A Walk Down Front Street: This month, take a closer look at local history around us

May 28, 2026 | by Finn McNally

Harrisburg Peace Garden

On a clear summer day in Harrisburg, a walk along Front Street is not just a good way to be active outdoors—it can give the walker a deeper appreciation of the city and its history.

Along this path are memorials, buildings and pieces of the natural world that tell the stories of Harrisburg.

For a 3.5-mile stretch, the Capital Area Greenbelt trail joins up with Front Street through Riverfront Park. The path’s placement near the river and its proximity to the Uptown and Midtown neighborhoods make it a popular walking path for residents.

As you walk south along the path, you’ll see homes and businesses to your left, the Susquehanna River to your right and a pathway framed by tall oaks and populated by geese. The river is an important piece of Harrisburg’s founding, but its own history extends far beyond the city.

In fact, Harrisburg’s blue western border is of ancient origins. Geologists consider the Susquehanna to be one of the oldest rivers on the planet. Some 300 million years old, the river predates the Nile, the Amazon and even the Appalachian Mountains, which it cuts through. At over 400 miles long, it is the longest river on the East Coast of the United States.

As it passes Harrisburg, the Susquehanna reaches about a mile in width but sits at an average depth of only three to seven feet. In this area, the river is popular for fishing and kayaking but isn’t viable for navigation of larger ships.

Water & Gardens

I started my Front Street walk at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion, located at the intersection of Maclay Street. Built in 1968, the 29,000-square-foot building succeeded several previous residences further down the street. For decades, a decorative iron fence surrounded the expansive property, but that recently was replaced by a more formidable “anti-climb” wall following the tragic firebombing of the building last year.

Continuing down the Riverfront Park path, one encounters the Harrisburg Peace Garden, a lengthy series of plant beds and landscaped greenery punctuated by metal silhouettes and cutouts of human beings. The Physicians for Social Responsibility constructed the Peace Garden in 1990 to promote reflection, peace and environmentalism, and volunteers maintain it to this day. Some of the metal figures represent victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima; others represent a Native American saying that states, “In all our deliberations, we must be mindful of the impact of our decisions on the seven generations to follow ours.”

As the Peace Garden ends, the path continues with old brick row houses on the left and cherry trees along the path. Further on lies the Harrisburg Sunken Garden and more sculptures. The first sculpture is a memorial to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. Built in 1994 of stone, steel and barbed wire, the monument was constructed through the efforts of local Holocaust survivors.

Past the gardens, the path crosses busy Forster Street and comes upon a stone brick building at the water’s edge, the Old Waterworks. Built in 1841, the octagonal structure pumped water from the Susquehanna to reservoirs, serving as Harrisburg’s waterworks facility for 130 years.

However, in 1972, water levels rose dramatically as Hurricane Agnes struck Harrisburg. Torrential rain raised the Susquehanna’s water level to nearly 33 feet, 15 feet above flood stage. Among submerged streets and tattered homes, the storm’s impact included extensive damage to the waterworks that put the building out of commission. It later was repurposed into an office building, which remains its function today.

Just past the Old Waterworks is a small, circular plaza with a view of the state Capitol building and a balcony facing the river. It was built in honor of John and Katherine Kunkel, the former of whom was a Harrisburg native and long-serving member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Notably, Mr. Kunkel is memorialized in the form of a statue, sitting on a bench, facing the Capitol, his gaze forever within a newspaper.

John Kunkel statue

The Walk Continues

From Kunkel Plaza, the green space widens and offers picnic tables and benches. In the middle of the grass is a square, stone monument. Directly below the monument, in a metal cylinder, lies a time capsule that was buried in 1960. It contains a history of Harrisburg to that point, as well as letters from residents written to their descendants.

The letters feature family recipes, descriptions of daily life in Harrisburg, worries about nuclear war and hopes for the future. A copper plaque reads, “Greetings to Future Harrisburgers,” and requests that the capsule be opened in 2060, its contents read and then returned to the capsule, along with contributions from the residents of 2060.

Midway across the wide Susquehanna, accessible via car and footbridge, is City Island. The island once housed camps of Union troops when Confederate forces threatened to invade the area. At another time, it was used for farmland and once housed Harrisburg’s filtration plant, which stored and filtered river water, pumping it to the Old Waterworks.

Today, the island is used primarily for recreation with a playground, volleyball courts and a soccer field. It also features FNB Park, home of the Harrisburg Senators, the AA minor league team for the Washington Nationals. Formerly known as Island Park, the field has been home to Harrisburg baseball teams since 1903 and has seen performances from all-time great players like Satchel Paige and Babe Ruth.

Next to the walking bridge is a wooden sculpture depicting a Susquehannock man and child. The Susquehannock Indians were the original inhabitants of the lower Susquehanna River watershed.

Nearing the end of our walk, Riverfront Park widens again and dips below Front Street, which veers away from the river. Here, a fence surrounds the gravestone of John Harris Sr., an English settler who established a ferry in 1719 near what would become Harrisburg.

Just across the street, catch sight of the Harris-Cameron Mansion, built by Harris’ son, John Harris Jr., and later expanded. A tour of the building, one of Harrisburg’s oldest and most historic, is a fitting endpoint for your walk.

The long stroll, now concluded, contains far more information than could fit in this article. It also cannot tell the whole history of Harrisburg on its own. However, for anyone looking to more deeply appreciate Harrisburg and the people who call it home, a walk down Front Street is a fine place to start.

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Community Corner: Notable June events

May 28, 2026 | by Missy Smith

Get Outdoors
June 1-Aug. 15: All are invited to Cumberland County Library System’s fifth annual Get Outdoors Cumberland summer learning designed for families to get outside and exercise the body and mind. Complete hikes to search for site markers in local and state parks. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org

Cooking Workshop
June 2-3: Penn State Extension will host “Let’s Cook: Herbs and Spices” at the Lebanon County Extension Office, June 2, 5 to 7 p.m., and The Winery at the Long Shot Farm, Carlisle, June 3, 6 to 8 p.m. www.extension.psu.edu

Autoharp Gathering
June 3-7: 33rd Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering will take place at Shippensburg University with five days of workshops, concerts and jam sessions for autoharp players of all levels. www.mlag.store

Free Shakespeare
June 5-20: Attend Gamut Theatre’s 33rd annual “Free Shakespeare in the Park” with “As You Like It.” Production runs from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in Reservoir Park, Harrisburg. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. www.gamuttheatre.org

Sunset Series
June 5, 12, 19, 26: Dauphin County Parks and Recreation celebrates summer with an outdoor Sunset Music and Movie Series at Fort Hunter Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg. Bring a picnic or grab refreshments from the concession stand. www.forthunter.org

Golf Classic
June 6: Vista Autism Services hosts its 19th annual Golf Classic at Dauphin Highlands Golf Course, 6500 Harrisburg Pike. Event begins at 7 a.m. with registration and breakfast, followed by an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start, and includes a full day of play, contests, lunch and an awards banquet. www.vistaautismservices.org

HBG Flea
June 6: Head to the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts offered by artists and small businesses, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. www.hbgflea.com

HBG Hoopla
June 6: Join the fun at the eighth annual Harrisburg Hoopla at Skyline Sports Beach Volleyball Courts, City Island, Harrisburg, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Teams will compete in physical challenges, puzzle games and activities and donate proceeds to nonprofits. www.tfec.org

History Lesson
June 6: National Civil War Museum, 1 Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg, hosts a free presentation on “A Hell of a Regiment—To Gettysburg and Beyond with the Twentieth Maine” with author Jared Peatman, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

SoMa PinFest
June 6: Experience a downtown block party on S. 3rd St. between Market and Chestnut streets, Harrisburg, 1 to 5 p.m. Event features a pop-up arcade with 12 pinball machines, local food trucks and live music from Y2Kids. Festival is free to attend, with all-you-can-play wristbands available for purchase. www.sarabozich.com

Pride Bingo
June 6: Cadence Chorus hosts Pride Bingo at the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, 1280 Clover Lane, at 3 p.m., with drag performances, prizes and food. Early-bird tickets are $15 through May 31. www.cadencechorus.org

Bourbon Bash
June 6: The STAGES Foundation hosts a luxury race-day celebration at Ironstone Ranch, 1 Hollinger Lane, Elizabethtown, 4 to 8 p.m. Enjoy a bourbon trail, watch party and live music in support of families navigating life-changing diagnoses. www.belmontbourbonbash.com

Tour de Belt
June 7: Capital Area Greenbelt Association presents the 26th annual Tour de Belt bike ride, beginning at 9 a.m. at HACC. Cyclists follow the 20-mile Greenbelt trail. Proceeds support the restoration, maintenance and expansion of the trail system. www.CAGA.org

Paint and Sip
June 8: Carlisle Arts Learning Center, 38 W. Pomfret St., hosts a free Juneteenth painting workshop for adults, 6 to 8 p.m. Celebrate freedom and culture through hands-on art in this collaborative event with Hope Station. All skill levels welcome. www.carlislearts.org

