Harborfest celebrates its 35th edition this year with the music, food, fun and fireworks that makes the festival a must-do on the calendars of tens of thousands of people. The festival’s Midway, on Lake Street in the Wright’s Landing marina parking lot, opens Wednesday night but Harborfest itself gets rolling Thursday night.
Here’s what you need to know to make the most of Harborfest:
NEW THIS YEAR: FREE TROLLEYS
This year, thanks to generous sponsors, the Harborfest trolley will be free. The trolley runs continuously between the festival’s venues, two key hotel locations and the parking lot at Oswego Speedway. Parking at festival locations is always very tight, so it’s a great year to park the car elsewhere and leave the driving to Harborfest. Also, thanks to Kinney Drugs, the tradition of the trolley medallion will continue for those who collect the annual tokens. Amounts are limited. Trolley info here: https://www.oswegoharborfest.com/transportation-shuttles/
ALSO NEW: CAHILL PIER
The city’s beautiful new Cahill Pier at the Wright’s Landing Marina becomes the new home of concerts that previously took place in West Park. It’s within walking distance of the main venue at Breitbeck Park and adjacent to the Midway, making Harborfest a little easier to get around. The stage in East Park continues as usual.
THIS YEAR’S MUSIC: THE FAMOUS…
Harborfest’s always-brilliant music lineup shines with two national touring groups this year. Blood Sweat & Tears, the band that first infused jazz into rock and made chart-topping hits, performs after Thursday’s opening ceremonies in Novelis Breitbeck Park on the Constellation Energy Lakeview Stage. Expect to hear hits “Spinning Wheel,” “And When I Die,” and “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy.” Friday night, the man whose singing and songwriting made Grand Funk Railroad world-famous brings Mark Farner’s American Band to Harborfest. Among the hits he’s likely to play are “We’re An American Band,” “Some Kind of Wonderful,” and “I’m Your Captain.” Also, touring cover bands playing the music of Jimmy Buffett, Heart, Zac Brown and more will perform on the festival’s three stages.
…THE FAMILIAR…
Some regional Harborfest fan favorites return this year, including dance and soul group The Billionaires, The Arcade – Musical Tribute to the 80s, Rochester-based soul horn band Atlas, 70s/80s cover band Infinity, local legends Frostbit Blue, Long Time Coming, ESP, Mr. Monkey and many more.
…AND THE NEW FAVORITES
Harborfest brings in performers from around the country to fill out its stages. Among the performers destined to become new favorites this year are Steve Grills and The Roadmasters, featuring the Rochester-based but nationally respected blues guitarist and his band; blues legend Billy Price, the Pittsburgh native whose 19 albums have earned him national awards and nominations; and Shaw Davis and the Black Ties, a trio from Florida that plays its blues with a hard rock edge.
Music lineups:
- Breitbeck Park: https://www.oswegoharborfest.com/breitbeck-park/
- Cahill Pier: https://www.oswegoharborfest.com/veterans-memorial-park-river-walk-west/
- East Park/Washington Square: https://www.oswegoharborfest.com/east-park-jazz-blues
FAMILY FUN ON THE GROUND AND IN THE AIR
Harborfest’s children’s programming is as solid as always. Highlights include a performance on the Constellation Energy Lakeview Stage by Peppa Pig, moving to a much bigger stage after last year’s very popular show. The 11 a.m. performance caps the annual Children’s Parade, which steps off from West Park at 10:30 a.m. Friday. The new Circus Stella performs several times a day Friday, Saturday and Sunday and promises circus-style thrills. The Dreamland Amusements Midway features four rides that are new to Harborfest this year. Individual ride tickets and ride-all-day wristbands are available here. The highlight of all highlights and a sight that inspires awe in children and adults alike is the annual Fireworks Spectacular Saturday night. The fireworks, synchronized to music played on radio sponsor The Dinosaur on 103.9 FM, are far and away the region’s biggest and best fireworks show.
ODDS AND ENDS
Yes, you can bring your own lawn chair to the concert venues, where there is very limited seating. Smoking, vaping and pets (other than service animals) are not allowed in city parks. You can bring your own cooler but it’s against city law to bring alcohol into city parks. Our vendors can satisfy your need for an adult beverage. Sunscreen is a really good idea. BIkes, scooters and skateboards are not allowed. For the fireworks, you can put a blanket down in city parks starting at 6 a.m. Saturday. Anything left before that will be thrown away by overnight cleaning crews. You cannot use stakes or heavy items like rocks to hold the blanket down.
