisburg infrastructure work. The city is starting summer paving, designing safety improvement projects and revisiting stalled multimodal projects proposed years ago.

In the midst of the work, Harrisburg is also evaluating infrastructure needs through a three-year city-wide traffic study, Seiders said. The first year, which is happening now, will examine infrastructure in Allison Hill, year two will study downtown, and year three will look at Midtown and Uptown. Seiders will be evaluating traffic flow and volume, safety and other needs.

“We will always target the areas that are the most unsafe,” Seiders said. “This is one of the topics that the administration and I are in complete agreement on—safety.”

But while they execute that comprehensive study, there’s already lots in the works. Seiders talked with TheBurg about all that’s planned.

Current/Beginning Projects

The city is getting close to starting three road paving projects.

N. 15^th Street, from Arsenal Boulevard to Herr Street, will be paved, likely starting by early June. Work includes constructing speed cushions—which differ from speed humps in that they allow emergency vehicles to straddle them—and constructing ADA curb ramps.

Seneca Street, N. Front to N. 7^th Street, will also be paved and curb ramps will be added. That project is in the early construction phase.

Lastly, a road paving and ADA upgrade project on N. 18^th Street, from Brookwood to Market Street, is currently out to bid.

Starting at the end of the month, Seiders said that the city will repair the bridge on Market Street that goes over Paxton Creek, near S. Cameron Street. Seiders explained that part of the bridge’s wall is deteriorating, which has negatively impacted the sidewalk. The repair will keep the bridge stable until the city can fully replace the bridge, slated for sometime after 2030.

Coming Soon

In the near future, the city will also work on re-striping streets in “high visibility areas,” Seiders said. He said that Harrisburg recently re-painted lines at N. 5^th and Market Streets, with positive results and feedback.

Harrisburg projects that by the end of the year, it will have replaced temporary speed humps on N. 3^rd, Division and Berryhill Streets with permanent speed cushions. The city has recently come under scrutiny from PennDOT for the current temporary speed humps, which it has said are not to code. Seiders said that contracts for the permanent structures will go out to bid as soon as possible to be in compliance by the end of the year.

“Those were locations identified by the administration as high incident areas,” Seiders said.

In the next year or two, Harrisburg will also use state grant money to retime traffic lights and pedestrian signals—25 downtown and 13 in Allison Hill.

Revisiting Stalled Projects

Several bigger road improvement projects that stalled for years are either in the design or fundraising phase and slated for construction in the coming years.

First up, a Herr Street pedestrian safety project, from 15^th Street to Arsenal Boulevard, is in final design, with construction slated to start next year. In conjunction with PennDOT, Harrisburg will improve sidewalks and curb ramps and add protected bike lanes.

Scheduled to begin construction late next year, the city will continue a project that was proposed in 2020. The East-West Multimodal Connection Project included added safety improvements and bike lanes on Walnut Street, from N. Front to N. 4^th Street, and on Chestnut Street, from 3^rd to 4^th Streets. The Chestnut Street portion has been completed.

The city recently was awarded $1 million in state Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) funds for Walnut Street. The road will be repaved, bike lanes will be created, raised intersections will be built at N. 2nd and Walnut Streets, and, from 2^nd to 3^rd Street, the current three traffic lanes will be reduced to two to make room for a bike lane.

Another lingering project proposed years ago, the “Courthouse Connection Multimodal Project,” will finally move forward. The project includes taking the Boyd Street “Urban Meadow,” a pedestrian walkway that currently runs from N. 3^rd to Fulton Street, and extending it to N. 6^th Street, near where the federal courthouse is.

While Seiders said the project has been a “lower priority” for the administration, which is why it has yet to be completed, the city doesn’t want to “leave that money on the table.” Harrisburg received a $700,000 state grant in 2021, which has been extended to June 2027.

Years in the Making

Looking further down the road, Harrisburg has plans to re-work Division Street, from N. 2^nd to N. 7^th Street, by slowing traffic and improving pedestrian features. The city has not yet entered the design phase, but is still securing funding and applying for grants.

Recent grant applications would also support future city plans for construction on N. 6^th, Market and 17^thstreets, roads identified as in need of safety upgrades, but that don’t yet have solid plans, Seiders said.

Harrisburg is also involved in two PennDOT bridge replacement projects. Construction is slated to begin on the Market Street Bridge next year. That project includes rehabbing the old bridge and constructing a separate utility bridge on the south side of the bridge that would also accommodate pedestrian and bike traffic. At a public meeting last summer, city officials showed PennDOT’s plans to eliminate a traffic lane, but since then, Seiders said that PennDOT has gone back to the original plan of maintaining the current four lanes.

