It’s About Time For A Break, Isn’t It?

Well, here it is, the official launch of Summer, the first big Summer Festival, ArtsFest, and MODE Weekly’s Fifth-Annual Summer Festival Guide.

This is a big issue for us, and for you. We’ve put a lot of work into compiling over 85 events in and around Central Pennsylvania, now all you have to do is save this paper until Labor day, and you’ll know what’s happening for the entire Summer.
I was truly fascinated when I first moved to Harrisburg. Fascinated by the fact that this city hosted three huge Summer festivals, without abandon. ArtsFest on Memorial Day, The American MusicFest on the Fourth of July, and Kipona on Labor Day, make Riverfront Park one of the most recognized destinations in our region, seeing no less than a half million visitors on those three occasions, often closer to a million! That’s a lot of people walking up and down (essentially) one street.

Most people don’t realize how “into” festivals the city of Harrisburg really is. Nestled in amongst the “big three” are equally enjoyable events spread throughout the season. 

First Fridays, for example, are a testament to the original street festival. Sporting a different theme on the first Friday of each month, these events feature live music, great food, tons to do, and thousands of attendees.

If you haven’t been the HYP Home Tour and Block Party, or Nick’s 1014 Cafe’s block party, or, God forbid, if you don’t know about the Backyard Bash, (being held downtown this year) then you haven’t been to a party.

Did you know Harrisburg has a respected Gay Pride Festival every year? How about the incredible African-Family Festival, held every year in the beautiful Reservoir Park? This year it’s been expanded to two days because of it’s success and attendance.

There are so many festivals and events happening in Central PA, it would be a crime if no one ever compiled a comprehensive list. And, since we don’t want to do anything illegal, we present to you, our faithful readers, this Summer Festival Guide.

But, as Side Show Sid would say, “That’s Not All!” For the mere exercise of picking up this copy of MODE Weekly, we’re going to give you even more than you paid for! (Here comes the shameless plug for our new website.)

If by the sad chance you lose your MODE Weekly Summer Festival Guide, fret not. Simply visit: MODEweekly.com/FestivalGuide to see a constantly updated listing of every notable Summer event in our region. We will be expanding descriptions of the events, offering links to events that have websites, heck you can even tell us about your event and have it added to the listing absolutely FREE.

Isn’t that spiffy?

And if that weren’t enough, the Ronco, Dice-O-Matic MODE Weekly website will be the host of no less than 5,000 new candid photos taken at festivals and events all year!

In closing, I just want to thank everyone, from our dedicated staff to our advertisers for making this a stupendous issue. It is by the efforts of every individual that we produce such a wonderful team result.

Appreciate today for its delight... and, as someone very famous once said, live in 
day-tight compartments. :-)

Scot Giambalvo

P.S. I owe an apology to my Dale Carnegie Sales Advantage class. A congratulations picture of my graduating class was to appear in this issue, but because of time constraints and space limitations, it has been rescheduled for our next issue. Please stay tuned.