Food Rally
June 11: Enjoy fresh, savory foods at New Cumberland Food Truck & Restaurant Rally every second Thursday of the month, 5 to 8 p.m. Grab dinner from food trucks or restaurants and enjoy shopping and promotions. www.newcumberlandpa.org

Gala Fundraiser
June 11: Dauphin County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) presents “Once Upon a Time … in Oz,” gala fundraiser at Colonial Country Club, 4901 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg, 6 to 8 p.m. Guests encouraged to wear cocktail attire in Oz-inspired emerald, gold and pink. www.dauphincountycasa.org

Gourd Fest
June 11-13: Pennsylvania Gourd Society hosts the 2026 PA Gourd Fest at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center and Fairgrounds, 80 Rocherty Rd. This year’s theme, “Furry and Feathered Friends,” celebrates animal-inspired creativity with an art competition, demonstrations, workshops and gallery. www.pagourdsociety.org

Contra Dance
June 12: Join Harrisburg Area Contra Dance Association for its 2nd Friday Contra Dance with live music, 8 to 10:30 p.m., at Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, 444 Silver Spring Rd., Mechanicsburg. Free beginner lesson held at 7:30 p.m. www.harrisburgcontra.org

Annville Day
June 13: Attend the Friends of Old Annville’s 37th Historic Old Annville Day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the Lebanon Valley College campus, spanning the intersection of N. College Ave. and E. Sheridan Ave., Annville. Event features vendors, live music, food sales and a raffle. www.fooa.org

Arts Festival
June 13: Discover the world of flow arts at the Spinstock Flow Arts Festival in Coleman Memorial Park, Lebanon, 12 to 8 p.m. Participate in workshops and kid-friendly activities, browse vendors, grab food from food trucks and enjoy live DJ sets, flow art performances and a fire show. www.spinstock.org

Proudly PA
June 13: Proudly PA Festival at Fort Hunter Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, features PA-based bands, 1 to 8 p.m. Locally sourced food, wine, craft beer, spirits and craft items available for purchase. www.forthunter.org

Army Birthday
June 13: Army Heritage Center Foundation commemorates the U.S. Army’s 251st birthday with a formal dinner at Penn Harris Hotel, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass, 6 p.m. Evening features keynote speaker Gen. Paul Nakasone and celebrates the Army’s enduring mission. www.armyheritage.org

Bald Eagles
June 14: Kids ages 5 to 10 can celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, with a program exploring the strength of bald eagles through experiments and observation, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Cost is $5 per child, and each must be accompanied by a chaperone. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Juneteenth Week
June 14-20: Harrisburg celebrates Juneteenth with a weeklong series of events—including a conference, keynote speech, social events, a concert and a jubilee—organized by Juneteenth HBG and Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg. www.ypoc-hbg.org

Civil Rights
June 17: Hershey History Center, 40 Northeast Dr., hosts a program on the legacy of W. Miller Barbour, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Presented by historian Eric Schubert, the session offers a retrospective on the pioneering human rights leader. www.hersheyhistory.org

Summer Concerts
June 17: Celebrate summer with free live music and food trucks in Greenfield Park, Lancaster. Three concerts are scheduled on Thursdays from June through August. 80’s Live! kicks off the first concert on June 17 at 7:30 p.m. www.greenfieldlancaster.com

Jubilee Day
June 18: Explore Downtown Mechanicsburg’s 96th annual Jubilee Day, with carnival rides, a children’s area, live entertainment and more than 325 vendors with food, games, arts, crafts and retail products, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. www.mechanicsburgchamber.org

Porch Series
June 18: Englewood Hershey, 1219 W. End Ave., Hummelstown, hosts live music in a relaxed, outdoor atmosphere at The Farmhouse every third Thursday of the month, 6 to 8 p.m. The Bad Toupees perform on June 18. www.englewoodhershey.com

3rd in The Burg
June 19: Explore the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event, where you can visit and enjoy galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org

Rainbow Artists
June 20: Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and support local artists, makers and creators at East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg, for its 3rd annual Rainbow Artists and Makers Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Explore art, jewelry, books, textiles and more. www.dcls.org

Trail Fest
June 20: Join the Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community for the annual A.T. Community Festival at Market Street Square in Duncannon, 2 to 8 p.m. Enjoy live music, food trucks, local vendors and presentations while learning about the trail. www.duncannonatc.org

Spirits of ’76
June 20: John Harris, Jr. (re-enactor) will host a revolutionary whiskey and history-inspired spirits tasting at John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion, 219 S. Front St., Harrisburg, 6 to 8 p.m., with light hors d’oeuvres and stories of the era. www.dauphincountyhistory.org

Father’s Day
June 21: Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Rd., offers free admission for dads, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. View 3,000 roses and a Rolls-Royce and Bentley car show. Free for members and dads. www.hersheygardens.org

Jazz for Dads
June 21: Celebrate Father’s Day with a catered brunch and live music from the Valley X-Tet and Lebanon Valley College music professors at Gretna Timbers, 350 Timber Rd., Mount Gretna, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Advanced tickets required. www.gretnamusic.org

Dance Night
June 21: Take a Samba lesson with Harrisburg USA Dance Chapter #3009 at 2 p.m., followed by three hours of social dancing at PA DanceSport, 585 E. Main St., Hummelstown. All levels welcome. Facebook: USA Dance Chapter #3009–Harrisburg Area PA

CPRS Mixer
June 23: Join West Shore Chamber of Commerce for a free networking mixer hosted by CPRS Physical Therapy, 689 Yorktown Rd., Suite 203, Lewisberry, 12 to 2 p.m. Connect with local business professionals and members. www.wschamber.org

Caribbean Carnival
June 27: Caribbean Visions and The Civic Club host a cultural celebration, 12 to 8 p.m., at Harrisburg’s Riverfront Park. The family-friendly festival features live performances, craft and food vendors and a costume contest. www.facebook.com

Mansion Concert
June 27: Manor on Front, 2917 N. Front St., Harrisburg, will host a Mansion Concert with Kevin Neidig, Corinna Joy and Lucas Gienow at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Please register online. www.mansionconcert.com

Grim Market
June 27-28: Horror on Main presents The Grim Market of spooky décor, art, collectibles and books from horror, gothic and witchy vendors across two floors of the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel, 4650 Lindle Rd., Harrisburg, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.horroronmain.com

Patriots Path
June 30: U.S. Army Heritage Center Foundation and local partners unveil a new Patriots Path at the Cumberland County Historical Society, 21 N. Pitt St., Carlisle, 11 a.m. Path is a free trail of local sites that played a critical role in the formation of the U.S. www.PatriotsPath.com

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Time Out: In a world where tech is unavoidable, parents can help their kids use it wisely

May 28, 2026 | by Susan Ryder

Illustration by Aron Rook

How much screen time is too much screen time? And how is all this screen time affecting children’s learning, attention spans and social interactions?

These questions loom over many parents.

“We have pretty serious concerns in terms of screen time,” said Nate Chesky, a Mechanicsburg father of an 11-, 9- and 5-year-old. “We want our kids to be creative, helpful, friendly and social. We want our kids to be active, going and exploring the world, and we worry that screen time could interfere with that.”

Because of these worries, Chesky’s children have little exposure to screens, which includes some time on a Kindle and the older child borrowing a parent’s phone to listen to audio books.

Research backs Chesky’s fears, according to Deana Raymer, director of educational services at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit in Enola.

“There’s a lot of developmental concerns,” Raymer said. “As an educational institution, that’s one of the big concerns for us. Especially when you’re putting a child, a young child, on screen time. Research does see delays in language development, some emotional pieces, fine motor and even some cognitive delays.”

Those delays could be caused not necessarily by the presence of the screen but by the lack of important physical actions, like fine motor skills and play.

“When they’re on a screen, the cognitive connections aren’t made in the same way and very limited, because they don’t have the same motor component,” Raymer said.

Nina Butler, mother of two young sons in Steelton, has fears as well.

“At this stage, a lot of concerns come from just overexposure, inappropriate things, things they can’t understand or grasp right now,” she said. “But then the opposite of that is the concern that they’re learning to grow with the world that they’re in. So, to be able to utilize the things as tools around them.”

Butler’s children have access to screens through a tablet, talking on FaceTime with family and a Nintendo Switch game system.

“There’s always a challenge for me of balance. How much screen time do you get?” she said.

Quality vs. Quantity

In the past, the focus for parents has often been on the amount of screen time, but that has shifted to include concerns around the content.

“In the research, when you look at those sources, many times they are going to tell you it’s about quality and balance,” Raymer said.

Healthychildren.org writes about the “Five C’s” when considering a child’s media intake.

The first is “Child,” keeping in mind the individual child’s personality. Next is “Content,” making sure children are interacting with quality, educational material. The third “C” is “Calm.” Some media may cause strong emotions in children, and parents need to be available to mitigate, limit or totally remove access to that.

There’s also “Crowding out.” Instead of focusing on reducing screen time, talk about what they want to get back. That focus could include more connection at mealtime, more time outdoors, more time playing games, and even more time for boredom.

