Dauphin County Commissioners announce biggest special events line-up to date: four major music festivals, featuring two Grammy nominees; free family movie nights; and more

HARRISBURG, PA (May 30, 2018) – Dauphin County Commissioners Jeff Haste, Mike Pries and George P. Hartwick, III today announced the biggest special events line-up to date – #DestinationDauphinCounty – featuring four major outdoor music festivals and several Sunset Music and Movie evening shows at different parks in the county.

The major music festivals will feature live music on two stages, fifteen wineries from the Hershey Harrisburg Wine Country, thirteen national recording artists and six of the area’s elite performing artists.  The genres of music will range from pop, neo-soul, bluegrass, rock, funk, folk, blues, R&B, to country and smooth jazz.

“Whether you enjoy bluegrass or R&B music, we have an impressive line-up of national and regional recording artists on tap to entertain and appeal to every taste and age group,” said Haste. “You don’t need to travel far to see great live music.”

The 2018 Performing Arts Series includes the following music festivals:                           

• 11^th Annual Music and Wine Festival, presented by M&T Bank, at Fort Hunter Park. The two-day music festival kicks off the summer concert series from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 9 and 10 will feature a variety of national and local arts. On Saturday, June 9, two-time Grammy nominee Mindi Abair and the Boneshakers will headline. Also performing are the Slam Allen Band, Mikey Junior and Blues on the Loose. Atlanta’s own Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics, along with Airis Smallwood & The Singer’s Lounge, will be featured on Sunday, June 10. The Impact Band and the Stevenson Twins, featuring Garfield Fleming & Carman Bryant, will also play on Sunday. Sample wines from the Hershey Harrisburg Wine Country and regional wineries. Weekend passes are $35 in advance and $45 at the gate. Children age 12 and under may attend for free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.DauphinCounty.org.
• 7^th Annual BrewFest, presented by Renewal by Andersen, at Fort Hunter Park. On Saturday, July 21 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., come enjoy live music featuring Ginger Coyle and Runaway Stroller as well as over 50 craft beers and food from some of the best local food trucks. Weekend passes are $35 in advance and $50 at the gate. Tickets sold for the event will be limited to 1,000 and usually sell out in advance. Tickets can be purchased online at www.DauphinCounty.org.
• 11^th Annual Cultural Fest, presented by Highmark Blue Shield and UPMC Pinnacle. On Friday, August 3, this free annual festival will be held in downtown Harrisburg, on the 100 Block of Market Street, in front of the county’s courthouse, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The popular street festival will feature national recording artist and three-time Grammy nominee Angie Stone, The Uptown Band, Kid’s Corner, and a Talent Showcase.  Ethnic foods for purchase and crafts will also be available.                                                                    
• 12th Annual Jazz & Wine Festival, presented by Pennsylvania Housing Finance and PNC Bank. This three-day festival will begin on Friday, September 7 at 6 p.m. Artist Jonathan Michel and Bobby Broom will take the stage thanks to a special collaboration with the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz. On Saturday, September 8 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Fort Hunter Park will host artists Carl Anderson Band with Ronnie Queen and Diane Wilson-Bedford, Mike Phillips and Nick Colionne. On Sunday, September 9, the festival will feature Oli Silk with Jackiem Joyner, Luther Re-Lives with William Smooth Wardlaw and Peter White. Enjoy the Hershey Harrisburg Wine Country and other top regional wineries, along with food and craft vendors. Three-day passes are $50 in advance and $60 at the gate. Children age 12 and under can attend for free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.DauphinCounty.org.

“We’re bringing back our popular free movie nights,” said Pries. “Arrive early and check out the fun, educational activities for kids that encourage good decision making and substance abuse prevention.”

Dauphin County’s free Sunset Movie and Music Series sponsored by The Burg, Sheetz & WGAL,        

• Friday, June 1 at 8:30 p.m. at Fort Hunter Park

Outdoor Movie Night – “Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade”
*Children’s activities will be provided at 7:30 p.m. by Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Services.

• Friday, June 8 at 8:30 p.m. at Fort Hunter Park

Outdoor Movie Night – “Angels in the Outfield”
*Children’s activities will be provided at 7:30 p.m. by Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Services.

• Friday, June 15 at 8:30 p.m. at Fort Hunter Park

Outdoor Movie Night – “Jaws”
*Children’s activities will be provided at 7:30 p.m. by Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Services.

• Saturday, June 16 at 8:30 p.m. at Shope Gardens Park in Middletown

                Outdoor Movie Night – “The Mighty Ducks”

             *Children’s activities will be provided at 7:30 p.m. by Dauphin County Drug and            
              Alcohol Services.

• Friday, June 22 at 8:30 p.m. at Fort Hunter Park

Outdoor Movie Night – “Little Giants”
*Children’s activities will be provided at 7:30 p.m. by Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Services.

• Friday, June 29 at 8:30 p.m. at Fort Hunter Park

Outdoor Movie Night – “Airplane”
*Children’s activities will be provided at 7:30 p.m. by Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Services.                         

• Wednesday, July 18 at 7 p.m. at Lykens Borough Park

Concert – Sapphire (The Band)

• Sunday, September 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fort Hunter Park

Concert – Jam session featuring Susquehanna Folk Music and Dave Brown & The Dishonest Fiddlers.

“As gas prices continue to soar, stay close to home and enjoy the sounds of summer at our parks,” said Hartwick. “You won’t want to miss the free Cultural Fest with Angie Stone!”

Food and craft vendors will be present at all music festivals, which will be held rain or shine.

The commissioners appreciate this year’s special events sponsors and community partners: Highmark Blue Shield, M&T Bank, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, PNC Bank, Renewal by Andersen, The Hershey Company, UPMC Pinnacle, Capital BlueCross, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, Gateway Health, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Jump Street,  Sheetz, Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitor’s Bureau, Fun 101, 98.9 WQLV, abc27, Showcase Now, Urban Connection, Lamar, WXPN, WITF, The Burg, Latino Connection, Giant, Kegerreis, Best Western Premier – The Central Hotel and Conference Center, Hotel Indigo, Harrisburg Hilton, Days Inn Harrisburg North, Hampton Inn Suites, Springhill Suites, Best Western Harrisburg North, Crowne Plaza, Blues Society of Central PA, WGAL, Hershey Harrisburg Wine Country, Susquehanna Folk Music Society, Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz, Filson Water, HMAC and the Dauphin County Cultural Diversity Task Force Committee.