York Town News
Friday the 13th will be a lucky day for fans of York's Harvestfest celebration
By Jennifer L. Saunders
WHICH WITCH IS WHICH? It was all about the enjoyment of autumn at Hilton-Winn Farm on Ogunquit Road in Cape Neddick on Saturday, Oct. 7. Jane McLaughlin of South Berwick, who has been playing the part of the Wicked Witch at the event for the past four years, said of visitors to this annual event, "I've scared tons of them. Some didn't make it through the haunted house." McLaughlin is pictured here with Good Witch Joyce Parent with Pascale Parent. This coming weekend, the fall fun continues as the main events of York's annual Harvestfest celebration get underway on Friday and continue through Sunday.
Photo by C. Ayn Douglass
YORK - It's that time of year again.
It's the time when York Village and York Beach come to life with the sights, sounds and scents of autumn.
That's because this Friday through Sunday, Oct. 13 through 15, York's 22nd Harvesfest will fill York Village with crafts, music, food, live entertainment, events for all ages and a full celebration of York's heritage, its businesses and its people.
In recent years, the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, which works to make Harvestfest a weekend to remember year in and year out, has had to seek additional sites for Harvesfest events, as organizers are quick to point out this is one event that residents and visitors alike seem to flock to - almost regardless of the weather.
In addition to the center of the village, events will be offered at the York Beach Ball Field and at Harvestfest-spirited businesses around town.
"It's time for the 22nd year of Harvestfest and the plans for this year include some new and exciting activities along with the grand old traditions," said Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce Member Liaison Katie Guay in the chamber's announcement of this year's event.
FUN FOR ALL ON FRIDAY THE 13TH
While last weekend's York Beach Sidewalk Sale provided the first offering of Harvestfest, the event gets into full swing this weekend, beginning on Friday, Oct. 13, with events on the York Village Green, between the First Parish Church and Town Hall, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Under the big tent on the green, Harvestfest fans will find that staple of this celebration of York, the Old Fashioned Marketplace and Food Festival, featuring everything from handmade crafts to special collectibles to food from favorite area restaurants and local organizations such as Union Congregational Church's "Bloomin' Onion" Booth on both Friday and Saturday. And, Coastal Ridge and Village Elementary Schools will have a booth this year at Harvestfest on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring "York Wildcat Logo Wear" for sale.
"For you animal lovers and toddlers, we have the cutest stuffed Wild Cats waiting for you to cuddle," the schools' parent organizations have promised in announcing the event, with something for all ages and sizes.
Entertainment on the green will be provided by Sergei Novikov, sponsored by Bigger 'n Better Sportsfishing.
"SeniorFest will also be held on Friday with entertainment and activities geared to the fifty-something crowd," Guay noted, adding the event will include a discount coupon for what the chamber promises will be "New England's best lobster rolls."
SeniorFest, sponsored by York Hospital, offers crafts and activities throughout the day, as well as health screening provided by York Hospital from 10 a.m. to noon. Entertainment will include David Storer, who will play the spoons and share stories, Allison Lee Freeman, accordion player Gary Sredzienski and even "Special Bingo" to end the afternoon.
This year, SeniorFest happens to coincide with National Aging in Place Week, which ends Oct. 13, and a variety of non-profit organizations and businesses geared toward making it possible for senior citizens to remain in their homes throughout their lives have signed on to offer booths and share information about options during the event.
For the town's youngsters, the York Public Library will host a special Harvestfest Story Time at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, along with the Friends of the Library Harvestfest Book Nook for all readers, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
And the Old York Historical Society's Museum Shop will hold its Annual Sidewalk Sale, offering up to 70 percent off for an array of items throughout the day.
After things quiet down in the village proper at 4 p.m. on Friday, Harvestfest frolickers need only go so far as Lobster in the Rough at the Lobster Barn on Route 1 to join in the fun of BrewFest, from 5 to 10 p.m.
The $25 admission charge to this 21-and-over event includes five samples from the Red Hook Brewery, a Harvestfest collector's glass, a food coupon and a concert featuring the Jumbo Circus Peanuts. Billed as one of the Seacoast's most popular party bands, the Jump Circus Peanuts will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are available at Ocean National Bank, which is the event's sponsor, as well as the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center and online at www.gatewaytomaine.org.
If chocolate is more your cup of, well, brew, then head back to tent at the York Village Green for this year's Chocolate Lover's Fling and Silent Auction, sponsored by the York Athletic Boosters, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
And that's just the first day of this year's Harvestfest offerings.
SATURDAY'S SELECTIONS
Saturday, Oct. 14, the Harvestfest Opening Ceremonies will be held at 9:45 a.m. when the York Militia will march from the village square to the First Parish Church steps. Don't miss this journey into the past as the "town crier" is joined by children in Colonial-era costumes and local and state dignitaries to hail the formal start of the festival.
Saturday also marks the return of the always-popular Kidsfest, with favorites from the past returning and new additions especially for this year.