“There’s value in being a little bored and having them figure out something to entertain themselves,” Raymer said.

The final “C” is “Communication.” Talk with your children about the media that they are interacting with.

Chesky, also a librarian at a local elementary school, said that teaching digital citizenship has been a focus in schools. This involves plenty of communication about media. The students relate to this discussion and are very aware of the effect that screen time can have on their behavior, according to Chesky.

Butler talks with her children about what’s appropriate in the real world versus the digital world. She feels that they have a good balance. The boys love to play outside and will leave a screen to do other things. She also has boundaries around screen time.

“We have cut-off times before bed […] and times during the day when they can have it versus quiet time,” Butler said.

Parents can also communicate with their children by participating with their screen time. Showing an interest can also prompt discussions afterward.

“It’s important to either preview the material, and then the next step of sitting down with them while they are using it,” Raymer said.

Technology plays an important and ever-present role in our lives and can have positive educational benefits. Programs can even help with reading, math or other STEM skills.

Many parents want to allow their children to participate in the technology that’s available but are concerned about the Pandora’s box that it opens.

“The kids are a step ahead of us,” Raymer said. “How do you control the uncontrollable?”

Common Sense Media is one tool that provides information to assist parents in understanding and creating boundaries within popular games and phone usage, by educating them about available settings and filters to protect their children.

Parents are tasked with how to integrate current technology into their kids’ lives, and, at the same time, limiting how much time and the types of exposure they have. It’s not easy, but finding balance is possible.

“I think, for my kids personally, it’s just our everyday life,” Butler said. “It’s finding the balance, because that’s the world that we’re in now.”

Learn more about technology boundaries for families at www.commonsensemedia.org and www.healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.aspx.

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Overcoming Fear: “Leviticus” is both a horror movie and a celebration of young love

May 28, 2026 | by Gabriel Brown

Image courtesy of Neon.

“Leviticus” is the feature-length debut of gay Australian writer-director Adrian Chiarella, whose previous shorts have won awards at queer film festivals internationally.

It’s a tight, 87-minute horror film in the vein of “It Follows.” There’s a violent, supernatural entity haunting queer teenagers in a small town, taking the form of the person they most desire. But the monster here isn’t queerness—it’s born from a ritual that is a clear visual simile for conversion therapy.

The “Leviticus” story is inseparable from its leads and their performances: two queer teenage boys falling for each other in a hostile environment. It taps into a primal universal fear—what happens when the person you love most poses your greatest threat? There’s real horror here and enough chilling imagery to keep you awake a little longer tonight.

A character-driven film like “Leviticus” doesn’t work unless its cast is firing on all cylinders, and both leads deliver vulnerable and intimately masculine performances.

Joe Bird’s naturalistic aloofness as Naim casts shades of Florence Pugh in “Midsommar,” and Stacy Clausen’s repressed and defensive Ryan brings to mind Billy Barratt’s performance in another Australian horror, last year’s underrated “Bring Her Back” by millennial YouTubers-turned-directors Danny and Michael Philippou. Mia Wasikowska also delivers a solid performance as the main character’s mother in her first film role in several years, but I could’ve used even more of her.

With a title like “Leviticus,” a reference to a book in Abrahamic scripture frequently cited to denounce queerness by religious groups, I’ll admit I was expecting the film to be a bit heavy-handed with religious trauma and anti-queer fearmongering. Although it does touch on these, I believe “Leviticus” never wallows. The film could easily let itself coast on being a searing condemnation of conversion therapy and the stereotypical unceremonious onscreen death of queer characters. But Chiarella’s ambitious and personal script aims higher, truer and deeper—towards overcoming fear and the familiar feeling of timeless, all-encompassing, nothing-else-matters, adolescent love.

An empathetic celebration of young love in a genre known for its bitterness and malice is something that can only stem from a truly sincere artist, and if his debut is this good, Adrian Chiarella is absolutely one to watch coming into the horror scene from Australia. “Leviticus” opens at Midtown Cinema in June.

Midtown Cinema is located at 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.midtowncinema.com. Gabriel Brown serves as assistant manager at Midtown Cinema.

June Events
at Midtown Cinema

Late Night Frights
“Onibaba” (1964)
Friday, June 5

Down in Front!
Comedy Riffing
“Miami Connection” (1987)
Friday, June 12

3rd in the Burg Movie Night
“Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” (1988)
Friday, June 19

FRIENDS OF MIDTOWN
OUTDOOR FILM SERIES 2026

“The Princess and the Frog” (2009)
Saturday, June 20

“Superman” (2025)
Saturday, July 11

“Mean Girls” (2004)
Saturday, Aug. 22

“The NeverEnding Story” (1984)
Saturday, Sept. 12

Movies at dusk. Bring your own chair.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Happenings: Our June calendar of events

May 28, 2026 | by Missy Smith

Museums & Art Spaces

AACA Museum
161 Museum Dr., Hershey
717-566-7100; aacamuseum.org

“Imperial: Chrysler’s Handcrafted Masterpiece,” through Oct. 18

“American Muscle—Red, White, Blue,” through Oct. 18

“Nash—RPS-Ride, Performance, Style,” through Oct. 18

“Route 66 Centennial—East Coast Celebration,” through Oct. 18

Art Association of Harrisburg
21 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-236-1432; artassocofhbg.com

98th Annual Juried Show, through June 25

“Color and Contour,” featuring a collection of work by artists from AAH’s permanent collection, through June 26

The Art Center School & Galleries
18 Artcraft Dr., Mechanicsburg
717-697-2072; theartcenterschoolandgalleries.com

Students of Acrylic Painting Exhibit, June 5-25; reception: June 5, 5:30-7 p.m.

Arts on the Square
20 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg
717-257-1270; marketsquarechurch.org

“How I See It—Paintings and Portraits by Rodney Pate,” through June 28 (select times)

The Bower
1190 Bower Rd., Shermans Dale
thegardenbower.com

Native Plant Landscape and Sculpture Garden open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Group Tours: by appointment Monday through Saturday

Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

West Shore Photography Club Showcase, June 12-July 25: reception: June 12, 5:30-8 p.m.

Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

June artist of the month: Clare Klaum

Gallery on the Square
Millersburg Area Art Association
226 Union St., Millersburg
Facebook: Gallery on the Square

“What’s Bloomin’,” floral artwork by members of the Millersburg Area Art Association, June 3-27

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

HAAA Member Artwork at Hershey Public Library, community room, June 6-Nov. 28

HAAA Member Artwork at Hershey Public Library, hallway gallery, June 20-Aug. 8

Historical Society of Dauphin County
John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion
219 S. Front St., Harrisburg
717- 233-3462; dauphincountyhistory.org

Mansion Tours, Tuesdays-Friday, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

“America250 Patriots of Dauphin County,” through December

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

New works by Judy Kelly, Richard Souders, John Davis and Kat Dreibelbis, through June 14

New works by Jemar Sweets, Steve Barber, Annika Koser, Julie Iaria, Emily Zebel and Olivia Jean, June 15-July 12

Messiah University
One University Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

Annual Juried Student Show from the 2025-2026 studio year, through Aug. 29

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

Art by Marjorie Taylor, through July 18

Art by Chet Davis, through July 25

Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
1820 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-232-8915; pnfm.org

Exhibits dedicated to Pennsylvania firefighting history

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

“Bannered Heroes—Celebrating Pennsylvania’s African American Veterans,” presented by Beta Pi Boulé, the Harrisburg chapter of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (the Boulé)

“Game Changers—Pennsylvania Women Who Made History,” celebrating women from across PA in diverse fields, detailing their contributions and challenges they faced in their lifetimes

“Horse2Auto—A Transportation Revolution,” exploring the transition from horse to automobile through the history of three vehicles from Pennsylvania’s last transportation revolution

“Illuminating Independence,” featuring 35 original “illuminations” of the Declaration of Independence, completed over 10 years by self-taught Harrisburg resident and penman Sherman Notestine

“Revolutionary Things—Objects from the Collection,” special exhibit bringing together a wide range of objects that testify to Pennsylvania’s outsized role in the American Revolution, scheduled to coincide with the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; susquehannaartmuseum.org

“American Identity—Restoring the Susquehanna River’s Artistic Legacy,” an exhibition drawn from the Friends of the Susquehanna River Art Collection and curated by Rob Evans, through June 28

“Presence—The Landscapes of Michael Allen,” through July 26

The Trout Gallery
Dickinson College
240 W. High St., Carlisle
717-254-8159; troutgallery.org

Recent Acquisitions to The Trout Gallery’s permanent collection, featuring the works of American artists that focus on the diversity of American stories, June 12-Oct. 13

“BRANCH—Trees in American Art,” telling the stories of America through a variety of artwork representing trees, June 12-Jan. 23

Wheel of Light Studio
3738 Peters Mountain Rd., Halifax
wheeloflightstudio.com

“Revival,” paintings by Nicole Simmons, June 3-July 18

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; explorewildwoodpark.org

“Art in the Wild,” a community outdoor environmental art exhibit with works by local artists created mostly natural materials, through Sept. 30

Read, Make, Learn

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

June 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29: Swing and Latin dance classes, 6-9:30 p.m.

