HarborFest Dock Day And Craft Festival On Sunday, June 5

Written by Katie Piacentini Friday, 03 June 2011 00:00

21st Annual Event Includes
Fun Activities for Adults and Children

This Sunday marks the 21st Annual HarborFest, a day in which the Port Washington community celebrates their nautical heritage. Many events and activities are scheduled throughout the day, including Art in the Park, Family Fun Park, and the Model Boat Regatta. The events will officially begin at 10 a.m. at the Town Dock, Baxter Pond and lower Main Street. In addition, the Food Court will feature many delicious treats from local restaurants, and the Wells-Fargo Stage Coach, pulled by four horses, is returning now for the fourth year.

Organized by The Art Guild, the 6th Annual Art in the Park will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local artists will be exhibiting their work at Sunset Park and two free workshops will also be available for adults and children. In addition, a juried Craft Show, organized by Wendy Collett and Mitch Schwartz, will feature 100 quality craftspeople. The booths will be located along lower Main Street, near the Town Dock.

The Wells Fargo stage coach, sponsored by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and Daniel Gale Sothebys International Real Estate, will offer free rides from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A trolley, sponsored by the Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District (The BID) and North Fork Trolley, will offer free rides throughout the day as it will make a continuous loop from the train station to the dock area.

On the water, the Charles II will be available to take people on cruises throughout HarborFest. It is rumored that a group of maritime pirates may invade the Charles II, so be on the lookout for these colorful and fun-loving pirates heading for our Town Dock. Another opportunity to get out on the bay includes free kayaking by Kayaken.

The HarborFest Model Boat Regatta takes place at Baxter Pond from 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m. Chamber volunteers taught third-graders from all of the Port Washington elementary schools how to make these catamaran-style boats from recycled materials.

The Family Fun Park, sponsored by the Port Washington Tennis Academy, features all sorts of entertainment and activities for children. The Parent Resource Center will have four inflatables as well as crafts and carnival games in the Fun Tent. The Fun Park will also have free family entertainment all day on the Family Fun Stage, which was organized by Debbie Greco.

Over at the PAL field, Family Field Day will offer plenty of sporting activities.

Another fun event for children is the HarborFest Treasure Hunt, which is organized and sponsored by State Bank of Long Island and includes a treasure chest that features prizes from local merchants. The Treasure Hunt continues until Saturday, June 4. To take part in the hunt, children can visit participating Chamber of Commerce merchants who will give them special coupons if they say the “secret” phrase: “One if by land, two if by sea, I’ll say please for a chance for the key.” The kids then take their coupons (maximum 10) to the Treasure Chest booth at the Town Dock during HarborFest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. where they can exchange them for keys that may open the Treasure Chest. If they select a lucky key, they get to pick one of the gift certificates donated by the participating businesses. Even if the key does not open the Treasure Chest, they will still walk away with a fun “consolation” prize.

At the Town Dock, many local merchants and organizations will offer shopping and browsing, demonstrations, activities, give-aways, services and information. In addition, the Food Court will offer delicious treats from Ayhan’s Shish Kebab, Frank’s Pizza, La Bottega, LI Festival Catering, Main Street Bakery, the Polish American Cultural Association, Port Youth Activities, Ralph’s Italian Ices, and the Sweet Comfort Bakery & Cafe.

Located at the entrance to the Town Dock, the “Pride of Cow Bay” Nautical Museum will feature a new exhibit, curated by Debbie Greco, called “Manhasset Bay: Then and Now.” In addition, there will be free live entertainment in front of the “Pride of Cow Bay” Tugboat Museum.

This year’s Enviro-Expo will have fascinating new hands-on demonstrations, special displays about Manhasset Bay and up-to-date information and products, all sponsored by HSCB Bank.

HarborFest is made possible by the Admiral Sponsorships of Anton Community Newspapers, Astoria Federal Savings, Pall Corporation and the Town of North Hempstead.

In addition to the above sponsors, other HarborFest sponsors are: Apple & Eve, Austin F. Knowles Inc. Funeral Home, Bott’s Service Center, Christine Shaub Agency - State Farm, Cutco, David Lerner Associates, Delux Transportation Services, Designatronix, Gold Coast Chiropractic, Hofstra Athletics, La Bottega, Little Smiles of Port Washington, LIFT - Long Island Fitness & Training, My Little World Daycare, North Coast Financial Group – an Office of MetLife, PortWashingtonPatch, Glen S. Ruben, D.D.S., Titan Sewer and Drain, Toms Point Marina, Tutor Doctor, Vincent Smith School, Viki’s Granola, Wicked The Musical and Yoga Life.

The HarborFest Committee gives special thanks to: The Art Guild, CancerCare’s Red Stocking Revue, Grassroots Environmental Education, Kayaken, Nassau County, the Parent Resource Center, the Port Washington Fire Department, the Port Washington Police District and Port Washington Water Pollution Control District and the Village of Baxter Estates.

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 883-6566, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.pwguide.com.