Harbor Fest weekend kicks off at Happy Hour on Friday with the Harbor Crawl, one of three major events added to Harbor Fest this year. The Harbor Crawl mixes shopping with socializing, encouraging people to “hit the streets” for an evening of fun.

Harbor Crawl, 4 to 7 p.m. Friday: Crawlers who want to join 92 Moose radio and Marketing Cents 4u as they jump on the 92 Moose Caboose Caravan (compliments of the Rocktide Inn trolley), should be at Boothbay Craft Brewery at 4 p.m. sharp (space is limited and seats are first come, first served) to begin the eating, drinking, shopping and merrymaking crawl as it winds around town.

The official crawl will begin at the Watershed Tavern, and crawl maps will be provided at every participating business. Harbor Crawl businesses will compete in a fall window/entry display contest and crawlers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite.

Dispatch Magazine editor, Lucia Davies, will join the crawl as our official media judge and Lincoln County Magazine will represent the event as well.

The crawl ends at 7 p.m., just in time for an incredible show at the Opera House. The BoDeans offer a super fun mix of blues, rock, country and soul, and their vibe could not be more perfect to complement the festivities of Harbor Fest weekend. The live music scene is impressive all over town throughout the weekend and a complete schedule can be found at: www.boothbayharborevents.com/live-music-schedule.

Family activities begin on Saturday morning. The party continues Saturday morning in the waterfront whale park with free family fun from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. An Artist Tent opens at 9 a.m., featuring the creative wares of local artists who have chosen to practice what we like to call, Eco-Art. Every item under the tent will be made with materials that have been salvaged, recycled, reused or repurposed, or made naturally and organically with our earth’s own resources.

The Treasure Hunt returns by popular demand and this year the grand-prize winner will take home $500 in local treasures. The hunt begins at 11 a.m. and the winner will be drawn at 2 p.m. Hunters must be present to win.

Gimbel’s Country Store will host its Birthday Bash with games, prizes and birthday cake from 10 a.m. to noon. Dispatch Magazine presents singer, songwriter Robby Simpson from noon to 1:30 p.m., followed by our local Y-Arts singers. Schooner Lazy Jack Cruises will offer Harbor Fest 2 for 1 sails all weekend (based on availability, reservations recommended).

Tickets to the Chowder & Chili event will be on sale in the park until sold out (please remember this is a 21-plus event and tickets cannot be sold at the door. Ticket sales close at 3 p.m.). Harbor Fest 5k registrations will also be available.

Chowder and Chili Contest, 4 to 7 p.m. Festivities continue at the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard from 4 to 7 p.m. with the Return of the Dory Fish Chowder (and Chili) Contest. Guests will enjoy 24 chowder and chili varieties, an ale tasting from Boothbay Craft Brewery, Barefoot wine and Bluegrass music by the Peterson Project. Event beneficiaries, Boothbay Sea and Science Center will offer a dessert station to benefit their non profit organization and Darlings Ice Cream for a Cause will sell ice cream on the dock.

After Hours Party, 8 to 10 p.m. The after hours party is from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Watershed Tavern, presented by Dispatch Magazine. Admission is free and a limited menu will be available for purchase. Classic albums (the Beatles) will be featured on vinyl using a state of the art sound system.

Harbor Fest 5k, Sunday at 10 a.m. On Sunday morning at 10, Team Dyer Neck presents the Harbor Fest 5k and all proceeds will benefit the Patrick Dempsey Challenge. The run/walk will begin and end at the Boothbay Craft Brewery and registrations are available at www.boothbayharborevents.com/harborfest-2013/advertisers/harbor-fest-5k/.

A 5k celebration and awards ceremony will immediately follow in the biergarten at Watershed Tavern with a BBQ for $15 per person and music by the Dyer Neck Gang.

As our season winds down there is no better time to show the world that we are still open for business and as vibrant as ever! Harbor Fest is just another great way to show visitors our festive community spirit, and encourage them to return next fall.