It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, it’s not the holidays, but even better: Harvest on the Harbor is next week! This year, it’s back and better than ever. Check out some of the events I’ll be attending and what to expect from everyone’s favorite foodie event!
Thursday: Different Roads dinner, 6:00 pm-8:30 pm
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This is the opening event for Harvest On The Harbor. Each year, it seems like Harvest On The Harbor is always changing. After all, there’s new events, new restaurants participating, and new ownership of the festival as well. Different Roads is new for 2018, but I’m excited to see how it kicks off this foodie festival! Part of what I love about this state is the diversity of where people come from. Whether it’s from another part of the world like Somalia, or just another state, these are the things that connect us.
Different Roads will feature culturally diverse foods, along with delectable wine pairings from the Maine Winery Guild. Some of the restaurants who will be participating include Mami, The Sinful Kitchen, and Solo Italiano. This sounds like a very tasty start!
Friday afternoon: Maine Lobster Chef of the Year, 11:30 am-2:00 pm
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Though I won’t be attending it this year, I can tell you that the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition is the best excuse ever to eat lobster shamelessly. I attended this event a few years ago, and my recommendation is wear some stretchy pants! Seriously, because there is a lot of food to sample in just a few short hours. This year, competitors include:
- Bite Into Maine
- Congress Squared
- DiMillo’s on the Water
- Fisherman’s Wharf Inn
- Portland Lobster Company
- RiRa Portland
- Seadog Brewing Company
- Union Kitchen
- 2018 Boothbay Harbor Claw Down winner Dana Moos
What makes this event so fun is how different every dish ends up being. Yes, everything must incorporate lobster in some way, but other than that, dishes get unique! If you’re a lobster lover, this one is a must!
Friday: On The Rocks with Maine Distiller’s Guild, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
Friday night, you will find me waiting in line to enjoy the best that our local distillers have to offer! After a long work week (yes, I have a day job!) this will be the ultimate happy hour event to kick back and enjoy. This was a popular event that I attended last year, and I’m happy it’s back! Yes, the drinks are great, but the coolest part about this event is you can talk to the distillers.
After all, making vodka, gin, rum, and other Maine made spirits takes some serious skill. There’s nothing more interesting than learning why your favorite spirit is made the way it is. And it’s even better when you can sip that spirit at the same time! Oh, and for foodies out there like me, On The Rocks features food pairings to perfectly compliment the individual spirits that will be poured. Food and drink, plus live music? Sounds like you know where you’ll be next Friday night!
Saturday: Hair of the Dog Bloody Mary & Pig Roast Brunch, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
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Just in case you were unaware, if the word brunch is mentioned, it’s pretty much a guarantee that I’ll be there. So hey, brunch and pig roast?! You’ll find me chowing down at this event as well! After all, we’ll be recovering from the inevitable hangover that On the Rocks will probably cause and there’s no better way than with some bloodies!
If you weren’t already intrigued, there will be pork breakfast tacos to go with those Bloody Mary’s! Hey, worst case, you get a little day drunk (we’ve all been there, don’t deny it) and then you keep the party going at a restaurant nearby. Judgement free zone, I promise. Don’t get too drunk though, because next up is Oysterfest, a few hours later!
Saturday evening: Maine Oysterfest w/ Maine Oyster Company, 4:00 pm-6:30 pm
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Oysters are a big deal in this town. Want to know what’s extremely exciting? I can eat them now! Yes, fair readers, I had an allergy test recently and I am NOT allergic to oysters after all. The Maine Oyster Company is brand new to the Maine oyster scene, but they are coming in hot and heavy by participating in this event. If you’re reading this the Friday before Harvest on the Harbor, you can get a sneak peek at their oysters and brand new space on 10/12 from 4 pm-10 pm during their Grand Opening Party! I will be there and trying their oysters, albeit nervously.
Anyway, this event is a big one for oyster lovers. There are two and a half hours to eat oysters, as well as sample whiskeys, wines, and craft beers. If you’re a VIP ticket holder, you can enter the event a half hour before the rest of the ticket holders and get two dozen oysters. If not, general admission ticket holders get in at 4 pm and get one dozen oysters. Either way, if you’re an oyster lover, that’s a great deal!
Sunday: Market on the Harbor, 11:00 am-3:00 pm
Buy tickets to Market on the Harbor
I’ve attended Harvest on the Harbor every year for the last five years, and Market on the Harbor is always my favorite event, hands down. For one thing, this is some serious bang for your buck. Tickets to the Market are $40 per person. More vendors and restaurateurs than you ever thought possible participate in this event, serving everything from clam chowder to moose meatballs, or tiny samples of milkshakes. It just depends on who is there!
The best part is you can shop as you taste too. Don’t forget, the other most wonderful time of the year is right around the corner! Maybe you’ll discover the perfect jam for your aunt, or find a dip that your best friend would go crazy for. There’s a little something for everyone at Market on the Harbor, making it a fitting finale to Harvest on the Harbor.
