Moviate Underground Film Festival to return to Harrisburg this weekend

May 27, 2026 | by Rosena Campana

Moviate poster by Andrew Hearst.

Get your popcorn ready.

The 27th Annual Moviate Film Festival will take place on May 28 to 31 at Midtown Cinema and feature more than 60 films from 15 countries, with 13% of the movies being screened on real film.

Many of the selected films are new and classic documentaries. Caleb Smith, co-founder of Moviate highlighted several of the weekend’s showings as can’t miss events.

“You’re going to see someone’s personal creativity along with their vision, whether it’s a five-minute animation or a 90-minute documentary,” Smith said.

On Thursday, May 28, musicians Glenn Jones and Liam Grant will perform live original scores to two of their films, “The River” and “The Plow that Broke the Plains,” at 7 p.m. As they’ve been touring around the east coast, they will not be performing the original score to these films anywhere else but in here in Harrisburg, Smith noted.

The weekend continues Friday, May 29 with a 40th anniversary screening of the 1986 documentary “Heavy Metal Parking Lot,” featuring director Jeff Krulik in attendance. The screening is co-presented by local business Tattoo Punks.

“Jeff will present previously unseen footage, including interviews with the band Judas Priest related to the film,” Smith said.

On Saturday, May 30, Colombian filmmaker Chris Gude’s “Morichales” will screen in partnership with Harrisburg-based Elementary Coffee Co., whose coffee is largely sourced from Colombia.

“The film is a stunning portrait of the workers in Venezuela who are trying to mine for gold. It’s a really beautiful film,” Smith said.

The festival concludes Sunday, May 31, with a screening of “Barbara Forever,” accompanied by New York City filmmakers Lynne Sachs and Mark Street in partnership with the LGBT Center of Central PA.

“Lynne and Mark worked with Barbara for many years and were close friends with her,” Smith said. “She was very enigmatic and creative and had documented a lot of her life as she was making films. This film just came out this year, so I’m excited that Lynne and Mark will introduce it.”

In addition to spotlighting unique indie films, Smith also sees the festival as an avenue for connection.

“With the emergence of artificial intelligence and the silo effect of people being on their phones, there’s a feeling of isolation. When you go to Midtown Cinema, you can meet other people, chat and experience the film together,” he said.

Student rush tickets cost $5, matinee short film blocks cost $10, daytime passes cost $15, and evening films cost $12. For more information, visit Moviate’s website.

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From Vision to Reality: Inside Harrisburg’s Whole-Home Renovation Process With Local Design-Build Experts

May 27, 2026 | by Admin

For many homeowners throughout the greater Harrisburg region, a whole-home renovation is more than a construction project — it is an investment in family, community and long-term quality of life. Finding a top-rated contractor with a strong local reputation is often the first and most important step.

It’s helpful to know how the design-build renovation process works and what homeowners should ask before hiring a contractor. Here’s why firms such as Creative Building Concepts have become trusted names for people seeking craftsmanship, communication and transparency throughout central Pennsylvania.

Why Are Harrisburg Families Reimagining Their Homes?

Across Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster and York counties, more homeowners are choosing to renovate instead of relocate. Rising home values, evolving family needs and the desire to preserve the character of established neighborhoods are all driving interest in whole-house renovations throughout central Pennsylvania.

In communities filled with historic charm and deeply rooted families, homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to modernize older properties while maintaining the architectural character that makes neighborhoods unique. Open concept kitchens, expanded family gathering spaces, finished basements and updated primary suites are among the most requested improvements.

According to Ross Garner, co-owner of Creative Building Concepts, “Feeling like your home no longer fits your lifestyle often signals a need for change. Maybe your kitchen seems outdated, or your basement feels like wasted space. The thought of transforming your home can be exciting, but it also comes with concerns about disruption, unpredictable timelines and unexpected costs.”

Those concerns are familiar to many homeowners in the Harrisburg region. Large-scale renovations often involve coordinating architects, designers, subcontractors, permits and timelines. Without the right partner, projects can quickly become stressful, expensive and difficult to manage.

That is one reason many local homeowners are turning to design-build firms that streamline the process from concept through construction.

Image: Creative Building Concepts’ whole house transformation project.

What Is the Design-Build Process for a Whole-Home Renovation?

The design-build model combines design, planning and construction under one team, creating a single point of accountability for homeowners. Instead of separately hiring an architect, interior designer and contractor, people work with one integrated company that manages every stage of the project from start to finish.

The approach has gained significant momentum nationally because it reduces communication gaps, improves collaboration and aligns budgets from the beginning. The Design-Build Institute of America reports that “design-build is now the fastest-growing and most commonly used project delivery method in the United States.” That’s because homeowners and property owners value efficiency, streamlined communication and shared accountability.

For Harrisburg-area homeowners, that can mean fewer surprises and a more organized experience during a complex renovation.

Creative Building Concepts uses a collaborative design-build approach that guides clients through discovery meetings, conceptual planning, material selections, budgeting and construction management. Ben Havens, co-owner and head of field operations at Creative Building Concepts, says, “Each space in your home is unique. Whether you’re dreaming of cooking in a modern kitchen or relaxing in a spa-like bathroom, understanding what to expect helps you plan properly.”

