Tag Archives: City Island

Here Comes Santa: Harrisburg unveils details of Saturday’s holiday parade

November 13, 2018 | by Lizzy Hardison

Officials from both Harrisburg and Christmas announced the details of Saturday’s holiday parade today.

Food trucks, marching bands and live reindeer will flood the streets of downtown Harrisburg this weekend for the city’s annual holiday parade, which will take place rain or shine on Saturday.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse announced details of the parade at a press conference this morning in city hall, where he was joined by performers and corporate sponsors.

“Events like this bring people to the city in droves,” Papenfuse said. “The city has improved so much in the past few years, and this is an opportunity to come together and celebrate the holiday.”

The $20,000 event budget was funded entirely by sponsorships, Papenfuse said.

The parade will begin at the Market Street Bridge at noon, traveling its customary route up 2nd Street to North Street, before continuing to Front Street and concluding on City Island.

This year’s theme is “A Storybook Season,” Papenfuse said. More than 90 parade entrants will provide entertainment, including marching bands, local celebrities, vintage and classic cars and costumed performers.

The procession will also feature giant inflatables, including a gingerbread man that requires 24 handlers, Papenfuse said.

Event highlights this year include a photo station with two live reindeer at State and 2nd streets.

Free carnival games will be stationed on Market Street between Front and 2nd streets for the duration of the parade, along with 10 food trucks offering everything from Brazilian cuisine to crab cakes.

A food guide with a complete list of menu items is available on www.harrisburgpa.gov.

The afternoon’s festivities also will be broadcast on Channel 20. Residents who don’t want to brave the cold can join the after-party at Strawberry Square beginning at 3 p.m.

There, revelers can take photos with Santa, enjoy complimentary cookies and hot chocolate, and watch encore performances from step teams, drill teams and marching bands.

The best teams as picked by a panel of judges will receive cash prizes, which range up to $500 and help performing groups purchase uniforms and instruments, Papenfuse said.

A new prize for the “best in theme” parade entry will also be awarded this year.

The Market Square garage will offer a $10 flat rate special for parade day. Motorists can also redeem four hours of free parking by using the promo code LUVHBG on the ParkMobile app.

The forecast is looking good for Saturday, Papenfuse said, currently calling for sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-40s.

Marathon Made: 100 runners shared a training program; their time has arrived.

October 31, 2018 | by Karen Hendricks

Members of the Fleet Feet Running Club train for the Harrisburg Marathon.

Trailblazing runner Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to compete in the Boston Marathon, once said, “If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon.”

Harrisburg-area residents can do exactly that this month when the 44th Annual Harrisburg Marathon winds through the city. Behind every one of Harrisburg’s 1,300 to 1,400 runners there’s a story—a motivation, a goal, perseverance in the form of months of training equaling hundreds of miles. It’s all done in pursuit of the one race that matters—the 26.2-mile marathon.

To understand the dedication and motivation propelling runners to the starting line, I joined the marathon-training program offered by Fleet Feet Mechanicsburg and owner/coach Fred Joslyn, which launched in June. Twice a week for the past five months, about 100 runners—50 in the marathon program, combined with 50 in the half-marathon program—gathered and ran under Joslyn’s guidance.

“One of the biggest things is camaraderie, being around people with like-minded goals,” said Joslyn. “They want to achieve something, you want to achieve something—that is contagious and motivates people in a positive way.”

From a home base of City Island, the Fleet Feet Running Club (FFRC) met at 7 a.m. every Sunday for long runs—starting at distances around eight miles and gradually working up to distances of 18 and 20 miles, usually winding around the Capital Area Greenbelt.

Wednesday evenings, meeting at Fleet Feet, runners launched into speedwork, drills and hill work—yes, that would be repeatedly running up hills. And yes, sometimes runners questioned their sanity.

Additionally, everyone ran on their own several days a week, following Joslyn’s spreadsheet training plan. As part of the training, Joslyn provided weekly tips on topics like endurance, hydration, fueling (eating) while running, positivity and more.

“My goal, when writing training plans, is to make it unique and engaging for people who have done it before and consistent enough that it will work,” said Joslyn, 34, of Mount Holly Springs.

