Join the City of Harrisburg for the 106th annual Kipona Festival! The 3-day event will feature a Native American Pow-Wow, PHFA laser light show, 2 live music stages, UPMC Family Fun Zone, Artist Market, wirewalkers, food trucks, beer/wine garden, Dick Reese canoe & kayak races, and more.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
– September 3: 11am-8pm (*illuminated wirewalker performance at 8:15pm)
– September 4: 11am-8pm (*PHFA laser light show at 8:15pm)
– September 5: 11am-6pm
Check back in August for the full schedule of all activities
PARKING/TRANSIT:
– Street parking is FREE on Sunday and Monday. On Saturday, Downtown street parking is free after 5pm and the code LUVHBG can be used before that to receive 4 hours of free street parking.
– 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.
SPONSORS:
– Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, Explore HBG, PHFA, Capital Blue Cross, UPMC, Belco Community Credit Union, Sundance Vacations, T-Mobile, Leaf Filter, Green Mountain Energy, Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District, Park Harrisburg
Share your experiences with us using #Kipona2022.
FESTIVAL FAVORITES
DICK REESE CANOE AND KAYAK RACES
The Kipona Festival started as a canoe race over 80 years ago. The tradition continues with the annual Dick Reese canoe & kayak races on Monday, September 5. The races are a combination of short sprint races in identical 17-foot touring canoes and 1, 3, and 6 mile distance races for kids and adults in recreational and racing canoes and kayaks. Racers can bring their own boat or use one of the provided canoes. Registration is $20/person or $50/family of 3 or more. Proceeds go toward Harrisburg Inspiring Outdoor Connections. Register online or on-site from 8-9am on Monday, September 5.
WIREWALKERS
The talented American Tightwire entertainers will perform a series of dramatic walks across a tightwire above the Susquehanna River. There will be a special illuminated walk on Saturday at 8:15pm.
Saturday: 12pm and 8:15pm*
Sunday: 12pm and 5pm
Monday: 12pm
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
View the Native American Pow-Wow Schedule
PAWS IN THE PARK
Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the festival & will enjoy making a pit-stop at the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area (HSHA) & Keystone K9 Paws in the Park area along the riverfront. The space will offer water dishes to keep your pup hydrated, a dog treat vendor, free pup cup from Farm Show Milkshakes, and more. HSHA will also have pet items, merchandise, games, giveaways & helpful tips on pet ownership, adoption & more.
GUIDED KAYAK TRIPS
Join Susquehanna Outfitters for guided kayak & canoe tours and a sunset float under the beautiful stone arches of the Susquehanna River on Saturday, September 3. Discounted event pricing of $50 for a single kayak and $80 for a tandem kayak or canoe.
HARRISBURG FREE KICK SOCCER
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer in partnership with the JT Dorsey Foundation will host and run a free pick-up style soccer event for kids ages 9-16. Check-in begins at 11:30 AM and game play starts at 12:00 PM.
PHFA LASER LIGHT SHOW
New this year is the PHFA laser light show! Watch a variety of colorful lasers choreographed to music light up the sky above the Susquehanna River. This laser light show will take place on Sunday, September 4 at 8:15pm. It will replace the fireworks display held in the past.
ARTIST MARKET
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.
Click here for a list of participating artisans.
LIVE MUSIC
Enjoy performances from more than 30 local bands and musicians at two stages.
Click here for the live music stage schedules.
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.
Click here for the Foodie Guide.
BEER & WINE GARDEN
Enjoy a beer from City breweries and wine from local wineries along the riverfront and in the Civic Club of Harrisburg’s garden area.
– Boneshire Brew Works
– Lovedrafts Brewing
– The Millworks
– Zeroday Brewing
– Cheers to You
– J&P Winery
UPMC FAMILY FUN ZONE
The UPMC Family Fun Zone will feature activities for the whole family in Riverfront Park near Forster Street. There will be free face painting, balloon animals, an entertainment stage and more. The entertainment stage will feature live children’s theatre, a magician, martial arts class, live animal presentations, youth fitness classes and more.
There will be a free bubble festival on Monday where kids can see giant bubbles up to 70-ft long while also using a variety of wands to create their own bubble fun.
Additionally, there will be a few pay-to-play carnival games and a giant fun slide. Families can also ride the railroad, play a round of mini golf or sail aboard the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat on nearby City Island.
Click here for the UPMC Family Fun Zone Schedule.
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 2022 event! It would not be possible without your support.
VENDORS
If you are interested in being a vendor at the 2022 Kipona Festival, please complete the appropriate application below and return by email to [email protected] by Friday, June 17. We will begin to send acceptance notices on Friday, July 8 so we recommend applying prior to that for best consideration on acceptance.
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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