HarborFest set to start Thursday
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MARQUETTE -- In the name of charity, crowds will gather at Marquette's Mattson Lower Harbor Park to drink, dance and eat together at the next summertime festival: HarborFest 2023.
An annual event sponsored by the Marquette West Rotary Club, HarborFest raises money to support local nonprofits that improve residents' quality of life. In the past, MWR has given grants to a variety of organizations, including The New Free Store, 8-18 Media, Marquette Senior High School's Project Graduation, the Women's Center and the Jacobetti Home for Veterans.
Since the MWR's initial HarborFest in 1984, over $700,000 in grants has been raised for over 50 local organizations.
But how do they do it? All proceeds go to MWR grants; every wristband, burger, basket of fries, glass of wine, can of beer and bottle of seltzer supports the community.
"That was really the whole point of the festival," said MWR Secretary Pam Christensen, "to raise money so we can share with the community, because the whole community really does pitch in…. People come to the festival and take advantage of our food vendors, the beverage tent (and) they enjoy the music."
No carry-ins are allowed. Donation at the door is suggested.
HarborFest consists of three consecutive days of activity.
Thursday will feature "Broadway at the Harbor" by Summer Strings of the Marquette Symphony Orchestra from 7-8:30 p.m. Limited food vendors will be present along with the beverage tent.
Friday's entertainment will consist of local bands playing from 4-11 p.m. including Daydreamers from 4-5:30 p.m., Rattrap (Ratt tribute band) from 8-9 p.m., Rock of Love (Poison tribute band) from 9-11 p.m.
Food vendors will be on-site from 4-10:30 p.m. with bounce houses and inflatibles will be available from 4-9 p.m.
Superior Alliance for Independent Living's Battle of the Boards cornhole tournament will run from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday. SAIL funds will be applied to the Barrier Fund as well as the inclusion of an accessible bathroom in Lower Harbor Park.
The Barrier Fund helps people with disabilities live independently by reinstating state IDs or obtaining transportation help, for example.
Northern Michigan University's Wildcat Marching Band will play from 1:30-2 p.m. After that, local artists and bands will play until 11 p.m. Iron Daisy Acoustic will play from 3-4:15 p.m., The Reveal from 4:45-6:15 p.m., Uncle Ugly from 6:45-8:15 p.m., and Detroit Rock City (KISS tribute band) from 9:30-11 p.m.
Kids' inflatables will be open from 1-9 p.m.
The beverage tent will serve from 1-11 p.m. and food vendors will be on-site from 1-10:30 p.m.
"Rotary's theme is service above self," Christensen said. "This is another way we can give back to a variety of organizations and help support the work that they do in the community … serving people and making our community a better place to live."
A list of food vendors is available on MWR's website. Any questions, comments or concerns should be directed to MWR's secretary, Pam Johnson, at marquettewestrotary@gmail.com.
Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 506. Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net.