Join the City of Harrisburg for the 107th annual Kipona Festival on September 2-4, 2023. The 3-day event will feature a Multicultural Celebration, Native American Pow-Wow, fireworks, live music, Family Fun Zone, Art in the Park, tightrope walkers above the Susquehanna River, food trucks, beer/wine garden, and more.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
– September 2: 11am-8pm
– September 3: 11am-8pm (*fireworks at 8:15pm)
– September 4: 11am-6pm
Check back in mid-August for the full schedule of all activities
PARKING/TRANSIT:
– Street parking is FREE on Sunday and Monday. On Saturday, use the code LUVHBG to receive 4 hours of free street parking in the Downtown area.
– $5 parking on City Island
– The Market Square Garage is discounted to $10 from 10am-10pm courtesy of Park Harrisburg.
– Recycle Bicycle will provide free bike parking along Front Street near Market & Forster Streets.
– The train station is a short 3 block walk away.
ROAD CLOSURES
– Front Street will be closed from Forster to Walnut from 9am Friday, September 1 until midnight on Monday, September 4
– From 7-9pm on Sunday, September 3:
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- West Shore traffic will be able to enter & exit the City Island parking lot but will NOT be able to access Front Street via the Market Street Bridge.
- East Shore traffic will NOT be able to access Market Street from 2nd Street to the West Shore.
- Traffic will not be able to access Front Street from Walnut Street from 8:15-9pm.
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SPONSORS:
– Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, Explore HBG, PHFA, Capital Blue Cross, UPMC, Green Mountain Energy, Leaf Filter, T-Mobile, Sundance Vacations, Park Harrisburg
Share your experiences with us using #KiponaHBG.
FESTIVAL FAVORITES
NATIVE AMERICAN POW-WOW
This annual tradition features Native foods, crafts, dances, music and more on City Island. There will be a flutist, Aztec Fire Dancers, intertribal and specialty dancing, Candy Dance, Iroquois social dancing and more.
The Native American Pow-Wow is sponsored by Peggy A. Grove
SEE THE DAILY POW-WOW SCHEDULE
WIREWALKERS
The talented Rylee Gallagher will perform a series of dramatic walks across a tightwire above the Susquehanna River.
Saturday, 9/2 – 12pm & 8:15pm (*illuminated walk)
Sunday, 9/3 – 12pm, 3pm, & 6:10pm
Monday, 9/4 – 12pm
BUBBLE FESTIVAL
Attendees of all ages are invited to join Grandpop Bubbles as he creates the biggest bubbles you will ever see – some as large as 70 feet! There will also be a variety of wands and plenty of bubble juice for everyone to have a day of bubble fun!
PHFA FIREWORKS SHOW
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 | 8:15PM
Enjoy watching the PHFA fireworks display illuminate the Susquehanna River waterfront. The show will begin at 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, September 3. The optimal viewing area for the show is along Riverfront Park between Walnut & Forster Streets, but the show will be visible from miles of space along the park and other locations throughout the City as well.
ART IN THE PARK
Over 50 artisans will be set up along the riverfront during the festival. Shop a variety of handcrafted items such as jewelry, artwork, apparel, pottery, glassworks, bath and body products, home décor and more.
UPMC FAMILY FUN ZONE
The UPMC Family Fun Zone will feature activities for the whole family in Riverfront Park near Forster Street.
EVERYDAY
- FREE face painting & balloon animals
- Pay-to-play carnival games, sand art, and a giant fun slide
- Pay-to-play activities on City Island including the railroad, mini golf, Pride of the Susquehanna, and Harrisburg Beach Club
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
- FREE Community Day featuring local organizations, character visits, magic shows, live animal and insect presentations, and more. View the full schedule in the event guide.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
- FREE rockwall, euro-bungy, and two escape room buses
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
- FREE Bubble Festival from 11am-6pm
CAPITAL BLUE CROSS LIVE MUSIC STAGE
Enjoy performances from 17 local bands and musicians at the Capital Blue Cross Stage located near State Street. We will also have bands and dance groups performing in the Multicultural Celebration stage near Market Street.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
- 11am-12pm – Faith Noel
- 12:30-1:30pm – The Highway Boys
- 2-3pm – Matt Jameson
- 3:30-4:30pm – Brendan Starr
- 5-6pm – Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen
- 6:30-8pm – The Carousel Kings
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
- 11am-12pm – CoCo Shantelle
- 12:30-1:30pm – Keri Edwards
- 2-3pm – The Benjamin Vo Blues Band
- 3:30-4:30pm – Switch Fu
- 5-6pm – Buckskin Whiskey
- 6:30-8pm – Bobby Law and the Late Show
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
- 11am-12pm – Marshall Stone
- 12:30-1:30pm – Six Bar Break
- 2-3pm – Down to Earth Band
- 3:30-4:30pm – Rascal Revival
- 5-6pm – Soul Solution
MULTICULTURAL CELEBRATION
NEW THIS YEAR! We are excited to highlight a wide variety of cultures through performances, demonstrations, and vendor booths. This area will be located in Riverfront Park between Market and Walnut Streets.
