Belfast Harbor Fest, a community project of the Belfast Rotary Club, honors the maritime tradition of Belfast, Maine, provides people of all ages with opportunities to experience Belfast harbor, stimulates the economic life of Belfast and the Belfast area, fosters membership in the Belfast Rotary Club, and generates support for Rotary service projects that make real Rotary’s belief in “Service Above Self.”
Friday through Sunday, August 18-20, 2023
Steamboat Landing & Heritage Park
Front Street between Main & Commercial Street (34 Commercial Street)
Belfast, Maine 049153-
Click on “Parking” above for a map of parking in downtown Belfast. Parking is limited, so please review your options. Please note that Front Street will be closed for the 5K Bug Run and that there is NO PARKING on the water side of Front Street.
Some Highlights from 2023 Harbor Fest
5K Bug Run/Walk
In Maine, we refer to lobsters as bugs. The winner of the 5K Bug Run/Walk gets 20 lbs of lobsters or bugs. For details click on More Information
Pancake Breakfast
Breakfast beside the Belfast Harbor. Served in the Boat House at Steamboat Landing from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 19. Free pancake breakfast for the 5K runners! Sponsored by Downeast Credit Union. More Information
National Boat Building Challenge
Build a boat in four hours at Steamboat Landing on Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., August 19, then launch it and win the relay race at 4 p.m.! $100 entry fee and all materials and directions provided. Scholarships are available. Put together a team of two, challenge your colleagues or competitors, bring your power tools, and have a good time! No experience needed! More Information
Ongoing Activities
Music
Listen to local and regional groups and individuals!
Tap your toes and clap your hands to the musicians who will perform in the Steamboat Landing Gazebo all day on Saturday, August 19. More Information
Food
Vendors serve up a variety of local food and drink!
Nosh your way through a variety of food vendors on Saturday.
Kid’s Activities
Saturday, August 19, 2023. Enjoy fun activities for the kids!
Touch Tank, Stick Puppets, Touch-a-Truck
And more…. Including a Pinewood Derby race in the Boat House at 11:45 am. Click HERE for details.
Front Street Shipyard Tours
Saturday, August 19, 2023, at 11:00 AM and Noon. Tours start at the shipyard, 101 Front Street, Belfast Maine. View Map
Boat Show
Commercial and Amateur entries vying to win the Best in Show trophy on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, at Steamboat Landing. More Information
Come Boating! 23rd Annual Regatta
Cheer on the Belfast Come Boating! teams as they compete with regional teams in the Come Boating! Regatta.
The event is open to all oared and paddled boats. This year the race will be approximately 4 miles long
Online registration is available at the Come Boating! website
Please register BEFORE August 4, 2023.
The race starts at 12 noon on Saturday. In-person sign-up is required between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. on the day of the regatta. The race is open to 6 oared pilot gigs, 4 oared boats, and all other one and two-person rowed or paddled craft.
– Harbor Rows will be available on Sunday from 10 to 4. Anyone interested should come to the ComeBoating! tent near the Boat House to sign up. Minors must have a written waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
Cardboard Boat Challenge
Sunday, August 20, 2023. Fire up your creativity put a team together and build a cardboard boat! Challenge your colleagues, your competitors, your neighbors and have some fun building and racing a cardboard boat. Win the trophy for the most spectacular sinking! More Information
Habitat for Humanity Lobster Gala
Sunday, August 20th at Noon