The City of Harrisburg's Kipona Festival - Labor Day Weekend

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Spend your final summer weekend (sob) strolling about Riverfront park in Harrisburg enjoying the Kipona Festival. Food, Games, Rides, Music, and did I mention food? Top it off with some fireworks and you've got a fun (and mostly free) weekend of entertainment.

What the HECK does Kipona mean?

It’s an american indian word meaning sparkling waters.

Hours

Saturday and Monday -  10am – 10pm
Sunday – Noon – 10pm

Parking

  • Free at all street meters during Kipona hours
  • $4.00 on City Island
  • Go here for other options

Offical Kipona Site Bullet Points

  • Over 30 food and beverage vendors
  • ArtFest – featuring over 150 Artist and Craftspersons
  • Over 60 activities, rides, and performances just for children.
  • Over 34 hours of continuous music by over 80 musicians and performers
  • The Dick Reese Canoe Classic Race
  • Capital City Bassmasters – Bass Classic
  • Giant’s Pennsylvania Chili Cook-Off
  • The Harrisburg Youth “Street Soccer” Tournament
  • The 13th Annual Gathering of the People (a traditional Indian Pow Wow) on City Island
  • The “Breath of Nature” Karate Competition
  • FUNTASTIC Footbag Competition
  • Gala Fireworks Display
  • And much, much more.

Psecu

1 Credit Union Pl Ste 1, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Bank here. It’s a nice bank.

Bank here. It’s a nice bank.

Gala Fireworks Display

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Annually on Sunday evening of Labor Day weekend

For more firework photos go HERE!

Photo Credit

Wrvv-the River 97.3

Harrisburg, PA 17101

Listen to the soundtrack of the fireworks on The River 97.3!

Listen to the soundtrack of the fireworks on The River 97.3!

Dick Reese Canoe Classic Race

site

  • Held annually on the Monday of Labor Day weekend
  • Races begin at 10am and end around 2pm (plan to attend a short meeting at 9:30am).
  • All races are a 1/2 mile sprint with a buoy turn.  Start and end in Riverfront park.
  • Be one of the first 250 to register and get a FREE t-shirt.  
  • 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place medals given to winners.
  • RANDOM drawing for a FREE canoe!
  • Only $5.00 to register.

Need more info?
Contact Brian Palmer at kipona3@ccghpa.com
717-533-8381

Other Harrisburg Holiday Weekend Celebrations

Musicfest around July 4th.

Artsfest over Memorial Day weekend.

 

City Island Park

City Island, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Make the best of the summer with a trip to City Island Park, where grassy spaces, playgrounds and sports fields are just the beginning of the fun. Take a ride on the carousel or aboard the Civil War-themed miniature train, ride a paddlewheel boat up the river, play a round of miniature golf or just r... more »
Make the best of the summer with a trip to City Island Park, where grassy spaces, playgrounds and sports fields are just the beginning of the fun. Take a ride on the carousel or aboard the Civil War-themed miniature train, ride a paddlewheel boat up the river, play a round of miniature golf or just relax on the beach. Located in the middle of the Susquehanna River, accessible by car via the bridge from downtown, the island is also home to the Harrisburg Senators' home baseball field, Commerce Bank Park.

Chili Cook Off/Chili Verde Cook Off/Restaurant Chili Cook Off

site

Registration:
Chili & Chili Verde – $35.00 for returning entrat/$80.00 for first time entrant.
Restaurant – $175.00 pre paid/$225.00 day of cook off.

Prizes for Chili = $1000 for 1st, $500 for 2nd, $250.00 for 3rd, 4th & 5th get free entry for next year

Prizes for Chili Verde – $250

  • 7am – set up
  • 9:30am – chefs meeting with Chief Chili
  • 10am – Official lighting of the stoves
  • 10:45am – Restaurant chili turned in
  • 11am – Best booth/showmanship begins
    • Restaurant/People’s Choice chili available
    • Restaurant chili judging begins
    • Salsa judging begins
  • Noon – Jalapeno pepper eating contest (public participation)
  • 12:30pm – Salsa tasting & Restaurant winner announced
  • 1pm – Fastest “Hands Free” Chili eating contest (public participation)
  • 1:30pm – Judges meeting
  • 1:45pm – Individual chili turned in
  • 2pm – Judging begins
  • 2:15pm – Hot Wing eating contest (public participation)
  • 4pm – Award ceremony!

Salsa Cook Off

site

Win $250.00, trophies, and hot sauces!

  • 10:30 – salsa turned into judges.
  • 11:am – salsa judging begins.
  • 4pm – award ceremony.
Registration:
$30.00 for returning entrants/$80.00 for first time entrants.

New Special Contest for 2009!!!

site

  • Use as many Giant products in your chili/salsa creation.
  • Submit your recipe to Chief Chili at pachilichief@aol.com.
  • Build a display at your booth to show what Giant products you used.
Win a trophy, your recipe posted on the Giant website, $50.00 Giant gift certificate, and a $20.00 gift certificate from Flinchy’s

Wing Co the

4614 Trindle Rd, Camp Hill, PA 17011

(Sponsors of the hot wing eating contest!)

Delicious wings … and the only time I’ve had them was for take out and they were already cold. The hot parmesan is deffo worth a try!

(Sponsors of the hot wing eating contest!)

Delicious wings … and the only time I’ve had them was for take out and they were already cold. The hot parmesan is deffo worth a try!

Capital City Bassmasters Fishing Tournament

site

Belco Children's Village

Rides, Games, and Puppets Oh MY!

Country Kids Jamboree puppet show by Puppen Meister Productions, neat!

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About The Author

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ethwiny Rss 

Camp Hill
I like bunnies, tucking my jeans inside of my boots, being in warm places, Shooter Jennings, Coca-Cola, photos taken in photo booths, boys who are made of 'snakes and snails and puppy dog tails', and recycling paper.

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