The former college coach is an accomplished runner himself, winning the Harrisburg Marathon as recently as 2015 and numerous other races. He even represented the United States as part of the six-man World Championship-winning 50K team in 2016.

“He helps people whether they are brand new to running, giving them the regiment and training, or if someone is already advanced and wants to beat their PR (personal record),” said Tom Gifford, race director for the Harrisburg Marathon, which is organized by the Harrisburg Area YMCA. “He has the expertise.”

Very Positive

Most runners don’t win the first marathon they enter, but that’s exactly what happened to Greg Johnson of Dillsburg.

The 26-year-old (he’ll turn 27 the day of the Harrisburg Marathon) is a Fleet Feet employee and FFRC coach, former high school teacher and cross-country coach who won the Harrisburg Marathon in 2016 (his first) and again in 2017.

His 2018 goal is to win once more, possibly breaking his PR of 2:26:18. That’s two hours, 26 minutes and 18 seconds, which means he averaged a 5:59 pace—just under six minutes per mile.

Joslyn and Johnson have similar personalities—they are both accomplished runners yet very humble, which meant that some of their achievements had to be dragged out of them.

“There are many misconceptions about running—lots of people say they can’t do it but they probably could,” said Johnson. “People would surprise themselves.”

Michelle Howe, 51, of Dillsburg, started running 12 years ago in order to be fit at the age of 40. She lost about 60 pounds in the process and gained hundreds of running friends.

Howe, along with runner Mike Percherke, founded the informal, social group River Runners.

“Basically, so that nobody would have to run alone,” said Howe.

The Facebook group now includes a community of nearly 2,000 area runners.

Howe has completed four marathons, but that was before FFRC came to the area.

“I got injured in 2013 using a marathon training program pulled off the computer—not with a coach,” she said. “I don’t want to get injured again, and I want direction.”

This fall will mark her first marathon training cycle since her injury.

On a warm, humid morning, Howe and FFRC runners increased their “long run” distance to 16 miles along the Greenbelt.

“It was my longest run in five years, and I feel very positive,” Howe said.

Her Harrisburg Marathon goals?

“I would like to get a PR under 4:45, because I think I’ve gotten stronger,” Howe said. “But beyond that, I just want to finish and feel good.”

Supportive

John Adams, 49, of Mechanicsburg, began running three years ago to lose weight, keep up with his growing sons, and get back to a healthier lifestyle. Now, 50 pounds lighter, he’s one of FFRC’s first-time marathoners.

“If I’m going to do a marathon before I’m 50, it’s now or never,” said Adams.

He makes a similar joke about his marathon goal.

“Because the time limit is six hours, I joke that 5:59 is my goal,” he said. “But, honestly, I’ll just be happy to finish.”

He admitted that much of the FFRC training was tough, especially considering the heat and humidity through the summer into the fall.

“I wouldn’t have the discipline or motivation to train on my own, but if anybody can want to make you run 18 miles, it’s Fred,” said Adams. “I mean the guy has won every local marathon, and he still makes himself available to everyday runners like us, to help and answer our questions.”

Being a part of FFRC goes far beyond the technical training, he said.

“With running, you compete against each other, but yet everybody is supportive of each other,” he said. “In what other sport does that happen?”

The Enders Harrisburg Marathon takes place on Nov. 11. For more information, visit www.ymcarun.com.

Rollin’, Rollin’: After 30 years, the big wheel keeps on turning.

August 31, 2018 | by Diane McNaughton

Burg in Focus: The Pride of the Susquehanna from GK Visual on Vimeo.

It’s a boat. It’s a stage. It’s … a floating candy cane?

That term of endearment has been bestowed upon the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat by Executive Director Jason Meckes, who is helping to steer the celebration of the red-and-white vessel’s 30th anniversary.

The path to the big 3-0 has been anything but smooth, as the boat has sputtered through funding woes, repeated flooding, structural issues, bad press and an array of other unforeseen shoals.

To celebrate a life that has seen a million passengers transported on the authentic paddlewheel-driven boat since 1988, a gala is planned for Sept. 22 at the state Capitol.

Meckes, with a youthful energy and smooth, velvety voice, said the gala will have a “Choose Your Own Adventure” format.

