The City of Harrisburg will produce the 104th annual Kipona celebration on September 5-7, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we unfortunately cannot hold our typical Kipona celebration along Riverfront Park, but will be offering safe in-person activities on City Island which include a food truck takeout event and fireworks on Saturday, September 5. In addition to the in-person activities, many of the traditional festival activities will be available virtually starting September 5.     

“While we are saddened the crowds will not be able to gather along Riverfront Park as we traditionally do each Labor Day Weekend, we are pleased to offer a safe alternative celebration,” said Mayor Papenfuse. “Kipona may look different this year, but we look forward to offering all of the festival favorites with this hybrid celebration. I would like to give a special thanks to our Title Sponsor, Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, for their help in making this event possible." 

 Attendees will be able to enjoy some of their favorite festival food and activities safely. The food truck takeout experience on Saturday, September 5 from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. will allow participants to order and receive food while practicing social distancing. Food trucks will be spaced 30 feet apart and have ample space for line formation, including marks 6 feet apart, to ensure attendees practice social distancing while waiting in line. Social distancing encouragers will be on-site to ensure social distancing is practiced. Face masks are required. Attendees may take their food home or spread out along the park with chairs and blankets from home. No seating will be provided. A hand washing station will be available at the food truck exit along with sinks placed throughout Riverfront Park. 

A foodie guide with menu items and participating trucks along with a complete event schedule will be available at harrisburgpa.gov/Kipona and on the Facebook Event.  

Fireworks will be held at 8:15 p.m. on Saturday, September 5, and can be viewed from miles of space along both the East and West Shore. Social distancing practices should be followed while enjoying the fireworks. Live stream fireworks will also be available on Facebook and WHBG-TV Channel 20.   

Virtual activities will be available all 3 days of the festival and feature many of the traditional festival activities such as:   

City Island activities such as water golf, Café Huey and the City Island Railroad will be open. “Saturday Nights in the City” featuring expanded outdoor dining options at numerous City restaurants will also continue from 5-10 p.m. Second Street will close from Market to Pine Streets starting at 3:30 p.m. 

Free street parking will be available after 5 p.m. from Chestnut to State streets. All other street parking is free after 7 p.m. Parking on City Island will be $5. The Market Square Garage will offer a $10 discounted event rate, courtesy of SP+ from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Handicapped parking will be available on City Island.  

Special thanks to our sponsors, including Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, ExploreHBG, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, UPMC, Belco Community Credit Union, Shenanigator Entertainment, Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District, Mid Penn Bank and SP+.  

We look forward to returning to Riverfront Park for the traditional Kipona Festival in 2021.