HARRISBURG, Pa. — Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams announced there will be no fireworks and drone show at this year's Kipona Festival, citing "serious incidents" that occurred in two of the city's last three July 4 fireworks displays, including one earlier this month.
In the most recent incident, the fireworks display was abruptly canceled just minutes after the show began.
Williams later said the decision to cancel the show was made for safety reasons after police spotted multiple people carrying weapons. Two people were arrested and two guns -- a handgun with a 24-round magazine and a BB gun -- were recovered by police. A third weapon was thrown into the Susquehanna River from the Walnut Street Bridge, police said.
In 2022, a fight occurred during the fireworks show, causing a "chaotic" scene as members of the crowd, believing they heard gunfire, ran from the scene at Front and Walnut streets.
"The City of Harrisburg prides itself on providing family-friendly events multiple times a year," Williams said in a statement. "These events provide affordable fun while providing a boost to the local economy. However, after serious incidents during the fireworks display at two of the last three July 4th shows, we realize we need to make this portion of the event safer.
"We hope this is not a permanent decision, but a temporary break. I have tasked Commissioner Carter to develop a new safety plan for our holiday fireworks shows. We also need to reconsider if fireworks itself are part of that plan. This is a chance to reimagine event programming. We will not let a few bad apples ruin these opportunities for Harrisburg to come together."
Harrisburg residents, like Jordan Walker, expressed disappointment in Mayor Williams' decision. Walker said he's hurt that the actions of a few people caused the fireworks show to be canceled.
“Safety is a big concern and people have children and things like that," said Walker. "So I understand why they would move to just go ahead and cancel the fireworks, but it hurts and it’s disappointing.”
Meanwhile, Talaya Hudson argued that the City of Harrisburg should still host the fireworks show. She was at the Fourth of July firework show in 2022 that ended in a stampede.
She said she believes the fireworks could go on, as long as the City of Harrisburg beefs up its security.
“I feel like as long as you do what you can and do the best you can, then everything should go on as planned, as long as people can come out and enjoy their time," said Hudson.
This year's Kipona Festival is scheduled for Labor Day weekend, August 31 through September 2, in the city.
The three-day event will still feature a Family Fun Zone, Multicultural Celebration, Native American Pow-Wow, live music, Art in the Park, food trucks, beer/wine garden, a Giant Puppet Parade, Keystone Dock Dogs competition, and more, according to the event's website.