For a $75 ticket price, guests will enjoy great food, cocktails, historical photographs, a silent auction, contests, picture-taking and an awards presentation. Jack Brubaker, author of a well-received book about the Susquehanna River, will be the keynote speaker.

Meckes said the nonprofit Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society, which built and now manages the local treasure, only holds a gala about once every five years, so the time is now to help paddle the beloved vessel into a secure future.

Just Adorable

Around Harrisburg, the launch of the riverboat in late April has come to represent the unofficial start of the outdoors season.

From its dock on City Island, the Pride begins its schedule of daily cruises, slotting in a variety of specialty events, including murder-mystery cruises, elegant dinner cruises, brews cruises, blues cruises, fundraisers, weddings and even pirate-and-princess cruises for the little tikes. The 60 seats fill up fast. The boat is largely funded through ticket sales, with donations and grants to buoy up the finances.

Meckes said that pirate cruises are an especially popular new offering. Kids come on board dressed as pirates, armed with squirt guns. After a fill of pizza, soda and ice cream, an announcement rings out that pirates have been spotted in the water. An oncoming boat (usually carrying riverboat board members) and plumes of smoke on the water are seen, and the little Jack Sparrows have a chance to fend off the oncoming menace with squirt guns and water balloons. Meckes said the county’s 911 center has even received calls from concerned citizens, reporting pirate activity on the Susquehanna.

Princess rides are also held, attracting a pageant of Elsas and Ariels who walk majestically down the red carpet as they hear their names announced. The princesses sing, do crafts, get temporary tattoos and are made to feel extra-special, Meckes said.

“It’s just adorable,” he said. “Though it does take us some time to get the glitter out of the boat.”

As a graduate of Millersburg University with a degree in elementary education, Meckes still loves to teach. The Pride has hosted students of the Harrisburg school district for free, as well as many Susquehanna River School outings.

The Pride is especially popular with sightseers. Meckes estimates that 60 percent of riders are local, while 40 percent hail from outside the “717.” Forty thousand riders took the Pride last year, with 16 countries represented.

Visitors, he said, are attracted not just by the scenery and the parties, but by the old-timey technology of propellers and rudders.

“The river is so placid that we can get away with historic propulsion,” Meckes said.

He has his own personal and professional pride in the one-of-a-kind mahogany and brass interior, with its antique brass rails and stained glass on the ceiling. The boat is filled with historical artifacts, such as the Queen Mary’s cabin doors.

Riders may not see Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn on the banks of the river, but you feel like you could.

“I find the entire concept (of a riverboat) to be fascinating,” Meckes said. “It is a picture into nautical history.”

Paddles On

The now 91-year-old Jack Dillman is among the men at the heart of the boat’s history and is its training coordinator. He once captained the Millersburg Ferry, north of Harrisburg.

“There is no one, living or dead, who knows more about this river than Jack Dillman,” Meckes said.

Another local legend is Mike Trephan, who helped get the boat built and remains a rock star in the riverboat’s colorful history.

“We wanted the boat to serve the community when we built it,” Meckes said. “It represents the creativity of Harrisburg.”

The season goes full throttle through the summer and usually ends around the second week of November. Any longer, and the river could be frozen. At that time, the National Guard moves the boat out of the river, using their tank removal crews in a training exercise that is beneficial for both parties.

But all is not smooth sailing. Through the three decades, it has cost more and more to maintain the boat, both during the on- and off-season.

Meckes noted that the Pride is 30 years old, but the average life span of a boat is 25 years, meaning that constant maintenance is required. Moreover, the heavy rains and flash floods of July and August damaged both the boat and dock.

“There is no guarantee we will come back every year,” Meckes said somberly. “We are more reliant on grants, donations and the good will of the community than ever.”

Nonetheless, he hopes for a safe, placid future for the city’s beloved “candy cane.” After 30 years, people still come, and, each season, the riverboat paddles on.

The Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society Anniversary Gala will be held Sept. 22 inside the state Capitol. For more information, visit www.riverboatgala.com or www.harrisburgriverboat.com.