The Art Center School & Galleries
18 Artcraft Dr., Mechanicsburg
717-697-2072; theartcenterschoolandgalleries.com

June 2, 9, 16, 23: Next Steps for the Very Beginner in Watercolor (adults), 3-5:30 p.m.
June 3 & 24: Watercolor Painting Step-by-Step (adults), 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
June 4: Mini Mixed Media Madness Workshop (adults), 1-3 p.m.
June 4, 11, 18, 25: Intermediate/Advanced Pastel Painting (adults), 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 4, 11, 18, 25: Pottery Wheel Throwing (adults), 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 17: Date Night with Glassblowing (adults), 6-8 p.m.
June 22-26: Fundamental Drawing Summer Camp (ages 9-14), 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 22-26: Still Life Summer Camp (ages 9-14), 1-3 p.m.
June 23: Dried Flowers & Specialty Canvas Design Workshop (adults), 1-3 p.m.
June 25: Painting Inspirations with Yachiyo (adults), 12-4 p.m.

Bosler Library
158 W. High St., Carlisle
717-243-4642; boslerlibrary.org

June 1: Monday Night Book Group, 6 p.m.
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Tabletop Gaming, 4:30 p.m.
June 2: G.R.A.N.D.S. Support Group, 10-11 a.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Upstairs Stitchers, 5:30 p.m.
June 4, 11, 18, 25: Knitting Group, 10:30 a.m.
June 5, 12, 19, 26: Mah Jongg Club, 9:30 a.m.
June 7: Mindfulness with Emotions and Relationships, 2-3:15 p.m.
June 10: Wicked Wednesday Book Group, 1 p.m.
June 10: Adult Coloring Night, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
June 13, 27: Writers’ Wordshop, 10-11:30 a.m.
June 22: Graphic Novel Discussion Group, 6-7 p.m.
June 26: Just Mysteries Book Group, 1 p.m.

The Bower
1190 Bower Rd., Shermans Dale
thegardenbower.com

June 24: Kids Workshop—Imagining Clouds, 10 a.m.

BrainVessel Gallery
4707 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg
717-350-2306; www.brainvessel.com

“The Mystery of A Nubbins” with William Wiist, June 5-6

Capital Blue Cross Connect
4500 Marketplace Way, Enola
capitalbluecrossconnect.com/wellness/fitness-classes

June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Virtual Pilates, 5 p.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Mindful Yoga & Meditation 10 a.m.
June 3, 10, 17, 24; Virtual INSPIRE, 11 a.m.
June 4, 11, 18, 25: Ready, Steady, Action, in-person and virtual, 4:15 p.m.
June 5, 12, 19, 26: Strong and Fit, in-person and virtual, 10 a.m.
June 9: Virtual Cooking Demo—Watermelon and Feta Salad, 12 p.m.
June 11: Virtual Prevention Power, 11 a.m.
June 16: Virtual Connect Health & Wellness Beyond, 12 p.m.

Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

June 6: Pen & Ink Watercolor, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
June 8: Free Juneteenth Paint and Sip Workshop, 6-8 p.m.
June 8: Third Space Craft Night, 6-8 p.m.
June 8-12: Garden Magic (ages 6-12), 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 8-12: Animals of All the Continents (ages 8-12), 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 15-19: Game On! (ages 6-12), 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 15-19: Art & Adventure Camp (ages 9-14), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 15-19: Cartoon Drawing (ages 9-14), 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 22-26: Art & Adventure Camp (ages 9-14), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 19: Craft Beer & Clay, 7-9 p.m.
June 20: Put Your Color Pedal to the Metal (ages 13-adult), 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 22-26: Summer Threads (ages 6-12), 1-4 p.m.
June 27: Improv Collage, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
June 29-July 1: Paper Play Mini Camp (ages 6-12), 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 29-July 1: Let’s Go On a Cruise (ages 6-12), 1-4 p.m.

Dauphin County Library System
dcls.org

June 9: Books on Tap at Rubber Soul Brewery, 6-7 p.m.
June 13: Reading the Rainbow at LGBT Center of Central PA, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 23, 30: Upcycled Crafting at Seal Park, 6-7 p.m.

East Pennsboro Library
98 S. Enola Dr., Enola
717-732-4274; eastpennsborobranch.org

June 1-Aug. 15: All Ages Summer Reading
June 1-Aug. 15: Go Cumberland!
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Summer Story Time with Mrs. B, 10:15-11:15 a.m.
June 2: Read to Dogs, 6-7 p.m.
June 4, 18: Story Time and Craft, 6:30 p.m.
June 6: Summer Reading Program Kickoff, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 9: Family Game Night!, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
June 11: Drop-In Dino Skeletons Activity, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
June 13: Ridiculous Nicholas, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 16: Seashell Collage Craft, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
June 17: Drop-In Father’s Day Craft, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
June 20: Science Heroes—Digging It, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 23: Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
June 24: Drop-In STEM Play, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
June 25: Meet a Fire Truck with East Pennsboro Fire Department, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
June 27: Air Weaver Balloons, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 30: BINGO for Books, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

East Shore Area Library
4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg
717-652-9380; dcls.org

June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: The Stitch Sitch, 2-3:30 p.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 30: Learn to Play Mah Jongg, 9:30-11 a.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Crafting with the Classics, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
June 7: East Shore Cinema—“Zootopia,” 2-4 p.m.
June 10: Summer Game Night—Evolution, 5-7 p.m.
June 13: Figment Forge, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 18: Sip and Speak, 3-4:30 p.m.
June 24: Chess Club, 12-1:30 p.m.

Elizabethtown Public Library
10 S. Market St., Elizabethtown
717-367-7467; etownpubliclibrary.org

June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Card Making Group, 5-7 p.m.
June 3, 10, 17, 24: Homeschool Happening, 2-4 p.m.
June 4, 11, 18, 25: Fiber Artists, 3-7 p.m.
June 6: Knitter’s Group, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
June 13: Dungeons & Dragons Group, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 13: Fiber Artists, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
June 20: Book Discussion Group, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 27: Board Game Meetup, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

June 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29: Preschool Story Time (ages 3-5), 11-11:30 a.m., 6-6:30 p.m.
June 1, 15: Fredricksen Writes, 7-8:30 p.m.
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Mahjong Monday, 12-2 p.m.
June 2: Curl Up with the Classics, 10-11 a.m.
June 2, 9: Food and Farm Discovery Zone, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: iPhone Basics Series, 3-4:30 p.m.
June 2, 16: Teen Plot Twisters, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
June 3, 17: Zen Meditation, 2-3 p.m.
June 4: Special Themed Storytime (ages 3-5), 10-10:30 a.m.
June 4: Elementary LEGO Lab, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
June 4: Gardening with Nature, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
June 4, 11, 18, 25: Meditation to Calm the Mind, 12-12:30 p.m.
June 4, 11, 18, 25: Fredricksen Knits, 1-4 p.m.
June 5: Chess Club, 6:30 p.m.
June 6: The Puzzlers, 1-4:30 p.m.
June 11: Elementary Test Lab, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
June 12: Indie and Foreign Film, 2-4 p.m.
June 12: Book Keepers Book Club—One of Us Is Lying, 6-8:30 p.m.
June 14: Pokémon Club for Tweens and Teens, 3-4:30 p.m.
June 15: World Explorers, 6-7 p.m.
June 20: Neurodivergent Adult Support Group, 3-4:30 p.m.
June 22: Mysteries and Mayhem, 7-8 p.m.
June 23, 30: Tween LEGO Club, 6-7:30 p.m.
June 25: Elementary Design Lab, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
June 26: Peaceful Poses Yoga Storytime for Preschoolers, 10-10:45 a.m.
June 26: Peaceful Poses Yoga for Adults, 10:45-11:30 a.m.
June 26: Solopreneur Roundtable, 12-2 p.m.
June 27, 28: Paint With Us, 1-3 p.m.
June 28: Games, Cards and Puzzles, 1-5 p.m.

Gallery on the Square
Millersburg Area Art Association
226 Union St., Millersburg
Facebook: Gallery on the Square

June 7: Mosaic Coasters, 2-4 p.m.
June 13: Create Your Own Metal Earrings, 1-3 p.m.
June 20: Charming Watercolor Peacock (ages 12 and older), 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 28: Kinusaiga—a traditional Japanese no-sew art form, 1-3 p.m.

