County News
Dauphin County to Host a Multicultural Festival to Celebrate Diversity
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
HARRISBURG—July 8, 2008 –The public is warmly invited to a free open-air street festival celebrating cultural diversity, to be held from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Fri., Aug. 1 in the area surrounding the Dauphin County Courthouse, in the first block of Market and Front streets.The festival, sponsored by the Dauphin County Commissioners and their Cultural Celebration Task Force, features live music and entertainment, ethnic food vendors, special children’s activities, and more.
The event will open with a children’s procession featuring approximately 60 children marching to the beat of American Legion drums and carrying flags representing countries around the world.
The main stage entertainment will feature popular musical artists Fertile Ground, Pentagon, and Amaryllis. Beginning at 5 p.m. on the main stage, Amaryllis will perform with the Jeff Niess Ensemble. One of Central Pennsylvania’s leading bands, Pentagon, will go on stage at 6:30 p.m. Baltimore-based Fertile Ground will entertain with their soul and jazz music starting at 8 p.m.
Simultaneous performances will be occurring on the small stage. Belly dancers, Super Reader, the American Legion Soul Steppers, YMCA Camp Curtain Steppers, Center for Champions, Asian Indian Americans of Central PA Dancers, Batida Portuguese-American Group, and other performers will also be on hand.
Children’s activities will include Foreign Flower Power, paper flowers with an anti-drug message in four different languages; Mexican maracas; Native American totem poles; Chinese fireworks; Japanese origami; United Wreaths; African bead necklaces; National Guard Counterdrug activities and face painting. Popular Harrisburg Senators mascots Rascal and Grrrrounder will also be greeting children and fans.
Motorists are urged to avoid the area, as Market Street will be closed from Front Street to Second Street at 10 p.m. on Thur., July 31 and for most of the afternoon and evening on the day of the event.
The event will be held rain or shine.
The festival will also feature ethnic food from around the world, including American, European, Indian, Asian, Greek, and African, prepared by area businesses.
Dauphin County’s Area Agency on Aging, Children and Youth, Mental Health/Mental Retardation and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Services will disseminate informational materials regarding available programs.
Visitors are encouraged to bring first-aid materials for the work of New Hope Church.
Event sponsors include the Hilton Harrisburg and Towers; Commerce Bank; Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA); Bortek Industries; Community Networking Resources; Pennsylvania Council on the Arts; Harristown Development Corporation; Thomas, Thomas and Hafer; Wolf Block; and McKonly & Asbury.
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