Food, fireworks, fun–Kipona returns for Labor Day weekend

August 24, 2018 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse speaks at a press conference introducing this weekend’s Kipona Festival, surrounded by festival participants and sponsors.

It’s almost Labor Day, which can only mean one thing in Harrisburg—Kipona is right around the corner.

The three-day, annual tribute to all-things-river kicks off this Saturday, Sept. 1, featuring a blend of the new and the tried-and-true in Riverfront Park and on City Island.

“This is an incredibly important event for Harrisburg,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse at a press conference on Wednesday. “It allows us to show off the city to everyone.”

Kipona costs about $100,000 to put on, but the total cost is borne by sponsors, he said. Some of those sponsors, such as the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, were in attendance at the press conference, held in stifling heat outside of city hall.

“Not a single dollar is a taxpayer dollar,” Papenfuse said. “It’s a real economic catalyst for the city, especially for the downtown.”

For the first time, Kipona will feature a mobile “escape room,” in which visitors must solve a mystery in order to leave. The activity, sponsored by Harrisburg Escape Rooms, will feature a zombie-themed puzzle with an “actual” zombie.

Other recent additions are returning, including wire-walkers over the Susquehanna River and a beer garden featuring products from Harrisburg-based craft brewers, Zeroday Brewing Co. and The Millworks.

This year, the wire-walkers are adding an illuminated tight-wire walk over the river starting at 8:15 p.m. on Saturday. Following that event, Midtown Cinema will show a free outdoor movie, the 2017 Disney/Pixar animated fantasy film, “Coco.”

And, of course, tradition will carry on with canoe races, a Native American pow-wow, music, a children’s festival, an artist village and more than 120 vendors selling food, crafts and other goods.

Then, naturally, there will be fireworks, which will fire off at about 8:15 p.m. on Sunday. Kipona, as usual, will wrap up on Monday, Labor Day.

Street parking on Sunday and Monday will be free. Parking on City Island will be $5. SP Plus will provide $10 special event parking in the Market Square garage from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. As always, you can get four hours of free street parking on Saturday by using the code “LUVHBG” in the ParkMobile App.

High water forces Pride to extend service suspension

August 16, 2018 | by Lawrance Binda

High water has cut off the Pride of the Susquehanna dock from City Island.

The Pride of the Susquehanna will be out of service through the weekend, as high water continues to plague its operations.

Originally, the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society had hoped to sail again on Friday. But continued high water has made that impossible, forcing a schedule suspension through Sunday, according to the society.

The Susquehanna River peaked at about midday on Thursday at 13.63 feet at Harrisburg, according to the National Weather Service. At 7 p.m., it stood at 13.1 feet.

However, the Pride’s dock still was submerged early Thursday evening, and, to ensure its safety, the riverboat itself remained docked at Sanctuary Island, upriver from its base on City Island.

The Pride has lost some six weeks of sailing since its season began in April, placing its finances in a precarious position. To book a future cruise or make a donation, visit the Pride’s website.

Grounded Again: High water halts Harrisburg’s riverboat for third time

August 14, 2018 | by Lawrance Binda

The Pride of the Susquehanna riverboat churns past the city.

Once again, the Susquehanna River is rising in Harrisburg, which means the Pride of the Susquehanna has been forced out of service.

The iconic red-and-white riverboat today was moved to Sanctuary Island north of its home on City Island to wait out the high water.

“Words cannot express how disappointed we all are over this latest bout with flooding,” said board Chair Deb Donahue. “This is the third time this year that all scheduled cruises have had to be cancelled.”

Late Tuesday, the water level rose above the “action stage” of 11 feet as measured from the gauge in Harrisburg. The National Weather Service forecasts the river to peak at nearly 15 feet around midday on Thursday before falling back again. In Harrisburg, the flood level starts at 17 feet, but the Pride’s dock on City Island is inundated well below that mark.

The Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society, which operates the riverboat over its six-month season, has now lost six weeks of sailing since April. Donahue said that the loss of revenue, as well as dock repairs, has put a tremendous financial strain on the nonprofit organization.

Donahue said she hopes that the Pride will be able to resume scheduled cruises and sightseeing tours for the weekend. For more information on cruises or to make a donation, call 717-234-6500 or visit website.

