NORFOLK — The nation’s largest and longest running maritime festival returns to Norfolk this weekend for its 42nd year of fun, food, and tall ships.
Harborfest begins Friday and runs through the weekend at Norfilk’s Town Point Park.
In addition to tall ships, food and adult beverages, mermaids might be spotted and there’ll be games for the kids. A variety of music will be offered on the various stages and the Colours Junkanoo Street Party performers will bring a Nassau-like parade and music to the event.
“It’s really a cool event,” said Rebecca Duckett, promotions and communications manager for Festevents. “There’s something for everyone to enjoy.”
New this year, she said, are the Shadow Players, a stage combat group that will “recreate the Golden Age of swashbuckling pirates.” Their show combines comedy and high-jinks with rousing sword fights and educational information and will take place all weekend.
The Moody Crewe Pirate School will also be on hand to help those who want to learn more about living the ship-shape life of a pirate.
Duckett said the pirates, including Eastern Carolina University mascot Pirate Steve, will be milling around the event, and they welcome photo-ops.
The Navy will be there as well, with some of their most elite divers as they demonstrate diving techniques and share some of their stories and what it takes to be a Navy diver.
The Coastal Riverine Force, which defends high value assets and regained prominence following the USS Cole and 9/11 attacks, will conduct demonstrations on the Elizabeth River throughout the weekend.
The event opens at noon on Friday with the Parade of Sail, which will be led by Norfolk’s own, the Schooner Virginia. Also participating in the parade will be Jamestown Settlement’s Godspeed and the Alliance from Yorktown.
A big fireworks show begins at 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
“It’s not your run-of-the-mill fireworks,” Duckett said, adding that it will run for 30 full minutes and can be seen from a variety of locations on the waterfront and in Portsmouth.
Information about Harborfest is available online and includes a complete listing of events.
This article was published in partnership with our sister publication, Southside Daily.