Rather than juggling multiple vendors and schedules independently, homeowners have one central team overseeing timelines, craftsmanship and communication.

This model is especially valuable for whole-home renovations where kitchens, bathrooms, additions and structural changes often overlap. Coordinating those moving parts through a unified team can help reduce delays and keep decisions aligned with the homeowner’s original vision.

What Questions Should Homeowners Ask a Potential Renovation Contractor?

Choosing a contractor for a whole-home renovation is one of the biggest decisions homeowners can make. Industry organizations such as the National Association of the Remodeling Industry encourage people to carefully evaluate contractors before signing an agreement.

Before reviewing specific qualifications, homeowners should understand how a contractor approaches communication, planning and long-term project management. Those details often shape the renovation experience as much as the finished work itself.

Here are several important questions Harrisburg-area homeowners should ask before beginning a major renovation.

Review Local Reputation and Testimonials

Homeowners should start by looking for contractors with consistent reviews from local clients. Testimonials that mention communication, professionalism, cleanliness and follow-through often provide insight into how a company operates during a lengthy renovation.

It’s also important to look beyond star ratings alone. Reading detailed reviews and asking for local references can help people better understand how contractors handle challenges, timelines and customer concerns.

Evaluate Completed Renovation Projects

Before hiring a renovation team, homeowners should review projects that closely match their goals and expectations.

A contractor’s portfolio can reveal far more than polished photography. It’s helpful to look for projects similar in size, style and scope to renovation plans.

Creative Building Concepts showcases a variety of projects through its online gallery, including custom kitchens, whole-home transformations and modernized living spaces throughout the region.

Reviewing completed work allows homeowners to evaluate craftsmanship and design consistency. It also helps them understand the contractor’s ability to blend modern functionality with the character of older homes commonly found throughout the Harrisburg area.

Image: Creative Building Concepts’ basement transformation project.

Verify Local Experience and Licensing

Building requirements can vary significantly between municipalities across Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster and surrounding counties. Experienced local contractors understand regional permitting processes, inspections and code requirements.

Homeowners should verify that contractors are properly licensed and insured in Pennsylvania and ask how the company manages permits and inspections during construction. Resources through the Pennsylvania Builders Association can help homeowners understand contractor standards and industry expectations within the state.

Understand Communication and Project Management

Strong communication often determines whether a renovation feels organized or overwhelming. Homeowners should ask how often updates will be provided, who the primary point of contact is and how project decisions are documented.

Strong project management helps reduce confusion when schedules shift or material selections change. Design-build firms often streamline communication because the design and construction teams work together throughout the process.

For families living in their homes during construction, that level of organization can significantly reduce stress.

What Does a Whole-Home Transformation in Harrisburg Look Like?

Image: Creative Building Concepts’ transformation project.

One example of the design-build process in action can be seen through Creative Building Concepts’ featured portfolio renovations, including projects such as The Westover and The Lampeter.

In one featured transformation, homeowners wanted to modernize an outdated layout while preserving the warmth and character of the original home. The existing space felt closed off, storage was limited, and the kitchen no longer functioned well for entertaining or daily family life.

Through the design-build process, the renovation team developed an updated floor plan that improved traffic flow, increased natural light and created more functional gathering spaces throughout the home. Material selections were coordinated early in the process to align with both the homeowners’ aesthetic goals and project budget.

The finished renovation blended craftsmanship with functionality, incorporating custom cabinetry, updated finishes and cohesive living spaces designed for long-term comfort.

The project also demonstrated the value of having one integrated team manage both design and construction. Rather than navigating multiple vendors independently, homeowners were able to move through planning, approvals and construction with a centralized process and clear communication.

Image: Creative Building Concepts’ home addition project.

How Do Homeowners Get a Quote From a Top-Rated Renovation Contractor?

For homeowners considering a whole-home renovation in the Harrisburg region, the process typically begins with an initial consultation. During that meeting, contractors often discuss project goals, lifestyle needs, timelines and preliminary budget expectations.

Homeowners should prepare inspiration photos, lists of priorities and questions about communication, scheduling and construction phases before the first meeting.

A design-build contractor will generally evaluate the existing home, discuss conceptual ideas and outline the next steps for planning and budgeting. The goal of the early consultation is much more than just providing a price. It also establishes whether the homeowner and contractor are the right fit for a long-term renovation partnership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Homeowners with more questions about whole-home remodeling in central Pennsylvania can find their answers here.

Who are the best contractors for a full-house remodel in Harrisburg?

Homeowners often look for contractors with strong local reviews, transparent communication, proven portfolios and experience managing large-scale renovations.

How can people verify a contractor is licensed and insured in Pennsylvania?

Homeowners can request proof of insurance directly from the contractor and verify registration information through state resources and professional organizations, such as the Pennsylvania Builders Association.

What is a realistic timeline for a whole-home renovation?