City Island opens earlier than expected following flooding

July 27, 2018 | by Lawrance Binda

This shot of the Market Street Bridge was taken at near-peak flood level yesterday.

Harrisburg’s City Island will reopen today at 4 p.m., earlier than previously anticipated, the city announced late this afternoon.

Water Golf, the miniature golf course on City Island, will open at 4 p.m. But the Harrisburg Senators game that was originally scheduled for tonight will still be postponed until 6 p.m. tomorrow, according to a team spokesperson.

“We already cancelled the game, and we can’t [reverse] that,” said Jessica Moyer, senior sales director with the Senators.

Tonight’s forecast calls for scattered thunderstorms, but Fire Chief Brian Enterline does not expect them to significantly impact the river’s water level.

Enterline added that, at this point, his greatest concern was that high winds accompanying a thunderstorm could knock down water-logged trees.

“We have crews ready to quickly clean up fallen trees or debris that might block roadways,” he said.

Two days ago, the National Weather Service forecast that the Susquehanna River would peak at almost 20 feet, which would have inundated much of the island. However, in the end, the river peaked yesterday afternoon at 17.32 feet, which is just above flood stage in Harrisburg.

Since then, the water level has fallen rapidly and now stands at about 13 feet. The National Weather Service predicts that it will fall below the “action” level of 11 feet by Sunday afternoon.

This story was corrected to reflect that the Harrisburg Senators will be playing on Saturday, not Friday night as Harrisburg officials previously announced.

Flooding forecast worsens for Harrisburg, surrounding areas.

July 25, 2018 | by Lawrance Binda

The rising Susquehanna River at Front and Maclay streets in Harrisburg.

The Susquehanna River is forecast to peak at nearly 20 feet on Friday morning, the highest river levels since the severe flooding of 2011.

Over the last several days, the National Weather Service has consistently nudged up its river-level forecast, which, two days ago, stood at 17 feet.

In Harrisburg, the flood level for the Susquehanna River is 17 feet. Currently, it stands at about 12 feet.

According to the National Weather Service, at 19 feet, “a number of homes in West Fairview, Dauphin and Harrisburg flood. Flood waters begin to reach Front Street in East Pennsboro Township in Cumberland County.” At 20 feet, Riverfront Park in Harrisburg begins to flood, as do some basements in flood-prone areas.

The National Weather Service said that the river should crest Friday morning before beginning to recede, returning to sub-flood levels by Saturday morning.

In Harrisburg, the most vulnerable areas for flooding include City Island, Shipoke, parts of Uptown and near Cameron and Market streets.

The National Weather Service’s hydrological chart shows a Susquehanna River peak in Harrisburg at almost 20 feet on Friday morning.

The Susquehanna River last overflowed its banks in 2011, when it flooded three times, including in September when Tropical Storm Lee caused widespread flooding in the greater Harrisburg area as the river level reached 25.1 feet. Paxton Creek similarly caused severe flooding along the Cameron Street corridor.

In eastern Dauphin County, the Swatara Creek is already above its flood stage of 11 feet near Middletown. It currently stands at about 14 feet and is expected to crest at near 17.7 feet by tomorrow night before beginning to fall, according to the National Weather Service.

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that he and Fire Chief Brian Enterline will hold a public update on the flooding situation late this afternoon on City Island.

Green Days: Thanks Nat Geo, but please come back in a few years.

May 31, 2018 | by Lawrance Binda

Illustration by Rich Hauck

Is Harrisburg really one of America’s “top-10” greenest cities?

According to National Geographic, it is. The stalwart nature magazine recently named Harrisburg as a top city in the nation for the amount of green space in its limits.

On a grass/dirt/tree basis, Harrisburg does do pretty well. The city is a mere 12 square miles, and tucked within it are several large, gorgeous parks: Riverfront Park, City Island, Italian Lake, Wildwood and Reservoir parks. Four square miles is water, similarly beautiful, with an abundance of wildlife and flora spreading across the Susquehanna River and over to Wildwood and Italian lakes.

I don’t wish to diminish this natural splendor or take away from the City Beautiful visionaries, 100 years gone, who are largely responsible for our bounty.