George & Hettie Love Memorial Library
530 S. 29th St., Harrisburg
717-234-3934; dcls.org

June 6: Otherworldly Book Club, 12-1 p.m.
June 11: Beyond the Quick Fix—An Interactive Wellness Workshop, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
June 13: Knit One, Crochet Too!, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 25: Mixed Media Journaling, 5:30-7 p.m.
June 27: Write On!, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Hershey Gardens
170 Hotel Rd., Hershey
717-534-3492; hersheygardens.org

June 6, 13, 20, 27: Guided Garden Walk, 10-11 a.m.
June 13: National Red Rose Day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
June 13: Forest Bathing, 9:15-11:15 a.m.
June 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30: Zoology Zone Interactive Cart, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Hershey Public Library
701 Cocoa Ave., Hershey
717-533-6555; hersheylibrary.org

June 2: “Mysteries, She Wrote” Mystery Book Group, 6:30-8 p.m.
June 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30: Penn State Hershey Mothers & Babies, 10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 2, 16, 30: Silent Book Group, 10-11:30 a.m.
June 3, 10, 17, 24: Community Crochet Night, 6-7 p.m.
June 4, 18: Hershey Quilters, 12:30 p.m.
June 5: Craft and a Movie, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 6, 20: Chess Club, 1-3 p.m.
June 11: Fear of Commitment Book Group (Short Fiction Only) Cassel Vineyards of Hershey, 6-7 p.m.
June 12: Play Day for Families, 10:15-11 a.m.
June 15, 22, 29: Books and Babies, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
June 15, 22, 29: Book Buddies Storytime, 11-11:30 a.m.
June 16, 23, 30: 1, 2, Whee!, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
June 17, 24: LEGO Club, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 17, 24: Furry Tales, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
June 18, 25: Messy Mornings (ages 1-5), 10:15-11 a.m.
June 19: ART FART, 2-4 p.m.
June 20: Fused Glass Vase, 1-4 p.m.
June 26: The Board Gamers, 2-4 p.m.

Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education
4945 Horn Road, York
717-757-6441; hornfarmcenter.org

June 7: Blooms & Berries—Late-Spring Foraging Walk, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 14: Petals to Patterns—Natural Dyeing with Flowers, 1-3:30 p.m.
June 26: A Holistic Approach to Lime Disease, 5-8:30 p.m.
June 27: Outdoor Cooking for Campers, 12-2 p.m.

Joseph T. Simpson Public Library
16 N. Walnut St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0171; simpsonlibrary.org

June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Story Time, 10:15-11 a.m.
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Toddler Time, 11:15-11:35 a.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Rhyme Time in the Park (ages 0-5), 9:30-9:50 a.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Tea and Stitches, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 30: Math-a-saurus Club, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
June 4, 11, 25: Prehistoric Explorers Club, 1:30-2:30 p.m. and 6-7 p.m.
June 8: English Conversation Club, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
June 10: Mad About Mysteries Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
June 12: Apple Users Group, 1-2 p.m.
June 12, 26: Dungeons and Dragons, 6-8 p.m.
June 13, 27: Block Party, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 13, 27: Puzzle Party, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 15: Tales for TAILS, 6-7 p.m.
June 15: Monday Night Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
June 16: Prenatal Breastfeeding Class, 6:30-8 p.m.
June 17: Watch the Skies Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
June 20: Craft-A-Palooza, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 23: Tea & Stitches Extended Edition, 12-2 p.m.
June 23: Fact-Check Like a Librarian, 7-8:30 p.m.
June 25: Play Scrabble!, 1:15-3:15 p.m.
June 27: Trivia at Home—Star Trek, 6-8 p.m.

The LGBT Center of Central PA
717-409-5781; centralpalgbtcenter.org

June 3, 10, 17, 24: Common Roads (ages 12-17), 6-8 p.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Passageways, 2 p.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Young Adult Group, 4 p.m.
June 13: QTPOC Advisory Group, 6-8 p.m.

Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library
2410 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-232-7286; dcls.org

June 13, 27: Chess Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 15: Ace That Job Application, 2-4 p.m.
June 18: Audiobook Club, 10:15-11 a.m.
June 30: Rock Painting, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

McCormick Riverfront Library
101 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-234-4976; dcls.org

June 8: Ace That Job App!, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Middletown Public Library
20 N. Catherine St., Middletown
717-944-6412; middletownpubliclib.org

June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: STEAM Club, 6-7 p.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Tiny Tots Storytime, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Wee Readers Storytime, 1-2 p.m.
June 9, 23: Read to Pets—Tales with T.A.I.L.S., 6-7 p.m.

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

June 6: First Saturday, 2-5 p.m.
June 7: Glass Pet Portrait Nightlights, 1-2:30 p.m.
June 14: Tarot Card Collage Class, 12-4 p.m.

National Civil War Museum
One Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg
717-260-1861; nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

June 6: “A Hell of a Regiment—To Gettysburg and Beyond with the Twentieth Maine,” 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

June 3: Pre-K Story Time, 10:30 a.m.
June 16-18: Outdoor Explorers Camp (ages 6-8), 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
June 23-25: Nature Snoopers Camp (ages 9-12), 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
June 30: Grandparent and Me Camp—Frog Frolic and Toad Tunes, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

New Cumberland Public Library
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
717-774-7820; newcumberlandlibrary.org

June 1: French Conversation Group, 6-7 p.m.
June 1-30: Construction Vehicles Scavenger Hunt (ages 0-12)
June 1-30: Unearth a Story Summer Reading Challenge (ages 0-18)
June 3: Piece Seekers, 6-7:30 p.m.
June 3-July 8: iPhone Class for Adults, Wednesdays, 2-3:30 p.m.
June 4: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 5: Tween Book Tasting (ages 8-12), 2-3 p.m.
June 6, 20: Book Sales, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 8: Kids Yoga, 10:30-11 a.m. (ages 2-5) and 11-11:30 a.m. (ages 6-10)
June 9: Storytime STEAM (ages 3-5), 10:30-11:15 a.m.
June 9: Paint Party (ages 5-12), 3-4 p.m.
June 9: Tales for Tails (ages 6-12), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
June 10-Aug. 12: America 250 Learning Series (ages 6-12), 3-4 p.m.
June 11: Family Fort Fest (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
June 11-Aug. 20: Summer Teen Craft Club (ages 12-17), 3-4 p.m.
June 12: Summer Reading Kickoff!, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
June 13, 20, 27: Take and Makes (ages 0-12)
June 13, 27: Teen Craft Kits (ages 13-17)
June 15: Musical Mornings (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
June 16: STEAM Scene (ages 6-12), 4:30-5:30 p.m.
June 16-Aug. 11: Outdoor Storytimes (ages 2-5), Tuesdays, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
June 16-Aug. 11: Outdoor Storytimes (ages 0-2), Tuesdays, 11:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 17-July 22: Ready for Kindergarten (ages 4-5), 10:15-11:45 a.m.
June 19: Outdoor Sensory Playtime (ages 0-5), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 22: Movers and Groovers (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
June 23: Kids Cooking Class—Dirt Pudding & Potted Garden Cakes (ages 6-12), 3-4 p.m.
June 26: Block Party (ages 0-3), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 27: Crafty Crafters, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 29: PlayDoh Palooza (ages 2-5), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 30: Kid Builders (ages 3 and older), 3-4 p.m.

Palmyra Public Library
50 Landings Dr., Annville
717-838-1347; palmyra.lclibs.org

June 1: Genealogy Group, 10-11 a.m.
June 3, 10, 17, 24: Strength & Stretching 50+, 10-11 a.m.
June 8: Book Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 15, 22, 29: Summer Family Program at Palmyra Grace Church, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 17, 24: Little Explorers Downtown at Palmyra Church of the Brethren, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 18, 25: Little Explorers, 10:30-11 a.m. and 1:30-2 p.m.
June 18: Debut Author Book Club at Book Bar, Palmyra, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 22: BYO Craft Nights (adults 18 and older), 4:30-6:45 p.m.
June 23: Rocks and Fossils, 12-1 p.m.
June 30: People of Pennsylvania’s Past, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Panacea Healing Arts
701 N. Mountain Road, Harrisburg
484-373-9109; panaceahealingarts.com

June 15: CPPS Monthly Community Meeting 6:30-8 p.m.
June 16: Intro to Breathwork 6-7:30 p.m.
June 18: Sonic Neural Experience (Advanced Breathwork), 6-8 p.m.

Perry County Council of the Arts
Landis House, 67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

June 3: Stained Glass Wind Chime, 6-8 p.m.
June 8-12: Theatre Camp (entering grades 5-9), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 15: Art in Nature (entering grades 4-9)

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

June 5, 20: Storytime, 10:30-11 a.m.
June 6: Gravity, 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m.
June 10: Making Color, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 12: Curiosity Kids—Wagons, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 12: Virtual Program—Torpedo Testing at Pymatuning, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
June 13: Fun in the Sun, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 14: Revolutionary Things Spring Lecture Series, 2-3 p.m.
June 17: Revolutionary Toys & Games, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 18: Magnets & Magnetism, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 21: Gravity, 1 p.m.
June 25: Tracks and Scat, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 26: Curiosity Kids—Color, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 27: Remembrances—Coins, Plates and Pins, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; susquehannaartmuseum.org

June 8-12: Papermaking Camp (ages 5-9), 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 8-12: Papermaking Camp (ages 10-14), 1-4 p.m.

