MARQUETTE — Marquette West Rotary’s HarborFest will return in Marquette’s Mattson Lower Harbor Park for another year of live music, activities, and family fun Friday and Saturday.

HarborFest is one of the premier free two-day music festivals in the Upper Peninsula.

Friday’s headliner — for the third year in a row — is Bumpus from Chicago, bringing is soulful bluesy sound to Marquette starting at 9 p.m.

Local musicians taking to the stage Friday include Beechgrove & Blacksmith at 4:45 p.m. and The Wayouts at 6:45 p.m.

Then Saturday, The Insiders from Grand Rapids, a six-person Tom Petty tribute band, will be the headlining act at 9 p.m. capping a day of great music that features Strung Together at 12:30 p.m., The Pit Crew at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday Jones at 4:30 p.m., and Iron Daisy at 6:30 p.m.

“Friday night, Bumpus is a groove band that the college kids especially love,” said Patrick Thomson, HarborFest entertainment chair. “Then on Saturday night of HarborFest, we usually have a classic rock tribute band. This year, it’s The Insiders, who are a Tom Petty tribute band.

“We fill the stage the rest of the two nights with local musicians,” he said. “We stay local because there is just so much talent around here.”

Some of the bands this year were part of last year’s event, Thomson said.

“For instance, Tuesday Jones did a great job last year, so we invited them back for this year’s HarborFest,” he said. “We try to make the local bands diverse, some rock, some country, some bluegrassy. We do the best we can to mix it up with all the local wonderful talent. And we’re fortunate to have Jim Supanich and Sombrero Sound to run the music.”

While music is a highlight, HarborFest includes much more, like a beer and wine tent specializing in craft beers as well as local fare from food tents and trucks. Featured food this year includes Outlanders, Rollin’ Smoke BBQ, Smelted Wood Fired Pizza (Copper Crust Co.), Señor’s Food Truck, DaH Pretzel Guys, Superior Mobile Koney and GigSnax.

For the kids, there is fun on the inflatables from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and noon to 7 p.m. Saturday. Wrist bands will cost 10 tokens each, and will allow the kids to play on the inflatables for as long as they want, making HarborFest a perfect event for families and children of all ages.

Car lovers can cruise down the rows of classic cars and motorcycles during Saturday’s show. Enjoy a free public viewing of more than 100 cars and bikes between the tents and park playground. Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday only, this will be a great extra attraction on site everyone in the family can enjoy.

Sponsored by Good Time Oldies, enjoy walking down the aisles of vehicles while some classic hits play from the big stage.

Also on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Upper Peninsula Luge Club will have a demonstration luge slide to try out. Everyone is welcome to come out to rush down the 40-foot slide. The UP Luge Club will also have a table offering information on how to join the club and participate during the winter months.

Also returning is the annual South Shore Fishing Association Veterans Appreciation Fishing Day in the harbor. The South Shore Fishing Association Veterans Appreciation Fishing Day Boat Parade in the Lower Harbor will have veterans showing their catch of the day while patriotic music plays.

The parade will be around 1 p.m. Saturday.

There is no charge to attend HarborFest. Lawn chairs are welcome, but no carry-ins are permitted. Tokens will be for sale for purchase of craft beer, wine and food throughout the festival.

HarborFest is the key fundraising effort to support Marquette West Rotary’s contributions to numerous nonprofit organizations throughout Marquette County. Last year, the group raised more than $35,000 to help support Marquette West Rotary’s donations to more than 35 Marquette organizations.