Harvestfest 2012 at York Beach

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Don Campbell Band performing at Harvestfest in 2011 (courtesy photo)

Harvestfest 2012Oct. 13 & 14, at York Beach
In its 28th year, Harvestfest is a two-day event located at beautiful Short Sands Beach, in York, Maine. Harvestfest will be celebrated this year on Saturday, Oct. 13 & Sunday, Oct. 14 from 10:00-4:00pm. Harvestfest is held every year on the weekend following the 3 day Sidewalk Salefest event held Columbus Day weekend. Harvestfest extends the season one more week for many businesses in the area and aims to support the entire region and community. This festival includes a variety of activities, live bands and performers (including the Don Campbell Band and local favorite, Skyler), bean hole beans, a POW-WOW (on Sunday), local food vendors, juried crafters and marketplace vendors from all over New England. Harvestfest includes Kidsfest; look for pony rides, activities, face painting and horse-drawn carriage rides. Harvestfest is southern Maine’s premiere fall festival. This year, there will be two big tents in the ball field, one for food and the other for entertainment; this means you can expect to find plenty of food under the tent on BOTH Saturday and Sunday.

 Pow Wow Drum at Rest (courtesy of Ed Bullock)

Harvestfest is a rain or shine event! It is also smoke-free and pet-free (except service dogs) for everyone’s safety & comfort. Free Public Parking for Harvestfest is at York’s Wild Animal Kingdom, which you can access from Route One. The parking meters at the beach are also free during Harvestfest. Handicap Parking is available in the lot next to the Winebaum Center and the perimeter ball field road. (Access the handicap parking by going down Ridge Road, not through the Wild Kingdom.)

General Schedule of Events at Harvestfest 2012
Saturday, October 13, 2012

10:00am – 4:00pmJuried Craft Fair – BallfieldFood Vendors – BallfieldEntertainment Tent (Don Campbell Band) - BallfieldKidsfest – back corner of BallfieldFace Painting by Hospice of York – BallfieldHorse Drawn Wagon Rides – Entrance to BallfieldStage Two (various artists*) – in front of Daily GrindMarketplace – Opposite Fire StationEsplanade/Non-Profits – Opposite Fire StationRoaming Railroad – front of Fire Station

10:00am – 1:00pmBaked Beans – Ballfield

10:00am – 12:00pmPony Rides – Ballfield (Kidsfest corner)


1:00pm – 4:00pmPumpkin Carving – bring your own pumpkin to Daily Grind Cafe
2:00pm – 4:00pmPony Rides – Ballfield (Kidsfest corner)
5:30pm – 7:30pm
Pumpkin Stroll

*Stage Two Schedule10:00am – 12:30: Skyler12:30pm – 1:00pm: York Strings1:00pm – 2:00pm: Maine-ly Balloons2:00pm – 4:00pm: Dan Blakeslee5:30pm – 7:00pm: Dr. Gasp (aka Dan Blakeslee)


Maine-ly Balloons roving 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Sunday, October 14, 2012


10:00am – 4:00pmJuried Craft Fair – BallfieldFood Vendors – BallfieldKidsfest – back corner of BallfieldHorse Drawn Wagon Rides – Entrance to BallfieldStage Two (various artists**) – in front of Daily GrindMarketplace – Opposite Fire StationEsplanade/Non-Profits – Opposite Fire StationRoaming Railroad – front of Fire Station 

11:00am – 4:00pmEntertainment Tent (Native American POW-WOW) - Ballfield


10:00am – 12:00pmPony Rides – Ballfield (Kidsfest corner)

2:00pm – 4:00pmPony Rides – Ballfield (Kidsfest corner)

3:45pmReap the Harvest Raffle – prize drawings

**Stage Two Schedule
10:00am - 11:00am: The Funky Divas11:00am – 12:00pm: Park’s Tae Kwon Do12:00pm – 12:30pm: Storytelling by Shawn Middleton12:45pm – 1:15pm: Storytelling by Shawn Middleton1:30pm – 2:00pm: Storytelling by Shawn Middleton2:00pm – 4:00pm: Extreme Air of New Hampshire

 Harvestfest 2011 Ball Field (courtesy photo)

The Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, which hosts Harvestfest, is pleased to announce the four presenting sponsors: Cutty Sark Motel, Kennebunk Savings, Union Bluff Hotel & Meeting House and Woods Family Inc. All four of the sponsors are key players in making Harvestfest happen, though much of their involvement remains behind the scenes; these sponsors contribute so much time and effort to making Harvestfest happen and the Chamber would like to acknowledge all that they do.
Peter and Patrick Hughes from Cutty Sark Motel have been long committed to the Chamber’s evolution dating back to its humble beginning in the center of York Beach. The Hughes brothers and crew prepare the bean hole beans area and whole Harvestfest site for the onslaught of attendees; this takes place in the weeks and days leading up to and after Harvestfest. They also allow the chamber to use their motorized equipment during the festival to move materials as needed. According to Peter, “We are proud to be involved with preparation of the site for York’s Harvestfest and hope for the weather to do its part.”
Kennebunk Savings has been involved in Harvestfest for over fifteen years. Chris Kehl of Kennebunk Savings explains, “We like to support the community and Chamber of Commerce by contributing to the premier fall festival in the area. We enjoy the camaraderie and friendships that have developed over the years with the other volunteers and sponsors.” Bank employees volunteer with many aspects of the event during the weekend; in particular, they sell coffee in partnership with Carpe Diem Coffee Roasters to raise money for the York Food Pantry on Saturday.
According to Brent Merritt, “The Union Bluff Hotel and Meeting House is proud to sponsor York’s 28^th Annual Harvestfest celebration again this year.  We have sponsored the Harvestfest celebration for 7 years and been a major sponsor for the past 2 years.  Local participation in these events brings a spirit of community to our town.  Through these annual events we help to preserve our history and celebrate our heritage.  The Harvestfest celebration is a wonderful way to show visitors to our town the true flavor of a small Maine community.” This year, the Union Bluff will also help out by sponsoring the Harvestfest volunteer party.
Woods Family Inc., has sponsored Harvestfest for more than seven years. Woods family members help out with Harvestfest throughout the weekend and a crew from The Daily Grind Café (led by Jen Woods) leads the pumpkin carving & stroll. David Woods comments, “We sponsor to support the good works the chamber does and so that the community has an enjoyable fall festival to gather at and help keep the small town feeling going well into the future.”

For more information on Harvestfest including: vendor lists, directions, sponsors, food details, maps, etc please visit www.maineoktoberfest.com or call 207.363.4422