Two days of food, music and fun commence this afternoon when Marquette West Rotary’s HarborFest returns to Marquette’s Mattson Lower Harbor Park.

It’s an action-packed two-day festival, with all kinds of activity in and near the park.

There are inflatables for the kids to enjoy and a car show on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for motor vehicle aficionados.

A beer and wine tent specializing in craft beers will be popular, as will local foods from food tents and trucks this year featuring Outlanders, Rollin’ Smoke BBQ, Smelted Wood Fired Pizza (Copper Crust Co.), Senor’s Food Truck, DaH Pretzel Guys, Superior Mobile Koney and GigSnax.

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 wheel luge slide. The club will also have an informational table where everyone can learn how to join the club and participate during the winter months.

And one of the most heartwarming activities at the venue 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 will have veterans showing their catch of the day while patriotic music plays. The parade will be around 1 p.m. Saturday.

Plus there will be tremendous music both days.

Today, Bumpus out of Chicago will be the headliner at 9 p.m., with local acts Beechgrove & Blacksmith hitting the stage at 4:45 p.m. and The Wayouts at 6:45 p.m.

The Insiders from Grand Rapids, a six-person Tom Petty tribute band, will be the headlining act at 9 p.m. Saturday, 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.

There isn’t a 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-area organizations.

We hope the public packs the park to support Marquette West Rotary and to enjoy another great summer event in the central Upper Peninsula.