The deteriorating Maclay Street Bridge is also set for replacement by PennDOT. While construction was originally slated to begin in 2024, PennDOT’s website now estimates starting this year.

It’s a busy next couple of years for Harrisburg–work that Seiders sees as necessary to keep city residents and visitors safe.

Harrisburg’s priorities are still informed by Vision Zero, an initiative that aims to eliminate all pedestrian fatalities, he said.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Navigating the Mortgage Application Process in Dauphin County

May 22, 2026 | by Admin

When taking out a mortgage, first-time borrowers need to familiarize themselves with the required documents and how to secure the best rate. Knowing where to begin can make the mortgage application process in Dauphin County easier to follow.

Find a Suitable Lender

Search for mortgage lenders that operate in the county. They tend to cater to specific types of borrowers, such as high-net-worth individuals, low-income earners, military veterans, medical practitioners and freelancers.

Finding a trustworthy lender that fits your needs is easier when your goals are clear and realistic. Identify the kind of house you can afford based on your credentials.

Get Prequalified

Go through general prequalification to receive a ballpark estimate of the loan amount you can borrow, based on self-reported data you share with a lender. While this figure does not guarantee approval, it can narrow down your housing options.

Start House Hunting

Review all active listings based on the amount you prequalify for. Consider hiring a real estate agent to represent you and handle all essential paperwork. This professional can communicate your offers to prospective sellers and explain the potential risks of any counteroffer you receive.

Apply for a Mortgage With Members 1st Federal Credit Union

Reach out to Members 1st to apply for a mortgage in Dauphin County. It accepts online mortgage applications to make the process seamless and convenient. The federal credit union provides seminars to teach interested borrowers about all things home loans.

Alternatively, you can speak with one of the credit union’s experts to select from its products, including first-time homebuyer programs, conventional fixed- and adjustable-rate loans and mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Association or the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Review the Loan Estimate

Check the details of the Loan Estimate, which the lender must provide within three business days from the date you submitted your name, income, Social Security number, the address of the house you want to buy, its estimated value and the amount you wish to borrow. This three-page document is your lender’s summary of potential loan terms and costs.

Express Desire to Move Forward

Decide whether you want to accept the Loan Estimate within 10 business days of the lender’s delivery or mailing it to you. Otherwise, the mortgage lender may revise the offer or close your application.

Wait for Approval

Submit any documents that the lender needs to verify all of the information you provided, and assess your risk level as a borrower. It can take up to 120 days to close on a house from the date the purchase agreement is signed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to common questions about mortgage rates.

What are the current mortgage rates in Dauphin County?

According to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey^®, the average mortgage rate for 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate loans by May 14, 2026, had been 6.36% and 5.71%, respectively. Lenders in Dauphin County may offer higher or lower rates, depending on prevailing market conditions.

Will interest rates drop to 3% again?

Mortgage rates are unlikely to drop to 3% in 2026 and in the foreseeable future. They were record lows during the pandemic to prevent economic collapse. It would take an event that paints a similarly bleak economic outlook for the Federal Reserve to cut the federal funds rate that much again.

Can you negotiate a mortgage rate?

Mortgage rates and other fees are negotiable, and lenders often have room to lower the overall cost of borrowing to earn your business. Excellent financial health and competition from other lenders are effective bargaining chips.

Take out a Home Loan That Suits Your Needs

The mortgage application process is more accessible once you understand the requirements and steps. Remember these steps to stay on track from the beginning and finance your dream home in Dauphin County.

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Harrisburg’s Favorite Spots for Cardio and Weight Workouts

May 21, 2026 | by Admin

Group of young people fit friends doing exercises in gym

Finding a gym that excels at both cardio and weight training offers a range of exercises that can enhance your well-being. Harrisburg offers several gyms designed to meet both needs, each with its own strengths in equipment quality, amenities and atmosphere.

1. 5 Bridges Health & Fitness

5 Bridges Health & Fitness stands out as the top choice if you’re seeking a balanced, results-driven fitness experience. This facility takes a holistic approach through its “5 Bridges” philosophy, which centers on Nutrition, Fitness, Recovery, Education and Community. It is one of the best gyms in Harrisburg, featuring the latest equipment to help you achieve measurable results.

The gym’s modern cardio machines make workouts more fun, including treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes and rowing machines. The weight training area has free weights, multiple squat racks and modern strength machines that cater to all experience levels. This combination of equipment quality, professional guidance and recovery options makes 5 Bridges an ideal choice for anyone committed to seeing real progress in both endurance and strength.