Wheel of Light Studio
3738 Peters Mountain Rd., Halifax
wheeloflightstudio.com

June 5: Clay Smoker Houses Workshop, 6-8 p.m.
June 19: Luminaries Workshop, 6-8 p.m.
June 20: Beginner Basics for Resin with Lorraine, 1-3 p.m.
June 20: Daddy & Me Clay Day on the Wheel, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 23: Mosaic Lamps Workshop with Amanda, 6-8 p.m.
June 26: Dirty Date Night, Wall Sconces, 7-9 p.m.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; explorewildwoodpark.org

June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Weekly Wellness Walks, 1-2:30 p.m.
June 4: Bird Walk—Nesting Birds, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
June 6: Creature Feature—Red-winged Blackbirds (ages 4-6), 10-11 a.m.
June 11: Seasonal Garden Walks, 9:30-11 a.m.
June 13: Summer Wreath Workshop, 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
June 13: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 14: Kids Discover—Bald Eagles (ages 5-10), 1:30-3 p.m.
June 18: Pound the Colors of Wildwood into Cloth, 6-8 p.m.
June 20: Our Ancient Sycamore Tree, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 21: Flower Walk—Peak of Blooming, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 27: Wild Edibles, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library
200 W. Second St., Hummelstown
717-566-0949; dcls.org

June 2: Dungeons & Dragons—The Holy Jungle, 5-7 p.m.
June 6: Preserving Summer Abundance with Plant Family, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 6: Crafternoon, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 17: Astronomy in Your Own Backyard, 6-7 p.m.
June 27: Print Making, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Live Music

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

June 4: The Temptations & The Four Tops
June 6: Scotty McCreery
June 7: The Righteous Brothers
June 13: The Happy Together Tour
June 18: Jo Dee Messina with The Bennett Hall Band
June 19: Lauren Daigle
June 24: Straight No Chaser

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

June 4, 11, 18, 25: Open Mic
June 6: Kyle Smith, Harbor Boys and Milton J
June 19: Cumberland Honey, Rivers
June 20: Everything Yes, Time in the Wilderness
June 27: The After Hours

Appell Center for the Performing Arts
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; appellcenter.org

June 5: Jazz in the City
June 13: Zoso—The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience
June 16: Appell Center Jazz Ensemble

Blues Society of Central PA
bscpblues.com

June 4, 11, 18, 25: Blues Society Jams at Champions Sports Bar, Highspire

Bosler Library
158 W. High St., Carlisle
717-243-4642; boslerlibrary.org

June 24: Open Mic Night

Capital City Music Hall
234 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg
capcitymusichall.com

June 1: Cancerslug
June 4: The Acacia Strain, The Callous Daoboys, fromjoy, Mask
June 5: Nights of Malice, My Own Will, Behead The Betrayer, BRICKTOTHEFACE, The Edge Of Desolation
June 9: Andres, Resilia
June 13: Crystal Lake, Entheos
June 14: Cold, Sierra Swan, Observe The 93rd
June 17: Haunt, Show-N-Tell
June 17: Bop To The Top
June 19: Savannah Dexter, Corey Redd
June 21: Sister Wife Sex Strike, Local News Legend
June 23: Every Avenue

Carley’s Ristorante and Piano Bar
204 Locust St., Harrisburg
717-909-9191; carleysristorante.com

June 4, 18: Andrea Britton
June 5, 13: Roy Lefever
June 6, 25: Dr. Nyce
June 10, 24: Tristin Lynee
June 11: Mike Dempsey
June 12, 19: Ted Ansel
June 20, 26: Chris Emkey
June 27: Anthony Haubert

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster
717-898-1900; DutchApple.com

June 8-9: ABBAFAB

The Englewood
1219 Research Blvd. Hummelstown
717-256-9480; englewoodhershey.com

June 6: Smooth Like Clyde
June 18: Farmhouse Porch Music Series—The Bad Toupees

Fort Hunter
5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-599-5751; forthunter.org

June 5: Stonehouse Breakdown
June 19: Addily Park Band

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

June 11: Colebrook Road
June 22: West Shore Symphony Concert
June 26: Courtyard Concert

Greater Harrisburg Concert Band
717-576-758; greaterharrisburgconcertband.com

June 26: Concert at Bethany Village, Mechanicsburg
June 27: Concert at Hampden Park & Pool, Mechanicsburg

Gretna Music
gretnamusic.org

June 14: First Listen—Artemis Drake
June 14: Artists-in-Residence play Beethoven, Haydn, Derrick Skye
June 15: Telegraph Quartet
June 21: Father’s Day Jazz Brunch with Valley X-Tet June 28: The Raleigh Ringers

Gretna Theatre
Mt. Gretna Playhouse
200 Pennsylvania Ave., Mount Gretna
717-964-3627; gretnatheatre.org

June 4-7: “Always…Patsy Cline”
June 18-21: A Night with Janis Joplin
June 27: Good Vibrations—A Celebration of the Beach Boys

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheyentertainment.com/hershey-theatre

June 7: Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening
June 13: Josh Gates
June 14: Indigo Girls June 23: Chicago

Hollywood Casino
777 Hollywood Blvd., Grantville
717-469-2211; hollywoodpnrc.com

June 5: Darius Rucker

Keystone Concert Band
145 E. Main St., First Floor, Mechanicsburg
717-329-7541; keystoneconcertband.com

June 7: Concert at Peach Church, Camp Hill
June 20: Concert at Essex House, Lemoyne

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

June 10: Planet K-Pop
June 27: The Raleigh Ringers

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

June 6: Green River—The Ultimate Creedance Clearwater Revival Tribute Show
June 27: Taylor’s Story—A Tribute to Taylor Swift

Perry County Council of the Arts
Landis House, 67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

June 18: Coffee House Open Mic

Susquehanna Folk Music Society
717-745-6577; sfmsfolk.org

June 6: Spring Coffee House
June 21: Michael Daves & Jacob Jolliff

West Shore Theatre
317 Bridge St, New Cumberland
717-759-5464; westshoretheatre.org

June 14: The Lords of 52nd Street
June 28: Simply The Best—A Tribute to the Music of Tina Turner

XL Live
801 S. 10th St., Harrisburg
717-409-8975; xlhbg.com

June 5: The Jellybricks, Very Fine Gentlemen
June 6: Almost Queen—A Tribute to Queen
June 11: moe. & Umphrey’s McGee
June 12: Bearly Dead
June 13: Solar Federation
June 27: Paul Oakenfield, The Crystal Method

The Stage Door

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

June 26: Jatty Robinson

Appell Center for the Performing Arts
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; appellcenter.org

June 5: Craig Ferguson
June 6, 7: Dance it Forward presents “The Other Side of Midnight”
June 9: “The Music Man”
June 11: The Outlet—Music & Poetry Open Mic

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster
717-898-1900; DutchApple.com

June 2-22: “All Shook Up”
June 26-Aug. 8: “Mary Poppins—The Broadway Musical”

Gamut Theatre Group
15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-238-4111; gamuttheatre.org

June 26: TMI Improv

Gretna Theatre
Mt. Gretna Playhouse
200 Pennsylvania Ave., Mount Gretna
717-964-3627; gretnatheatre.org

June 20, 27: “How I Became A Pirate”

Harrisburg Comedy Zone
110 Limekiln Rd., New Cumberland
717-920-5653; harrisburgcomedyzone.com

June 5, 6: Kevin Farley
June 12, 13: Raj Belani

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgimprov.com

June 5: Free Improv Mixer, Lil’ Stinkers, Neighborhood Gossip, Am I the Assshow?, Who’s There?, On the Record—An Improv Talk Show
June 6: Free Improv Mixer, Solo Sleepover, The Next Leaver, Big Business LLC, Homie-Sexual
June 12: Character Class Graduation Show, LoS CoMpLiCaDoS, We’re Here Tho, Offbeats, Unger & Williford, Neighborhood Stinkers
June 13: Free Improv Mixer, 8-Bit Players, Mystique, Rockstar Improv
June 14: Character Class Graduation Show
June 19: Free Improv Mixer, Girl’s Trip, Four of Hearts, Lizzy McChoir, Awkward Timing
June 20: Free Improv Mixer, Ham Juice, US—Unshushed Sisters, Barbra
June 26: Free Improv Mixer, Team Z, Spice Crones, We’re Here Tho, Bad Date, Bad Therapy
June 27: Free Improv Mixer, All Over the Place, Elderprov, Opening Night, Get to the Point!, Grandy

Hershey Area Playhouse
830 Cherry Dr., Hershey
717-533-8525; hersheyareaplayhouse.com

June 4-7: “Seussical”

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheyentertainment.com/hershey-theatre

June 16: Daniel Tosh
June 30-July 5: “A Beautiful Noise—The Neil Diamond Musical”

Keystone Theatrics
The Playhouse at Allenberry
1559 Boiling Springs Rd., Boiling Springs
717-258-3211; keystonetheatrics.com

June 13-29: “Footloose”

Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg
915 S. York St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0535; ltmpa.com

June 4-14: “Sweeney Todd—The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”

Open Stage
223 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-232-OPEN; openstagehbg.com

June 4-13: “The Boys in the Band”
June 26-27: “SHREK The Musical”
June 27: EFF Live!

