More than 10,000 people are expected to attend this year’s 26th Annual HarborFest celebration for a day of art, music, crafts and even a talent show.
HarborFest, which is presented by the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce, will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 5 at the Town Dock, Baxter Pond and Lower Main Street in Port Washington.
“The view is wonderful,” Port Washington Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bobbie Polay said. “It’s right by the waterfront.”
Officials said the mission of HarborFest is to celebrate Port Washington’s nautical heritage and to increase public awareness of the need to preserve and protect its waterfront and environment.
“It brings people to Port Washington and brings the people that live in Port Washington here to the waterfront,” Polay said.
In addition to the 100 vendor Craft Fair along lower Main Street, local merchants and organizations will have booths on the Town Dock and the HarborFest Fabulous Food Court.
The HarborFest Fabulous Food Court will offer selections from Port’s restaurants, as well as food at the festival.
Visitors can go out on the Bay aboard the schooner SoundWaters or the Port Washington Water Taxi.
The more adventurous can go kayaking. The Children’s Fun Park has activities to keep the young ones busy and happy all day: a stage with a talent show and entertainment just for children, a train ride, photo booth, games, crafts, hands-on science fun, sports, a Treasure Hunt and the model boat regatta.
Another attraction is the Port Washington Fire Department’s Fire Boat which will be demonstrated during the day. The Enviro-Expo is a prominent part of every HarborFest, with educational exhibits by many Long Island organizations.
Polay said this year’s school environmental program is “Our Plastic World: Recycling is Not the Answer,” and is organized and taught by Patti Wood of Grassroots Environmental Education.
Entertainment at the Tugboat is provided by the nautical singing group, “Stout” and encore performances by the cast of the “Red Stocking Revue,” plus performances by World Tae Kwon Do, Coda Bay Band, the Wright Brothers and The Fred Astaire Dance Studio.
The “Pride of Cow Bay Tugboat” nautical museum will unveil a new exhibit of photos by Tab Hauser called “The Water’s Edge.” Art in the Park is back with beautiful displays and free workshops.
There is something for everyone at HarborFest, so come early, come hungry and plan to spend the day! For more information, call (516) 883-6566 or email office@pwcoc.org.
“There’s a lot going on and it’s just a lot of fun,” Polay said.
Admission to HarborFest is free.
There is free parking and free shuttle buses at the LIRR station and Manorhaven Park.
For additional information about HarborFest, call the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce at (516) 883-6566, e-mail pwcoc@optonline.net or visit www.pwguide.com.
