HarborFest Marks Its Golden Anniversary
Sag Harbor’s HarborFest, which began 50 years ago as the Old Whalers Festival, will celebrate its golden anniversary this year with a three-day glorification of all things nautical, as well as tastes of Sag Harbor food, music, and history.
Competitive whaleboat races, the festival’s claim to fame, will go on all weekend, launched from Windmill Beach, with the winner crowned there on Sunday afternoon.
Long Wharf will be packed with vendors and more contests, including one to find the tastiest chowder and another for the fastest clam shucker. A program with details of activities, which include historical tours in the village, will be available at the windmill.
The festivities will kick off at a benefit fiesta tomorrow night from 6 to 9 at the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum, where D.J. Mister Lama will provide the music. The Montaco truck will be on hand with Latin fare, beverages will be provided by the Montauk Brewing Company and Channing Daughters, and dessert will be ice cream from Sylvester and Company.
The winner of a raffle to benefit the Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce, which organized the event, will receive a 14-karat gold whale pendant created by David Lee of Sag Harbor. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the windmill, the Wharf Shop, Sag Harbor Liquors, or the Sag Harbor Variety Store.
An arts and crafts fair will also take place at Marine Park on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.