Theatre Harrisburg
513 Hurlock St., Harrisburg
717-232-5501; theatreharrisburg.com

June 12-21: “I Love You, You’re Perfect…Now Change”

XL Live
801 S. 10th St., Harrisburg
717-409-8975; xlhbg.com

June 20: Lavell Crawford & Friends
If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Mr. Bicycle: Honoring Ross Willard, founder of Recycle Bicycle

May 28, 2026 | by Lawrance Binda

Last month, Harrisburg lost one of its most dedicated and charismatic public advocates, Ross Willard.

Ross, 75, was the founder and force behind Recycle Bicycle, which gave away thousands of bikes over the course of the past 25 years—mostly to people who, otherwise, couldn’t afford them. He also taught bicycle repair and safety, and pressed, often against considerable odds and opposition, for bike-friendly streets and infrastructure.

Around Harrisburg, it was hard to miss Ross. Sure, he spent hours nearly every day in his workshop on Allison Hill, but he also was a constant presence on city streets and at events. At annual riverfront festivals, he’d gladly babysit your bike as you enjoyed your day, and maybe even tune it up in the process, leaving it in better shape than when you dropped it off.

We often encountered Ross at public meetings for road and bridge projects, where he made no bones, before government officials, about the need for bike lanes and accessibility. Sometimes, folks listened; too often, they did not. But that never deterred Ross from forging ahead, in his determined, pointed style, ready to wage the next battle.

We were delighted to call Ross a friend of TheBurg.

I’ll never forget the day, nearly a decade ago, when Ross appeared unexpectedly at our door, shortly after we moved into our current offices on N. 3rd Street. He welcomed us into our new space in the most Ross-appropriate way possible, with a gift of a reclaimed and fully repaired bicycle, which we deemed “TheBurg Bike” and still have.

Ross leaves us with a remarkable legacy, one that I’m certain now will be taken up by other members of Recycle Bicycle. Nonetheless, it surely will take the Harrisburg community, and the area’s biking community, time to rebound from the loss of such a committed, caring man, who was unmatched in his dedication and generosity.

To honor Ross, we are sharing a gallery of photos that show him in his natural environment: fixing bikes, riding bikes, teaching about bikes, etc. We thank Recycle Bicycle for providing most of these images and ask, if you can, to please donate to the organization at www.rbhburg.org.

A Celebration of Life for Ross will be held June 19 at Christ Community Church, 1201 Slate Hill Rd., Camp Hill. It will begin at 6 p.m. with visitation followed by a 7 p.m. service. The Harrisburg Bicycle Club will host a bike ride to the service.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Musical Notes: June Licks

May 28, 2026 | by Skye Cadzow

Past concerts at Riverfront Park. Photos courtesy of HU Presents.

Roll the windows down and turn the volume up, as Harrisburg’s stages are about to get hot with a month full of excellent music on the horizon.

In the meantime, I’m curious to hear what people’s favorite albums are so far this year. My playlists have been a frequent rotation of ups and downs—mood-wise—with Noah Kahan’s latest, “The Great Divide,” and Kacey Musgraves’ “Middle of Nowhere,” as well as MUNA’s “Dancing on the Wall” and Charli XCX’s soundtrack for “Wuthering Heights.” Let me know what you’ve been listening to!

PROUDLY PENNSYLVANIAN

6/13, Low Cut Connie, Snacktime and more, Fort Hunter

This year’s Proudly PA Festival at Fort Hunter boasts an embarrassment of riches, with a stacked lineup featuring a variety of genres from local folk pop mainstays, The Wild Hymns, to funky faves, Snacktime, and the toughest cookies you’ll find rocking the keys, Low Cut Connie. We all know the Keystone State exudes with talent, but this all-day celebration really sets a high bar for summertime fun. Pro tip: Wear comfy shoes—you’re going to want to dance at this one. See you there!

MILLENNIAL STOMPCORE

6/20, Mumford & Sons, Hersheypark Stadium

Listen, I was in college in the early 2010s and donned mustache scarves with the best of ‘em. I’m not too proud to admit that I, too, was swept up in the yearning, optimistic folk pop that persuaded all of us to learn ukulele and exclusively wear earth-toned color palettes. This accompanied a love for Mumford & Sons, starting with their debut record through their EP “Johannesburg” (2016). Since then, I had pretty much counted them out until this year’s “Prizefighter” album dropped in February. My gosh, what a treat! This album really gets back to what made Marcus Mumford’s earliest music so infectious, with honest songwriting and stunning collaborations with other artists I admire like Hozier, Gigi Perez and Finneas. Get a preview of what to expect with “Rubber Band Man” or “Icarus.”

SURF’S UP!

6/27, The After Hours, Fleur Bleu-e and Eastwood Drive, The Abbey Bar

Bring out your best beach get-ups for indie rockers The After Hours’ big summer bash, featuring French ethereal wave outfit Fleur Bleu-e and alt-rock band Eastwood Drive. The dance floor will become an atmospheric luau for what’s sure to be an awesome showcase. I’ve written about the After Hours in this column before, but I recommend listening to tracks like “Surrender,” “STAR” and “STOLT 89” from Fleur Bleu-e for a taste of their music. For fans of fuzzy psych rock, the York-based band Eastwood Drive is also worth catching; check out songs “Wetlands” and “Piesinoe.”

If you’re a musician and/or promoter, or a fan of a local artist, and you’d like to share some upcoming shows with TheBurg, drop me a line at [email protected].

HONORABLE MENTIONS

6/5, The Jellybricks, XL Live

6/11, Tyler Childers, Hersheypark Stadium

6/11, Umphrey’s McGee, XL Live

6/12, Tiny Park Concert Series presents Meaghan Farrell, Coronet Park

6/19, Cumberland Honey w/Rivers, The Abbey Bar

6/21, Sister Wife Sex Strike, Capital City Music Hall

6/24, Chris Stapleton, Hersheypark Stadium

6/26, Santana & The Doobie Brothers, Hersheypark Stadium

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Adventure Together: Explore the west shore of the Susquehanna in June, while snacking, splashing and crafting the summer days away

May 28, 2026 | by Natalie diSanto

A day outdoors and a craft

June is the month when children are freed from the classes and hallways of school.

They’re ready to roam about outside, maybe stick tiny toes in warm streams to get swept away toward long, summer days. Parents aren’t immune to the call of freedom, the cycle of school breaks bringing up memories of our own past adventures. Whether in elementary, high school or college, one of the most popular books to celebrate the end of school with is Dr. Seuss’s “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”

Defying Gravity

On theme with a sense of burgeoning adventure, our craft for this month is a hot air balloon: a fantastic vessel that can take one anywhere in this world or another (according to Oz). To make your own, all you need is a balloon, newspaper, glue, string and some paint.

Start by inflating a balloon, then, in a bucket, mix a 1:1 ratio of glue and warm water to make papier mâché. Rip your recycled paper (we used an old Burg magazine) into about 1-inch-thick strips. Dip a strip in the papier mâché, then apply it to the balloon. Continue this process until the balloon is fully covered in papier mâché, leaving a small hole at the bottom of the balloon where the tie is. Let your creation dry for about 24 hours.

Once dry, use a needle to pop the balloon at the bottom, where the tie is. The balloon will deflate, leaving a fragile but perfectly shaped papier mâché hot air balloon. Paint your balloon—we chose rainbow for Pride Month. Next, create your basket. We used half a walnut shell for an earthy vibe, but you can repurpose a can, Jello container, cornbread box, etc. Create some clay figurines for your basket to add an extra touch. Finally, take a piece of string and tie it around the bottom of your basket then hot glue the strings to the inside of the hot air balloon. Viola! You have a tiny hot air balloon ready to (figuratively) fly away.

Market Munch

More than anyone, parents know that adventures need snacks and there’s no better place to get them than a farmers market. The Market on Market is open for the season on Tuesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. at 2000 Chestnut St. (Trinity Lutheran Church parking lot) in Camp Hill. Featuring local bakeries, farm fresh fruits and veggies, food trucks and more, this is a perfect way to spend a warm early summer night. If weekends are more your style, the Box Lunch Review is happening June 12 and 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. These midday extravaganzas take place at Willow Park and feature local musicians. There are lunch options for purchase, or you can pack your own picnic with spoils from the farmers market.

Events like these don’t happen on their own, and Camp Hill borough is always seeking volunteers to help make them happen. Volunteers can help with set up, tear down, ticketing, information and other services. It’s a fantastic way to get your family involved in local events this summer. To learn more, fill out the community volunteer interest form on the Camp Hill borough website.

Run Wild

Just when I think I’ve uncovered all there is to discover around Harrisburg, another gem presents itself.

For a recent playdate, my family ventured to Adams-Ricci Park. This goliath of an open space boasts 82 acres for the community to play on. There are sports fields, batting cages, pavilions, a stage area for events, and an outdoor butterfly garden. Multiple playgrounds pepper the landscape, with the Panther Play Station designed specifically for children under 4 years old. The fun doesn’t end topside though, as there’s a pathway down to the Conodoguinet Creek where kids can splash and play in the water, search for crayfish, or observe growing tadpoles. To fish or boat the creek, you can haul your equipment down the incline at Adams-Ricci or there’s drive-up access at the next park down the road, Oyster Mill.