Key Features

Cardio Equipment: State-of-the-art machines with a variety of options to prevent workout boredom
Weight Training: Extensive selection of free weights, squat racks and modern strength machines
Amenities: The area’s best group fitness program, childcare services and hydromassage for recovery
Atmosphere: Clean, professional and results-oriented environment

2. Platinum Fitness

Platinum Fitness provides a high-quality, 24/7 fitness experience with a focus on personalized training and modern equipment. The gym is designed to accommodate various fitness levels and styles, including casual cardio and rigorous strength training.

You can try an extensive selection of state-of-the-art cardio and strength machines, a large free weights area and a training space with TRX bands, kettlebells and Rogue equipment. Platinum Fitness also offers a schedule of group fitness classes and certified personal training. These offerings are ideal if you want flexibility without sacrificing training options.

Key Features

Cardio Equipment: Modern cardio machines to support various workout routines
Weight Training: Extensive free weights, kettlebells, TRX and Rogue equipment
Amenities: 24/7 member access, group fitness classes and certified personal training
Atmosphere: Spacious, well-maintained and suitable for all fitness levels

3. Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness has built its brand around the “Judgment Free Zone” concept, creating a welcoming environment for beginners and casual exercisers. The facility excels in affordability and the availability of cardio equipment, making it accessible to people just starting their fitness journey.

You’ll find an enormous selection of treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bikes spread across the cardio floor. The weight-training area provides ample resistance machines, along with lighter free weights at some locations. The low monthly cost and beginner-friendly approach make Planet Fitness a solid option if you prefer a less intense gym environment.

Key Features

Cardio equipment: Extensive array of treadmills, ellipticals and bikes
Weight training: Good selection of resistance machines with some free weight options
Amenities: PF Black Card® membership adds access to tanning, massage chairs and other perks
Atmosphere: Casual, relaxed and nonintimidating for newcomers

4. Orangetheory Fitness

Orangetheory Fitness operates differently from traditional gyms by offering a data-driven, group class structure. Each 60-minute session combines cardio and strength training through high-intensity interval formats, with coaches guiding participants through every movement.

Workouts center around treadmills and water rowers for cardiovascular training, while floor exercises incorporate dumbbells and benches for full-body strength work. Heart rate monitors track your effort in real time, ensuring you stay in optimal training zones. Orangetheory works well if you prefer structured classes over self-directed workouts and thrive in group settings.

Key Features

Cardio focus: Treadmill and water rower intervals form the cardiovascular foundation
Weight training: Floor exercises with dumbbells and benches help build strength
Amenities: The Orangetheory app, changing lockers and some complimentary toiletries
Atmosphere: High-energy, community-driven and intensely motivating

5. Central Penn Fitness & Aquatics

Central Penn Fitness & Aquatics distinguishes itself through its aquatics facility and community-focused approach. The gym emphasizes a no-pressure sales philosophy and aims to help members look good, feel good and gain more energy. It functions as a comprehensive wellness center with a strong social network among members.

Standard cardio machines support general fitness goals, while the weight-training area includes equipment for the “Power Up” program and junior strength-training options. The welcoming, community-oriented atmosphere appeals to people who value a supportive social environment alongside their fitness routine.

Key Features

Cardio equipment: Range of standard machines for cardiovascular fitness
Weight training: Strength equipment, including specialized “Power Up” program options
Amenities: Workout equipment, pool and recovery room
Atmosphere: Friendly, clean and no-pressure environment

A Side-by-Side Look at Harrisburg’s Top Gyms

Comparing facilities helps you evaluate which gym best matches your priorities.

Gym	Cardio Quality	Weight Training	Cleanliness	Cost	Location Accessibility	Peak Hour Crowdedness
5 Bridges Health & Fitness	State-of-the-art variety	Extensive free weights, squat racks and modern machines	Professional and well-maintained	Midrange	Convenient	Moderate
Platinum Fitness	Modern machines	Extensive free-weight section and functional training area	Well-maintained	Midrange	Convenient	Spacious, but expect waits
Planet Fitness	Enormous selection	Resistance machines and lighter free weights	Clean	Budget-friendly	Widespread	Very crowded at peak times
Orangetheory Fitness	Treadmills and rowers (class-based)	Dumbbells and floor exercises (class-based)	Maintained	Premium pricing	Limited locations	Class-based, with reservations required
Central Penn Fitness & Aquatics	Standard machines	Good variety with specialized programs	Clean	Midrange	Single location	Moderate

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harrisburg gyms can help narrow your search and identify the best fit for your needs.

What is the cost of a membership at the top gyms in Harrisburg?

