The fourth annual Harbor Fest kicks off on Labor Day Weekend with a 10-day celebration of music, food, fashion, art and healthy living 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

A Taste of Local Flavor and Live Music Marathon takes place Sept. 4-6: a $10 passport includes food tastings at 15 local establishments and live music around town. Festivities kick off on Friday afternoon with the Harbor Crawl, sponsored by 92 Moose Radio and the Rocktide Inn trolley. Weekend festivities also include a band competition sponsored by WCLZ and music from 207 host Aimsel Ponti as the official judge, and a Cocktail Competition sponsored by Cold River Blueberry Vodka. The weekend closes with the internationally acclaimed HillBenders, appearing at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, presenting the Who’s “Tommy — A Bluegrass Opry.”

A 5k and Half Marathon takes place Sept. 6: Races start and finish at the Watershed Tavern, 301 Adams Pond Road, Boothbay. Both courses offer scenic views and a pleasant challenge. The event will feature healthy living vendors and activities before and during the race and a post race awards ceremony. The Watershed Tavern menu will be available, including Harbor Fest Ale on tap. Race to benefit the Boothbay Region and Central Lincoln County YMCA collaborative Children’s Diabetes Prevention Program.

Restaurant Theme Week is Sept. 7-11: Local restaurants step up their entertainment game adding a side of fun to their delicious menus. Caribbean, Luau, Great Gastby, Board Game, Back to School, Tapas, Oyster Shucking, Cowboys and Cowgirls, Cooking Class… a little taste of every type of delicious fun.

A Stroke of Art is Sept. 7-13: A Harbor Fest first, A Stroke of Art will feature seven days of show stopping events. This Plein Air Invitational will welcome artists from around the globe to paint the Boothbay peninsula. The ASOA Base Camp, sponsored by Harborfields Waterfront Cottages, 24 McKown Point Road, West Boothbay Harbor, will feature a wet wall of artwork in their historic boathouse for public viewing throughout the week. Daily art shows will be open to the public at various locations to include: Andrews’ Harborside Restaurant, Spruce Point Inn, Boothbay Farmers Market and Rocktide Inn.

The two featured events will take place under a waterfront tent at Harborfields: Art, Ales & Eats: Sept. 11, 3 to 6 p.m., featuring ASOA originals, Boothbay Craft Brewery Harbor Fest Ale and Watershed Tavern Eats. Meet the Artist Brunch: Sept. 13, 9 to 11 a.m., featuring ASOA originals, a Mine Oyster catered brunch and Bloody Mary bar and music by the Downeast Soul Coalition. The Harbor Fest Closing Ceremonies will immediately follow this event featuring great friends, amazing views and the 2015 Harbor Fest Award Winners.

Fishin’ For Fashion: Sept 12, 2 to 4 p.m.: This one of a kind Fashion Show features original designs made from the fishing industry, the creative flare of local shops, fine food, Harbor Fest ale, a waterfront deck and models arriving by lobster boat. Proceeds benefit local student aid fund. $25 pp. Rocktide Inn, 35 Atlantic Avenue, Boothbay Harbor.

More

A variety of additional events will take place throughout the week to include: a carnival and pancake breakfast hosted by local students, a treasure hunt and art show at the Waterfront Whale Park, haunted history tours, a farmer’s market and several live music acts to include: the Underscore Orkestra, based out of Portland, Oregon (Mine Oyster, Sept. 11) and the Sultans of String, based out of Toronto, Ontario (Opera House at Boothbay Harbor Sept. 12).

Tickets for all events are available at www.boothbayharborfest.com or locally at the Boothbay Farmers Market (every Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon) or Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce.

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