HARRISBURG — At a press conference Wednesday, Dauphin County Commissioners Jeff Haste, Mike Pries and George P. Hartwick III announced the lineup of special events heading to the county over the summer.
#DestinationDauphinCounty will feature four major outdoor music festivals and several Sunset Music and Movie evening shows at parks across the county, the commissioners said.
The music festivals will feature live music on two stages, 15 wineries from the Hershey/Harrisburg Wine Country, 13 national recording artists and six of the area’s top performing acts. The music genres will range from pop, neo-soul, bluegrass, folk, rock, funk, R&B, country, and smooth jazz.
“We have an impressive lineup 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 music festivals are:
- 11th Annual Music and Wine Festival, June 9-10 at Fort Hunter Park: The two-day festival kicks off the summer concert series. Performances will run from 4-9 p.m. on both days of the event. Saturday’s lineup includes two-time Grammy Award nominee Mindi Abair and the Boneshakers, who will serve as the headliners. Also expected to perform are the Slam Allen Band and Mikey Junior and Blues on the Loose. On Sunday, the scheduled performers include Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics, Airis Smallwood & The Singer’s Lounge, The Impact Band, and The Stevenson Twins (featuring Garfield Fleming & Carmen Bryant). Sample wines from the Hershey Harrisburg Wine Country and regional wineries will be available. Weekend passes are $35 in advance and $45 at the gate. Children age 12 and under can attend for free.
- 7th Annual Brewfest, July 21 at Fort Hunter Park: Live music from Ginger Coyle and Runaway Stroller, and more than 50 craft beers and a convoy of local food trucks highlight this event, which will be held from 3-7 p.m. Weekend passes are $35 in advance and $50 at the gate. Tickets are limited to 1,000, and normally sell out in advance.
- 11th Annual Cultural Fest, August 3 in downtown Harrisburg: The popular street festival, held in front of the county courthouse on the 100 block of Market Street from 5-10 p.m., will feature national recording artist and three-time Grammy Award nominee Angie Stone, along with The Uptown Band, a kid’s corner, and a talent showcase. Ethnic foods for purchase and crafts will also be available.
- 12th Annual Jazz & Wine Festival, Sept. 7-9 at Fort Hunter Park: The three-day festival begins Friday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. Artist Jonathan Michel and Bobby Broom will headline. On Saturday from 4-9 p.m., the lineup features the Carl Anderson Band with Ronnie Queen and Diane Wilson-Bedford, Mike Phillips and Nick Colionne. Sunday’s artists include Oli Silk with Jackiem Joyner, Luther Re-Lives with William Smooth Wardlaw and Peter White. Attendees can enjoy the Hershey Harrisburg Wine Country and other top regional wineries, along with craft and food vendors. Three-day passes cost $50 in advance and $60 at the gate. Children 12 and under get in free.
Tickets for all four festivals can be purchased at DauphinCounty.org.
In addition to the music festivals, Movie Nights at Fort Hunter Park are another popular summer attraction. They will be held through the month of June. The movies begin at 8:30 p.m., with children’s activities starting at 7:30.
The following movies will be screened at the park:
- Friday, June 1: “Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade”
- Friday, June 8: “Angels in the Outfield”
- Friday, June 15: “Jaws”
- Saturday, June 16: “The Mighty Ducks”
- Friday, June 22: “Little Giants”
- Friday, June 29: “Airplane”
Music Nights will also be held at parks around the county, the commissioners say.
- Wednesday, July 18, 7 p.m. at Lykens Borough Park: Concert by the band Sapphire
- Sunday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fort Hunter Park: Jam session featuring Susquehanna Folk Music and Dave Brown & The Dishonest Fiddlers