With so many natural places and incredible events happening along the banks of the Susquehanna, it seems the hardest part of the next few months may be finding free time. In my opinion, some of the best parts of summer are the unplanned moments, when real adventures happen.

Wherever you and your family find yourselves this summer, enjoy it. In the words of Dr. Seuss, “YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go!”

Market on Market is located at 2000 Chestnut St., Camp Hill. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Box Lunch Review takes place at Willow Park, N. 24th/25th and Market St., Camp Hill. For more information, visit Camp Hill’s website, below.

To volunteer with Camp Hill borough, visit their website www.camphillborough.com.

Adams-Ricci Park is located at 100 E. Penn Dr., Enola.

Oyster Mill Park is located at 1150 Oyster Mill Rd., Camp Hill.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

We Asked, You Answered: 4,000 people responded to a survey on the future of downtown Harrisburg. Now, it’s time to move ahead.

May 28, 2026 | by Ryan Unger

Photo by Michael Yatsko

About 100 days ago, a coalition of leaders from city, county and state government joined with the business community to begin building a long-term revitalization strategy for downtown Harrisburg. Every serious economic development planning effort like this starts the same way: you stop talking and start listening.

The vehicle was a community perception survey, a nationally recognized method for taking the temperature of how residents, workers, visitors and investors experience a place. Working with the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, we launched it online in mid-February. By April, 4,011 people had responded.

Four thousand people. At a time when civic cynicism is lurking in any comment section, that response is remarkable. And it tells you something important before you even look at a single data point: apathy is not our problem. One in five respondents said they want to be personally involved in the work ahead. That’s not just a survey result; it’s a community call to action.

The people behind the numbers matter too. Roughly half the respondents are city residents, with about a quarter of those living downtown. Forty-five percent are downtown workers, including nearly 1,000 state employees. Almost 3,000 reported that walking is their primary mode of getting around downtown. These aren’t drive-through opinions. These are people with a real vested interest in helping to improve downtown Harrisburg.

The survey surfaced real strengths, and, as I have mentioned in this space, we sometimes have a tendency of underselling those strengths. Respondents pointed to the architecture, the historic character and the riverfront as genuine assets. These are actual competitive advantages that other communities spend decades and millions trying to manufacture. Cultural institutions, the arts scene and restaurants continue to draw people and create activity. Walkability within our core remains a point of pride.

And beneath all of it, there was optimism. Frustrated optimism in some cases, but optimism nonetheless. People believe a turnaround is achievable. They said so, unprompted, several times throughout the survey.

Photo by Michael Yatsko

But the survey also confirmed what many of us already suspected. Downtown Harrisburg isn’t struggling because people don’t care—it’s struggling because some basic things aren’t working. Respondents were clear. The absence of everyday essentials like a grocery store or pharmacy makes downtown feel like a destination rather than a place to live. Parking continues to shape how people experience downtown, with respondents citing concerns around ease of use, communication and accessibility. Safety and cleanliness perceptions, particularly at night, keep people away who would otherwise be there.

The Pennsylvania Downtown Center, our partner in this process, synthesized the survey findings into five emerging revitalization themes.

First, reestablish downtown as a place for daily life, not just a dinner destination, but somewhere you can run errands, meet a need, and build a routine. Second, fix parking. This means working to make it more affordable, more intuitive, better communicated and more customer friendly. Third, improve both the reality and the perception of safety and cleanliness, with better lighting, visible presence and cleaner streets. Fourth, support a healthier and more diverse business ecosystem by reducing regulatory friction and actively recruiting and retaining the mix of businesses that make a downtown worth visiting. And fifth, create sustained energy through more housing, more events and more coordinated leadership. A better downtown won’t happen by accident. It requires a plan, a strategy and a coordinated urgency and collaboration among all of us.

The survey was step one. Now we take time to test these themes with other stakeholders. Focus groups are meeting to get a deeper understanding of the perspectives of all downtown users. At the end of June, we’re hosting public workshops throughout the city. These will be interactive sessions with breakout conversations, interactive exercises and real opportunities for residents to help shape what downtown Harrisburg looks like in the future. Stay tuned for the location and times for these workshops. They will be held during and after work to accommodate different schedules.

Four thousand people showed up and weighed in before we asked them to do anything. Imagine what’s possible when we turn that interest into momentum. In the short term, we have secured funding and are working in collaboration with city partners to bring something new and visible, fueled by community participation, to downtown streets in the months ahead. This program and subsequent activations will be designed to remind people why this place is worth showing up for. More details are coming soon. The work is just getting started. Follow it at www.DowntownHbg.com.

A past SoMa Block Party. Photo by Michael Yatsko Photography.

Ryan Unger is president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Roaming & Poeming: Through verse, Georgia Earp explores places, passions

May 28, 2026 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Georgia Masters Earp

“My poetry is a slow walk along the river, where the water may not be as shallow as it seems.”

Georgia Masters Earp, who writes under the pen name Lucy Sage, could have penned those lines from any number of places she has called home, but the Susquehanna River feels especially fitting. The sentiment also serves as a guide to her work. What may appear simple at first glance reveals greater emotional depth upon a closer read.

Earp, of Harrisburg, recently published her first book of poetry titled, “I Am from the 20th Century.” Like many who write, Earp began composing poetry at a young age, finding the act both expressive and cathartic—a theme that surfaces in the poem that inspired her book’s title. In it, she writes:

“I’m from mental illness and criticism
From a wounded mother and hardworking father”

In her collection of poetry, Earp isn’t shy about exposing her soft underbelly, not unlike that of the dogs she loves so deeply.

Global Path

Born in Philadelphia, Earp’s early years were marked by movement.

Her family relocated to Shiremanstown before heading overseas to the Philippines and Nigeria, where her father worked for the United Nations. Her education followed a similar global path, including two years at a boarding school in England, before returning stateside and attending Hershey High School.

In the mid-1960s, Earp dropped out of high school, drawn instead to the cultural energy of San Francisco. That decision set off a series of moves—to Vermont and Florida—after which she eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in arts education.

Later, she returned to Pennsylvania and completed a master’s degree in public administration at Penn State.

“I soon learned that public administration was not my strong suit, but public policy was,” Earp said. “So, that’s what I did for 30 years.”

She also started to paint again in the mid-1990s.

“I painted many watercolor portraits and have done a few oils,” she said, noting that her art is slated to be shown at Market Square Presbyterian Church in October.

Imagination & Memory

When asked where her artistic voice truly flourished, Earp points to St. Petersburg, Fla.—known as the “Sunshine City” for its average of 361 days of sunny weather per year.

She lived there from 2015 through 2023, immersing herself in visual and literary arts, attending poetry readings every Sunday in a courtyard, and creating watercolor portraits and abstract works in her home studio. Equally influential was the sense of community in the area.

“In St. Pete, I made lots of friends, workshopping my poems,” Earp said, referring to sessions organized by the “Keep St. Pete Lit” initiative.

Through the literary community there, Earp met the “Poetry Midwives,” a collective that focuses on helping poets refine and submit their work. Not long after, Earp achieved a milestone that many aspiring writers seek—securing a publisher. Kelsay Books in Utah selected her manuscript as part of a recent expansion of new authors.

Earp ultimately returned to Harrisburg, where she had built a long career as a research analyst for the state government. Still, the pull of imagination and memory often took her back to distant lands. In her poem, “Burlington Parade,” she writes:

“I could leave the ridiculous race,
Overseeing policy briefs
for state senators,
And go for a ride to a land
that does not exist in time
beyond my overcrowded mind.
I could dance the Tinikling
between bamboo sticks clapping in and out
and shout out hymns of joy.”

Heart & Soul

Now retired, Earp devotes more time to her writing and setting up readings at locations like the Market Square Presbyterian Church, Historic Harrisburg Association and the Art Association of Harrisburg.

Earp also maintains a Facebook page listed under Lucy Sage where upcoming readings are announced. She also maintains a Facebook group—Midtown Harrisburg Community Poetry—hoping to re-create what uplifted her poetry in St. Petersburg.

In the works is a memoir and another book of poetry she is working on with her nephew and that includes poems that her father wrote—works that will span three generations.

No matter where Earp has been, something always called her back to the Pennsylvania area. She explains that the job she did for so many years isn’t so far removed from what she is doing now.

“I have always been an analyst,” she said. “As a policy and research analyst, my job was cerebral. Writing is more from my heart and soul, but there is an analytical aspect to it as well. I love to slow down, observe what is around me, and describe what I am seeing and feeling, what is familiar and what is not.”

For more information on “I Am from the 20th Century,” visit www.kelsaybooks.com. Copies also can be found at brick-and-mortar and online booksellers. For more information on the author, visit the Facebook page, “Lucy Sage.” For more information on the Midtown Harrisburg Community Poetry group, visit their Facebook page.

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