Timelines vary depending on the size and complexity of the renovation, permit approvals, material availability and structural changes. Whole-home renovations can take several months, particularly when kitchens, additions and major layout changes are involved. Working with an organized design-build team can help streamline scheduling and communication throughout the project.

Building a Home for the Future

Image: Creative Building Concepts’ maximize living space project.

A whole-home renovation gives Harrisburg-area homeowners the opportunity to create spaces that better reflect how they live today while preserving the character and connections they value in their communities. The right design-build partner enables them to approach the renovation process with greater confidence, clearer communication and a long-term vision for the future of their home.

About the Author

Eloise Badenhorst is a digital analyst at an award-winning agency with a journalism degree, two postgraduate degrees in translation and professional writing and visual studies, and a professional certification in digital marketing. With 18 years of writing experience and more than five years covering community news, local business, and regional culture, she brings a deep understanding of what makes vibrant local communities thrive.

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Broad Street Market hosts wedding; hopes events will boost revenue, community engagement

May 27, 2026 | by Maddie Gittens

Hannah Witwer and Brian Omino celebrated their wedding reception at the Broad Street Market. Photo by Sarah Beth Creative LLC.

Harrisburg residents Hannah Witwer and Brian Omino were already big fans of the Broad Street Market, but after this month, the market holds even more meaning.

The couple celebrated their wedding at the market in May, bringing their relationship, which began at the market, full circle.

“It was everything we wanted it to be,” Witwer said. “It felt like we were walking into a place we call home. It made me love the market even more.”

Witwer said the couple was first introduced through friends and soon after ran into each other at the market, a favorite lunch spot for both of them. That interaction sparked the beginning of what would eventually become a relationship, Witwer said.

With their history in mind, it only made sense to celebrate their marriage at the place it all began.

The Broad Street Market has recently ramped up hosting events, as a way to bring a new revenue source to the market, which has struggled financially, and to inspire community connection, according to market director Cherri Parks-Taylor.

Over the past few months, Parks-Taylor brought in community groups, nonprofits and residents for Christmas parties, annual meetings and other occasions, asking them to help her trial the market as an event space. So far, the response has been great. In just one week, the market hosted a comedy show, menu tasting and Witwer and Omino’s wedding.

While all the events had gone smoothly up until this point, throwing a wedding reception was a whole different experience.

Witwer and Parks-Taylor worked together, bouncing ideas off each other and practicing staging the market for the big day. Even market vendors volunteered—vendors who would not be open on the day of the wedding and were not getting paid to help. Tep’s Fresh Seafood owner Tito Tep and his wife Pam donated décor from their daughter’s recent wedding and helped on the day of, along with Tatiana Roberts of Marie’s Kitchen.

Brian and Hannah with guests during their wedding reception. Photo by Sarah Beth Creative LLC.

“I was so impressed with how it all came together in such a little amount of time,” Parks-Taylor said.

For the reception, the market was transformed, with elegantly dressed tables, floral arrangements, white draped linens, a photobooth and DJ booth.

“I walked in and my jaw just dropped,” Witwer said. “It was so magical.”

Market vendor Yum, Yum! served burritos, rice and beans, chips and other food to guests, while Zeroday poured drinks. Vendor Diaspora provided flower planters.

Parks-Taylor said that the market community pitching in to help is simply their nature. To Witwer, it made her special day even better.

“I felt loved by the community,” she said. “I can’t say enough about how wonderful it was.”

Parks-Taylor hopes that as people begin to see photos and hear stories from events, like Witwer and Omino’s wedding reception, the community will see the market as a venue.

Inside Broad Street Market decorated for wedding reception. Photo by Sarah Beth Creative LLC.

“My hope is that it will open people’s eyes to the market as an event space,” she said. “I think there’s a market for us to make additional revenue.”

Since the 2023 fire that closed the market’s brick building, the market has struggled financially due to decreased vendors and foot traffic. In recent months, they’ve relied on grant funding and this year have a budget deficit.

However, the Broad Street Market Alliance, the nonprofit board that runs the market, has been working to create new revenue streams. Creating financial sustainability has been especially important to Parks-Taylor, as well as several new board members. The alliance recently installed a TV screen in the market that displays paid advertising, and at monthly meetings, the board has discussed ideas for sponsorships, grants and soliciting city funds.

Most recently, the board expressed its intention to lobby Harrisburg to include a regular line item in its annual budget to support the market. The city is the owner of the market buildings, but the nonprofit board controls all operations. While the city is footing the cost of the brick building rehab after the fire, Harrisburg has not historically included an allotment for building maintenance in its yearly budget.

Events, however, have been the big push for now, something that is within the market’s control and that has shown early positive results.

At a May board meeting, Tep spoke passionately about the new events initiative.

“I just feel that it’s always been in front of us,” he said. “The biggest asset is the market itself.”

Witwer would agree.

“The building is beautiful, and you can do so much with the space,” she said.

Outside of the Broad Street Market on the day of the wedding.

The market has an event inquiry form on its website. People interested in hosting an event at the market, can visit their website.

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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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