County News

Dauphin County to host annual cultural festival in downtown Harrisburg

Friday, July 10, 2009

HARRISBURG—July 10, 2009 –The public is warmly invited to a free open-air street festival celebrating cultural diversity, to be held from 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Fri., Aug. 7 in the area surrounding the Dauphin County Courthouse, in the first block of Market and Front streets.

The second annual Cultural Fest, which is sponsored by the Dauphin County Commissioners and their Cultural Celebration Task Force, features an outstanding lineup of live music and entertainment, ethnic food vendors, special children’s activities, and more.

The festival will feature live entertainment from performing artists throughout the evening. Entertainment will begin at 5 p.m. on the main stage, where La Nueva Potencia (The New Power) will perform merengue, bachata and salsa music. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., several groups, such as the YMCA Camp Curtin Steppers, Amma Johnson, McGinley School of Irish Dance and hip-hop group Survival of the Illest, will thrill audiences with music and dance. Reggae and roots come alive at 6:30 p.m. when the Three The Hard Way Band takes center stage. One of Philadelphia’s leading R&B, soul and neo soul duo, Kindred the Family Soul, will go on stage at 8 p.m.

Kindred the Family Soul was nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for their album Surrender to Love in 2004 and for the BET Award in 2006. The group’s third LP, The Arrival, was released on October 21, 2008.

A children’s procession will feature over 200 children from the American Legion Soul Steppers, CAPPA YG’s from Williamsport and other groups marching to the beat of drums and carrying flags representing countries around the world.

Children’s activities will include Universal Steps for all Cultures to Live Drug Free; Play-doh; paper flowers; coloring; beaded necklaces; ring and bean bag toss; face painting and much more. Popular Harrisburg Senators mascots Rascal and Grrrrounder will be greeting children and fans. Educational activities, such as drug and alcohol prevention, will also available. Activities will be provided by the Dauphin County Department of Drug and Alcohol.

ABC 27 News anchor and reporter Valerie Pritchett and the Director for Smokin’ Word Poetry and 95.3 The Touch Iya Isoke will host the festival.

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., Aug. 6 and until late evening on the day of the event.

The festival will also feature ethnic food from around the world, including American, European, Indian, Asian, Greek, and African, prepared by area businesses.

Bring your chairs, family and friends.

The event will be held rain or shine.

Events sponsors include the Hilton Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Downtown Improvement District, Giant Food Store, ABC 27, Mid Penn Bank, Urban Connection, The Patriot-News, PA Festivals, 95.3 The Touch, Women’s Connect, Smooth Jazz 92.7, Showcase PA, Metro Bank and Dauphin County.