Minivan Plows Into Crowd at Harrisburg’s Kipona Festival, Injuring Three

HARRISBURG, Pa., September 1, 2025 - A red minivan drove through barricades and into festivalgoers at the closing day of the three-day Kipona Festival on Monday evening, injuring three people, including a child, organizers and police confirmed.

According to the Harrisburg Bureau of Police, the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. on North Front Street, where attendees were gathering to enjoy the festival’s final performances and attractions. The driver, a local woman in her 30s, maneuvered around parked cars and temporary barriers before striking the crowd, officials said. Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle “come flying down through here fast,” narrowly missing several others in its path.

Emergency responders transported the three victims-a child, a woman in a wheelchair, and a city employee-to a nearby hospital. All were reported in fair condition and are expected to recover. Police apprehended the driver within one minute, after she continued driving for six blocks and struck multiple objects before stopping. She remains in custody and is being questioned on suspicion of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.

Festival organizers immediately halted all performances and called for medical assistance. Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams, who was present at the scene, praised first responders for their swift action and urged calm among panicked attendees. Adjacent streets, from State Street to Walnut Street, were cordoned off as investigators processed the scene.

The Kipona Festival, now in its 109th year, is a Labor Day weekend tradition held along the Susquehanna Riverfront and City Island. Celebrating Native American heritage, multicultural performances, art exhibitions, and fireworks, the event attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Police continue to investigate the driver’s motives and whether the crash was intentional. No life-threatening injuries have been reported, and festival activities are expected to resume Tuesday as scheduled, following safety reviews and additional barricade reinforcements.