Membership costs vary by facility and plan type. You should consider a gym’s comprehensive amenities, including certified trainers, recovery stations and childcare, to make a decision. Contact each facility directly for current rates and promotions.

Do any Harrisburg gyms offer a free trial pass?

Most Harrisburg gyms offer a trial pass or period, giving you a chance to experience the amenities and training approaches firsthand. Check with each facility about current trial offers, as these programs change seasonally.

Which gyms in Harrisburg have the newest equipment?

Several local gyms boast modern equipment. For example, 5 Bridges Health & Fitness prioritizes modern facilities and regularly updates both its cardio and strength equipment to maintain state-of-the-art standards. Orangetheory Fitness also stands out for its tech-integrated equipment, including heart rate monitoring systems and data tracking.

Find the Perfect Fit for Your Fitness Goals

The best gym depends entirely on your individual goals, budget and preferred workout style. Visit your top contenders and experience each facility firsthand before making your final decision. Your ideal fitness studio is waiting in the Harrisburg area.

Sponsored Content

Grass Campus will soon be up for sale, as Jewish Federation begins recalibration

May 20, 2026 | by Alexandra Jones

alexander grass jewish federation of harrisburg

The Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life

The Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life will soon be up for sale.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg is planning to list the 6.4-acre campus as early as June, according to Sam Levine, a member of the federation’s transition committee.

This move, in addition to others, will help the nonprofit avoid filing for bankruptcy, which is “the last thing” that the federation wants to do,” Levine said.

“We are working very hard to cover our obligations,” he said.

The federation appointed the transition committee last month to make “difficult” decisions as the organization moves away from the Grass campus, which it purchased in 2022 for $4.56 million. It announced at that time that the campus business model (housing Jewish agencies that were both part of the federation and independent of it) was unsustainable.

“The expenses were considerably higher than anticipated to run the campus,” Levine explained. “We also were depending on some donations, which unfortunately did not materialize.”

According to Levine, the federation has an outstanding mortgage of around $9 million for the campus, which includes the cost of substantial renovations made to the campus for the federation’s needs. The scope of work included outfitting the campus to house the Silver Academy and Early Learning Center, as well as a workout facility.

“Expenses far exceeded what was anticipated for the renovations,” Levine said. “We were given quotes, and it just turned out that some of the architectural plans that were initially drawn up weren’t accurate, which ended up costing a lot of money to correct…considerably higher than what was budgeted for.”

The expanded renovation budget is part of what caused the federation’s debt to grow larger than anticipated, he added. On top of the mortgage, the federation holds an additional $500,000 debt—money Levine said was used for renovations, maintenance and operating expenses.

He added that the need for security for the campus has surged in the last few years following the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel in 2023, ballooning operation costs further.

In addition to selling the campus, the federation is also looking to liquidate internal assets, such as gym and audio visual equipment, which could help pay off the deb, Levine said.

“We have not actively started to market those items. Our first order of business is to get the real estate on the market, and perhaps we’ll find a purchaser who would be interested in a lot of that equipment,” he said.

The Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life

The committee held a meeting on Sunday with the Jewish community to provide status updates on the federation’s move away from the campus and give more information on the organization’s financial situation. Levine said the community’s leaders expressed at the meeting that they are “extremely sorry this has happened.”

“A lot of things were out of our control. I think some were in our control that we could have possibly controlled better,” he said.

In terms of the organization’s future, Levine said the federation plans to relocate staff within one of the four synagogues it’s associated with in the Harrisburg area, rather than taking on a new space.

“Our eventual objective is to rebuild and reimagine the whole Jewish community center concept and try to reimagine some common space that we can have for the community,” Levine said.

But it will take time to rebuild both the organization’s structure and confidence among members, he acknowledged.

“It’s a very difficult time for our community, but we have a strong community, and fortunately our agencies remain strong, our synagogues remain strong, and those agencies and our synagogues will get us through this,” Levine said.

The Silver Academy will remain in operation on the Grass campus until the end of the school year thanks to a generous donor who stepped up to pay the utilities through that time.

Entities on the Grass campus included the Silver Academy (a Jewish school ranging from pre-K to 8th grade); the Early Learning Center (for kids 6 weeks to 5 years old); Jewish Family Services (a counseling center); and the Jewish Community Foundation (which manages endowments and donor advised funds for community members). Some entities have already found new spaces for operation.

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A Side-by-Side Look at Harrisburg’s Top Gyms

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of a membership at the top gyms in Harrisburg?

Do any Harrisburg gyms offer a free trial pass?

Which gyms in Harrisburg have the newest equipment?

Find the Perfect Fit for Your Fitness Goals

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