VIEW ENTERTAINMENT DESCRIPTIONS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
- 11-11:20am – Esmerelda Hetrick (traditional crossover Latin music)
- 11:30-11:50am – McGinley School of Irish Dance
- 12:10-1pm – Kent Nazareth (reggae band)
- 1:10-1:30pm – Szívem (international folk dance)
- 1:40-2pm – Capoeira Brazilian Pelourinho PA (Afro-Brazilian martial arts)
- 2:10-2:25pm – African Diaspora Initiative (Mawuena Dance Steps)
- 2:30-3pm – Sunshine Dance Club (Chinese dance)
- 3:10-3:30pm – Alpenrose Schuplattler Verein (German & Austrian folk dance)
- 3:40-4:40pm – The Salsa Club & Bachata-kizz (Latin dance performances, lessons & social dance)
- 5-6:16pm – Sonora Los Fantasticos (8 member latin band)
- 6:45-8pm – Trinidad & Tobago Steel Drum Orchestra
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
- 11-11:20am – Claude Kissto (DRC vocalist)
- 11:30-11:50am – The Infamous Unstoppables Drill Team & Drum Line Ensemble
- 12:10-12:30pm – Spoken Word Poetry by Evita Colon
- 12:35-1:05pm – Troupe Hayati Dance Troupe (Egyptian belly dance)
- 1:10-1:30pm – Blooming Lotus Dance Studio (Nepali dance)
- 1:40-2pm – Carraig Irish Dance
- 2:15-2:55pm – Studio Solomon (West African drumming performance & lessons)
- 3:05-3:35pm – Dwennimmen African Dance Studio (African dance performance & lessons)
- 3:40-4:40pm – The Salsa Club & Bachata-kizz (Latin dance performances, lessons & social dance)
- 5-6pm – Strykers Posse (all feamle Reggae band)
- 6:30-8pm – PA Mambo Orquestra (9 member Latin band)
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
- 11-11:20am – Mikola (Ukrainian vocalist)
- 11:30-11:50am – McGinley School of Irish Dance
- 12:10-1:30pm – Angel Dweh (Afrobeat/Afropop band)
- 1:40-2pm – Carraig Irish Dance
- 2:10-3pm – Sviraj (Balkan band)
- 3:30-4:30pm – Emanuel Nsingani (Congolese Afro-Jazz band)
- 5-6pm – Ever Sandoval & the Arenna Band (Peruvian band)
FOOD & BEVERAGE
FOOD TRUCKS
A variety of food trucks will be on-site serving festival favorites such as funnel cakes, fresh cut fries, sausages, cheesesteaks, burgers, freshly squeezed lemonade, gyros and more.
BEER & WINE GARDEN
Enjoy a beer from City breweries and wine from local wineries along the riverfront while listening to live music. Participating vendors are listed below:
- Boneshire Brew Works
- JB Lovedrafts (Lovedrafts Brewing)
- Zeroday Brewing
- Under the Bridge Hard Cider
- Cord Dork Wine
- Hawstone Hollow Winery
- J&P Winery
EXPLORE THE CITY
CITY ISLAND
Plan a day of family fun on City Island! Take a ride on the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat, play a round of mini golf, tour the island aboard the City Railroad or enjoy a snack from Cafe Huey on their riverside deck. The island is also home to the Harrisburg Senators baseball team.
MURAL TRAIL
Harrisburg has 40+ murals to help brighten your day and boost your spirits. Explore Sprocket Muralwork’s Harrisburg Mural Trail to get a little inspiration, morale boost, and good old fashioned exercise. Get the map at www.sprocketmuralworks.com.
VISIT HERSHEY HARRISBURG ADVENTURE TRAIL
The VHH Adventure Trail highlights outdoor experiences for Hiking, Biking, Kayaking and Family Fun. Go for a stroll on the scenic 21 miles of the Capital Area Greenbelt, explore 8 trails at Wildwood Park, paddle along the Susquehanna River or head just outside the City for more adventures.
View all stops on the VHH Adventure Trail at visithersheyharrisburg.org
BREW BARONS BEER TRAIL
Participate in an interactive craft beer adventure in Harrisburg & Hershey. The trail features over 20 breweries, including 3 that are in the City. Be sure to download the Brew Barons Beer Trail app on your phone and check in as you visit each brewery to earn prizes. For full details, visit www.visithersheyharrisburg.org/things-to-do/beer-trails. See below for a list of breweries in the City.
Appalachian Brewing Company | Boneshire Taps at SOMA | The Millworks | The Vegetable Hunter | Zeroday Brewing Co.
SWEET TREAT TRAIL
Satisfy your sweet tooth by visiting more than 20 sweet locations in Harrisburg and Hershey, including 5 in the City. Check in to 8 locations online to earn a free Hershey’s drawstring bag. Learn more at https://www.visithersheyharrisburg.org/trails/sweet-treat-trail
PLAN YOUR STAY
With so much to see and experience at the event and throughout the City, consider staying for the weekend to maximize your visit. View nearby hotels and bed and breakfasts in the City at www.explorehbg.com/stay
SPONSORS
The City of Harrisburg relies on community partners to produce the Kipona Festival. This event will offer exposure to a diverse crowd of local residents and regional visitors alike. Please review the sponsorship packet and contact Cortney Ranck-Cameron at [email protected] for more information about sponsorship opportunities.
Thank you to the following sponsors for supporting the 2023 event! It would not be possible without your support.
VENDORS
If you are interested in being a vendor at the event and have not participated in the past, please complete the online vendor interest form here. See below for the 2023 applications.
An art vendor sells items they have personally handcrafted such as pottery, jewelry, glass, fibers, bath & body, leather, wood and more.
A food vendor has a food truck, concessions trailer or tent set-up and/or prepares food on-site that is meant to be consumed at the festival.
A specialty food vendor has a tent set-up and/or sells pre-made, pre-packaged food that is not meant to be consumed at the festival.
A non-profit vendor is a registered non-profit organization that wishes to sell items and/or disburse information about their services.
A product vendor is a business that wishes to sell items and/or disburse information about their products or services.
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