Marquette Harbor Festival is free this year

The Marquette Lower Harbor Seafood Festival that usually takes place this weekend is no more. It’s been renamed the Harbor Fest. The festival will now concentrate on music instead of food.

The Harbor Fest black-tie gala is tonight and is sold out, but the festival itself kicks off tomorrow evening. The biggest change to the newly renamed Harbor Fest is that admission is now free. There will still be plenty of games, vendors, food and music, but no gates, fences or tickets to worry about. Organizers just want everyone to come and concentrate on having a good time.

“We’ve got some fantastic musical acts coming in from all around the country, so it’s really good to come and kick back on a Friday evening or all day Saturday and just enjoy downtown Marquette, enjoy the park and support Rotary and all the activities that we support through this festival,” said Jennifer James-Mesloh, Marketing Coordinator.

All of the proceeds from the festival and gala go to the Rotary Club that specializes in assisting youth, seniors and families in need.

“This is what makes Marquette, Marquette. It’s on the harbor it’s great music, craft beers and a great community celebration. After 30 years of dong this with the west rotary club I think we put on a pretty good party, it’s a lot of fun,” said Patrick Thomson, Entertainment Chair

The now-free Harbor Festival kicks off Friday at 5 p.m. and goes until 11 p.m. On Saturday, the festival goes from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. and on Saturday, the Marquette Bay Classic Fall Fishing Tournament begins at 6 a.m.

For more information, you can visit marquettewestrotary.org/harbor-fest/