However, on a daily basis, Harrisburg doesn’t feel particularly green. In fact, it often seems quite the opposite—with block after block of asphalt and concrete, cars and hardscape.

This is because, while the city is abundantly green in total acreage, much of that natural wonder is confined to its edges, particularly near and along the river.

So, one can walk east, away from Riverfront Park, and encounter nothing but sidewalks, streets and curbs until, if you aim correctly, you might run into Reservoir Park a half-hour later. But you also might get stopped cold, since the lower part of the city and Allison Hill are mostly cut off from each other by the hard steel of railroad tracks and the imposing car canyon of Cameron Street.

Also, while Harrisburg’s parks are green, its streets are not. Its tree canopy is thin, its traffic-choked roads are forbidding and too many areas, particularly near Cameron Street, are loud, blighted and unpleasant.

So, we have a lot of work to do. But the good news is that the wheels are in motion for a much greener city.

As reported in TheBurg in April, Harrisburg is engaged in a multi-year effort to restore its tree canopy. Moreover, groups like Friends of Midtown, the Capital Area Greenbelt Association, Capital Region Water and others have long-term projects to help soften the landscape. Road improvements, such as the current 3rd Street corridor project and the proposal to turn 2nd Street back to a two-way flow, contain greening and traffic-calming components, which should make Harrisburg more livable and less auto-addled.

The most promising development is also the most ambitious.

In March, the state released the Paxton Creek Restoration Master Plan, which envisions a restored, more natural creek, banks and bed. That plan would free the waterway from its century-old, concrete tomb, turning much of the immediate area into parkland. This would add a vital strip of green to the center of the city, breaking up the harsh urban landscape and helping to tie together the city’s two opposing sections, now sliced apart by Cameron Street. The plan also would remove 133 acres from the 100-year floodplain, making the blighted brownfields in and around Market Street developable again.

Also in March, TheBurg reported that the Capital Region Economic Development Corp. (CREDC) had purchased 21.3 acres of industrial brownfields off of Cameron that once housed the sprawling Harrisburg Steel Co. Under the Paxton Creek Plan, that land will become part of the future Paxton Creek Park, a plan that the city is enthusiastically embracing.

According to the state, this plan will take four to five years of preliminary work before construction can even begin. But that would be a game-changer for a greener, more livable and more unified Harrisburg.

I feel a little guilty about the National Geographic ranking. I can imagine some wide-eyed eco-tourist coming here this summer, that beautiful Nat Geo picture of a lazy Susquehanna swimming in his head. Then he hits the light at Cameron and Market, stares at the trucks, traffic and post-industrial blight, and thinks to himself, “Am I in the right place?”

So, maybe, on paper, we’ve earned the title of green city, but, on the ground, we still have a long way to go. I just wish I could tell that disillusioned visitor that, yes, someday we will own that honor.

We finally will complete the painful, decades-long transition from smoke-belching, steel-making powerhouse to a small, clean capital city that complements its river, lakes and parks. It is fitting that the most radical evidence may be a free-flowing Paxton Creek, set off by a meandering strip of green, located in the hard heart of the city’s industrial past.

Lawrance Binda is editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

Beer Week Me: The annual tribute to local craft beer goes another round.

March 30, 2018 | by Norah Griffiths Johnson

Burg in Focus: Harrisburg Beer Week from GK Visual on Vimeo.

We made it through the doldrums of February and the manic weather mood swings of March. Now, in April, our collective reward for perseverance comes in the form of—beer.

Yes, Harrisburg Beer Week is back, the lovechild of a small team of locals who harbor a deep affection for PA’s capital city and local craft beer (though possibly not in that order). Happening the final week of April, Harrisburg Beer Week includes more than 150 events at area breweries, restaurants and venues—from small batch tastings to special releases, from meet-the-brewer opportunities to even a “Stranger Things”-themed costume party (yes, beer will be involved).

Among this flurry of craft beer-related offerings are several signature events. There’s a VIP kick-off party to thank sponsors and a Little Big Beer Fest, which is a tasting celebration showcasing high-ABV (alcohol-by-volume) brews from more than 25 area breweries. The latter of these, plus the Battle of the Homebrewers, is particularly unique to Harrisburg Beer Week.

