Celebrate Wildwood
Saturday, September 26, 2026
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wildwood Park | 100 Wildwood Way | Harrisburg, PA 17110
Help celebrate Wildwood Park with a nature-themed day! Learn about butterflies, birds, and more. Participate in pumpkin painting, children’s crafts, live musical entertainment, and guided walks. Children will enjoy a story walk along the Delta Boardwalk. There’s something for the whole family!
Title Sponsor:
Wildwood Partners:
Altrusa of South Central PA, Appalachian Audubon Society, Capital Area Greenbelt Association, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA, Keystone Trails Association, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, Manada Conservancy, Penn State Extension Master Gardeners’, REI, Wildwood Turtle Trapping
Free to Participate!
Silent Auction: 10 AM - 1:30 PM
A collection of nature prints, collages, paintings and needlepoint will be available for purchase. The Silent Auction will occur on the porch inside the Nature Center. All bids must be placed by 1:30 PM the day of the festival. The highest bid is the winner. All artworks were donated to the Friends of Wildwood with proceeds from the sale going directly back to them.
Music Schedule:
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM & 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Old-time Appalachian Music with Strings on Wings
Food Vendors:
Iza Paradize Puerto Rican Food Truck | The Pretzel Spot Cafe | Kinetic Kreations
Guided Walk Schedule:
Meet in front of the Oleweine Nature Center
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Bird Walk with Glenn Mitzel
Join Appalachian Audubon Society Member, Glenn Mitzel,” for a short walk to look for birds around the Nature Center.
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Photography Walk with Ron Maddox
Join Photographer, Ron Maddox, on a long walk along the Towpath to photograph some of the wildlife along the Canal and Lake.
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Wild Edibles Walk with Debbie Naha-Koretzky
Join “The Wild Edibles Lady,” Debbie Naha-Koretzky, for a short walk to learn about wild plants growing at Wildwood that you may have in your backyard.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Wildflower Walk with Jane Earle
Join Wildwood Park Volunteer, Jane Earle, for a short walk to learn all about what’s blooming in the park.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Tree Walk with Eric O’Neal
Join Good’s Tree and Lawn Care Arborist, Eric O’Neal, for a short walk to learn about the trees growing at Wildwood and tips for tree identification.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Watershed Restoration Walk with Kassie Fenn
Join Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s PA Student Leadership & Education Coordinator, Kassie Fenn, for a wetland walk to learn about the importance of watersheds and the work being done to preserve and restore these areas for future generations.
Parking:
Located at the Nature Center gravel lot, the South Lot, the Middle Lot, and the North Lots. Additional parking is available at HACC. Follow the signs to the designated parking area. Please walk the Capital Area Greenbelt trail to the festival (0.7 mile walk).
Supporting Sponsor:
Media Sponsors:
Additional Questions:
1.) Is Celebrate Wildwood free to attend?
Yes! Celebrate Wildwood is free for everyone to enjoy.
2.) Do I need to register?
No registration is required. Just stop by anytime between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM to enjoy the festivities.
3.) Are the guided walks free?
Yes! All guided walks are free to participate in. Walks are offered throughout the day and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
4.) What should I bring?
Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather, as many activities take place outdoors. You may also want to bring a reusable water bottle.
5.) Can I bring my dog?
Yes! Leashed dogs are welcome at Wildwood Park. Please clean up after your pet and be respectful of wildlife and other visitors.
6.) What happens if it rains?
Celebrate Wildwood is a rain-or-shine event. Any weather-related updates will be posted on the Dauphin County Parks & Recreation website and social media pages.
7.) Where does the money from the Silent Auction go?
Proceeds from the Silent Auction benefit the Friends of Wildwood and help support programs and projects at Wildwood Park.