HarborFest to kick off on June 4

Stephen Romano

More than 12,000 people are expected to attend the 27th annual HarborFest Dock Day and Craft Festival in Port Washington on June 4 for a day of crafts, music and art.

HarborFest, which is presented by the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce and the Town of North Hempstead, will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m at the town dock, Baxter’s Pond and lower Main Street area.

Bobbie Polay, executive director of the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce, said the mission of HarborFest is to promote environmental awareness, especially for the waterfront, and the event will have booths to educate people on improving the environment.

“There will be fascinating new hands-on demonstrations, special displays about Manhasset Bay and up-to-date information and products, all sponsored by A.A. Madison Taxi, Manorhaven Taxi and Port Washington Taxi,” Polay said.

The craft show will feature more than 90 crafts people, with booths set up along lower Main Street.

In Sunset Park near the town dock, local artists will display their work in “Art in the Park,” and a free plein air workshop for adults will begin at 1:30 p.m. and a free clay workshop for children will be held at noon. Button making will be offered throughout the day.

The SoundWaters ship will return to HarborFest for the Sunset Sail, departing the town dock on Saturday, June 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. The ship will also sail Sunday, June 4, at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Tickets for the Sunset Sail can be purchased online and will cost $35 per person, and tickets for a Sunday sail will cost $25 for adults and $15 for children ages 5 to 12.

“There are several other ways that people can see up close how beautiful our bay truly is,” Polay said. “Port Washington’s Water Taxi will be available to take people on scenic cruises throughout HarborFest.”

Bay cruises will also be offered on the ship Avalon, with a narration by members of the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society.

The Port Washington Fire Department will put on a demonstration near the town dock, and third-graders from all Port Washington elementary schools can learn how to make catamaran-style boats from recycled material in the Model Boat Regatta program.

Festivalgoers can catch a ride on the North Fork Trolley, which will make a continuous loop from the Long Island Rail Road train station to the festival areas.

In addition to boat rides, craft booths and model boat making, visitors can enjoy a food court, which will offer fare from local restaurants and organizations like Ayhan’s Shish Kebab, LI Festival Catering, the Manhasset Bay Sportmen’s Club, Port Youth Activities, Rosie’s Food Truck, Schmear, the Wild Goose and Yummy Gyro.

Ralph’s Italian Ices, Long Island Kettle Corn, Schmear and Mel’s Ice Cream truck will serve dessert.

Visitors can also enjoy live entertainment in front of the Pride of Cow Bay Nautical Tugboat Museum at the entrance to the dock.

The band Harmony Sky will kick off the live music at 10:15 a.m., followed by the nautical singers Stout, who will perform at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

At noon, World Tae Kwon Do will have a demonstration and there will be a Wright Brothers ukulele performance at 1:30 p.m., as well as a performance by the Red Stocking Revue at 2 p.m.

“Grassroots Environmental Education has organized a timely environmental education project that will tackle the issue of keeping our water free from pesticides,” Polay said. “The project is called ‘I Love Long Island.’  It will involve the fifth-graders from all of Port Washington’s elementary schools.”

The nautical museum will also feature a new exhibit, “The Real Port Washington,” named after the Port Washington community Facebook group that has more than 10,000 members.

The exhibit, assembled by Debbie Greco, is made of waterfront photos taken by residents and uploaded to the Facebook page.

The photos can be viewed through tugboat portholes.

Admission to HarborFest is free and free parking will be available at the train station and at Manorhaven Park.

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