“Battle,” as those in the know call it, features some 70-plus home brews (and their makers) competing under one tent in the courtyard of the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg. Ticketholders and judges vote on their favorites and prizes are awarded.

“If you really want to try something unusual and different, the Battle of the Home Brewers is a must,” said Sara Bozich, a founding member of the Harrisburg Beer Week team.

Bozich explained that, because home brewers work with significantly smaller quantities, they have the ability to experiment with a wide range of unusual ingredients that large-scale breweries—due to cost—simply cannot use.

In past years, participating home brewers have brought with them anything from a Bloody Mary beer (an award winner, in fact), to a peanut butter brew, in addition to some delightful sour brews that drew enthusiasm from event attendees. Some market vendors also will be open, complete with special, beer-themed foods for purchase. Did someone say beer fudge?

Both Battle of the Homebrewers and Little Big Beer Fest quickly sell out annually, so advance purchase is recommended. Rounding out the 10-day extravaganza is a mini-golf tournament and an after-party on City Island. This year, the tournament will be held on Sunday, April 29, to allow families to attend.

In addition to Beer Week’s many events, the 717 Collaboration is back. Since the event’s inception, local breweries Tröegs, Pizza Boy and Appalachian Brewing Co. have teamed up to create a signature collaboration beer. New this year, and going forward, an additional brewery will be added to keep things interesting. The end result of this year’s creative endeavor will be available at all participating event locations.

Perhaps the best reason of all to support Harrisburg Beer Week (beyond all the delicious beer, obviously) is that all proceeds go to Harrisburg River Rescue and Emergency Services. Founded more than 60 years ago, this all-volunteer organization plays a pivotal role in the community, providing emergency search and rescue services, as well as support to first responders for fires, floods, accidents and other disasters.

To date, the event has raised a whopping $85,000 in support of the River Rescue, with this number estimated to round out to a cool $100,000 in 2018. The money has helped the volunteers make significant improvements to their headquarters, which was devastated by Tropical Storm Lee in 2011.

Other means of fundraising include a digital raffle, available online throughout April, and a tag up program at most event establishments. The digital raffle is not to be missed, with enviable prizes like the chance to design your own beer with the Zeroday Brewing Co. folks, a van tour of local breweries for you and your friends, and even a tuition discount to HACC’s Brewing Science certificate program.

Harrisburg Beer Week runs April 20 to 29 at locations throughout central Pennsylvania. For more information, including a long list of events, visit harrisburgbeerweek.com.

PA Flavorful

Looking to combine your love of area chefs’ culinary inspiration and craft beer and wine? Then look no further than PA Flavor, taking place April 21 at the PA Farm Show Complex. Now in its eighth year, this event provides attendees with the opportunity to sample the “A” game of more than 50 breweries and wineries and 18 area restaurants.

Presented through a partnership of the Brewers of PA, Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association (PRLA), American Culinary Federation and the state Department of Agriculture’s PA Preferred Program, PA Flavor, at its core, is a fundraiser.

Heidi Howard, with PRLA, explained that her organization’s share of the PA Flavor proceeds goes towards helping students in the hospitality industry further their education. Each year, PA Flavor enables PRLA to award tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship funds.

“It’s the future of the industry and so important,” Howard said.

Interestingly, PA Flavor and Harrisburg Beer Week (which will have a booth at the event) coincide with one another. This is no coincidence. Three years ago, the events’ organizers began scheduling things to fall at the same time and have found it to be—rather appropriately—a natural pairing.

“I can’t say enough about the partnership that we have with the folks who launched Harrisburg Beer Week,” said Howard. “We have definitely seen an uptick in attendance since that partnership began three years ago. And we’re really appreciative of that.”

Tickets to PA Flavor vary in price, but include VIP and designated driver options. VIP ticketholders will enjoy a private hour in the event hall, with butler-passed and stationary hors d’oeuvres and specialty and small-batch craft beers available only to them.

PA Flavor takes place April 21 at the PA Farm Show Complex, Cameron and Maclay streets, Harrisburg. For more information, visit paflavor.com.

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