Kipona Festival Fun
Harrisburg could take pride in their chili experts since it was resident Doug Johnson who took first place for best chili at the Kipona festival last Saturday. Thankfully the weather held out and fun has been had by all so far. According to Mayor Linda Thompson, “the reason [Kipona is so successful is the camaraderie of the people and the different varieties of entertainment and activities we have.” She even went so far as to call it one of the region’s “premiere events of the year.”
But what really seems to attract people to the event is the Keystone Regional Chili Cook-Off. Indeed, as Dawson Flinchbaugh, the event’s organizer said, “chili’s a pure American food. Chili equates with a good time. You have a good party and the people will come.”
But there was more than just a competition for good chili going on. At the Kipona Artfest there were 150 artists and artisans who had come from all around the world. Those interested were just required to pay $5 to look and purchase some of the great works available. In addition, there was a karate tournament, the Native American Pow Wow Festival which included a group of Aztec dancers from Mexico city performing.