KidsFest will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with games, crafts, activities, face painting and live entertainment by and for children as diverse as the young violinists of York Strings and the Parks Tai Kwon Do School. KidsFest entertainment is sponsored by Chiropractic Works, Berwick Academy and the Stolen Menu Café.
The Village Juried Craft Far and Colonial Food Festival will be held at the Village Green from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an array of crafters and food vendors. While you browse, eat and shop, listen to performances by Sergei Novikov and the Fife and Drum Band, both sponsored by Bigger 'n Better Sportsfishing.
Inside the nearby Fellowship Hall of the First Parish Church, stop by the Colonial Market Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or take a short walk through the village to the York Public Library for the continuation of the Friends of the Library Harvestfest Book Nook of gently-used books from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will also be many community groups and non-profit organizations on hand with displays and raffles throughout the day, and the Stage Neck Inn will sponsor the day's classic Ox-Roast and Bean-Hole Baked Beans from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
From noon to 2 p.m., Seacoast Community Chorus will perform under the direction of Wendell Purrington in the First Parish Church.
Just across the street from the Village Green, you can take part in even more activities from the past throughout the day, with events at Jefferds' Tavern, tours of the Old Gaol, pictures in the pillory, hay wagon rides and the chance to spin wool, cane a chair, press cider, cook over the open hearth, buy homemade treats and hot apple cider, see a militia encampment, enjoy Native American Indian demonstrations and even listen to folk music with the Old York Historical Society.
Thee Privileged Pet will celebrate its third anniversary and Harvestfest, too, with an event that's going to the dogs - and cats. Pets and their people are invited to the Annual Harvest Festifurr on Saturday at Thee Privileged Pet's Route 1 location from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with donations and a raffle to benefit the Animal Welfare Society.
And just across town at the York Beach Ball Park, there's even more Harvestfest fun planned throughout the day on Saturday, including the Old Fashioned Marketplace from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with entertainment by select musicians of the Tim Janis Ensemble.
Hungry for lunch? Under the tent at the field, VFW Post 6977 will host a "Chicken Shoot" from noon to 2 p.m. for $10 for each set of three cards. Sponsored by the Sanford Institution for Savings, this event is for all ages.
And throughout the day, you can carve your own pumpkin at the carving station at The Daily Grind, just down the street from the field, to be placed on display for the Pumpkin Stroll at 6 p.m.
Before the stroll, have some fun with Party-Mom Productions at the Pirate’s of York Beach Party from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. under the big tent at the York Beach ballpark. The cost is $7 for adults, $4 for children 12 and under and free for children under the age of two. Don’t forget to wear your finest pirate garb! Each young pirate will receive an eye patch and pirate tattoo and spend the evening collecting pirate loot. The fun and games will be followed by a dinner of pirate grub and grog — also known as spaghetti and meatballs with bread and salad provided by Anthony’s Food Shop and When Pigs Fly Bakery. Tickets are available through the chamber’s website and at the Visitors’ Center. This event is sponsored by Sanford Institution for Savings.
The Annual Pumpkin Stroll will close the Harvestfest evening in the beach, with a chance to view jack-o-lanterns submitted from residents across town from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at and around The Daily Grind while listening to entertainment from local musician Dan Blakeslee.
SUNDAY FUN
Sunday's events will be held in York Beach, and will include the Classic Car Show, crafts at the ballpark, an array of food and a Native American POW-WOW under the big tent at the Short Sands ball field.
Sunday afternoon will also feature the "Reap the Harvest" T-shirt raffle prize drawing.
"With thousands of dollars in prizes to give away, the 500 T-shirts and 500 limited edition posters, which are the tickets for the raffle, will sell out quickly," Guay noted. "Be sure to purchase yours now."
The Antique Car Show and Cruise will be held from 8 a.m. until noon at Ellis Park, Short Sands Beach, sponsored by Twin State Cruisers/
At 9 a.m., the 11th Annual Hannah Jackson 5K Harvestfest Run will begin with a new time and new route this year, beginning at York High School. This event is sponsored by York Parks and Recreation.
Events continue throughout the day at the York Beach Ball Field, including the second day of the Old Fashioned Marketplace, once again with entertainment by select musicians of the Tim Janis Ensemble, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Under the big ten, be a part of the Native American POW-WOW with live entertainment, drumming, stories, a hoop dancer and a variety of Native American vendors. This event is sponsored by The Little Bull.
At 3:30 p.m. Harvestfest will near its end for this year with the "Reap the Harvest" raffle drawings.
Harvestfest 2006 is presented by the chamber, with major sponsors including Kennebunk Savings Bank, The Cuttysark Motal, Tapley Insurance, Woods Family, Inc., and WMTW.
There will also be free trolley service offered on Friday and Saturday, at 20-minute intervals between 9a.m. and 5 p.m. to Harvestfest and parking sites around town. For the details on the trolley and the full Harvestfest schedule, which is subject to change, check out the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce's website at www.gatewaytomaine.org.
