Boothbay Harbor Fest to celebrate 5th year in September

Thu, 03/24/2016 - 8:15am

    The 5th annual Harbor Fest will kick off on Labor Day Weekend with a full, 10-day schedule of events. The festival takes place in a variety of locations on the Boothbay peninsula, featuring more than 100 Maine businesses, organizations and individuals.

    Major events include:

    A Taste of Local Flavor and Live Music Showcase: 9/2-9/4: Beginning with a Kick-off Party Friday afternoon, ticket holders will visit tasting locations as listed on a weekend passport. Each passport location will entertain the senses with their own signature taste, music and atmosphere. Every visit promises a completely unique local experience. Passports are $15 and include food tastings and live music at 10 locations, and admission to two headliner events: Kick Off Party with 92 Moose DJ Matt James and a WCLZ party with 207 radio host, Aimsel Ponti. The nationally acclaimed Steep Canyon Rangers will perform at the Opera House on Sunday evening to conclude the three-day live music celebration.

    5k & Half Marathon: 9/4: These popular races will introduce several exciting changes this year, to include: course enhancements, local gift bags for the first 150 registrants, raffles, giveaways and a Wellness Fair. Both races will start and finish at the Boothbay Region YMCA. Proceeds to benefit the Boothbay Region and Central Lincoln County YMCA collaborative Diabetes Prevention Program.

    Wellness Week: New event 9/4-9/9: The event kicks off on 9/4 with a Wellness Fair to coincide with the 5k & Half Marathon. Attendees will experience the world of wellness in the Boothbay Harbor

    region. Highlights will include: a group yoga class, pre and post race stretching, a breakfast bar featuring smoothies, local teas and healthy local snacks. massage, music and a Peace Garden. Plus, registration for spa & wellness events happening throughout the week and a Harbor Fest kiosk. Contact Event Director Pam Wiley for participation information: pwiley@roadrunner.com (207) 776-9496

    Photography Workshops: New event: 9/1-9/11: A series of photo workshops will offer festival attendees the opportunity to learn a few tricks of the trade, from a few of the best in the trade! All inclusive packages will be available, as well as individual workshop options. A festival photo contest will invite amateurs and professionals alike, to submit their best festival shots and a grand prize winner will be chosen at the close of the fest.

    WARE it’s at: New event: 9/5-9/9: Local shops will host events throughout the week to include book signings, trunk shows, wine tastings, art demos, designer meet and greets and more.

    Restaurant Theme Week: 9/5-9/9: Local restaurants step up their entertainment game, adding a side of fun to their delicious menus.

    A Stroke of Art: 9/5-9/11: This Plein Air Invitational will welcome highly acclaimed artists from around the globe to paint the Boothbay peninsula and their master pieces will be featured at six days of show stopping Art Events. The Stroke of Art "base camp," sponsored by Harborfields Waterfront Cottages, will feature a ‘wet wall’ of artwork in their historic boat shed, for public viewing throughout the week. Daily art shows will be open to the public at various locations, to include: Boothbay Farmers Market, Harborfields Waterfront Cottages and Chowder House Restaurant. For more information please contact Event Director Mary Phelps: bbh@gwi.net

    Mine Oyster Fest, new event: 9/9-9/11: A celebration of Oysters, Live Music and Good Friends. Three days of Glidden Point oysters, bluegrass, oyster shucking contests, prizes, giveaways and more -- Mine Oyster Restaurant.

    Fishin’ For Fashion: 9/10, 2-4 p.m.: A one-of-a-kind fashion show featuring: original designs made from the fishing industry, the creative flare of local shops, fine food and drink, a waterfront deck and models arriving by lobster boat -- Rocktide Inn & Restaurant. Proceeds benefit local student programs and local students participate in the event production. Contact Event Director Dana Paolillo for more information: sherpa185@gmail.com

    Harbor Fest Closing Ceremonies & Art Sale: 9/11, noon-3 p.m.: Featuring more than a hundred artwork master pieces created throughout the week, Fishin’ For Fashion show design winners, an awards ceremony and nationally acclaimed singer and songwriter, Brad Byrd -- Chowder House Restaurant.

    Festival information, tickets and updates: BoothbayHarborFest.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, subscribe to the festival e-news or visit the Harbor Fest booth at the Boothbay Farmers Market, every Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon, May-October.

    Thank you to Harbor Fest sponsors: Ambassador: Maine Magazine, WCLZ Portland Radio Group, WMTW Channel 8; Captain: TravelMAINE, Harborfields Waterfront Cottages, Boothbay Register, Rocktide Inn & Restaurant, COCO VIVO Artful Living, Spruce Point Inn Resort & Spa, Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce Claw Down, Lincoln County Magazine; Harbor Fest Master: BRCTV; Life of the Party: Topside Inn, First National Bank; and Fest Friends: The Coastal Journal.